Dead Man's Party

Album: Dead Man's Party (1985)
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  • I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go
    Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder
    I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go
    Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder

    Waiting for an invitation to arrive
    Goin' to a party where no one's still alive
    Waiting for an invitation to arrive
    Goin' to a party where no one's still alive

    I was struck by lighting, walkin' down the street
    I was hit by something last night in my sleep
    It's a dead man's party who could ask for more?
    Everybody's comin', leave your body at the door
    Leave your body and soul at the door

    Don't run away it's only me
    Only me

    I'm all dressed up, nowhere to go
    Walkin' with a dead man (oh!) with a dead man
    Ooh ooh, waitin' for an invitation to arrive
    Ooh! Walkin' with a dead man, dead man (with a dead man)

    I got my best suit and my tie
    With a shiny silver dollar on either eye
    I hear the chauffeur comin' to my door
    Says there's room for maybe just one more

    I was struck by lighting, walkin' down the street
    I was hit by something last night in my sleep
    It's a dead man's party, who could ask for more?
    Everybody's comin', leave your body at the door
    Leave your body and soul at the door

    Don't run away it's only me
    Don't be afraid of what you can't see
    Don't run away it's only me (only me)
    Don't be afraid of what you can't see

    It's only me

    I was struck by lighting, walkin' down the street
    I was hit by something last night in my sleep
    It's a dead man's party, who could ask for more?
    Everybody's comin', leave your body at the door
    Leave your body and soul at the door

    Don't run away it's only me (only me)
    Don't be afraid of what you can't see
    Don't run away it's only me (only me)
    Don't be afraid of what you can't see

    It's only me
    It's only me
    Only me
    It's only me
    It's only me
    Only me (only me)
    It's only me
    It's only me
    It's only me
    Ow! Writer/s: Danny Elfman
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Justin from UtI submit to you an alternative and deeper meaning behind this song.

    This song was released in 1985 (one year after the cause of AIDS was discovered).

    In the 1980's, bands would often mask their message behind euphemisms. (Especially when dealing with controversial topics such as homosexuality in their time)

    At this time, AIDS was ravaging the homosexuality community and some had accepted their fate and embraced it as an inevitably that came with the territory of their lifestyle. Tired of dealing with the fear of the disease and wanting to return to the care free lifestyle they once enjoyed, aids parties were organized where they faced their fears head on and intentionally contacted the disease. The lyrics seam to plead to the listener to not fear being close to him "its only him" "don't be afraid of what you can't see" (the virus).

    Could this song be a message about the song writer having burried his gay friend, having not much left to lose, accepted his fate and decided to attend one such party?
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenAlong with his work for OB and his superb movie scores, I also remember Elfman's song (using his name, not the group's) "Gratitude" that appeared on the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack.
  • Aidan from Pretoria, SaI am fascinated by this band, don't know why, but I love its high energy and mixture of styles, keeps me listening to each song in detail, definitely takes you on a journey. Great to see others out there that also like it. Struggled so hard to get an original album in my country and no one seems to know it here. I wish they would do "Heard Somebody Cry".
  • Nancy from Washington, DcI don't know why, but I can never get bored of this song. I love it! The beat and Danny Elfman's voice is so cool...
  • Kandys from Lompoc, CaI so agree. I love most all Oingo Boingo songs and would like to know more about the stories behind them.
  • Blake from Placentia, Cafirst oingo boingo song i heard
  • Kristi from Hillsboro, MoAn episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," episode #3.2 was named "Dead Man's Party."
  • Anonymous from Dixon , CaThis song is a great Halloween song, but I wish Songfacts.com included other Oingo Boingo songs,
    like "Stay", "Just Another Day", "Wake Up(It's 1984)", and "Weird Science". All are great songs.
see more comments

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