If you watched the new Netflix series Wednesday, you might have noticed a catchy and creepy song playing during the opening credits and some of the dance scenes. The song is called Goo Goo Muck, and it was performed by The Cramps, a legendary punk rock band that influenced the narrative and tone of Wednesday. But what is a goo goo muck, and why did The Cramps sing about it? In this article, we will explore the history and significance of this mythical creature, as well as the cultural impact and legacy of The Cramps and their genre of music.
What is Wednesday, and how does it differ from previous adaptations of The Addams Family?
Unlike previous adaptations of The Addams Family, which focused on the eccentric and macabre antics of the whole family, Netflix’s Wednesday is an inventive take on the Addams Family’s character, Wednesday Addams. Jenna Ortega plays Wednesday, Catherine Zeta-Jones portrays Morticia Addams, and Luis Guzmán plays Gomez Addams in the Tim Burton and Al Gough-created television series. It portrays Wednesday’s life as a young sleuth at Nevermore Academy, where she deciphers macabre mysteries. The series also has a darker and more twisted tone than the original comics, TV shows, and movies, incorporating elements of horror, mystery, comedy, and romance.
How does Goo Goo Muck fit the mood and style of Wednesday, and what does it reveal about the characters and themes?
Goo Goo Muck was written and recorded by Ronnie Cook originally in 1962 as a surf rock instrumental. The song was later covered by The Cramps in 1981 with added lyrics describing a nocturnal monster that prowls the streets looking for victims to devour or seduce. The song is considered one of the classics of psychobilly, a subgenre of rockabilly that combines punk rock with horror themes.
The song perfectly fits the mood and style of Wednesday, as it reflects the dark humour, gothic aesthetics, and rebellious attitude of the series. The song also reveals some aspects of Wednesday’s character and themes. For example, the lyrics “When the sun goes down / And the moon comes up / I turn into a teenage goo goo muck” suggest that Wednesday has a dual nature: she is a teenager who struggles with her emotions and identity and a supernatural being who has mysterious powers and abilities. The song also implies that Wednesday has a curious and adventurous side; she likes to explore the unknown and challenge the norms. Moreover, the song hints at some of the conflicts and mysteries that Wednesday faces: she has to deal with enemies and dangers that lurk in the shadows, as well as secrets and mysteries that involve her family and her past.
What is the history and significance of the Goo Goo Muck, a mythical creature that inspired The Cramps and other artists?
The Goo Goo Muck is a mythical creature that has no clear origin or definition. Some sources claim that it is a Native American legend about a swamp monster that lives in Louisiana. Others suggest that it is a slang term for a sexually transmitted disease or a promiscuous person. Others contend that it is a nonsense word that Ronnie Cook or The Cramps created.
Regardless of its origin, the Goo Goo Muck has become a symbol of horror, humour, and subversion in popular culture. The creature has inspired not only The Cramps but also other artists such as Frank Zappa (who mentioned it in his song Camarillo Brillo), Rob Zombie (who used it as a stage name for his guitarist John 5), and Tim Burton (who featured it in his movie Ed Wood). The Goo Goo Muck represents the fascination with the grotesque, the absurd, and the rebellious that characterises many genres of art and entertainment.
What is the cultural impact and legacy of The Cramps and their influence on punk rock, horror, and pop culture?
The Cramps were an American rock band formed in 1976 by singer Lux Interior (Erick Purkhiser) and guitarist Poison Ivy (Kristy Wallace). They were one of the pioneers of psychobilly music, which combines punk rock with rockabilly. They were also known for their wild and wacky stage performances involving costumes, props, theatrics, humour, violence, sexuality, and horror.
The Cramps influenced many genres of music, such as punk rock, goth rock, garage rock, surf rock, alternative rock, metal, industrial, grunge, indie rock, electroclash, horror punk, deathrock, glam rock, etc. They also influenced many artists such as Nick Cave (who called them “the best live band ever”), Iggy Pop (who collaborated with them on several occasions), Marilyn Manson (who covered their song What’s Inside A Girl?), White Zombie (who named themselves after one of their songs), R.E.M. (who cited them as an inspiration), Sonic Youth (who performed with them at CBGB), Nirvana (who invited them to open for them on their European tour), Beck (who sampled their song “Human Fly”), Jack White (who produced their last album), Lady Gaga (who wore their T-shirt on stage), etc.
The Cramps also influenced many aspects of pop culture, such as fashion (they popularised leather jackets), movies (they appeared in several films such as Urgh! A Music War, The Return Of The Living Dead, Hairspray, etc.), TV shows (Beverly Hills 90210, The Simpsons, etc.), comics (they inspired characters such as Tank Girl), video games (they were included in games such as Guitar Hero), etc.
The Cramps are regarded as one of the most original and influential rock bands. They have been inducted into several halls of fame, such as Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Horror Hall of Fame, etc. They have also received numerous awards, such as the Mojo Icon Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have explored how The Cramps’ song Goo Goo Muck influenced Netflix’s new series Wednesday by reflecting its mood, style, characters, and themes. We have also explored the history and significance of the Goo Goo Muck, a mythical creature that inspired The Cramps and other artists. Finally, we explored the cultural impact and legacy of The Cramps and their influence on punk rock, horror, and pop culture. We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about these fascinating topics. If you want to know more about The Cramps, the Goo Goo Muck, or Wednesday, you can check out these links:
What do you think about these topics? Do you like The Cramps’ music? Have you watched Wednesday? What is your favourite scene or song from the series?