Along with being a musician, one iconic band’s lead singer is also a scientist,which led him to a miraculous day in the lab when the idea for a hit song emerged. Truly, a band never knows when the idea for a song will strike. Some acts, like thehit-making All-American Rejects, would do different retreats to try and spark ideas.
However, others just go about their days until a moment of inspiration occurs. The main thing many artists strive to do is simply get something penned down. The reality is that while they may have a good feeling,there is no telling what the next major song will be,reaching over one billion streams on platforms such as Spotify.
The other miraculous part of this scientific story is that the song remains relevant decades later. While somesongs bands refuse to playafter years of performing them, this is one that has stuck around. No matter where the band goes in the world,this is a tune that their fans clamor for each night and was created on one random day in a lab.
Working In A Lab Led To The Offspring Creating “Come Out And Play”
You Gotta Keep Em’ Separated
While being a musician may seem like it takes all of someone’s time, many people in the industry have other interests. For some, they’re hobbies, while others pursue them wholeheartedly. The lead singer of the Offspring, Dexter Holland, is one who took his passion to the highest level,going to school and earning his PhD in Molecular Biology.
Working in this field is something he has done for decades, ashe has climbed the ranks of education, studying the craft. Being in this field might seem like every day consists of wild experiments and events, but that’s not the case. While speaking withtheZach Sang Show, Holland opened up about his typical day in the lab, saying, “They think it’s all crazy experiments and boiling potions and stuff, but you know you’re actually in there washing freaking Petri dishes, and everything has to be so sterile.”
It was this kind of close caution that Holland was exercisingthe day he worked with goo-like material that he had to pour into multiple Petri dishes. He realized they were too close together, which caused them to give off too much heat. He then shared the thought that went through his mind when he realized this was happening, saying, “That’s why they’re not cool enough; I’ve got to keep them separated.”
After mulling it over, he realized that the line fit into the song he was writing.
The line “I’ve got to keep them separated” stuck with him. After mulling it over, he realized that the line fit into the song he was writing. It was then added, giving the tune a special flair. From there,they refined it, and “Come Out and Play” was created, later titled “Come Out and Play (Keep ‘Em Separated)”.
This 1994 Album Becomes A Sensation
You Can Call This A “Smash” Hit
Of course, the song was included on the Offspring’s third studio album,Smash, which was released in April 1994. The band had released some quality work previously, but this record took their career to the next level. After its debut,it reached number four on theBillboard200 and number one on the Heatseekers Album chart.
In addition to “Come Out and Play,” there were thirteen other tracks on the record. Some of the standouts were “Gotta Get Away” and “Self Esteem.” The latter was even nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song, as it became a worldwide sensation.This further helped the album rise in popularity, and subsequently, the band did too.
When examining a collection of this many great songs, it is reasonable to wonder where they all come from. Of course, “Come Out and Play” has its own story, butthe others could have been born from similar situations. During the interview withtheZach Sang Show, Dexter Holland opened up about his songwriting process, saying,“I actually find that’s a really conducive way to write songs, where you’re occupied, but your mind isn’t really busy.”
Beyond a mathematical perspective, Holland’s answer demonstrates yet another way science can assist in songwriting. It’s incredible to see how these artists are able to develop such clever ideas, and even more so,that it can stem from a simple task. What’s even better is creating something that stands the test of time, and that’s exactly whatSmashhas achieved.
30 Years Later, This Song Still Means Everything
A Small Saying Remains A Major Breakthrough
A small remark in a lab has come to mean so much to the Offspring’s career. After over 30 years of performing it, “Come Out and Play” has become their most performed songaccording to Setlist.fm. Pretty much anyone who has seen them play live has heard this song, asit has become their signature tune above all else.
It’s not just the band to which it has come to mean so much, but some others as well. The UCLA marching band has been known to perform their own version of this song for things such as football. Additionally, the song has been covered many times andeven made into a parody by “Weird Al” Yankovic, titled “Laundry Day.”
Perhaps the biggest part of its legacy has been that it’sone of the driving forces that madeSmashthe 6x platinum album it has become. This makes it the highest-selling record for them, giving it one of the most important placements in their history. Also, alongside Green Day’sDookie, it was a driving force in helping create pop-punk.
The Offspring have done just about everything a band can dream of. They continue touring and creating new music. Their 2024 record,Supercharged,was one of their best yet, and they have no plans to slow down. As for Dexter Holland, his career in the lab will always be there, which he spoke about ontheZach Sang Show, saying, “I don’t know for sure where the degree is going to fit in with the rest of my life, but I think things do intersect in the future some.”
