Oingo Boingo started in
the 1970s as a performance art group called the Mystic Knights of the
Oingo Boingo and shortened their name twice, finally ending up as just
Boingo at the end of their career 20 years later. Although best known
for their work in the mid-80s on the classic album "Dead Man’s Party”
and the movie Weird Science, their entire catalog has gems throughout.
Besides contributing to many soundtracks through the 80s, they also
physically appeared in many classic movies as well - Rodney
Dangerfield’s Back To School and Tom Hanks’ Bachelor Party among them.
Must have been how lead singer Danny Elfman went on and scored about
98% of everything Hollywood has made since !
My
fondest memories of Oingo Boingo are of their synthpopiest platter -
one called “BOI-NGO” released in 1987. "We Close Our Eyes” is a bit
less rockin and shockin than their typical fare; their sound mellowed
and flowed more in their later years and this song is my favorite of the
“mature” Boingo. Also of note is that in 1988 they recorded a
double-CD set on a soundstage with all the best songs of their whole
career… "Boingo Alive” is a great best-of of a great band.
Let’s go back to 1987 this week and listen to Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo!
-WAS
Excellent pick, Was! I love everything Weird Science, including the theme song. "Dead Man's Party" is on my Halloween playlist. "We Close Our Eyes" is a great song, I even like the pop Susanna Hoffs version.
ReplyDeleteThanks MD!
ReplyDeleteNew Wave memory of the day: I first heard this song while I was at an old bar in Greenwich Village NY called "The West 4th Street Saloon" ... they played the entire CD the week it came out in 1987 .... fell in love with it immediately, especially this song & "Not My Slave". Neither the bar nor Boingo are still around but the magnificent memories of the era live on !