The Story Behind "Oh Yeah" by Yello

Swiss synth-pop band Yello released “Oh Yeah” on July 11, 1985, but it didn’t become pop­u­lar until after it was fea­tured in the John Hughes movie Fer­ris Bueller’s Day Off.  The sin­gle did not chart in the U.K.  After being re-released in 1987, the song peaked at #51 on the U.S. Bill­board Hot 100.  This ver­sion included addi­tional an addi­tional vocal bit:  “Such a good time, a really good time.”

Ver­sions
Oh Yeah 3’05
Oh Yeah [Indian Sum­mer Music] 4’42
The Stella Suite (Oh Yeah) Part One 6’06 [Edit of Oh Yeah [Dance Mix]]
Oh Yeah [Dance Mix] 6’25
Oh Yeah [Indian Sum­mer Ver­sion] 5’30
The Stella Suite (Oh Yeah) Part One 6’06

Music Video
The music video for “Oh Yeah” is very exper­i­men­tal.  It pri­mar­ily con­sists of the band act­ing goofy with a lit­tle girl.  The video fea­tures cut-outs of the sun and moon, as well as cre­ative use of light­ing and sil­hou­ettes.  It’s a refresh­ing reminder of what can be accom­plished with very little.

Mem­o­ries
The first time I heard “Oh Yeah” was in Fer­ris Bueller’s Day Off, where the valet atten­dants take Cameron’s dad’s Fer­rari for a joy ride.  My friends and I had never heard any­thing quite like it.  We stopped by Sound Ware­house on Hulen Street after we saw the movie and my neigh­bor Deb­bie bought the 12″ sin­gle.  We played it back at her house that night and the Indian Sum­mer Ver­sion really gave me the creeps.  I played it again recently, and I didn’t find the mix to be quite as omi­nous at 44 as I did at 18.  When­ever I hear this song, it always reminds me of that happy night:  good movie, good music, and good friends.

What are your mem­o­ries of “Oh Yeah” by Yello?