Born in Los Angeles, he entered the film industry in 1976, initially as an actor. He made his film scoring debut in 1980 for the film Forbidden Zone directed by his older brother Richard Elfman. He has since been nominated for four Academy Awards and won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Tim Burton's Batman and an Emmy Award for his Desperate Housewives theme. Elfman was honored with the prestigious Richard Kirk award at the 2002 BMI Film and TV Awards. The award is given annually to a composer who has made significant contributions to film and television music.
He is the son of novelist Blossom Elfman and the brother of director Richard Elfman.
Elfman was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Blossom Elfman (née Bernstein), a writer and teacher, and Milton Elfman, a community in the Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles. He spent much of his time in the local movie theatre, adoring the music of such film composers as Bernard Herrmann and Franz Waxman.
Stating that he hung out with the "band nerds" in high school, he started a ska band. After dropping out of high school, he followed his brother Richard to France, where he performed with Le Grand Magic Circus, an avant-garde musical theater group. Violin in tow, Elfman next journeyed to Africa where he traveled through Ghana, Mali, and Upper Volta, absorbing new musical styles, including the Ghanaian highlife genre which would eventually influence his own music. Elfman contracted malaria during his one-year stay and was often sick. Eventually he returned home to the United States, where he began to take Balinese music lessons at the CalArts. He was never officially a student at the institute, nonetheless, the instructor encouraged him to continue learning. Elfman stated, "He just laughed, and said, 'Sit. Play.' I continued to sit and play for a couple years." At this time, his brother was forming a new musical theater group, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. The group performed the music for Richard's debut feature film, Forbidden Zone. Danny Elfman composed his first score for the film and played the role of Satan. By the time the movie was completed, they had taken the name Oingo Boingo and begun recording and touring as a rock group.
In 1985, Tim Burton and Paul Reubens invited Elfman to write the score for their first feature film, Pee-wee's Big Adventure. Elfman was apprehensive at first because of his lack of formal training, but with orchestration assistance from Oingo Boingo guitarist and arranger Steve Bartek, he achieved his goal of emulating the mood of such composers as Nino Rota and Bernard Herrmann. In the booklet for the first volume of Music for a Darkened Theatre, Elfman described the first time he heard his music played by a full orchestra as one of the most thrilling experiences of his life.[citation needed] Elfman immediately developed a rapport with Burton and has gone on to score all but two of Burton's major studio releases: Ed Wood, scored by Howard Shore, which was under production while Elfman and Burton were having a fight, and Sweeney Todd, an adaptation of the 1979 Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical. He also, more recently, accompanied Tim Burton in the composition of music for "Almost Alice", the soundtrack for Alice in Wonderland.
Burton has said of his relationship with Elfman: "We don't even have to talk about the music. We don't even have to intellectualize – which is good for both of us, we're both similar that way. We're very lucky to connect" (Breskin, 1997).
In 2021 he released "Big Mess", his first non-soundtrack album since 1984's "So-Lo", which is often considered to rather be an Oingo Boingo album due to the presence of many other band members.
Elfman has three children: Lola, born in 1979; Mali, born in 1984; and Oliver, born in 2005. On November 29, 2003, Elfman married film actress Bridget Fonda. In 1997 he scored A Simple Plan – his only score for one of her films to date (although he did compose a cue for the film Army of Darkness, in which Fonda has a cameo). He is the uncle of actor Bodhi Elfman who is married to actress Jenna Elfman, known most notably in her role as Dharma in the TV series Dharma and Greg.
Oogie Boogie's Song
Danny Elfman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sandy Claws, huh
Oh, I'm really scared
So you're the one everybody's talkin' about, ha, ha
You're jokin', you're jokin'
I can't believe my eyes
You're jokin' me, you gotta be
He's ancient, he's ugly
I don't know which is worse
I might just split a seam now
If I don't die laughing first
When Mr. Oogie Boogie says
There's trouble close at hand
You'd better pay attention now
'Cause I'm the Boogie Man
And if you aren't shakin'
There's something very wrong
'Cause this may be the last time
You hear the boogie song, oh
Oh
(Oh)
Oh
(Oh)
Oh
(Oh)
Oh, he's the Oogie Boogie Man
Well if I'm feelin' antsy
And there's nothin' much to do
I might just cook a special batch
Of snake and spider stew
And don't ya know the one thing
That would make it work so nice
A roly-poly Sandy Claws to add a little spice
Oh
(Oh)
Oh
(Oh)
Oh
(Yeah)
I'm the Oogie Boogie Man
Release me now
Or you must face the dire consequences
The children are expecting me
So please, come to your senses
You're jokin', you're jokin'
I can't believe my ears
Would someone shut this fella up
I'm drownin' in my tears
It's funny, I'm laughing
You really are too much
And now, with your permission
I'm going to do my stuff
Oh, the sound of rollin' dice
To me is music in the air
'Cause I'm a gamblin' Boogie Man
Although I don't play fair
It's much more fun, I must confess
When lives are on the line
Not mine, of course, but yours, old boy
Now that'd be just fine
Release me fast or you will have to
Answer for this heinous act
Oh, brother, you're something
You put me in a spin
You aren't comprehending
The position that you're in
It's hopeless, you're finished
You haven't got a prayer
'Cause I'm Mr. Oogie Boogie
And you ain't going nowhere
"Oogie Boogie's Song" is a villainous song in the 1993 stop-motion animated film "The Nightmare Before Christmas". It's sung by the character Oogie Boogie, a gambling boogie man who captures Santa Claus, and his minions. The song serves as a showcase of Oogie's sinister character and dark motivations, as he threatens to dispose of Santa and revels in the prospect of creating chaos and mischief.
The song features Oogie Boogie taunting Santa Claus as he prepares to dispose of him in a game of dice. Oogie Boogie revels in his power, boasting about his wickedness and the suffering he intends to inflict. His monstrous nature is emphasized through his physical deformity and eerie voice, which is both playful and menacing.
The lyrics are full of dark humor, sarcasm, and playful taunts aimed at Santa. Oogie Boogie is portrayed as a cruel and sadistic character who enjoys seeing others suffer. The song serves as a reminder of the darker aspects of the holiday season, reminding us that not everything is cheerful and bright.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, well, well, what have we here
Mr. Oogie Boogie is surprised to see Sandy Claws in his lair.
Sandy Claws, huh
Mr. Oogie Boogie is mocking Sandy Claws' name.
Oh, I'm really scared
Mr. Oogie Boogie is pretending to be scared of Sandy Claws.
So you're the one everybody's talkin' about, ha, ha
Mr. Oogie Boogie has heard about Sandy Claws from others and is laughing at the idea.
You're jokin', you're jokin'
Mr. Oogie Boogie does not believe what he is seeing and hearing from Sandy Claws.
I can't believe my eyes
Mr. Oogie Boogie is surprised and suspicious of Sandy Claws' presence.
You're jokin' me, you gotta be
Mr. Oogie Boogie thinks that Sandy Claws is playing a trick on him.
This can't be the right guy
Mr. Oogie Boogie believes that Sandy Claws is not the real Santa Claus.
He's ancient, he's ugly
Mr. Oogie Boogie is insulting Sandy Claws' appearance.
I don't know which is worse
Mr. Oogie Boogie cannot decide which is worse: Sandy Claws' age or his appearance.
I might just split a seam now
Mr. Oogie Boogie is laughing so hard he might tear his seams.
If I don't die laughing first
Mr. Oogie Boogie is finding Sandy Claws' appearance and presence extremely comical.
When Mr. Oogie Boogie says
Mr. Oogie Boogie is warning Sandy Claws to pay attention to him.
There's trouble close at hand
Mr. Oogie Boogie is suggesting that there is danger nearby.
You'd better pay attention now
Mr. Oogie Boogie is urging Sandy Claws to listen carefully.
'Cause I'm the Boogie Man
Mr. Oogie Boogie is introducing himself as the Boogie Man and is therefore in charge.
And if you aren't shakin'
Mr. Oogie Boogie is threatening Sandy Claws and suggesting that he should be scared.
There's something very wrong
Mr. Oogie Boogie is implying that if Sandy Claws is not scared, then something is not right.
'Cause this may be the last time
Mr. Oogie Boogie is indicating that something terrible might happen to Sandy Claws.
You hear the boogie song, oh
Mr. Oogie Boogie is referencing his own song and how it is connected to danger.
Well if I'm feelin' antsy
Mr. Oogie Boogie is explaining that when he is bored, he likes to cook up something special.
And there's nothin' much to do
Mr. Oogie Boogie has nothing better to do than cook up something special.
I might just cook a special batch
Mr. Oogie Boogie is suggesting that he may make a special recipe.
Of snake and spider stew
Mr. Oogie Boogie is revealing his special recipe to include snake and spider.
And don't ya know the one thing
Mr. Oogie Boogie believes there is one thing that can make his recipe perfect.
That would make it work so nice
Mr. Oogie Boogie thinks that a 'roly-poly' Sandy Claws would be the perfect addition to his recipe.
A roly-poly Sandy Claws to add a little spice
Mr. Oogie Boogie wants to add a 'roly-poly' Sandy Claws to his special recipe for added flavor.
Release me now
Mr. Oogie Boogie is demanding to be let go.
Or you must face the dire consequences
Mr. Oogie Boogie is threatening Sandy Claws if he is not released.
The children are expecting me
Sandy Claws is explaining that he has to leave to deliver presents to children.
So please, come to your senses
Sandy Claws is pleading with Mr. Oogie Boogie to let him go.
I can't believe my ears
Mr. Oogie Boogie is surprised by what he is hearing from Sandy Claws.
Would someone shut this fella up
Mr. Oogie Boogie wants Sandy Claws to be silenced.
I'm drownin' in my tears
Mr. Oogie Boogie is pretending to cry because of Sandy Claws' words.
It's funny, I'm laughing
Mr. Oogie Boogie finds Sandy Claws' words and actions funny and is laughing because of it.
You really are too much
Mr. Oogie Boogie thinks that Sandy Claws is ridiculous.
And now, with your permission
Mr. Oogie Boogie is asking Sandy Claws for permission to do something.
I'm going to do my stuff
Mr. Oogie Boogie is going to do what he wants to Sandy Claws.
Oh, the sound of rollin' dice
Mr. Oogie Boogie enjoys the sound of rolling dice and sees it as an opportunity to gamble.
To me is music in the air
Mr. Oogie Boogie finds the sound of rolling dice to be pleasing to his ears.
'Cause I'm a gamblin' Boogie Man
Mr. Oogie Boogie is revealing that he likes to gamble.
Although I don't play fair
Mr. Oogie Boogie admits that he cheats when he gambles.
It's much more fun, I must confess
Mr. Oogie Boogie thinks that gambling with lives at stake is more enjoyable.
When lives are on the line
Mr. Oogie Boogie believes that gambling with people's lives is more exciting.
Not mine, of course, but yours, old boy
Mr. Oogie Boogie clarifies that he is not gambling with his life but with Sandy Claws'.
Now that'd be just fine
Mr. Oogie Boogie is expressing his excitement about gambling with Sandy Claws' life.
Release me fast or you will have to
Sandy Claws must let Mr. Oogie Boogie go or face the consequences.
Answer for this heinous act
Sandy Claws will be held accountable for what has happened to Mr. Oogie Boogie.
Oh, brother, you're something
Mr. Oogie Boogie is impressed by Sandy Claws' determination and courage.
You put me in a spin
Mr. Oogie Boogie is finding Sandy Claws' actions to be disorienting.
You aren't comprehending
Mr. Oogie Boogie thinks Sandy Claws is not understanding the situation.
The position that you're in
Mr. Oogie Boogie believes that Sandy Claws is in a bad situation.
It's hopeless, you're finished
Mr. Oogie Boogie thinks that Sandy Claws is defeated and has no hope left.
You haven't got a prayer
Mr. Oogie Boogie believes that Sandy Claws has no chance of escaping.
'Cause I'm Mr. Oogie Boogie
Mr. Oogie Boogie is asserting his power and authority over Sandy Claws and is ready to take control.
And you ain't going nowhere
Mr. Oogie Boogie is stating that Sandy Claws will not be able to escape from his lair.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DANNY ELFMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aubrey Green
I feel like I'm watching young Danny. I can't stop watching this! He's SO in his element. You can see the joy in his eyes. So happy for him. ❤
Ms. Cait Jackson
I absolutely love Danny Elfman as Oogie Boogie! Don’t get me wrong, Ken Page is amazing, but you can’t help but appreciate the playfulness Mr. Elfman brings to this song. Absolutely lovely!
nuke97
This is Danny Elfman's true form! May he never return to his Hollywood nerd Persona ever again LOL.
Naïs Btd
Does this man is real ? I mean ! How can you be so talented in one Life ?! He’s from another decade or something !
Daniel A
Do you also have Something’s up with Jack? These are all great. Thanks for filming.
GCB07 Burgoyne
If you look up Danny elfman sings jacks obsession at the nbx concert it should come up
Nuclear Cat Baby
Loving the White boy Oogie Boogie. Now when are we going to get an Adam’s Apple Sally’s Song? He never even sang a demo for that, despite singing demos for all the female roles in Corpse Bride.
Crimson Coco
@Nuclear Cat Baby Thanks, typos happen to me more than I would like to admit
Nuclear Cat Baby
@Crimson Coco You used the wrong katakana character in your name by the way. It reads “Tarimuson Koko”
Crimson Coco
@Nuclear Cat Baby 😦