My Gen X Playlist: We Close Our Eyes – Oingo Boingo

Odd. Not just the strange phrasing of the question, but also the idea it’s asking. I don’t know how to answer this one. Usually at the very least, I can dance around the topic and write something remotely close to the prompt. This one? It’s just too weird, I’m out. Maybe if I close my eyes, it will disappear.

Oingo Boingo released We Close Our Eyes in 1987. This had a different feel from their typical dark sound. It actually felt…hopeful. I love the lines:

I looked Death in the face last night
I saw him in a mirror
And he simply smiled
He told me not to worry
He told me just to take my time

I loved this song as a young teen. Now as an old broad with chronic illness, this song means even more to me. “He told me not to worry, he told me just to take my time…”

YouTube comment from DorkThink

Honestly, I love the message of this song, especially the, “I looked Death in the face last night, I saw him in a mirror, and he simply smiled. He told me not to worry, he told me just to take my time” part. It really puts things into perspective when you’re young. While you may not know when you’ll die, it’s best to, as Danny says later in the song, “Make the seconds count”

YouTube comment from xephthepanda

Oingo Boingo holds a special place in my heart. They were one of the first bands to pull me over to new wave. Even though this song had a different feel from their typical sound, I still loved it. Danny Elfman was a genius.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

When everybody is running in the big race
And having a good time
Who am I to cast a shadow?
Who am I?

I looked Death in the face last night
I saw him in a mirror
And he simply smiled
He told me not to worry
He told me just to take my time

We close our eyes
And the world has turned around again
We close our eyes and dream
And another year has come and gone
We close our eyes
And the world has turned around again
We close our eyes and dream

And if you come to me
And if you touch my hand
I might just slip away
I might just disappear—who am I

And if you think I'm worth it
And if you think it's not too late
We might start falling
If we don't try too hard
We might start falling in love

We close our eyes
And the world has turned around again
We close our eyes and dream
And another year has come and gone
We close our eyes
And the world has turned around again
We close our eyes and dream

We're on a healing path
We're on a rollercoaster ride
That can never turn back
And if you love me
And if you really try
To make the seconds count
And we can close our eyes

We close our eyes
And the world has turned around again
We close our eyes
And another year has come and gone
We close our eyes
And the world has turned around again
We close our eyes and dream

We close our eyes and the world has turned around again