"Partytime" is a song by

45 Grave 45 Grave is an American rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985, but vocalist Dinah Cancer subsequently revived the band. History The band was founded during the punk rock movement by Paul B. Cutler in ...

, released as the

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...

to the " School's Out" single in 1984. The song was taken from their debut album, ''

Sleep in Safety ''Sleep in Safety'' is the first studio album by American rock band 45 Grave. It was released in 1983 on record label Enigma. Critical reception Contemporary critical reception of the album has been generally positive. Ned Raggett of AllMusic ...

''. However, the single version, dubbed "Partytime (The Story of Sabine)", is shorter in length and notably heavier, with more smoothly flowing lyrics and a shorter introduction. This single version was included on the 1993 reissue of ''Sleep in Safety''. "Partytime" is probably 45 Grave's most well-known song, having been used as the theme song to the 1985 film ''

The Return of the Living Dead ''The Return of the Living Dead'' is a 1985 American comedy horror film written and directed by Dan O'Bannon in his directorial debut, and starring Clu Gulager, James Karen, Thom Matthews and Don Calfa. The film tells the story of how a warehou ...

'' and featured on the film's soundtrack. This "Zombie Version" was shorter and heavier than both previous versions of the song, and eschewed the story of the previous versions. Another version, featured on compilations ''

Autopsy An autopsy (post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death or to evaluate any di ...

'', ''Debasement Tapes'' and ''A Devil's Possessions'', has a different vocal melody and is introduced with laughter and different lyrics. The A-side, "School's Out," a cover of the

Alice Cooper Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier, February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer whose career spans over five decades. With a raspy voice and a stage show that features numerous props and stage illusions, including pyrotechnics, guillot ...

song of the same name, was featured as a bonus track on the re-released version of ''

''. This version differs little from Cooper's original, but makes use of

keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

Lyrics and interpretation

The song is about a 5-year-old girl who is brutally raped, abused and killed by her mother and friends, and the events that followed. As Dinah Cancer explained: "It's based on a story that I read in a true crime mag. The insanity and cruelty went on. So that 'Partytime' is about child abuse but it is written as a tribute to the little girl, Sabine. The song is about what her family did to her and how she didn't deserve it".Interview with Dinah Cancer
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In popular culture

"Partytime" featured in Part 5 Episode 6 of ''The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'' (2021). A rendition of it was performed by fictitious 1980s punk-metal band the Satanic Panic. "Partytime" was notably used in the 1985 film ''The Return of the Living Dead'', and was later used during the '' Call of Duty: Black Ops'' "Call of the Dead" trailer. The song is also heard in the 1984 American sex comedy movie ''Hardbodies''. The song is heard in season 10 episode 22 "

Here's Negan "Here's Negan" is the twenty-second and final episode of the tenth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series '' The Walking Dead.'' The 153rd episode overall, the episode was directed by Laura Belsey and written by David Leslie J ...

" of '' The Walking Dead''

Track listing

Side A

# " School's Out" – 3:33

Side B

# "Partytime (The Story of Sabine)" – 3:06

References

{{Authority control 1984 songs 45 Grave songs Songs written for films Songs based on actual events Songs about child abuse Works about rape