Weird Science (song)
Encyclopedia
"Weird Science" is a song that was written and performed by Oingo Boingo
. It is the theme song to the Weird Science film
and television series
. It was released on the film's soundtrack, as well as Oingo Boingo's 1985 album, Dead Man's Party in a different version.
The version on the soundtrack, the recording released as a single, runs 3:45 long. The version on Dead Man's Party is a much different arrangement, running 6:00. The song was also released in a dance mix on a 12-inch single
.
Despite its moderate mainstream popularity, it is believed that the song is one of Oingo Boingo's least favorite tracks, with the band having felt that it was a rushed effort. It was rarely, if at all, performed live during the years following the song's release. According to various sources, the record company and movie producers were pushing for a final track of the song. The band had worked on various compilations of the song, but was not yet ready to submit the official recording yet. Nevertheless, one night after the band had worked on the song for some time, the record company executives found what they believed was the final or finished recording. And that "unfinished" piece became the released recording of the song.
.
The popular Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation
, which is known for naming each episode after an '80s hit song, named an episode after this song.
The song can be heard at the end of a 2010 Swiffer
Sweeper commercial.
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
. It is the theme song to the Weird Science film
Weird Science (film)
Weird Science is a 1985 American teen comedy film written and directed by John Hughes and starring Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Kelly LeBrock...
and television series
Weird Science (TV series)
Weird Science is a mid-1990s American comedy series made for television, based on the 1985 film of the same name.-Plot:The series follows the adventures of Gary Wallace and Wyatt Donnelly , two socially inept high school students in an unspecified town in California...
. It was released on the film's soundtrack, as well as Oingo Boingo's 1985 album, Dead Man's Party in a different version.
The version on the soundtrack, the recording released as a single, runs 3:45 long. The version on Dead Man's Party is a much different arrangement, running 6:00. The song was also released in a dance mix on a 12-inch single
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
.
Despite its moderate mainstream popularity, it is believed that the song is one of Oingo Boingo's least favorite tracks, with the band having felt that it was a rushed effort. It was rarely, if at all, performed live during the years following the song's release. According to various sources, the record company and movie producers were pushing for a final track of the song. The band had worked on various compilations of the song, but was not yet ready to submit the official recording yet. Nevertheless, one night after the band had worked on the song for some time, the record company executives found what they believed was the final or finished recording. And that "unfinished" piece became the released recording of the song.
12" Promo Single
- "Weird Science [Weird Dub Bonus Beats]" (6:00)
- "Weird Science [Boingo Dance Version]" (5:38)
- "Weird Science [Extended Dance Version]" (6:38)
Legacy
The song was used in the episode "Koopenstein" on the The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! is an American television series based upon Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 2 video games. It was originally broadcast via first-run syndication to mostly independent or Fox television stations from September 4, 1989, to December 1, 1989, with...
.
The popular Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
, which is known for naming each episode after an '80s hit song, named an episode after this song.
The song can be heard at the end of a 2010 Swiffer
Swiffer
Swiffer is a line of cleaning products by Procter and Gamble. Introduced in 1999, the brand uses the "razor-and-blades business model"; in this case, the consumer purchases the handle assembly at a low price, but must continue to purchase replacement refills and pads over the life of the product...
Sweeper commercial.