The band from Los Angeles, California, USA, a pared-down version of the theatrical troupe The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, released eight major albums and two live compilations, each containing songs that varied from fast-paced ska to soulful jazz to emotional rock to off-kilter pop.
Starting in 1980, Oingo Boingo spent their first three albums establishing themselves as a band with quirky, bizarre, sarcastic, and anti-conformist vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation, among other things lambasting "normal" society and politics for their many hypocrisies and encouraging people to think for themselves. The band made a change toward a different sound when frontman Danny Elfman recorded So-lo in collaboration with the band and a new label, beginning a trio of "new wave"-ish albums containing ballads and songs about life and mortality, including the famous Dead Man's Party. The band went on to record Dark at the End of the Tunnel, a change toward a sort of Boingo-esqe "spirituality", and finally recorded their last album: dark, guitar-driven, hornless, influenced by the Beatles and Pink Floyd, eponymous with the new band name Boingo.
Now mostly known for their frequent contribution to movie soundtracks (including their most successful song "Weird Science"), Oingo Boingo formally broke up in 1995 after their last Halloween live concert, the reason being that 'it was time.'
Throughout the years, the following joined Elfman and Bartek as members of Oingo Boingo:
Leon Schneiderman - baritone and alto saxophones, percussion, backing vocals
John 'Vatos' Hernandez - drums, percussion
Kerry Hatch - bass, bass synthesizer, percussion, backing vocals
Sam 'Sluggo' Phipps - tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet, percussion, backing vocals, flute
Dale Turner - trumpet, trombone, percussion, guitar, backing vocals
Richard Gibbs - keyboards, synthesizer, trombone, percussion, backing vocals
John Avila - bass, bass synthesizer, percussion, accordion, backing vocals
Michael Bacich - keyboards, backing vocals
Carl Graves - keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals, electronic percussion pad
Warren Fitzgerald - guitar
Doug Lacy (aka Doug Legacy) - percussion, trombone, accordion
Marc Mann - keyboards, samples
Aftermath
Since the band's dissolution, frontman Danny Elfman has continued to find success in his career writing film scores, particularly in collaboration with director Tim Burton; he almost exclusively employs Boingo guitarist Steve Bartek as orchestrator. His film scores have included Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Good Will Hunting, Men in Black, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, Big Fish, and dozens more. Elfman also wrote the themes for more than a dozen TV series, including The Simpsons, Batman: The Animated Series, Desperate Housewives, Tales from the Crypt, and Sledge Hammer!.
Steve Bartek, besides working with Danny, has composed music for various TV shows, including Tales from the Crypt and Desperate Housewives, and movie scores, such as The Art of Travel, Meet the Deedles and Cabin Boy.
Vatos formed a concert show along with Sluggo, Bartek, and Avila in California. The concert show features performances of Oingo Boingo's most popular songs. This has led to speculation about a reunion. In early 2007, Danny Elfman said there would not be a reunion. He has irreversible hearing loss and is worried that playing live would exacerbate it. He stated that some members may also suffer from the condition.
The Oingo Boingo spirit is kept alive by tribute band Dead Man's Party, which performs regularly in Southern California - occasionally with original Boingos Steve Bartek, John Avila, and John Hernandez. Lead singer Robert Elfaizy sings quite impressive "Danny Elfman" vocals.
Other Projects
John Avila and Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez were two members of the trio Food For Feet. They also formed the rhythm section of Tito & Tarantula, a Los Angeles band fronted by Tito Larriva of The Plugz and the Cruzados. Avila and Hernandez also joined Larriva and guitarist Stevie Hufstetted in a one-off project band called Psychotic Aztecs. The Aztecs released one album on the Grita called Santa Sangre.
After the break-up, John Avila, guitarist Steve Bartek, drummer Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez, and saxophonist Sam Phipps (along with Doug Lacy and other musicians) formed a band called Doug & The Mystics. They recorded one album, New Hat, which included a cover of the Oingo Boingo song "Try to Believe," original songs, and covers of songs by Frank Zappa and other artists.
During the Halloween 2005 season, Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez put together a tribute to the band (and to Halloween itself), joined by former Oingo Boingo members Steve Bartek, John Avila, and Sam "Sluggo" Phipps which took place at the Grove of Anaheim. Standing in for Elfman was Bt4, a young man whom many fans call "the Danny byproduct." During the Halloween 2006 season, there were two Johnny Vatos Tribute to Halloween shows, one in Los Angeles and one in Orange County, with Vatos, Bartek, Avila, Phipps, Legacy, and Bt4 once again on vocals. "Vatos" has announced his intentions of hosting yet another concert along these lines in the 2007 Halloween season, this time at the House of Blues branches on the Sunset Strip and in Anaheim.
In 2005, John Avila, Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez, and Steve Bartek joined the list of performers on the soundtrack of the 2003 re-imagination of the classic sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica. Richard Gibbs joined at this time as well, but is credited as both a performer and composer. Their performances can be heard in seasons two and three, and will likely be heard on subsequent seasons of the series as well.
Soundtrack Appearances
•The studio recording of "Goodbye, Goodbye" appears on the soundtrack to the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The song can only be found elsewhere on Boingo Alive and Best O' Boingo as a live recording.
•"Bachelor Party" and "Something Isn't Right" appear on the soundtrack to the 1984 film Bachelor Party. These songs can not be found on any Oingo Boingo albums. The soundtrack also includes "Who Do You Want To Be" from the album Good for Your Soul.
•In the 1984 John Hughes film Sixteen Candles, the character of Farmer Ted dances spastically to "Wild Sex (In The Working Class)" from the album Nothing To Fear.
•"Hold Me Back" and "Only A Lad" are featured during the opening and closing credits, respectively, of the 1984 film Surf II.
•"No One Lives Forever" can be heard during the bridge scene in the 1986 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.
•"Not My Slave" can be heard on the car radio during a scene in the 1986 film Something Wild.
•"Happy" appears on the soundtrack to the 1987 film Summer School. This song cannot be found on any Oingo Boingo albums.
•"Better Luck Next Time" appears on the soundtrack to the 1982 film The Last American Virgin. This song cannot be found on any Oingo Boingo albums.
•"Who Do You Want To Be" appears on the soundtrack to the 1987 film Teen Wolf Too.
•"Try To Believe" (performed by Oingo Boingo under the alias "Mosley and the B-Men") can be heard in the 1988 film Midnight Run, which was scored by Danny Elfman. This version of the song is different from the version on the album Dark at the End of the Tunnel.
•"Same Man I Was Before" can be heard in the 1988 film My Best Friend Is a Vampire.
•The studio version of "Winning Side" appears on the soundtrack to the 1989 film She's Out of Control.
•"Flesh 'N Blood" appears on the soundtrack to the 1989 film Ghostbusters II. A short snippet is played as background music during the film.
•"Skin" can be heard on the radio (though not performed by Oingo Boingo) during a scene in the 1990 Clive Barker film Nightbreed.
•Susanna Hoffs covered "We Close Our Eyes" for the soundtrack to the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The song can be heard during the closing credits.
•"No One Lives Forever" can be heard in the 1997 television film Casper: A Spirited Beginning.
•"Home Again" appeared in the John Hughes film Home Alone 3 in 1997.
•A slightly altered version of "Forbidden Zone" was the theme song to the animated television show Dilbert (1999).
•"Stay" can be heard in the director's cut of the 2001 film Donnie Darko.
•"Violent Love" can be heard in the 1990 film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane.
•"Capitalism" appears on the soundtrack to the 2005 film Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.
•"Dead Man's Party" can be heard during a costume party in the "Witch Hunt" (2006) episode of the television show NCIS.
•The live recording of "Who Do You Want To Be" (from the album Boingo Alive) appears on the soundtrack to the 2005 video game Tony Hawk's American Wasteland. It is also featured in the 2005 Nintendo DS version of Tony Hawk's American Sk8land.
•"Dead Man's Party" is a selectable song in the 2006 Xbox video game Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 4.
•"Only A Lad" was featured in the 2007 video game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the '80s.
•"Weird Science" made an appearance in Beavis and Butthead as a music video. However, the duo disliked the song because Butthead believes that "this guy (Danny Elfman) thinks he's smart." Beavis disliked it because he said that "college music sucks." The duo decided to change the channel.
•"Home Again" can be heard at the end credits of the 1986 film Wisdom, written and directed by Emilio Estevez. The soundtrack to Wisdom is also the first all electronic film score that Danny Elfman created for the film.
•"Not My Slave" plays during the 1987 film Like Father Like Son starring Kirk Cameron.
•"Dead Man's Party" is also performed by Oingo Boingo in the movie back to school staring Rodney Dangerfield.
Weird Science
Oingo Boingo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Weird science)
Weird, ooo!
Weird Science
Plastic tubes and pots and pans
Bits and pieces and
Magic from the hand
We're makin'
(Weird science)
Things I've never seen before
Behind bolted doors
Talent and imagination
(Weird science)
Not what teacher said to do
Makin' dreams come true
Living tissue, warm flesh
(Weird science)
Plastic tubes and pots and pans
Bits and pieces (and)
Bits and pieces (and)
(Bits of) my creation--Is it real?
It's my creation...my creation
It's my creation
Weird Science
Weird, ooo!
(Weird science)
Magic and technology
Voodoo dolls and chants
Electricity We're makin'
(Weird science)
Fantasy and microchips
Shooting from the hip
Something different
We're makin'
(Weird science)
Pictures from a magazine
Diagrams and charts
Mending broken hearts (and makin')
(Weird science) Something like a recipe
Bits and pieces (and)
Bits and pieces (and)
(Bits of) my creation--Is it real?
It's my creation--I do not know
No hesitation--No heart of gold
Just flesh and blood--I do not know
I do not know
From my heart and from my hand
Why don't people understand
My intentions, Ooh, weird science
Magic and technology
Weird Science
Things we never seen before
Weird Science
Not what teacher said to do
Bits and pieces (and)
Bits and pieces (and)
(Bits of) my creation--Is it real?
It's my creation--I do not know
No hesitation--No heart of gold
Just flesh and blood--I do not know
It's my creation
It's my creation...ooo!
my creation
It's my creation
It's my creation
From my heart and from my hand
Why don't people understand
My intentions, ooh, weird science
Weird ooh
weird science ooh
Weird
Bits and pieces
The lyrics to Oingo Boingo's "Weird Science" explore the theme of creation and experimentation, blending together elements of science fiction and fantasy. The song begins with the exclamation "She's alive, alive!" suggesting that the creation referenced in the song is a living entity. The chorus, "Weird Science," reinforces the idea that the creation is unconventional and potentially dangerous.
The use of "plastic tubes and pots and pans" and "bits and pieces" suggests a makeshift laboratory, where the creation is being assembled from everyday objects. The reference to "magic from the hand" further reinforces the idea of a mystical or supernatural element to the creation process. The lyrics "Not what teacher said to do / Makin' dreams come true / Living tissue, warm flesh" suggest that the creation process goes against conventional scientific knowledge and involves a radical approach to science.
The song also touches on the idea of ethical boundaries and the consequences of experimentation. The line "Pictures from a magazine / Diagrams and charts / Mending broken hearts" suggests that the creation can have both positive and negative effects, potentially healing emotional wounds but also creating new problems.
Overall, the lyrics to "Weird Science" explore the themes of creation, experimentation, and the consequences of playing with science and technology.
Line by Line Meaning
(She's alive, Alive!)
A celebration that the creation is alive and functioning.
(Weird science)
An expression of the unconventional and unorthodox methods used in the creation process.
Weird, ooo!
Exclamatory emphasis on the bizarre and inexplicable nature of the creation.
Weird Science
The title phrase that summarizes the essence of the entire song.
Plastic tubes and pots and pans
Unusual and non-traditional materials used in the creation process.
Bits and pieces and
Assorted, disparate and seemingly unrelated components brought together in the creation process.
Magic from the hand
A creative and mystical process that involves an element of enchantment and mystery.
We're makin'
A declaration of action and progress in the creation process.
Things I've never seen before
The uniqueness of the creation and how it defies existing conventions and norms.
Behind bolted doors
The secrecy and privacy surrounding the creation process.
Talent and imagination
The creative abilities and skills required to undertake the creation process successfully.
Not what teacher said to do
Going against traditional and conventional methods to pursue something new and unique.
Makin' dreams come true
The fulfillment of imaginative ideas and turning them into reality.
Living tissue, warm flesh
The biological and organic nature of the creation, which makes it more than just an inanimate object.
Magic and technology
The combination of mystical and scientific processes in the creation process.
Voodoo dolls and chants
Unconventional and unconventional techniques used in the creation process.
Electricity We're makin'
Creating something new with the use of electricity.
Fantasy and microchips
Highly imaginative and creative ideas in tandem with advanced technology.
Shooting from the hip
Acting impulsively and spontaneously in the creation process.
Something different
Moving away from the ordinary and creating something unique and out of the norm.
Pictures from a magazine
Using images as a reference in the creation process.
Diagrams and charts
Visual aids used in the creation process.
Mending broken hearts (and makin')
Simultaneously repairing emotional heartbreak and building a new creation.
Something like a recipe
A process that can be followed step-by-step like a recipe.
Bits of my creation--Is it real?
Questioning the reality and authenticity of the creation.
It's my creation--I do not know
Uncertainty about the nature or outcome of the creation, despite being the creator.
No hesitation--No heart of gold
No qualm or hesitation in the creation process, despite lacking altruistic intentions.
Just flesh and blood--I do not know
The creation process involves personal and human aspects that may not have been predicted or anticipated.
From my heart and from my hand
The personal, creative and emotional involvement in the creation process.
Why don't people understand
The dismay and frustration that people may not appreciate or comprehend the uniqueness and brilliance of the creation.
My intentions, Ooh, weird science
The motivation, purpose and intention behind the creation, which may seem unconventional or enigmatic to others.
Weird ooh
Exclamatory emphasis on the unusual and unconventional aspects of what is being created.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANNY ELFMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beyondgoodevil7766
From my heart and from my hand
Why don't people understand
My intentions?
(Weird science)
Plastic tubes and pots and pans
Bits and pieces and
Magic from the hand
We're making
(Weird science)
Things I've never seen before
Behind bolted doors
Talent and imagination
(Weird science)
Not what teacher said to do
Makin' dreams come true
Living tissue; warm flesh
(Weird science)
Plastic tubes and pots and pans
Bits and pieces
Bits and pieces
(Bits of)
My creation, is it real?
It's my creation—I do not know
No hesitation—no heart of gold
Just flesh and blood—I do not know
From my heart and from my hand
Why don't people understand
My intentions, ooh, weird
Weird science!
(Weird science)
Magic and technology
Voodoo dolls and chants
Electricity
We're makin'
(Weird science)
Fantasy and microchips
Shooting from the hip
Something different
We're makin'
(Weird science)
Pictures from a magazine
Diagrams and charts
Mending broken hearts (and makin')
(Weird science)
Something like a recipe
Bits and pieces
Bits and pieces
@jaydeng.3029
"So, did you learn anything down at the library?"
"No, they just kept blasting Oingo Boingo all night long."
@Mr-Chick
WEIRD SCIENCE!!!
@thc_freebaser
Lies; you learned about good music.
@actualgigachad8844
Oh no...
You don't do that...
In here
@jamesd.2776
When I worked as a scientist in a research lab, I would play this whenever I had some results that I didn't understand. That happened frequently so this got played a lot.
@DeViLiShGoD72
Oops....😮
@callmezeldaonemoartime
“things I’ve never seen before”
@seekertosecrets
The song to play when you are creating a 3D female model on any 3d modeling software.
@gordonf5553
uuuUuuh
@jobob47
if only it were that easy. but, yeah!