| Oingo Boingo – Just Another Day Lyrics | 17 years ago |
|
The whole song speaks to me of alienation and fear of connection. He begins the song with images of paranoia. Life outside of his home is compared to a jungle that is alive. He risks death every time he sets foot outside of his door and cannot even rely upon his senses to steer him clear of danger. "I will not fall in love, I cannot risk the bet/'cause hearts are fragile toys, so easy to forget." He refuses to even attempt to connect with another person. He is surrounded by death and destruction everyday. People cling to any scrap of hope. The fear in the night could be a fear of something physical, but I see it as a fear of irrelevancy. Why are we here? What purpose do we serve? As we go about our day to day lives (school, work, etc.), it's easy to think we have some reason for existing. However, alone at night, without human attachments, seeing ourselves as superfluous becomes easier. The scene he describes in his dream is apocalyptic. The crimson sky and smoke imply that some destructive event has occured. Everyone is dead and he is alone. Combined with the lines about the razors in his bed, this creates an idea that he cannot find relief from his paranoia even during sleep. The smile on his face could be his attempt to connect with anyone at all. The golden coin reflecting the sun seems like a signal, like a person stranded on an island would try to signal an airplane or boat with a piece of mirror. (I wonder if the fact that he's signalling with a coin is a statement on trying to buy happiness with money.) Yet, even with these semi-hopeful gestures, the loneliness is always there, it's always cold. The place in the stars could be his final rest, but I take no comfort in it. What comfort can you have being a tiny bright spot in the night sky, indistinguishable from the countless others? He dreams of life underground that doesn't ever move. Is this representing a segment of society that has detached itself from the paranoia and he cannot find them? Or is the fact that the "life" doesn't move or make a sound indicate that they are really dead? Any time he dares let himself hope that things will be OK, everything turns out wrong. Even though he earlier sang about not letting himself love (or make a connection), he still hopes that things can change for the better. I actually think the last line that Danny repeats is "Please hear my heart." It could possibly be "heal", but I doubt it is "leave". In any case, just hearing him sing that line-the emotion he conveys, my own heart aches. He yearns for someone, anyone, to hear him and understand. |
|
| Oingo Boingo – Clowns Of Death Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I've only heard this performed on the Farewell DVD. At first I didn't like it and would skip the song as soon as I heard the first lines. But then I really got into it, especially when they reach the second chorus. I think this song is about all of the dangers that are throughout the world that may seem innocuous. Clowns are supposed to be goofy, loveable creatures, but if you think about it, they're quite grotesque. They're made up in wigs, costumes, and makeup so you don't know who they are. There's just something sinister about them. (See Killer Klowns from Outer Space.) So these hidden dangers are hiding in plain sight, they're everywhere, ready to pounce while you least expect it. "Your sons and daughters, innocent, lay sleeping in their beds/They'll catch them when you're not around and smash their little heads" coupled with "Just look outside your door, the clowns are everywhere" are the creepiest Oingo Boingo lyrics. | |
| Oingo Boingo – No One Lives Forever Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I adore this song. It encourages us all to quit looking to the future for our source of happiness. No matter how cautious you are, and how well you take care of yourself, you will die. No one escapes that fate. So why worry about it? I could be hit by a bus when I leave work today, there's just no way to know. But why should I cower at home? Go out, have fun. I'm really trying to take the message of this song to heart. This is my only shot at life, there's no everlasting sparkly paradise waiting for me. It sucks that we can't live as long as redwoods, but our life span is a hell of a lot better than that of a mayfly. | |
| Oingo Boingo – Dead Man's Party Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I don't think this song is about a kickass after-life party. This song is about life. It's about living in the here and now. We are all in the Dead Man's Party, every minute of our lives, waiting for our invitation to the party where no one's still alive, but everybody's coming. It ties in nicely with "No One Lives Forever." They are both about making the most of life and not overly fretting about death. "Who could ask for more?" | |
| Oingo Boingo – Not My Slave Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| At first blush, this seems like a (kinda) typical love song promoting a healthy separation of individuals in a relationship. However, after listening to this many, many times I think Danny Elfman is singing about his fans. "You're missing the whole point, you're not my little pet" and "I am not a king, please don't worship me" sound like someone who is throwing out a plea to not place him on a pedestal. Other lines like "the fire in your eyes, may it never go out" indicate that he wants adoration from his fans, but don't go overboard slavishly worshipping him. Personally I find that hard to do, because I think the man is a genius. :) This is my current favorite Oingo Boingo song. | |
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.