Dark at the end of the tunnel : analyse et paroles de l'album d'Oingo Boingo

1990

Au moment où sort Dark At The End Of The Tunnel, Oingo Boingo doute. Depuis la création du groupe la moyenne était d'un album par an mais depuis boi-ngo (en 1986) et donc depuis que Danny Elfman s'est attelé à une carrière de compositeur pour le 7e art, le groupe n'a sorti qu'un double live et une compilation. Cela sent la séparation à plein nez, Elfman ayant apparemment trouvé un nouveau sujet d'occupation. Dark At The End Of The Tunnel est d'ailleurs un album à moitié réussi qui aurait vraisemblablement dû signer l'arrêt de mort du Boingo, fort heureusement après quatre nouvelles années de doute le parfait album Boingo viendra clore le parcours en beauté. Cet album de 1990 est aussi le plus mal aimé des Oingo Boingo, les amateurs comme les critiques lui ayant réservé un accueil plus que mitigé, le qualifiant de trop commercial, trop plat, plus conventionnel que les précédents délires du groupe. Dark est à moitié réussi mais cela reste un bon disque, quelques perles justifiant sans problème son acquisition par tous les fans du groupe. Certes Dark est beaucoup moins indispensable que Dead Man's Party ou que Boingo, néanmoins les prodiges vocaux de Danny Elfman sont toujours aussi hallucinants et son sens mélodique transparaît souvent avec un panache indéniable. Les morceaux ne sont ni très longs, ni très courts et ils adoptent tous un peu le même style. Le son est peut-être encore un peu daté pour un album de 1990 mais finalement par rapport à la production Pop/Rock de l'époque on ne peut que réévaluer ce disque. La batterie est sans doute par moment noyée sous trop d'effets démodés, Bartek est peut-être un peu trop sous exploité, les cuivres sont peut-être intrus sur certains morceaux, les synthés auraient pu se faire plus discret, mais la production du trio gagnant : Elfman, Bartek, Avila et la voix d'Elfman sauvent la majorité des chansons de l'album.

When The Lights Go Out ouvre l'album. Et c'est sans doute l'une des meilleures chansons du groupe. Certes la thématique fait penser au génial No One Lives Forever mais il y a une puissance réjouissante dans cette entrée en matière d'une rare efficacité.

Skin brille par la performance vocale tétanisante d'un Elfman au top de sa forme. Le morceau est mélodiquement parfait et d'une grande finesse. Une perle. (Elfman en fera une étrange adaptation country pour la BO de Nightbreed (Cabal)).

Out Of Control s'essouffle sur la longueur mais garde les élans chaloupés des anciennes productions Boingoesques.

Glory Be possède un dynamisme à toute épreuve. La batterie martèle à grand renfort de son 80's et on se laisse emporter par cette bonne petite chanson.

L'intro de Long Breakdown plonge le morceau dans le rock le plus FM, et d'ailleurs c'est ainsi que sonne tout l'album. Là encore ce sont les harmonies vocales d'Elfman qui évite la débâcle. C'est en nuançant et en enrichissant les morceaux de ce type qu'Elfman finira par trouver l'équilibre miracle qui transcendera Boingo, l'ultime album du groupe.

Flesh'n'Blood fait plaisir à entendre. C'est le bon vieil Oingo Boingo de Good For Your Soul que l'on retrouve. Sonorités primesautières, la voix d'Elfman redevient ce démon sautillant qu'elle sait si bien incarner, délicieux. On peut d'ailleurs entendre cette chanson dans Ghostbuster 2.

Run Away (The Escape Song) démarre avec célérité et ne faiblit jamais. Une sorte de ska à l'ancienne, encore du Boingo première période avec le son à cheval sur deux décennies. Malheureusement on est assez loin du dynamisme de Who Do You Want To Be. Agréable sans plus.

Dream Somehow enchaîne en douceur. Belles harmonies, refrain zouli tout plein, l'archétype de la chanson boingesque réussie.

Is This est une chanson qui fait de la figuration. Elle est belle, cela ne fait aucun doute mais c'est tout. Elle n'apporte rien de particulier à l'album que l'on n'ait déjà entendu auparavant.

Right To Know s'en sort mieux que les 3-4 morceaux précédents. Il faut dire que Danny en fait des tonnes pour faire sortir cette chanson de l'ordinaire. Et en un tour de passe-passe le refrain devient accrocheur.

Try To Believe conclut l'album au même niveau que son commencement, très haut donc. Peut-être la meilleure chanson du disque, la plus belle en tout cas. Mélodiquemment parfaite, intro au piano comme on les aime, rythmique efficace, cuivres employés à la perfection. Bon, OK, c'est très classique en fait, on a déjà entendu cela quelque part. Mais Elfman est là et sa voix fait le reste. On marche donc sans aucun problème, on adore même. A noter que la version originale de la chanson apparaît dans la BO de Midnight Run de Danny Elfman himself.

En conclusion, Dark At The End Of The Tunnel n'est pas la plus indispensable des productions Oingo Boingo. C'est un album de transition difficile entre les années 80 et les années 90. Son successeur, Boingo, sera un chef-d'œuvre, et il semble au vu de l'ensemble de la carrière du groupe qu'il fallait en passer par ce disque inégal mais attachant. S'il y a une très nette baisse de tension après un démarrage en fanfare on prend un grand plaisir aux mélodies si parfaites du grand Danny. Et quand on arrive au magique Try To Believe, on est conquis. Il n'y a pas de mauvais album d'Oingo Boingo. Et Dark At The End Of The Tunnel, grâce à au moins 3 chansons proches du sublime, n'est pas un rejeton si indigne du Boingo.

1- When The Light Goes Out

2- Skin

3- Out Of Control

4- Glory Be

5- Long Breakdown

6- Flesh 'n Blood

7- Run Away (The Escape Song)

8- Dream Somehow

9- Is This

10- Right To Know

11- Try To Believe

When The Light Goes Out

When the lights go out
Everybody has fun
When the lights go out
Everybody runs to a safe place
When the lights go out
Everybody's afraid
When the lights go out
Everybody starts to pray
Starts to pray

Monsters & Madmen
All come alive
When the dead start walking
There's no place to hide
There's no place to hide

CHORUS
Hey--Let's turn the night into day
Let's start a fire in an alley way
Let's all go crazy by & by
And let's all pray to the cat's eye

No one can be trusted, when the lights go out
People act real crazy, people start to shout
People huddle together, try and hide their fear
People party down by they ain't goin' nowhere
They ain't goin' nowhere

Gonna run outside
What's there to see
Just one big shadow there to comfort me
There to comfort me . . . there to comfort me

CHORUS

Just common folks like you and me
Turn into mobs that get so crazy
Prowl the streets like cats
Out for the hunt
Breaking all the windows just because it's fun
Just because it's fun, just because it's fun

Skin

This is someone else's story
Someone that I never knew
This is someone else's body
Am I getting through to you
If you peel away the armor is something underneath
If you look below for hidden treasure underneath another layer
Are you hiding underneath the skin

CHORUS

If you peel away the skin is there anybody there
If you peel away the skin is there anybody there
If you peel away the armor is it too late to begin
Is there anybody hiding if you peel away the skin

Now a spark has passed between us now
A momentary recognition
Something lost and something gained
And something shared that feels strange
Something cold that will not go away

There's a heart as cold as ice
In a vault that's made of stone
Over years the walls got higher
Over years the walls have grown

Is there anybody in there in this self inflicted tomb
If you peel away the layers is there someone in this room
If you peel away the skin, if you peel away the skin

This is someone else's story
Someone that I never knew
This is someone else's body
Am I getting through to you

Out of Control

Everyone says sooner or later you'll reach the end of the line
When things get rough some think it's easy to jump the ship . . .
You decide

I say--don't throw it away
There's about a million reasons why
Though you've heard them all before
And you're getting very tired
Lay your head on my lap and I'll sing you this lullaby

CHORUS
Don't you know
That everyone around you
Has felt the pain you feel today
You're out of control yeah--and you want someone to tell you
When you wake up in the morning it'll only be a dream
You're out of control . . .

There's a cloud-rollin' overhead and it seems to rain on no one else
There's a black sun--casting a black shadow,
and I know you feel so all alone
You're out of control--and you want the world to love you
Or maybe you just want a chance to let them know
That you live and breathe and suffer
And your back is in the corner and you've got nowhere to go

Nothin' for nothin'--everything's right at your fingertips--for a price
Who ever said that life on this planet would ever be paradise
I say--don't throw it away, you've got too many things to say
If you throw your life, if you throw away your life . . .
THe world will never be the same

CHORUS

You're out of control--and you move without direction
And people look right through your soul
You're out of control--and you want someone to tell you
When you wake up in the morning it'll only be a dream
And I wish that I could tell you, it'll only be a dream

Glory Be

Water's flowing though my veins
Nothing ever stays the same
Water's flowing down my side
Turn the water into wine

Where's the courage I once had
Where's the strength I once possessed
To stand up tall and face the music
Laughing in the face of death

Here's a boy whose hands are bleeding
Though he's never had a scratch
Glory come and glory be
Water's flowing now at last

CHORUS
Like a bad dream I once had where
Everyone but me knew something
Walking blind through the burning fields
The dead brigade is on my heels
They follow me--they follow me

Water's flowing though my veins
Nothing ever stays the same
Flows outside for all to see
Water flows through you and me

Nothing ever stays the same
Water turns to wine again
Drink the wine & eat the wafer
Lash the skin & scream together

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Water's flowing through me
Cut me open--let me bleed
Silence is golden
(But) Shout it out--Shout it out--Shout

Water's flowing through my veins
Nothing ever stays the same
Through eyes that once were blind with passion
Everything looks soft and grey
Without color or rough edges
Without fire to burn the skin
Without pride and without reason
Water turns to wine again

Water's flowing through my veins
Tell me now it's all the same
Tell me that it doesn't matter
Tell me everything's alright

CHORUS

Water's flowing through my veins
Nothing ever stays the same
Glory come and glory be
Glory come to you and me
Water's flowing through my veins . . .

Long Breakdown

Everywhere . . . everywhere, there is something to believe in
Everyone, and his brother, has a massage for me somewhere
I believe . . . in the cry of little children
There's a thorn in my side, that makes me want to free them
There's a cry there's a cry . . . cry off in the distance
Of a long, long, long breakdown . . .

There's a light in the tower, there to guide us through
The long night
Through the long night when we're dreaming
Under blankets of deception
In the darkness, undercover we may bump into each other
In the darkness, undercover, looking for a new direction
We may wander, we may wander in geometric patterns
In a long, long, long, long, breakdown . . .

Underwater, underwater, I will meet you underwater
I will find you, I will find you, in the deep & quiet water
In the ocean, in the ocean, we will bask in all its glory
In the peaceful quiet water, I will tell you all a story
Of a long, long, long, long, breakdown

Flesh 'N' Blood

Over time I've come to feel
That everything must come apart it seems
From the little child to the man of power
From the beggar to the angel of my dreams
From the thinnest thread we are sewn together
From the finest string we dangle over time
From the highest wire do we walk through fire
Should our balance ever falter
Should our steps be unaligned
Such a big storm yeah such a strong wind blowing
Such a loud voice calling for me to cross the line

CHORUS
But I'm not gonna give up the ghost
no, not gonna give up the ghost
I'm not gonna give up the ghost, no not gonna give it up
'Cause I haven't the strength to hold out too long
If we both hold on together we can make each other strong

After all we're flesh 'n' blood
After all we're flesh 'n' blood
After all we're flesh 'n' blood
After all we're flesh
After all we're flesh 'n' blood
After all we're flesh 'n' blood
After all we're flesh 'n' blood
After all we're flesh

Drop the mask take away the house
And forget about the income and the car
We're all the same underneath our shell
We've all been to hell and we know what it's like
And we've shared each other's sins
We all know what it's like to give up the fight
We've all been ashamed at one time or another
We all have dreams and nightmares too

When it all comes down we'll look out for each other
(No one else will)
But when I hear the call when I feel the thirst
When the catcher comes to take my soul
He's gonna have to fight me first

CHORUS

Every cloud has a silver lining
And every soul is tender to the touch
We are made of stone, we are made of steel
And we're all the same when we return to dust
But when I hear the call when I feel the thirst
When the catcher comes to take my soul
He's gonna have to fight me first . . .

CHORUS OUT

Run Away (The Escape Song)

Run away--run away from here
Run away--run away from here
Run away all alone--run away from fear
Run away from sadness--run away from tears

Run away from home--from the wife & kids
From the cats & the doggies--run away to forgive
Run into the light . . .

CHORUS
Hide away--in the lion's den
Play with matches--get burned
Flyin' high--in an aeroplane
Run away . . .
In a fast car--on a highway
Burnin' tracks--towards the sunset
No turning back--and no regrets
I'll think of you . . . (if I don't forget)

Run away from the church--run away from guilt
Runaway from (your) dream--everything you built
Run into the light . . .

CHORUS

Run away from the office, from your old work shoes
Run away from crime, and the big city blues
Run away from money, and the jaws of death
Run away from lawyers, and the government
Run away from your friends, and your family too
Run away from yourself, run away from you
Run away from here . . .

Dream Somehow

Come to the rescue now
Come to the rescue and stay for a little while
Come to the burning house
All of the ladybug's children are screaming fire
Come to the rescue now

CHORUS
Tomorrow may change--tomorrow may change
Or it may never come
Tomorrow may change--tomorrow may change
But it may never come
Turn around--turn around--turn around--what do you see

Come to the rescue now
Come to the rescue before all our worlds collide
Life is a dream somehow
LIfe is speck of dust lodged in God's eye
Life is a dream somehow

Come to the rescue now
Come with a mission and come with a broken heart
Life is a dream somehow
Life is a dream and our lives are a world apart
Come to the rescue now

CHORUS

Come to the rescue

Life is a dream somehow
Life is a nightmare and life is a bitter pill
(Life is a dream somehow)
Life is a Disneyland ride which is better still
Come to the rescue now

Life is a drowning pool
Life is a circus for fools just like you and me
Life is a mortal coil
Wrapped in cheap tin foil on a kitchen sink
Come to the rescue now

CHORUS

Dreams somehow, come to the rescue now . . .

Is This

Another place another time
Another face that looks like mine
Another soul for all to see
Is this reality??

If I could only find the words
I'm sure that they would go unheard
With one exception I can see
Is this reality . . .

Oh--If I could only make time stand still for a moment
Capture a memory--and live it one more time but I believe

That I would really change a thing
A second chance to get it right
I think the end is close at hand
I had a vision I don't understand

Don't you see--I was made for you and you for me
Close your eyes . . .
Are you ready for a big surprise

Oh--hold the clock
Say the words to make it stop
Now, Slam, Bam, Thank you Ma'am
Wasn't it a pleasant life we shared
Now who really cares
Why pretend you don't remember
Wipe it clean and start again
Hope to see you in the summer

Another place another time
Another face that looks like mine
Another soul for all to see
Is this . . . Is this . . .

Right to Know

On a cool dark night someone's coming down the street
With a smoking gun and a smile on his face
For all to see, the rest is history
But no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey--come on . . .

When the big man fell with a secret on his lips
So close, so close
'Til the bullet gave his kiss
The world cried out loud, the rest is history
And no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey--come on . . .

You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see

There's a man at the desk who is talking real soft
To a half dozen guys but not a word is lost
The men depart they all know what to do
With a rifle aiming through a clearing in a bush
So close, so close, but no one thinks to look

You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see
Than a big bunch of flowers in a cemetery
So why hold out, come on and give your testimony

On a phone connection on the other side of town
Sits a man with a pencil who doesn't make a sound
He nods his head, the rest is history
But no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey--come on, come on

When the big man fell with a secret on his lips
So close, so close
'Til the bullet gave his kiss

You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see
Than a big bunch of flowers in a cemetery
So why hold out, come on and give your testimony

On a cool dark night someone's coming down the street . . .

Try to Believe

Well I wish real hard when I close my eyes
If I could change the world--would I even try
If I found a reason to regain my pride
Oh if I try to believe--try to believe

CHORUS
It's so hard to find an answer
It's so hard to stand alone
It's so hard to find a feeling
That was buried long ago
It's so hard to trust another
When it's easier to hide
It's so hard to believe
Unless we try baby try

If I had a dream and it got away
If I found the words would I know what to say
If I had a chance to be someone else
Yeah if I try to believe, try to believe

CHORUS

If I found a door I've never been through
Would I have the courage to go in without you
(Try To Believe)
And if time runs short would I recognize
The things I couldn't see
If I try to believe--try to believe

If we listen to the voices that were silent for so long
If you thought they went away, well you couldn't be more wrong
If I tell you there is something that we've lost but can retrieve
If I tell you there is hope, if we try to believe
You remember there's a dream that we long since put aside
With the toys that we discarded
And the tears we never cried
We could have had it once again, if we try baby try