Oingo Boingo — Dead Man's Party
Album: Dead Man's PartyAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3771
Length: 6:16
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder
Waiting for an invitation to arrive
Goin' to a party where no one's still alive
I was struck by lightning
Walkin' down the street
I was hit by something last night in my sleep
It's a dead man's party
Who could ask for more?
Everybody's comin'; leave your body at the door
Leave your body and soul at the door...
(Don't run away; it's only me)
All dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' with a dead man
Waitin' for an invitation to arrive
Walkin' with a dead man...Dead man...
Got my best suit and my tie
Shiny silver dollar on either eye
I hear the chauffer comin' to the door
Says there's room for maybe just one more...
I was struck by lightning
Walkin' down the street
I was hit by something last night in my sleep
It's a dead man's party
Who could ask for more?
Everybody's comin'; leave your body at the door
Leave your body and soul at the door...
Don't run away; it's only me
Don't be afraid of what you can't see
Don't run away; it's only me....
Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder
Waiting for an invitation to arrive
Goin' to a party where no one's still alive
I was struck by lightning
Walkin' down the street
I was hit by something last night in my sleep
It's a dead man's party
Who could ask for more?
Everybody's comin'; leave your body at the door
Leave your body and soul at the door...
(Don't run away; it's only me)
All dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' with a dead man
Waitin' for an invitation to arrive
Walkin' with a dead man...Dead man...
Got my best suit and my tie
Shiny silver dollar on either eye
I hear the chauffer comin' to the door
Says there's room for maybe just one more...
I was struck by lightning
Walkin' down the street
I was hit by something last night in my sleep
It's a dead man's party
Who could ask for more?
Everybody's comin'; leave your body at the door
Leave your body and soul at the door...
Don't run away; it's only me
Don't be afraid of what you can't see
Don't run away; it's only me....
Comments (359)add comment
What's with the never-ending lyrics? or is it just glitching for me?
Dana_Thompson wrote:
Haha, just like Robert Downey jr. in Back to School!
Hey, what’s not to love about Danny Elfman’s body of work from Oingo Boingo to all the film work? I find myself doing the Elaine dance to this song all the time!
Haha, just like Robert Downey jr. in Back to School!
Hey, what’s not to love about Danny Elfman’s body of work from Oingo Boingo to all the film work? I find myself doing the Elaine dance to this song all the time!
Best song about partying with dead people ever written scores a 9!
Such a great band. This never gets old.
Not to be THAT GUY but the live version from Boingo Live is better. Tempo is up and the horns are way livelier.
Danny Elfman! From Oingo Boingo to one of the most prolific Hollywood soundtrack composers ever!
This song always gets this 61 year old ass out of the chair to dance.
Alanna wrote:
Dead, but not old
Oingo Boingo always make me smile - even if I don't get past the name - which is brilliant
This one just doesn't get old. 
Dead, but not old
Oingo Boingo always make me smile - even if I don't get past the name - which is brilliant
This one just doesn't get old.
I have talked to a handful of people, myself included, that say their favorite concert ever was Oingo Boingo.
I would give this an 11 if there was that choice ! dancing in my chair again !
Ready Player One!!
Love this song so much, but every time I hear it it becomes my earworm for at least five days afterwards.
Ah the halcyon days before Jack Skellington
Brave American post-punk pop, and quite good, at that.
As a fan from their days as the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo,
The best album of theirs is Boingo Live
Check it out.
The best album of theirs is Boingo Live
Check it out.
tylerpoint wrote:
Some days I hum the words and singing, others I hum the bass line and try to avoid the appearance of dancing as I walk. Sometimes I hear the horns. Pictures from their live shows accompany.
When I was younger, I would occasionally dismiss this or that artistic endeavor, and pretty quickly someone would ask me if I could do better. I'm still trying. This is most of the reason that I've not rated anything here below 6, which I use if I think a song will grow on me.
hmmm. me thinks Elfman is so overated. try this. after the song finishes, go have a coffee and then try to hum the melody or somehting even remotely resembling the hook of the song. you can't. neither can you with his soundtrack work. anyone remember the theme from Batman? please! he's an accomplished craftsman without a craft.
Some days I hum the words and singing, others I hum the bass line and try to avoid the appearance of dancing as I walk. Sometimes I hear the horns. Pictures from their live shows accompany.
When I was younger, I would occasionally dismiss this or that artistic endeavor, and pretty quickly someone would ask me if I could do better. I'm still trying. This is most of the reason that I've not rated anything here below 6, which I use if I think a song will grow on me.
nannimae wrote:
I hazard a guess you either grew up in the 70's or 90's. We who came of age in the 80's enjoy reminiscing.
I grew up in the 60s and find this very tasty.
I hazard a guess you either grew up in the 70's or 90's. We who came of age in the 80's enjoy reminiscing.
I grew up in the 60s and find this very tasty.
All their songs sound so much better on Boingo Live
An amazing album
Check it out
An amazing album
Check it out
Such an infectious and slightly off kilter rhythm, but still so eminently danceable.
glennon6274 wrote:
1981 yeeha
1981 yeeha
ppeters914 wrote:
Never get tired of this song. Memories of many drunken nights in Olongopo (Subic Bay, Philippines). Eat dinner, pound beers during happy hour, then kamikazes chased with strawberry margarita. Ahhh, to be Young and Immortal again.
tylerpoint wrote:
tylerpoint, I couldn't disagree more. This song is so catchy, so freakin' addictive that I have been playing it -- tune and lyrics -- in my head since it was new, and frequently over the 18 years since you posted this. 9
hmmm. me thinks Elfman is so overated. try this. after the song finishes, go have a coffee and then try to hum the melody or somehting even remotely resembling the hook of the song. you can't. neither can you with his soundtrack work. anyone remember the theme from Batman? please! he's an accomplished craftsman without a craft.
tylerpoint, I couldn't disagree more. This song is so catchy, so freakin' addictive that I have been playing it -- tune and lyrics -- in my head since it was new, and frequently over the 18 years since you posted this. 9
love this song but an getting worn out on it. I agree with a previous post that we hear this weekly, or more.
ppeters914 wrote:
For me: San Clemente, CA 1930's movie theater...early 80's...didn't even have to make the trip to Newport or LA...great times to be sure and the dancing basically didn't stop!
Never get tired of this song. Memories of many drunken nights in Olongopo (Subic Bay, Philippines). Eat dinner, pound beers during happy hour, then kamikazes chased with strawberry margarita. Ahhh, to be Young and Immortal again.
For me: San Clemente, CA 1930's movie theater...early 80's...didn't even have to make the trip to Newport or LA...great times to be sure and the dancing basically didn't stop!
I'm just strange enough to love this song!
Great song!
ppeters914 wrote:
Merchant Marines taking "everything" to Saigon & Danang late 60's and always stopped in Manila for 5 days (no container ships then.) Shore leave was just as you said plus more. Music finally, dancing with the "girls" and most times an overnighter.
GOD would it have been great to have had Radio Paradise back then.
Thanks for your service, and thanks to Bill & Rebecca for their service to the world.
Never get tired of this song. Memories of many drunken nights in Olongopo (Subic Bay, Philippines). Eat dinner, pound beers during happy hour, then kamikazes chased with strawberry margarita. Ahhh, to be Young and Immortal again.
Merchant Marines taking "everything" to Saigon & Danang late 60's and always stopped in Manila for 5 days (no container ships then.) Shore leave was just as you said plus more. Music finally, dancing with the "girls" and most times an overnighter.
GOD would it have been great to have had Radio Paradise back then.
Thanks for your service, and thanks to Bill & Rebecca for their service to the world.
great groove.
mrtuba9 wrote:
Fellow tuba player (long GD time ago). I would have loved to be able to play something fun like this (instead of oompah music or JP Sousa).
As a tuba player, it's the rhythm in songs like this that remind me that I was trained to play tuba; I have very little talent let alone enough rhythm to dance!!!
Fellow tuba player (long GD time ago). I would have loved to be able to play something fun like this (instead of oompah music or JP Sousa).
So many good hooks!
The Cure on speed.
I get the shade thrown on this song. It makes my feet move. Not that it makes a difference about Oingo Boingo, but its interesting to see Danny Elfman's movie score credits. The guy is prolific.
timmus wrote:
It's the song's content. How many songs can you recall about a dead man's party? And it's sheer fun.
I've never understood why this song got so popular. Their other song "Stay" on the same album is a far better song and has a fairly good music video.
It's the song's content. How many songs can you recall about a dead man's party? And it's sheer fun.
nannimae wrote:
I hazard a guess you either grew up in the 70's or 90's. We who came of age in the 80's enjoy reminiscing.
No, I grew up in the 80's and found this @#$! deplorable. Still do. 90% of the comments on this song are strictly nostalgic. Maybe half of the rest think it's awful. He should have followed it up with Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days".
Remember Disco Duck? Should Bill play it so everyone who grew up in the 70's can remember the good ol' days? Or did it more or less objectively suck?
I hazard a guess you either grew up in the 70's or 90's. We who came of age in the 80's enjoy reminiscing.
No, I grew up in the 80's and found this @#$! deplorable. Still do. 90% of the comments on this song are strictly nostalgic. Maybe half of the rest think it's awful. He should have followed it up with Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days".
Remember Disco Duck? Should Bill play it so everyone who grew up in the 70's can remember the good ol' days? Or did it more or less objectively suck?
I love how the rhythm section of this song just churns like a loud complex perpetual motion machine.
How about something from Nothing to Fear or Good for Your Soul on occasion?
I've never understood why this song got so popular. Their other song "Stay" on the same album is a far better song and has a fairly good music video.
marketmike wrote:
Your comment led me to Youtube to see what you're going on about and a month later my obsession continues. I can't believe this escaped my musical explorations all these years. thanks Greyerwrit and RP!
10
You're welcome and I thought I knew something of the breadth of modern music until I discovered RP.
Your comment led me to Youtube to see what you're going on about and a month later my obsession continues. I can't believe this escaped my musical explorations all these years. thanks Greyerwrit and RP!
10
You're welcome and I thought I knew something of the breadth of modern music until I discovered RP.
sfoster66 wrote:
Hit the SKIP BUTTON & shut up!
Good grief...this crap is over 6 minutes long...it's like a 2 minute song that gets played 3 times over...
Hit the SKIP BUTTON & shut up!
Good grief...this crap is over 6 minutes long...it's like a 2 minute song that gets played 3 times over...
wolverine wrote:
I do, truly...lots of great stuff from that era...The Style Council, great ska bands (start with The Specials if you need an education), The Police...I mean some real classic stuff. But this schmaltz...it's so meh, that it was meh before meh was a thing. Hell, Wall of Voodoo did alt-pop way better than this hack...
Gotta love the 80's.
I do, truly...lots of great stuff from that era...The Style Council, great ska bands (start with The Specials if you need an education), The Police...I mean some real classic stuff. But this schmaltz...it's so meh, that it was meh before meh was a thing. Hell, Wall of Voodoo did alt-pop way better than this hack...
I don't dig Danny Elfman's stuff...no matter the iteration...it all just comes across as juvenile to me...You guys enjoy...I'll be on the deck with a brandy and a cuban...
(so wait...it's a thumb down for expressing my opinion? hmmm...I clearly said for you to enjoy and then you crap on me for that...well eff you too man...no cigar for you....)
(so wait...it's a thumb down for expressing my opinion? hmmm...I clearly said for you to enjoy and then you crap on me for that...well eff you too man...no cigar for you....)
Greyerwrit wrote:
Your comment led me to Youtube to see what you're going on about and a month later my obsession continues. I can't believe this escaped my musical explorations all these years. thanks Greyerwrit and RP!
10
Folks who rated this 6 or less: did you go to see them live? They were incredible. Recall that this was not supposed to be background music. Kindly bump your scores up to the 7-8 range and pray that the gods of rock and roll don't judge you too harshly.
Your comment led me to Youtube to see what you're going on about and a month later my obsession continues. I can't believe this escaped my musical explorations all these years. thanks Greyerwrit and RP!
10
garrettb wrote:
Well, now you have, thanx to RP! Check out their other stuff, they have a lot of great tunes!
I'm 54 and never heard an Oingo Boingo song before. Is that your fault or mine?
Well, now you have, thanx to RP! Check out their other stuff, they have a lot of great tunes!
Excellent!
danmc wrote:
Folks who rated this 6 or less: did you go to see them live? They were incredible. Recall that this was not supposed to be background music. Kindly bump your scores up to the 7-8 range and pray that the gods of rock and roll don't judge you too harshly.
It's a shame, Kenny Loggins got more play time with Danger Zone.
I'm 54 and never heard an Oingo Boingo song before. Is that your fault or mine?
Not entirely unadjacent to Thomas Dolby. Which is a Very Good Thing.
nannimae wrote:
I hazard a guess you either grew up in the 70's or 90's. We who came of age in the 80's enjoy reminiscing. This is the great Danny Elfman who went on to become one of the most in demand composerfor film scores. But yes, this is how he broke into the business.
I hazard a guess you either grew up in the 70's or 90's. We who came of age in the 80's enjoy reminiscing.
This is the great Danny Elfman who went on to become one of the most in demand composerfor film scores. But yes, this is how he broke into the business. Intro notes courtesy of Dave Brubeck
icuski2 wrote:
I guess you had to be there?!
This reeks of awful 80s music. 
I guess you had to be there?!
icuski2 wrote:
I hazard a guess you either grew up in the 70's or 90's. We who came of age in the 80's enjoy reminiscing.
This reeks of awful 80s music.
I hazard a guess you either grew up in the 70's or 90's. We who came of age in the 80's enjoy reminiscing.
Oh c’mon everyone - who didn’t dance their ass off to this mid 80s?!!
Gotta give it an 8 for old times sake!
Gotta give it an 8 for old times sake!
This reeks of awful 80s music.
More Oingo Boingo, please!
mrtuba9 wrote:
love to hear a tuba play that bass rift; that would be awsome, it would have been fun on the bass clarinet!
As a tuba player, it's the rhythm in songs like this that remind me that I was trained to play tuba; I have very little talent let alone enough rhythm to dance!!!
love to hear a tuba play that bass rift; that would be awsome, it would have been fun on the bass clarinet!
TLynneHenry wrote:
WLIR on Long Island played allll of this and more. (note: today this song was preceded by Smithereens' Blood & Roses, which was also in heavy rotation in those days).
I remember hearing the Smithereens on WDHA out of NJ. DHA played a lot of progressive stuff. And when I moved to RI, it was WBRU all day, all the time.
WLIR on Long Island played allll of this and more. (note: today this song was preceded by Smithereens' Blood & Roses, which was also in heavy rotation in those days).
I remember hearing the Smithereens on WDHA out of NJ. DHA played a lot of progressive stuff. And when I moved to RI, it was WBRU all day, all the time.
SmackDaddy wrote:
You just didn't have a good radio station which were very rare and college radio was where it was at. There were TONS of great music in the 80s, just not on most radio stations.
WLIR on Long Island played allll of this and more. (note: today this song was preceded by Smithereens' Blood & Roses, which was also in heavy rotation in those days).
You just didn't have a good radio station which were very rare and college radio was where it was at. There were TONS of great music in the 80s, just not on most radio stations.
WLIR on Long Island played allll of this and more. (note: today this song was preceded by Smithereens' Blood & Roses, which was also in heavy rotation in those days).
bc wrote:
Perhaps. But this was one of the bright spots.
You just didn't have a good radio station which were very rare and college radio was where it was at. There were TONS of great music in the 80s, just not on most radio stations.
Perhaps. But this was one of the bright spots.
You just didn't have a good radio station which were very rare and college radio was where it was at. There were TONS of great music in the 80s, just not on most radio stations.
Reminds me of those fun, early years of MTV. I'm sure they had an early video.
This was the ex-husband's fave back in the day. I like it SO MUCH better today
Saw 'em at Club Doobie in Lansing, MI in the early 80's well before this song came out. Lots of fun, lots of energy. They weren't the Sex Pistols or the Clash. But they caught the wave. I don't have any of their albums but I had a damn good time that night with my music loving punk friends.
They were a great band. Elfman is an inspiration.
nicknt wrote:
Couldn't agree more!! Can't, for the life of me, hear what all the hullabaloo is all about!! Wierd science, funny flick....tunes, not so much. As you so aptly stated....mediocre....at best.
Truly mediocre band.
Couldn't agree more!! Can't, for the life of me, hear what all the hullabaloo is all about!! Wierd science, funny flick....tunes, not so much. As you so aptly stated....mediocre....at best.
bc wrote:
Perhaps. But this was one of the bright spots.
Says you.
Perhaps. But this was one of the bright spots.
Says you.
Truly mediocre band.
ice-9 wrote:
Perhaps. But this was one of the bright spots.
wolverine wrote:
Gotta love the 80's.
...and yet, you really don't. Easily the worst decade of my life for music. ... It was an all time creative low for pop.
Gotta love the 80's.
...and yet, you really don't. Easily the worst decade of my life for music. ... It was an all time creative low for pop.
Perhaps. But this was one of the bright spots.
Danny Elfman's kinship to Tim Burton can be clearly seen in the album cover here!
Lots of energy, and a great song for the era of it's release. These days - to this older bloke's ears - it's just a bunch of noise featuring the dreaded fairlight brass instruments.
Thornton Melon:
Bring us a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until somebody passes out. And then bring one every ten minutes.
Thornton Melon:
Girls, this is Lou. Lou, these are girls.
Bring us a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until somebody passes out. And then bring one every ten minutes.
Thornton Melon:
Girls, this is Lou. Lou, these are girls.
TRC wrote:
RPO The book is great the movie is midiling.
And I would be a happy man if I NEVER heard Dead Man's Party again.
/agree Great book. /disagree, frikkin'terrible movie.
RPO The book is great the movie is midiling.
And I would be a happy man if I NEVER heard Dead Man's Party again.
diannemck56 wrote:
RPO The book is great the movie is midiling.
And I would be a happy man if I NEVER heard Dead Man's Party again.
RPO The book is great the movie is midiling.
And I would be a happy man if I NEVER heard Dead Man's Party again.
nathanieldavis89 wrote:
Many thanks to the largely unsung efforts on Mr. Bartek!
This song is way better than it has any business being.
Many thanks to the largely unsung efforts on Mr. Bartek!
Never get tired of this song. Memories of many drunken nights in Olongopo (Subic Bay, Philippines). Eat dinner, pound beers during happy hour, then kamikazes chased with strawberry margarita. Ahhh, to be Young and Immortal again.
First song in Ready Player One (the book)
t0m5k1 wrote:
Maybe on one of our alternate mixes. The 'plays' number refers to the main mix only.
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Sorry Bill, I've heard this 4 times this week!
Sorry Bill, I've heard this 4 times this week!
Maybe on one of our alternate mixes. The 'plays' number refers to the main mix only.
This song is way better than it has any business being.
As a tuba player, it's the rhythm in songs like this that remind me that I was trained to play tuba; I have very little talent let alone enough rhythm to dance!!!
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Sorry Bill, I've heard this 4 times this week!
Sorry Bill, I've heard this 4 times this week!
Excellent horn arrangements on this one.
wolverine wrote:
...and yet, you really don't. Easily the worst decade of my life for music. I mean, look up the lyrics to this track: It's just plain stupid. I'll always appreciate this station BECAUSE I don't love everything on it, but I'm not sure why so much 80's lately. It was an all time creative low for pop.
Gotta love the 80's.
...and yet, you really don't. Easily the worst decade of my life for music. I mean, look up the lyrics to this track: It's just plain stupid. I'll always appreciate this station BECAUSE I don't love everything on it, but I'm not sure why so much 80's lately. It was an all time creative low for pop.
wyrd wrote:
Yeah, it's almost weird that this is the same guy behind all those famous film and TV themes. This track seems especially far from The Simpsons!
I just found out that Danny Elfman has been the vocalist of Oingo Bong for twenty years! I only knew him for his soundtracks... interesting!
Yeah, it's almost weird that this is the same guy behind all those famous film and TV themes. This track seems especially far from The Simpsons!
Classic Halloween fare. For everyday.
A solid 8. Bumped to a 9. Too good.
A solid 8. Bumped to a 9. Too good.
Classic Halloween fare. For everyday.
A solid 8.
A solid 8.
Gotta love the 80's.
Weekend with Bernie?
I just found out that Danny Elfman has been the vocalist of Oingo Bong for twenty years! I only knew him for his soundtracks... interesting!
Ahh, memories. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
smackiepipe wrote:
Excellent Idea. I'm borrowing that, if you please.
Me too! First will be Elton John's Funeral for a Friend, then when the wake gets rolling Dead Man's Party!
Excellent Idea. I'm borrowing that, if you please.
Me too! First will be Elton John's Funeral for a Friend, then when the wake gets rolling Dead Man's Party!
xnavy wrote:I told my wife I wanted this song played at my funeral
Excellent Idea. I'm borrowing that, if you please.
I told my wife I wanted this song played at my funeralExcellent Idea. I'm borrowing that, if you please.
Always love the rhythm section of this song. My favorite part is the instrumental section where its unstoppable quality comes to the forefront
robertomiller wrote:
+4
Bill, you certainly know how to throw a dead man's party!!!
Bowie, Frey, Canter, Prince, et al… The wake is on…
Bowie, Frey, Canter, Prince, et al… The wake is on…
+4
robertomiller wrote:
+3
Bill, you certainly know how to throw a dead man's party!!!
Bowie, Frey, Canter, Prince, et al… The wake is on…
Bowie, Frey, Canter, Prince, et al… The wake is on…
+3
Now that is a segue. "Prince is dead", then this song.
robertomiller wrote:
+2
Bill, you certainly know how to throw a dead man's party!!!
Bowie, Frey, Canter, Prince, et al… The wake is on…
Bowie, Frey, Canter, Prince, et al… The wake is on…
+2
Bill, you certainly know how to throw a dead man's party!!!
Bowie, Frey, Canter, Prince, et al… The wake is on…
Bowie, Frey, Canter, Prince, et al… The wake is on…
I told my wife I wanted this song played at my funeral
Ishwara wrote:
cayenne wrote:
Falafel
Adolf?
Awful
cayenne wrote:
Falafel
Adolf?
Love this!! Takes me back to college campus days. Danny Elfman - genius
Ishwara wrote:
Falafel
Awful
Falafel
Awful
To B.B.! May he enjoy his rest.
Interesting tribute, Bill.
Interesting tribute, Bill.
Slightly less annoying than I remember
Upgrading 1 -> 3
Upgrading 1 -> 3
pas entendu ce groupe depuis 20 ans ! que du bonheur, merci RP !!!!
CoYoT51 wrote:
Well good thing this isn't the Heads, isn't it? : )
Nice work, Bill. Seasonal favorite of mine...
Talking Heads effect to me : PSD!
Well good thing this isn't the Heads, isn't it? : )
Nice work, Bill. Seasonal favorite of mine...
Talking Heads effect to me : PSD!
Bill, you are KILLING the Halloween theme on this one! Thank you!!
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
The Hooters - All You Zombies
Sufjan Stevens- - They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh!
The Goldstars - Halloween Hell
My Morning Jacket - Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Part 2
How about Jonathan Coulton - Re: Your Brains next?!
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
The Hooters - All You Zombies
Sufjan Stevens- - They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh!
The Goldstars - Halloween Hell
My Morning Jacket - Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Part 2
How about Jonathan Coulton - Re: Your Brains next?!
Thank goodness Halloween comes only once a year - The Hooters and Oingo Boingo back to back.
Yeah! 
Love me some Boingo on a Friday afternoon....
Love me some Boingo on a Friday afternoon....
Never get tired of this song. Memories of many drunken nights in Olongopo (Subic Bay, Philippines). Eat dinner, pound beers during happy hour, then kamikazes chased with strawberry margarita. Ahhh, to be Young and Immortal again.
I was there too brother, all I remember is hearing was "Ring my bell" played over and over, the song I hope to escape when I sailed from San Diego