The 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a cultural milestone that continues to resonate with audiences today. Directed by John Hughes, the movie is not just a light-hearted comedy; it serves as a love letter to the vibrant city of Chicago. Its impactful narrative and memorable characters have led to numerous references in popular culture, making it a frequent topic of discussion in college classrooms and beyond. In recognition of its significance, the film was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2014, cementing its status as a culturally, historically, and aesthetically noteworthy work.
The movie is also renowned for featuring the catchy techno song "Oh Yeah" by the Swiss band Yello. Although the song wasn't created specifically for the film, it has become synonymous with it, often referred to as "the Ferris Bueller song." This anthem of the 1980s remains popular, frequently appearing in commercials and films, and is even used in episodes of The Simpsons, particularly during Duffman’s appearances.
Interestingly, the song, characterized by its simple yet infectious lyrics and pulsating beat—"The moon, beautiful"; "the sun, even more beautiful"; along with its signature “chicka chickaaa” and “oh yeah”—has had a significant influence on the film's legacy. However, the man behind the vocals, Dieter Meier of Yello, has never seen the entire film. He admits to having watched a snippet, specifically the iconic scene where Ferris's friend Cameron opens the garage door to reveal a stunning 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California, but that's about it.
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Despite his unfamiliarity with the movie, the success of "Oh Yeah" has granted Meier a remarkable fortune, enabling him to diversify his investments. He has ventured into various businesses, including a Swiss company that prints currency and railways that transport tourists to the majestic Matterhorn.
The enduring popularity of "Oh Yeah" is evident even more than three decades after its release. The song was featured in the 1987 film The Secret of My Success, among other memorable scenes, including keg parties in Not Another Teen Movie, flipping through a racy magazine in Soul Plane, and even as a playful backdrop for two dogs in K-9. The song has also made appearances in renowned television series such as South Park, Glee, and Saturday Night Live. In a nostalgic twist, Matthew Broderick, who portrayed Ferris Bueller, reprised his iconic role in a Honda Super Bowl commercial, with the song playing in the background.
The success of "Oh Yeah" exemplifies the adage "keep it simple, stupid." When Yello was crafting the track, Meier's partner Boris Blank focused on creating the musical foundation. Initially, Meier struggled to find the right lyrics, proposing complex lines. However, Blank encouraged him to visualize a relaxed character simply saying, "Oh yeah, oh yeah." Surprisingly, Meier was initially resistant to the idea of a song revolving around just two words. Yet, upon hearing the final product, he quickly appreciated the simplicity and brilliance of the composition.
Today, Meier reflects on the song's success with a sense of pride, noting that advertisers and filmmakers frequently seek his expertise to evoke specific moods. While he is not exactly sure how much he has made from the song, he estimates it to be several million dollars. This fortune has been further augmented by sound financial advice from his father, a banker.
One insightful piece of advice he received was to capitalize on the growing middle class in Asia, which has led to an influx of tourists visiting the Matterhorn. This foresight prompted Meier to invest in BVZ Holding AG, a railway company that transports visitors to the mountain.
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Another astute investment was in Orell Füssli Holding AG, the company that prints Swiss francs, with a stake currently valued at approximately $37 million. This positions Meier as the second-largest shareholder, just behind the Swiss National Bank. His timing has also been impeccable; after investing in Swiss luxury watchmaker Ulysse Nardin, he sold his shares to the French firm Kering SA in 2014, just before a decline in Swiss watch exports.
In addition to his financial ventures, Meier owns about 250,000 acres of land in Argentina, where he cultivates grapes for wine and raises beef cattle. The produce from his land is used in six restaurants he co-owns in Switzerland and Germany. His "Loco" wine, a blend of Cabernet and Malbec, is also available in Swiss supermarkets.
It's likely that anyone could recognize "Oh Yeah," but very few would be able to name the creator of this iconic tune. In fact, Yello performed their first live shows in Berlin last October, three decades after the film that made them famous was released. During these performances, Meier shared with the audience that he felt "semi-nervous," hinting at the possibility of "The Oh Yeah Tour" making its way to the United States, should their European tour dates prove successful.
For now, Meier enjoys his time passing through customs, where he writes "musician" as his occupation. This often leads to questions from customs officers about whether he has created anything they might recognize. His response is always simple: "Oh yeah."
