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Out Come the Freaks

"Out Come the Freaks"
Single by Was (Not Was)
from the album Was (Not Was)
B-side "Hello Operator...I Mean Dad...I Mean Police...I Can't Even Remember Who I Am"
Released 1981
Format 7", 12"
Recorded The Sound Suite, January–March 1981
Genre funk, R&B, dance
Length 5:41
Label ZE Records, Island Records
Songwriter(s) David Was, Don Was
Producer(s) David Was, Don Was, Jack Tann, Michael Zilkha
Was (Not Was) singles chronology
"Wheel Me Out"
(1980)
"Out Come the Freaks"
(1981)
"Where Did Your Heart Go?"
(1981)
"Wheel Me Out"
(1980)
"Out Come the Freaks"
(1981)
"Where Did Your Heart Go?"
(1981)
"(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks"
Single by Was (Not Was)
from the album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes
B-side "Out Come The Freaks (Predominantly Funk Version)"
Released February 1984
Format 7-inch, 12"
Genre funk, R&B, dance
Length 4:22
Label Geffen Records, ZE Records
Songwriter(s) David Was, Don Was
Producer(s) Jack Tann, David Was, Don Was
Was (Not Was) singles chronology
"Knocked Down, Made Small (Treated Like a Rubber Ball)"
(1983)
"(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks"
(1984)
"Robot Girl"
(1986)
"Knocked Down, Made Small (Treated Like a Rubber Ball)"
(1983)
"(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks"
(1984)
"Robot Girl"
(1986)
"Out Come the Freaks (Again)"
Single by Was (Not Was)
from the album What Up, Dog?
B-side "Earth To Doris"
Released May 1988
Format 7", 12", CD
Genre funk, R&B, dance
Length 4:35
Label Fontana/Phonogram (UK), Chrysalis (US)
Songwriter(s) David Was, Don Was
Producer(s) David Was, Don Was, Steve Salas, Paul Staveley O'Duffy
Was (Not Was) singles chronology
"Spy in the House of Love"
(1988)
"Out Come the Freaks (Again)"
(1988)
"Anything Can Happen"
(1988)
"Spy in the House of Love"
(1988)
"Out Come the Freaks (Again)"
(1988)
"Anything Can Happen"
(1988)

"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 retaining the chorus vocal: Woodwork squeaks, and out comes the freaks.

The original recording was the opening song on the groups début album Was (Not Was). This version began with the chorus chanted several times simultaneously by a number of vocalists before the rhythm section is introduced. The single became a club hit in the US and peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart.

The song's parent album was later renamed Out Come The Freaks when it was remastered and expanded in 2004. A companion remix album is titled (The) Woodwork Squeaks.

The second recording is slower and sparser as opposed to the post-disco 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. This version adds a new introductory verse which sets up the concept of the song. The final chorus replaces the words "the freaks" with a succession of song titles including "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" and "The Shadow of Your Smile", implying a more positive spin on the idea of a "freak" to counterpoint the earlier verses. "(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.

The third "Out Come The Freaks" recording was released in 1987 and included on the group's most successful album What Up, Dog?. 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 the subtitle 'Again' on the single's release. The single version was also alternatively titled "(Stuck Inside of Detroit With the) Out Come the Freaks (Again)".


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