In an unexpected twist of fate, DEVO co-founder Mark Mothersbaugh earns approximately $1 million annually from performance royalties for "Uncontrollable Urge" - not from the original song, but from its use as the theme song for MTV's Ridiculousness.
While DEVO is best known for their 1980 hit "Whip It," it's "Uncontrollable Urge" that has become Mothersbaugh's most profitable track over the past decade. The song, which was never released as a single and has modest streaming numbers compared to "Whip It," has found remarkable success through its connection to the Rob Dyrdek-hosted clip show.
The show's extensive airtime on MTV - sometimes running up to 14 hours per day - has turned the theme song into a consistent revenue stream. According to Mothersbaugh's wife and manager Anita Greenspan, the performance royalties from the show's 42 seasons and over 1,500 episodes have generated around $1 million per year.
"I've written so many other songs for films and television shows," Mothersbaugh told Rolling Stone. "I would've been shocked if you told me this is the one that would become this prime source of income."
The success story carries an ironic note, as MTV had previously refused to play DEVO's videos, considering them too subversive. Now, through Ridiculousness, "Uncontrollable Urge" has become one of the most-played songs in MTV's history.
This case highlights the potential financial benefits of television theme songs, particularly for shows with heavy rotation. While streaming services typically generate modest royalties, television performances can provide songwriters with substantial and steady income streams.