Oingo Boingo: Complete Film, TV, and Compilation Appearances
Beyond their studio albums, Oingo Boingo left a significant mark on popular culture through a vast array of contributions to cinema, television, and various artist compilations. From high-energy New Wave anthems in 80s teen movies to atmospheric tracks in modern series, the band's eclectic sound proved highly adaptable for visual media.
This comprehensive guide tracks the band's journey across different media, including original recordings for soundtracks, appearances in films, and the later use of their catalog in video games and contemporary television.
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Key Facts
- First Official Credit: The 1979 track "I'm Afraid" marked the first release credited to "Oingo Boingo" rather than "The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo."
- Most Frequent Track: "Weird Science" and "Dead Man's Party" are among the most widely used songs across films, TV, and games.
- Diverse Credits: Some tracks were released under pseudonyms, such as "Try to Believe," credited to Mosley & The B-Men.
- Philanthropic Work: The band contributed to the Live! For Life compilation to raise funds for the AMC Cancer Research Center.
Chronological Soundtrack and Media History
The Early Years and 80s Boom
In the early 1980s, Oingo Boingo became a staple of the era's cinematic energy. They appeared physically in films like Longshot and Urgh! A Music War!, the latter of which featured a performance recorded at The Whisky in Hollywood on August 17, 1980.
The mid-80s saw a surge in soundtrack contributions. The band provided the title track for Weird Science (1985), which was released as a single and later featured a different mix on the Dead Man's Party album. They also contributed to Bachelor Party and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.
Late 80s to 90s Transitions
As the decade closed, the band continued to land placements in films like Midnight Run (1988) and Ghostbusters II (1989). Interestingly, "Try to Believe" from Midnight Run was credited to Mosley & The B-Men, with an instrumental version used in the film and a vocal version on the soundtrack.
The 1990s saw their music appearing in diverse projects, from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer film (covered by Susanna Hoffs) to the Weird Science TV series, where their hit song served as the intro theme from 1994 to 1998.
Modern Legacy and Digital Media
In the 21st century, Oingo Boingo's music found new life in video games and prestige television. Their tracks appeared in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 4, and Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s. More recently, their music has been featured in Rick and Morty and Stranger Things.
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Summary of Notable Appearances
| Year | Song | Media/Appearance | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | I'm Afraid | L.A. In Compilation | First "Oingo Boingo" credit |
| 1985 | Weird Science | Weird Science (Film) | Released as a single |
| 1986 | Dead Man's Party | Back to School (Film) | Band appears in film |
| 1988 | Try to Believe | Midnight Run (Film) | Credited to Mosley & The B-Men |
| 1989 | Flesh 'N Blood | Ghostbusters II (Film) | Different mix than album version |
| 1994-98 | Weird Science | Weird Science (TV Series) | Intro theme song |
| 2017 | Just Another Day | Stranger Things (TV) | Season 2, episode "Madmax" |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the first song officially credited to Oingo Boingo?
The first official release credited to "Oingo Boingo," rather than "The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo," was the song "I'm Afraid," released in 1979 on the L.A. In: A Collection of Los Angeles Rock and New Wave Bands compilation.
Did the band ever appear on screen in the movies they scored?
Yes, the band appeared and performed in several films, including Longshot ("I've Got to Be Entertained"), Urgh! A Music War! ("Ain't This the Life"), and Back to School ("Dead Man's Party").
Which Oingo Boingo song was used as a TV series theme?
"Weird Science" served as the intro theme for the Weird Science TV series from 1994 to 1998. Additionally, a re-recorded version of "Forbidden Zone" was used as the intro theme for Dilbert between 1999 and 2000.
Are there any songs released under different names?
Yes, the song "Try to Believe" from the Midnight Run soundtrack was credited to Mosley & The B-Men. Additionally, the song "Happy" in the Summer School soundtrack was credited to Danny Elfman.
Has Oingo Boingo music appeared in modern video games?
Yes, their music has been featured in several titles, including Tony Hawk's American Wasteland ("Who Do You Want to Be"), Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 4 ("Dead Man's Party"), Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s ("Only a Lad"), and as DLC for Rock Band 3.