According to the Los Angeles Times, as well as the album's sleeve sticker and promotional material, Boingo Alive was recorded live on a soundstage over nine nights in July 1988.

Frontman Danny Elfman stated that Boingo Alive was a project the band had been planning for years, as they had been unhappy with the sound of their studio recordings, particularly with regards to the comparative lack of "energy".

Elfman stated, "This is our 10th anniversary as a band and we wanted to present our songs in a way that our fans have grown accustomed to (when) seeing us.

"[1] On the choice to eschew an audience, Elfman said at the time, "I hate the poor fidelity and the crowd noise from live albums.

All tracks written and composed by Danny Elfman, except "Violent Love", by Willie Dixon.