Lyrics of What's This — Danny Elfman

Song Details and Analysis

• Title: What’s This?


• Performed by: Danny Elfman (voice of Jack Skellington)


• Composer: Danny Elfman


• Album: The Nightmare Before Christmas (Soundtrack)


• Genre: Soundtrack, Musical


• Release Date: 1993

Exploring the meaning of "What’s This?" by Danny Elfman

In *What’s This?*, Jack Skellington’s curiosity and excitement burst forth as he encounters the world of Christmas for the first time. The song marks a pivotal moment in *The Nightmare Before Christmas*, capturing Jack's awe and wonder as he discovers something so starkly different from the spooky, macabre world of Halloween Town. This new environment, brimming with warmth, colors, and joy, represents everything Jack has longed for but couldn’t articulate. Christmas Town stands in stark contrast to Halloween Town, where fear and darkness prevail. Here, Jack is almost overwhelmed by the sense of peace, community, and festivity, elements absent from his own life.

Elfman’s lyrics and composition convey Jack’s wonder as he is filled with a childlike sense of discovery. Through phrases like “there’s color everywhere” and “they’re busy building toys,” Elfman paints a world of innocence and joy that is alien to Jack but feels strangely right.

Technical Analysis

The song’s brisk tempo and lively instrumentation effectively mirror Jack’s astonishment and enthusiasm. Elfman’s use of staccato rhythms and high-pitched strings add to the sense of surprise, while sudden dynamic changes reflect Jack’s shifts in emotion as he explores each new sight. The orchestration also incorporates bells and chimes, enhancing the festive atmosphere of Christmas Town and highlighting its difference from Halloween Town’s eerie ambiance. Elfman’s vocal performance is filled with wonder, giving voice to Jack’s realization that he has finally found something he desires wholeheartedly.

Emotional Analysis

1. Opening Verse: "What's this? There's color everywhere" - Astonishment, excitement


2. Second Verse: "There's people singing songs" - Curiosity, intrigue


3. Mid-Verse Discovery: "They're hanging mistletoe, they kiss" - Amusement, fascination


4. Climactic Verse: "The monsters are all missing and the nightmares can’t be found" - Relief, joy


5. Final Verse: "This empty place inside of me is filling up" - Contentment, longing fulfilled

Similar Songs

*What’s This?* shares its themes of discovery, joy, and the search for belonging with other songs that explore a character’s unexpected encounter with a new world or perspective:

• “Pure Imagination” by Gene Wilder (from *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory*) – A whimsical, joyous discovery of a magical new world.


• “Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles – Explores an imaginative journey into a surreal place filled with wonder and curiosity.


• “A Whole New World” by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga (from *Aladdin*) – A revelation of a new, magical realm filled with beauty and excitement.


• “Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog (from *The Muppet Movie*) – A song about the search for something magical and elusive that fills a deep inner longing.


• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland – Expresses the desire for a world beyond the ordinary, one filled with color and peace.

Comparison to Previous Work

Elfman’s *What’s This?* aligns with his style of bringing an infectious enthusiasm and wonder to his characters. Similar to Jack’s exhilaration in discovering Christmas Town, Elfman’s earlier work with *Oingo Boingo* displayed his fascination with contrasting moods and surrealism. In *Jack’s Lament*, we see Jack’s darker, introspective side, while *What’s This?* presents a lighter, brighter moment of self-discovery. Elfman captures both sides of Jack’s personality, making *The Nightmare Before Christmas* a multifaceted musical experience.

“I wanted to show Jack’s wonder and awe in discovering Christmas, a world so new to him yet instantly filling a void. Christmas, with its joy and warmth, was the perfect contrast to Halloween’s dark excitement.”

Danny Elfman on Jack’s experience in Christmas Town