Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

DEVO Divulges Hefty Paycheck from ‘Ridiculousness’ Theme Song

LivePict.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
LivePict.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Mark Mothersbaugh, the co-founder and vocalist of the seminal new wave band DEVO, has found an unexpected windfall in television theme music. A reimagined version of DEVO's song “Uncontrollable Urge” has been utilized as the theme for MTV’s popular series *Ridiculousness*, resulting in a remarkable income stream for Mothersbaugh. Astonishingly, this single venture reportedly generates an approximate $1 million annually for the musician, making it one of his most significant financial successes, despite his extensive career in both music and television scoring.

The tune, originally part of DEVO's 1978 album *Q. Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!*, has undergone a transformation over the years. Its adaptation for *Ridiculousness* catapulted it to becoming a staple on MTV, a channel that once was a major platform for DEVO's music videos, though ironically, their videos were once removed from rotation. This backdrop adds an interesting twist of fate, as “Uncontrollable Urge” is now arguably the most-played song on the network, with the show airing for extensive periods daily, sometimes comprising the majority of MTV's programming schedule.

During the early days of MTV, DEVO's pioneering music videos were not always welcomed due to their avant-garde and subversive nature, leading to many not making it onto the music network at all. Yet today, through *Ridiculousness*, DEVO not only sees a resurgence in use on MTV but also unprecedented earnings, placing them squarely in the network's regular rotation. Mothersbaugh initially ventured into television by composing for children’s series like *Rugrats* and *Pee-wee’s Playhouse*, achievements that have also been lucrative, with the *Rugrats* theme specifically highlighted as having paid for their home in the 1990s.

Mothersbaugh's experience with the *Ridiculousness* theme is also a testament to the enduring potential of music to find new life and utility long after an artist's initial creation. This unexpected success showcases how strategic placements, such as in popular television shows, can reinvigorate and monetize an artist’s catalog in fresh and dynamic ways. The ability of songs to adapt and find relevance in different contexts solidifies their status beyond their original release, proving that their earning potential can extend far beyond typical expectations, especially in the ever-evolving landscape of multimedia entertainment.

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Jeff Lynne - Jeff Lynne's ELO - Electric Light Orchestra - performing on the Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival, UK - 26 Jun 2016 Day 5, Sunday

Jeff Lynne Cancels Concert With ELO Last Minute

Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) has faced a major setback during their “Over and Out” farewell tour, with the…

Don Barnes, 38 Special in concert at Celebrate Virginia Live!, Fredericksburg, Virginia, America - 20 May 2011

38 Special to Release First Album in Over 20 Years

In a spectacular culmination of five decades in the music industry, legendary southern rock band 38 Special is celebrating its…

LEFT PHOTO: Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones arrives for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, March 2, 2025. RIGHT PHOTO: Glastonbury Festival, Day 5, UK - 30 Jun 2024, Burna Boy

Mick Jagger’s in Burna Boy’s New Song ‘Empty Chairs’

The music world is buzzing with excitement as Burna Boy, Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, and Mick Jagger, legendary frontman of The…

Nikki Sixx 'Faster' film premiere, Los Angeles, America - 22 Nov 2010

Nikki Sixx Shares Why Mötley Crüe Wasn’t at Ozzy’s Last Show

In the vibrant world of rock music, few names hold as much legendary status as Ozzy Osbourne and his contributions…

Chino Moreno of Deftones NorthSide Festival 2016, Aarhus, Denmark - 17 Jun 2016

Deftones Announce Early 2026 European Tour

Deftones, the iconic alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, have announced an extensive UK and European tour set for early…

Halestorm - Lzzy Hale (Elizabeth Mae "Lzzy" Hale IV) Halestorm in concert, Run For Your Lives World Tour, London Stadium, UK - 28 Jun 2025

Halestorm Drops New Song ‘Rain Your Blood On Me’

Halestorm has made a powerful return to the rock scene with the release of their new track, “Rain Your Blood…

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Surf City Blitz, Day 2, Huntington Beach, USA - 28 Oct 2018

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Issue Cease & Desist to US Homeland Security

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, an influential indie rock band hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, has recently made headlines…

Justin Bieber 64th Annual Grammy Awards, Show, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, USA - 03 Apr 2022

Justin Bieber Releases Surprise New Album ‘Swag’

In a move that left fans across the globe both surprised and delighted, Justin Bieber has released a new album…

Yungblud 'Yungblud' in concert promoting 'Hello Heaven, Hello', Scala, UK - 21 Mar 2025

Yungblud Postpones Two Shows Due to Tonsillitis

Yungblud, the vibrant British musician known for his energetic performances and passionate fan engagement, has recently faced unexpected setbacks in…