"Dead Man's Party" is a song by American band Oingo Boingo, released as the third single from their album of the same name.

The song was released on a 12" single in conjunction with another song from the album, "Stay," with the cover art touting it as the single's a-side, while the catalog number and some discographies consider it the single's b-side. An edited version of "Dead Man's Party" was featured in a promotional music video and was issued in 1986 as the b-side of the 7" single "Just Another Day," also culled from the Dead Man's Party album.

Dead Man's Party (song)

The lyric, "I hear the chauffeur coming to my door/Says there's room for maybe just one more," is a reference to "The Bus-Conductor," a short story by E. F. Benson about a hearse driver, first published in The Pall Mall Magazine in 1906. The story has been adapted several times and spawned an urban legend, with each version using the catchphrase, "Room for one more."

Dead Man's Party (song)

It is perhaps best known for its appearance in the 1986 film Back to School, where the band performed it at a party.

Dead Man's Party (song)

Danny Elfman performed the song as the final encore of his Nightmare Before Christmas concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in 2015, 2016, and 2018, and at Banc of California Stadium in 2021, alongside his former Oingo Boingo guitarist and arranger Steve Bartek.

Track listing

12" single

Dead Man's Party (Party 'Til You're Dead Mix) - 8:37

Stay (Stay Late Mix) - 5:59

Personnel

Danny Elfman – lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Steve Bartek – lead guitar

John Avila – bass, keytar, vocals

Mike Bacich – keyboards

Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez – drums, percussion

Sam Phipps – tenor saxophone

Leon Schneiderman – baritone & alto saxophones

Dale Turner – trumpet, trombone

Michael Frondelli - mixing

References

Songs about parties

1985 songs

1986 singles

Oingo Boingo songs

Halloween songs

Songs written by Danny Elfman

MCA Records singles