Mark Mothersbaugh’s 50-Year-Old Song Brings in $1 Million a Year from MTV
In an era when music videos aren't exactly the backbone of MTV's programming, Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo has found an unexpected financial boon from his 50-year-old song, "Uncontrollable Urge." While the song's original chart performance was modest, it has become a surprising cash cow thanks to its prominent use as the theme song for MTV's popular series, Ridiculousness. According to Mothersbaugh, the song earns him an impressive $1 million annually in royalties, mostly due to the show's constant reruns.
Mothersbaugh's wife and manager, Anita Greenspan, reflected on the full-circle nature of the situation: “In the beginning of MTV, you saw a lot of Devo because they were early to make videos, but MTV started questioning the videos Devo were making. [The videos] were subversive, they didn’t like them and wouldn’t play them anymore... Now 'Uncontrollable Urge' is easily the most-played song on MTV, so [Devo] wins.”
In addition to his work with Devo, Mothersbaugh is a prolific composer for TV and film, including iconic scores for Thor: Ragnarok, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and the theme for Rugrats. Despite his extensive career, it’s "Uncontrollable Urge" that still holds the title of his most financially rewarding creation.
Mark Mothersbaugh: Musician, Composer, and Artist
Mark Mothersbaugh, born on May 18, 1950, in Akron, Ohio, is an American musician, composer, and visual artist, best known as the founding member of the pioneering band Devo. With a career spanning over five decades, he has made significant contributions to music, film, and television. Mothersbaugh's unique blend of experimental rock and electronic music with Devo earned the band cult status, particularly with their iconic track "Whip It."
In addition to his work with Devo, Mothersbaugh has built a prolific career in television and film composition, creating unforgettable scores for projects like Thor: Ragnarok, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and the Rugrats theme. His most profitable work today comes from the song "Uncontrollable Urge," which he wrote for Devo and is now the theme for MTV's Ridiculousness, earning him roughly $1 million per year in royalties.
Mothersbaugh is married to Anita Greenspan, his wife and manager, and continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry. Though he has enjoyed vast success, his career also had its early struggles with the music industry, particularly with MTV, which initially rejected the band's innovative music videos. Despite these challenges, Mothersbaugh remains a respected and versatile figure in both the music and film industries.
