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Solo

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Danny Elfman released Solo (on the cover So-Lo) in November 1984 on MCA Records. It was his first solo record. MCA had given him a solo contract when Oingo Boingo left I.R.S. Records. Recording took place in April 1983 and July 1984 at Ground Control in Santa Monica. Elfman produced with Steve Bartek and Paul Ratajczak. Most of the members of Oingo Boingo played on it, and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers added extra bass.

The record is new wave with synth-pop and ska, and the tempos are slower than on the Oingo Boingo records. Elfman himself called it a chance to experiment with slower tempos. Bartek later felt that it was mainly a band record, after which Elfman persuaded MCA to transfer his contract to Oingo Boingo. "Cool City" and "Lightning" date from 1983 sessions for Good for Your Soul. The single was "Gratitude" with "Tough As Nails". Reissues appeared in 2014 and 2022.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Gratitude. Several mixes of this song exist (5:04, 5:12 and 4:42), so pay attention to which one you hear and whether it contains a spoken verse.

Track list

  1. 1Gratitude (Elfman Solo Version)5:14Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Cool City3:28Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Go Away4:02Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Sucker for Mystery5:19Apple Music ↗
  5. 5It Only Makes Me Laugh (Elfman Solo Version)4:06Apple Music ↗
  6. 6The Last Time4:13Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Tough As Nails4:39Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Lightning3:46Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Everybody Needs (Elfman Solo Version)3:50Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Sources

  1. Wikipedia (en): So-Lo
Categories: Albums and songs