mp3 : The B52's - Rock Lobster (single edit)
Originally released in late 1978, I reckon I first head this nonsensical and infectious bit of kitsch fun in the summer of the following year. It was a very welcome diversion form all the serious new-wave and post-punk stuff I was really beginning to get my teeth into. And it betrays my love of great pop music.
The B-52's could so easily have just been a novelty act. long forgotten for all but their debut single, but such was their ability to write and record catchy, radio-friendly tunes in the years ahead that they have carved out a career that has now lasted more than 30 years. I'm not going to stand here and argue that they are particularly special or important in the wider scheme of things, but I will make the case for them giving us some stuff that is damn near impossible to either sing along with or dance to. Or both.
In 1986, their record label put out a 4-track EP on double-pack 7" and 12" format which brought together four of the best singles they had released between 1979 and 1983. In addition to the afore-mentioned Rock Lobster (and the shorter edited version was made available for the first time since its original release), we had these:-
mp3 : The B52's - Planet Claire
mp3 : The B52's - Song For A Future Generation
mp3 : The B52's - Give Me Back My Man
Planet Claire was the band's second single with a piercing keyboard part to the fore backed by a guitar sound that pays homage (ie rips off!!) the theme to the Peter Gunn TV show.
Song For A Future Generation is a track I always associate with my years at Strathclyde Students Union. Where the big space up the stairs at Level 8 on a Saturday night was a bit more chart-orientated, the space in the Dining Room downstairs was a bit more gothic and kitsch, and this wonderful piss-take of blind dating from 1983 was as kitch as it came.
Give Me Back My Man from 1980 features a great vocal performance from Kate Pierson, who would later really come to the attention of the world thanks to her guesting on some REM smash singles.
None of the four tracks really troubled the UK charts when originally released, but the special price EP/12" single got plenty of sales in 1986 and reached #12 in the charts, which was, at the point in time, their best ever performance.
There's great bit of live footage of the band giving a blistering and energetic performance of Rock Lobster away back in 1978. Click here to watch it.
And here's a great promo:-
8 comments:
That's Kate PIERSON!
Sorry. Schoolboy error.
That's what comes of doing postings when you're half-asleep..
I love the B52s, especially Give Me Back My Man, one of my favourite lyrics of all time. How somebody singing I'll give you fish can be so moving I'll never know. I'm serious, I love that song, and the way she sings it...wow..
Vocals on Give Me Back My Man are by Cindy Wilson, not Kate. Love the band and their live show is always a great time.
I have fond memories of being in Greece, eurailing in the early '80s and dancing (down, down, down) to rock lobster with girls from distant parts of the world. Whether in Greece or in the US or Germany, anytime rock lobster was put on the turn table, the dance floor was packed. Good times, good memories.
Also, for us into the 'new' music at the time, watching ricky wilson suffer and die from AIDS was eye opening as well.
So many favorite lyrics from the first and second album. The idiotic lyrics of Quiche Lorraine was spectacular, supported by the wonderful backing music.
After Ricky passed, and when they stopped recording live and editing down those session songs to 3-5 minutes they were never the same.
Living in my own private idaho.....
Greg
Brilliant! I have the original 7" with this 1986 edit and the quality was to crap to record it. I've been looking for years for this on mp3. Thank you very much.
Give Me Back My Man is my favourite B52s song for what it's worth
John Greer
don't be blind to the big surprise swimming round and round like the deadly hands of a radium clock... at the bottom of the pool
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