Out Come the Freaks
Encyclopedia
"Out Come the Freaks" is the name of a trilogy of songs by art-funk ensemble Was (Not Was)
. The trilogy consists of three songs that feature the same basic title, tune and chorus lyric: "Out Come the Freaks" (1981), "(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks" (1983), and "Out Come The Freaks" (1987) (later issued as "Out Come the Freaks (Again)".)
Despite the three songs' abundant similarities, each song is distinctive, as differing lyrics in the verses of each song tell stories about different societal outcasts. As well, each recording had a different contemporary sound, a thoroughly different arrangement, and reworked the melody while still keeping the chorus vocal: Woodwork squeaks, and out comes the freaks.
A fourth Was (Not Was) song called "Look What's Back" (1990) consists of 43 seconds of the group chanting the chorus 'Woodwork squeaks, and out comes the freaks'. However, this song does not use the phrase "Out Come The Freaks" in the song's title, and is generally not considered part of the "Out Come The Freaks" sequence.
. This version began with the chorus chanted several times simultaneously by a number of vocalists before the rhythm section is introduced. The song's parent album was later renamed Out Come The Freaks when it was remastered and expanded in 2004.
sound of the original. This version is sung by Harry Bowens, who sings the Woodwork Squeaks chorus as more of a refrain than a chant. "(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks" was the only single from Born to Laugh at Tornadoes
to chart in the UK, and was also their first hit in that country, hitting the UK top 50.
. It was eventually also released as one of the final singles from the album in the UK, and again peaked just inside the UK top 50. The song was listed as "Out Come the Freaks" on the album but reference to the songs reworked status was acknowledged in the inclusion of of the subtitle "Again" on the single's release.
This recording was once again dominated by the vocal of Harry Bowens, but a female vocalist sang the chorus refrain. The arrangement was more upbeat than the second recording but had a tighter Funk and Synth-Pop sound.
Out Come the Freaks (Again)
Was (Not Was)
-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-Singles:-Contributions:* A Christmas Record - "Christmas Time In The Motor City"* That's The Way I Feel Now: A Tribute to Thelonious Monk - "Ba-Lue-Bolivar-Ba-Lues-Are"...
. The trilogy consists of three songs that feature the same basic title, tune and chorus lyric: "Out Come the Freaks" (1981), "(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks" (1983), and "Out Come The Freaks" (1987) (later issued as "Out Come the Freaks (Again)".)
Despite the three songs' abundant similarities, each song is distinctive, as differing lyrics in the verses of each song tell stories about different societal outcasts. As well, each recording had a different contemporary sound, a thoroughly different arrangement, and reworked the melody while still keeping the chorus vocal: Woodwork squeaks, and out comes the freaks.
A fourth Was (Not Was) song called "Look What's Back" (1990) consists of 43 seconds of the group chanting the chorus 'Woodwork squeaks, and out comes the freaks'. However, this song does not use the phrase "Out Come The Freaks" in the song's title, and is generally not considered part of the "Out Come The Freaks" sequence.
Out Come the Freaks
The original recording was the opening song on the groups début album Was (Not Was)Was (Not Was) (album)
Was is the début album by art-funk ensemble Was ; it was released in 1981.The album was re-released with additional material in 2004 under the name Out Come the Freaks.-Track listing:Side A# "Out Come the Freaks" – 5:41...
. This version began with the chorus chanted several times simultaneously by a number of vocalists before the rhythm section is introduced. The song's parent album was later renamed Out Come The Freaks when it was remastered and expanded in 2004.
(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks
The second recording is slower and sparser as oppose to the post-discoDisco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
sound of the original. This version is sung by Harry Bowens, who sings the Woodwork Squeaks chorus as more of a refrain than a chant. "(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks" was the only single from Born to Laugh at Tornadoes
Born to Laugh at Tornadoes
Born To Laugh At Tornadoes is a 1983 album by the progressive pop band Was . Rolling Stone declared it "conceptually, the best album of the year" shortly after its release...
to chart in the UK, and was also their first hit in that country, hitting the UK top 50.
Out Come the Freaks (Again)
The third "Out Come The Freaks" recording was released in 1987 and included on the groups most successful album What Up, Dog?What Up, Dog?
-LP edition:-UK CD edition:* The UK CD edition and Cassette editions featured this configuration-Personnel:* David "Michigan-Boy Snake" Was — flute, keyboards, harmonica, vocals* Don "Rope Drink" Was — bass, keyboards, guitar, mandolin...
. It was eventually also released as one of the final singles from the album in the UK, and again peaked just inside the UK top 50. The song was listed as "Out Come the Freaks" on the album but reference to the songs reworked status was acknowledged in the inclusion of of the subtitle "Again" on the single's release.
This recording was once again dominated by the vocal of Harry Bowens, but a female vocalist sang the chorus refrain. The arrangement was more upbeat than the second recording but had a tighter Funk and Synth-Pop sound.
Chart positions
(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks| Chart (1984) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| U.K. Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
41 |
Out Come the Freaks (Again)
| Chart (1988) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
44 |