Released 1985 Recorded August 1985 Label MCA | Format 7", 12" Genre New wave | |
Length 3:45 (single)
6:10 (album) | ||
"Weird Science" is a song by Oingo Boingo. Written by frontman Danny Elfman, 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 song reached #45 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and #21 on the US Dance Club Charts.
Contents
The version on the soundtrack, the recording released as a single, runs 3:45 long. The version on Dead Man's Party is a very different arrangement, running 6:10. The song was also released in a dance mix on a 12-inch single.
Track listing
7" Single
- "Weird Science" (3:45)
- "Weird Mama" (2:50) by Ira and the Geeks
12" Single
- "Weird Science [Extended Dance Version]" (6:38)
- "Weird Science" (3:45)
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)
Popular culture
The song was used in the episode "Koopenstein" on the The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, the American Dad! episode "Stan's Best Friend", at the end of a 2010 Swiffer Sweeper commercial, in the closing credits song for the kid's show Annedroids, in advertisements for Electronic Arts' The Sims 4 and in the season 2 trailer for the Adult Swim series Rick and Morty. 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 was covered by Orange County power pop band Hellogoodbye for the 2005 tribute album, Dead Bands Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo.