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1982 single by Men at Work From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive" is a song by the Australian musical group Men at Work. The song was written by Men at Work singer/guitarist Colin Hay, and the recording was produced by Peter McIan. It was released in October 1982 in Australia as the lead single from their second album Cargo; in the United States it was the band's third single from that album.
| "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
UK 7" single sleeve | ||||
| Single by Men at Work | ||||
| from the album Cargo | ||||
| Released | October 1982 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:12 (7" single), 4:38 (12" single/album) | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Colin Hay | |||
| Producer(s) | Peter McIan | |||
| Men at Work singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The song is about a mad scientist named Dr. Heckyll (played by Men at Work keyboardist Greg Ham in the song's music video) who creates a potion that turns him into a smooth, handsome and talkative man. The title is a parody of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The story is also very similar to the premise of the 1963 film The Nutty Professor.
Cash Box said that "sci-fi flick laboratory sounds lend authenticity to an otherwise Men At Work-manlike lively rhythmic and vocal tune."[1]
The music video shows a Sherlock Holmes-esque detective (Colin Hay) who investigates the case of Dr. Heckyll (Greg Ham), a quirky mad scientist. One night, Heckyll goes out to a party at a house in the neighborhood and takes a swig of the potion he has been working on most recently. Two girls walk in on him, harass him and also take swigs of the drink. They turn into palm trees as a result. Heckyll notices this effect, and transforms into Mr. Jive, a handsome, talkative man who entertains people by playing the piano. The detective, under disguise as a Boy Scouts leader, arrives, but before he can investigate further, Heckyll reverts to normal form and, with his hunchbacked assistant (Jerry Speiser) leaves satisfied and happy into the sunrise.
The video was shot in Los Angeles, California, in 1982; Heckyll's house is 1325 Carroll Avenue.
The band members also appear as boy scouts and party guests.
| Chart (1982-1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[2] | 6 |
| Canada (RPM Magazine) | 24 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 25 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 16 |
| United Kingdom (The Official Charts Company) | 31 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 28 |
| U.S. Cashbox Top 100 | 26 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 12 |
| Chart (1983) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 88 |
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