Just in time for Halloween, composer Danny Elfman has released a spooky new single. "Happy" stands as his first non-soundtrack contribution in over three decades, making it one of Elfman's first traditional "songs" since his time leading his new-wave band Oingo Boingo.
"Happy" can be heard below, alongside a suitably spooky video from Aron Johnson.
In a statement, Elfman explained how he had written "Happy" to perform at Coachella 2020.
"It was written to be an absurd anti-pop song, designed to begin as a very simple pop tune that degrades into something more subversive," he said. "The cynical nature of the lyrics echo how I feel about living in a semi-dystopian world turned upside down."
"Happy" marks Elfman's first release for his new label home of Anti-/Epitaph. The song finds Elfman joined by drummer Josh Freese, guitarist Nili Brosh and bassist Stu Brooks, while Randall Dunn is credited with additional synth design.
Beyond all his soundtrack work, the Oingo Boingo member last released So-Lo under his own name in 1984.
"I always enjoyed Halloween because it was a night to let loose, to become something or someone else," Elfman added of the impending spooky celebration. "[Halloween is] a night to celebrate the dead, and ghosts, and monsters of all variety. A night for mutants, zombies, vampires, misfits, and miscreants to celebrate themselves and each other. And aligned with the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, a night to celebrate departed spirits…and for me, a night to laugh in death's face (and feel safe doing so)."
"Happy" can be heard below, alongside a suitably spooky video from Aron Johnson.
In a statement, Elfman explained how he had written "Happy" to perform at Coachella 2020.
"It was written to be an absurd anti-pop song, designed to begin as a very simple pop tune that degrades into something more subversive," he said. "The cynical nature of the lyrics echo how I feel about living in a semi-dystopian world turned upside down."
"Happy" marks Elfman's first release for his new label home of Anti-/Epitaph. The song finds Elfman joined by drummer Josh Freese, guitarist Nili Brosh and bassist Stu Brooks, while Randall Dunn is credited with additional synth design.
Beyond all his soundtrack work, the Oingo Boingo member last released So-Lo under his own name in 1984.
"I always enjoyed Halloween because it was a night to let loose, to become something or someone else," Elfman added of the impending spooky celebration. "[Halloween is] a night to celebrate the dead, and ghosts, and monsters of all variety. A night for mutants, zombies, vampires, misfits, and miscreants to celebrate themselves and each other. And aligned with the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, a night to celebrate departed spirits…and for me, a night to laugh in death's face (and feel safe doing so)."
