Oingo Boingo Secret Appreciation Society

Who's going down with the Elevator Man? For that matter, who is the Elevator Man? Join the OBSAS crew as we navigate the ups and downs in this bouncy tune from the 1987 album Boi-Ngo.

Song Clips:

• “The Passion of Wisdom” - Danny Elfman, Wisdom (1986)
• “Elevator Man” - Oingo Boingo, Boi-Ngo (1987)
• “Elevator Man” - Oingo Boingo, Boingo Alive (1988)
• “Face Like A Frog” - Danny Elfman, Music For A Darkened Theatre Vol. 1 (1990)

Fa...

How many times in a row can lightning strike? Three times? (Or is it four?) Come help us count the holes! Listen for the layered meanings and the Devil's tritone embedded in this classic tune from the 1984 Danny Elfman album So-Lo.

Song Clips:

• “Lightning” - Danny Elfman, So-Lo (1984)

Fan-Supplied Content:

• “Goodbye-Goodbye” - The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, bootleg demo 
• “Lightning”...

Charlie! Turn on the lights, Charlie!

If you’ve ever watched an Oingo Boingo concert, purchased an Oingo Boingo t-shirt, or coveted a copy of the Demo EP, you have Charlie Unkeless to thank. Charlie has been with Oingo Boingo going all the way back to the Mystic Knights days, and has seen and heard it all. In this episode, we get to hear a few of his stories.

Trust us. You are not going to want to miss this episod...

We are back!!!  And we kick off our return with the title track to Oingo Boingo’s 1983 album, Good For Your Soul.  Join us as we examine Good For Your Soul's universally relatable themes, pick apart the various layers of synthesized goodness, and analyze the song’s progression over the years.
Trust us just once or twice.  This episode will be Good For Your Soul.
Song Clips:

• “Good For Your Soul” - Oingo Boingo, Good ...

We’ve got you covered!

We ring in the new year by covering ten songs that Oingo Boingo covered over the years: Minnie The Moocher, Violent Love, California Girls, You Really Got Me, Monster Mash, Rawhide, Heard It Through The Grapevine, Sunshine of Your Love, I Am The Walrus, and Open Eyes.

That should cover it!

Song Clips:

• “Minnie The Moocher” - Cab Calloway, Minnie The Moocher (1931)
• “Violent Love” - Willie Dixon, Violent Love (19...

Let’s have a party! There’s a full moon in the sky!

Join us as we sing the praises of one of Oingo Boingo’s gleefully macabre songs from 1985, No One Lives Forever. We explore the moral philosophy of mortality, examine genre influences, and discover a new OBSAS drinking game.

Let’s drink to bones that turn to dust!

Song Clips:

• “No One Lives Forever” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985)
• “No One Lives ...

It’s all in the name of science… Weird Science.

Join us as we examine the magic and technology of Oingo Boingo’s hit song from 1985, Weird Science. We review the John Hughes film, explore the bits and pieces that make up the song, and navigate the diagrams and charts of the music video.

Let’s shoot from the hip and discover just what is behind those bolted doors!
 
Song Clips:

• “Weird Science” - Oingo Bo...

We’ve been Waiting For You!
Join us as we dig deep into Oingo Boingo’s archives with two unreleased songs from 1983's Good For Your Soul recording sessions: Waiting For You and Into The Fire (previously known as All The Pieces).
We explore the themes of toxic behavior, debate a polarizing misheard lyric (is it oven or other?!?), and look at the differences among the different versions.
Let’s jump Into The Fire!

Let’s rattle the bones of the skeletons in our closets!
Join us as we peek through the window shades into Oingo Boingo’s 1982 song, Private Life. We discuss Boingo’s recurring theme of alienation, uncover a mystery about the Nothing To Fear recording sessions, and explore Richard Elfman’s music video for the song.Plus, Brendan McCreary is back to share his thoughts on Private Life.
Come and get us out of here!

Song...

Brendan McCreary shares his experiences as the dynamic frontman for Oingo Boingo Former Members!

Hear how being a Boingo fan helped shape his music career, why Oingo Boingo has such a dedicated fan base, and find out what runs through his mind while he's on stage belting out our favorite Boingo tunes.

Learn all this and more from Brendan!
 
  Song Clips:

• “The Show Must Go On” - The All-Star "Show Must Go On"...

Come play more games with us!

We discuss Danny Elfman’s upcoming "From BOINGO to BATMAN to BIG MESS and BEYOND” shows, introduce DJ’s Playlist (a new Boingo-themed party game), and take another stab at Bits and Pieces.

Just like a chess game… but so intense!
 
 Song Clips:

• “Why’d We Come” - Oingo Boingo, Nothing To Fear (1982) 
• “Dead Man’s Party” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985) 
• “Weird Science” - Oingo Boingo, D...

Let’s all Sweat together!

Take a ride with us on the hot and dusty journey that is Sweat. We discuss the countrified rendition of the song, compare various live performances from over the years, and learn what a Sluggorian Chant is.

Plus, Johnny “Vatos” Hernandez is back to share his thoughts on Sweat.

It ain’t nice!

Song Clips:

• “Sweat” - Oingo Boingo, Good For Your Soul (1983) 
• “Sweat” - Oingo...

I am the virus; are you the cure? We cut open the sacred heart of “Insanity” and tear it all to shreds. Join us as we expose it all - the villainy, the creeping madness, and the faith-healing puppets. 

Plus, special guest Johnny “Vatos” Hernandez returns to share his insider’s insights. 

Song Clips:

• “Batman Main Titles” - Danny Elfman, Batman Original Motion Picture Score (1989)
• “Meat For The Beast” - Danny Elfman, Nightbreed ...

Welcome to our little world of Pain! Is the world of pain a safe space where you can relieve your burdens, or is it a sinister cult waiting to suck you in? And what is the hidden connection between Pain and The Lion King?

Come soak it up with us as we explore the song Pain from the 1987 album Boi-Ngo.

 Song Clips:

• “Same Man I Was Before” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985) 
• “Pain - Extended Dance Mix” - Oingo Boingo, Pain ...

Is there anybody in there? Are we getting through to you? In this episode, the OBSAS crew reveals various interpretations, personal stories, and a musical breakdown as they peel away the many layers of the 1990 song, Skin. 

Join us as we look below for hidden treasure.

Song Clips:

• “Is There Anybody Out There” - Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979) 
• “It Only Makes Me Laugh” - Danny Elfman, So-Lo (1984) 
• “Skin” - Oingo Boingo, Dark At The...

The OBSAS crew takes a deep dive into once hard-to-find Oingo Boingo songs that were released on movie soundtracks and compilations. If you were a tape-trading fan back in the day, you know what it felt like to open the mail and find a hand-labeled cassette called “Oddities and Rarities.”

Join us as we dust off these odd and rare gems: I’m Afraid, Better Luck Next Time, Goodbye-Goodbye, Bachelor Party, Something Isn’t Right, Happy, ...

Two of our favorite musicians are back! Nili Brosh and Stu Brooks share lively stories about being in the Danny Elfman band, performing at the Hollywood Bowl on Halloween, and other behind-the-scenes goodies. Check their websites for upcoming shows!
www.nilibrosh.com
www.stubassiebrooks.com

Fan-Supplied Content:

• “Goodbye-Goodbye” - The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, bootleg demo
• “Grey Matter” - Danny Elfman, Hollywood...

You’re mine now, but you’re not my slave! Join us as we uncover the moral philosophy in this beloved feminist pop song. Adam reveals the hidden layers in the song structure and Matt completely nerds out and extols the virtues of the “club dub” and “extended” remixes
 
 Song Clips:

• “Stay” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985)
• “Not My Slave” - Oingo Boingo, Something Wild - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1986)
• “Not My...

Is the earliest Oingo Boingo song just a fun little bop, or is there a dark heart lurking behind those staccato horn riffs? Is the narrator just having fun, or is he a clueless jerk - or something much worse? And what are those billionaire babies doing on the dance floor?

Song Clips:

• “Ain’t This The Life” - Oingo Boingo, Oingo Boingo 10” EP (1980)
• “Ain’t This The Life” - Oingo Boingo, Oingo Boingo 12” EP (1980)
• “Ain’t Thi...