That is why I like you guys. Your ratings are based on what they are trying to do. You don't rate a hamburger to a 5 course meal. You can rate a hamburger against other hamburgers. What is the song trying to do? Do they pull it off? Does it do it better than others that try to do it?
What’s funny is that Siskel and Ebert used to argue about that. I think it was Ebert who would rate a movie based on what it was trying to do rather than comparing every movie against Casablanca. If the movie accomplished it’s goal to entertain you, it’s a winner. It’s the same with music. It is why I can enjoy songs by artists/bands who can barely play their instruments alongside bands/artists who are masters of their instruments.
@@moniphil That is why I loved Ebert. You compare a horror movie against other horror. Why even an artist can get a C or B rating compared against their other songs. A B CCR song could be S class for another band.
The B52's is one of those bands you really have to think of as two different bands. With Ricky and after Ricky. Love Shack is their after Ricky period. Rock Lobster is where it all starts: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2VCCiY17hKw.html
@@moniphil Was literally going to bring up Siskel & Ebert too!. I can't remember where I first saw their argument, but I remember some action movie that Siskel gave a thumbs down, and Ebert gave a thumbs up. Siskel's whole argument boiled down to "It's a pretty dumb action movie", whereas Ebert's argument was "My friends who love dumb action movies are gonna love this one more than any that have released in the last decade."
“Roam” is another great song off this album, but if you really want to dive deep into B-52’s weirdness, you definitely need to hit “Rock Lobster.” It was the song that put the B-52’s on the map in 1979 and caused an entire generation to go “WTF?” while dancing themselves silly.
Back in the day, if you were having a party, the B-52's were the ultimate party band. I've seen more people get on the dance floor listening to the B-52's than any other band
I'm in my 60s and I have danced to this song at every wedding reception I have ever been to. The last being just a couple of years ago. I just couldn't help myself.
Fred Schneider (lead singer) was a guest at a wedding I attended. The band asked him if he would be interested in singing this song during the reception. He happily obliged! I have goosebumps just writing this. What a freaking night that was!
I had to read a few before I posted exactly what you did. Every get together, wedding, party, etc….when this came on everyone got up and bopped. I requested this at my friends daughters wedding and everyone filled the floor and got crazy
This was their comeback after losing founder and guitarist Ricky Wilson to AIDS in the mid-80s. Drummer Keith Strickland stepped up and took over on guitar. This album was much more mainstream than anything they'd done before (or after, for that matter). "Rock Lobster" was a staple at dances when I was in high school. It was part of the birth of college/alternative rock as a genre. Keep an open mind going into it -- the fun and quirkiness of "Love Shack" is amped up to 11 on "Rock Lobster". Some might even call it "downright weird", but I still love it.
Great stuff... First time I saw them was on SNL doing Rock lobster 🤯. Music was in a new and exciting place at this time also saw Elvis Costello for the first time on SNL same effect 🤯🤯 he just unplugged and walked off the stage back then that was crazy 🤘
We had Rock Lobster playing at our wedding. My wife's baby sisters (10 and 15 years younger) went to the DJ asking him "not to play that red lobster song." Gold.
I saw them in a small place when they toured their first album (with Rock Lobster). All the other bands were so serious then! The B-52s let all the tension and edge out of the room. The audience was all sitting on the floor yacking -- lots of young girls in their preppy clothes -- until the B-52s came on -- from the first moment, they were all about FUN!
"Rock Lobster" is an absolute must - but you really need to take into account the context of 1978. While everyone loves "Love Shack", and rightfully so, by 1989 we all knew what the B-52's were all about. But in 1978 "Rock Lobster" came so far from out of left field that it truly was a game changer. It literally birthed the "New Wave" movement - and not everybody was thrilled about it (but us cool kids, were, of course!) 😎
Yes in the Chicago area you would only be able to hear it played on WXRT “ Chicago’s Finest Rock”! I would hear so many beloved bands from all over the world that would make my love of cool music become almost obsessive!
I am a total metal head and so are most of my friends. I don't know anyone who thought the B52's sucked. They totally crossed genres. We just listen to them when we are in the mood for something different.
Same. I'm an old school goth, into good old punk, industrial, and metal, but I still love this song, album, and band, and I don't actually know anyone who disagrees. Even my 11 yr old niece thinks this is cool, and 11 yr old girls are the hardest people to impress in the universe.
Because the B-52's were simply fun. They were there at all the parties playing and letting people just lose their minds dancing and have fun. They didnt take themselves seriously and knew they shouldnt.
Watch the official video. You'll definitely see how much fun they had singing. The video shows what everyone in clubs did when this song was played - dancing and laughing with wall to wall people. Always brings a smile.
I agree that this was one of those rare occasions when the video added to the song. Another I can think of was fellow Athens GA scenesters R.E.M. with “It’s The End of the World (& I Feel Fine)” ❤️
I just went to a family wedding this weekend and the DJ played this song and everyone went nuts. Everyone from age 18 to 70 knew it and danced their asses off it to it.
She was far better on "Me in Honey", the closer to the "Out of Time" album. That song DESTROYS Shiny Happy People, her singing on it is great. It might not be as forward as on Shiny Happy People, but the part she contributes is so aching.
How can they not like Rock Lobster and Planet Claire? Alex in particular will love the pre-80s rawness of it. There is almost nothing less 80s-overproduced than the B52s first album. Bangers for DAYS. They gave A and A+ to EIGHTIES B52s (and rightly so). It's great but the first album is even better…
As an 80's metal head, I can tell you that this is one of the songs that EVERYONE loved. It was definitely one of the most played songs on the juke box at the Pizza Hut I worked at, especially on Friday nights after high school football games when it seemed like every student in the whole district came to hang out.
Disagree this song was good for about 2 1/2 plays before I wanted to flip the turntable over. Couldn’t even finish the song now all these decades later. C rating
This sound is S tier to me, but I was alive when this song came out & dominated the airwaves. But the thing was that I never got sick of the song. The fun on the song is infectious. And Fred Schneider's talk-singing is just fun to mimic. The epic build up of "bang bang on the door baby" section will always make the party join in on the fun & sing along. Rock Lobster is just... weird.
The live version at the Capitol Theatre in 1980 has Cindy doing an unbeatable performance. And the band cooks, too. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XHLFdptpMGA.html
The B-52's are currently on their final ever tour, finally packing it in after all these years. They were/are the best party/dance band. I saw them repeatedly over the years and always the most fun shows. To be in a crowd and joining in on the call/response "Bang bang bang on the door baby/I can't hear you" was such a high point and it got everybody moving. Watch the official video for this song sometime, it captures the mood of the song perfectly. Next up should be Private Idaho.
@@Meandmymirror Check 'em out on line - North East dates thru mid-October, then West Coast thru early November then final 3 nights in Atlanta mid November.
"Rock Lobster'' is a great record, too. They came out of Athens around the same time as REM, though the B-52s were an all-out house party band, and used to play gigs until complete exhaustion.
Their debut „Play loud“ was a revelation for me. No other band sounded like this. „Planet Claire“, „Dance this mess around“, „Rock Lobster“….killer songs.
This song was not played at 'clubs' but rather at college town holes in walls and private parties. Totally underground college radio music at this point. I missed being in Athens with these guys by 18 months. My sister had so many stories of the wildest dance parties ever. I had to settle for REM.
I’ve heard this song a million times, but I must admit that when Cindy comes in and sings Love Shack at the beginning, I got goosebumps. Great pick for today!
There are lots of bands where you just marvel at the lineup…. Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie is the same band - how do you get that lucky? Feel the same way with Kate and Cindy - they are both one of a kind.
This is a true audience participation song. Some music (like Steely Dan's "Aja" album) is meant to be listened to, experienced, even reflected upon. "Love Shack" invites you to join in and be a part of it. A great party song. Thank you for this reaction!
Happy Birthday guys. You make me feel like a teenager again in the 70's. Saw so many of these bands in concert. I'm a 64 year old grandmother & you bring me back,to the best years of my life. Also thank you for playing the whole song without stopping. It's sacrilege to stop these songs. Love you guys.✌🌻🌻
Nana, love your comment. So nice that you watch and enjoy these guys aswell. I'm a 58 year old fellow musiclover. I'm from Amsterdam so note my English is not up there ;-). Keep up the spirit! Love, Nancy✌
"Rock Lobster" - YES, you should do it. Go into it with the same frame of mind as you came out of this one: don't take it too seriously, and let it be wacky dance music. Then consider doing Kate Pierson's collaboration with Iggy Pop, "Candy"...at least at some point. That probably provides a better introduction to Iggy's work than a lot of his solo and Stooges stuff, anyway (not that it _is_ better; just accessible while still being undeniably Iggy).
I also have to recommend her singing with fellow Athens, GA band R.E.M. on 'Shiny Happy People'. She's definitely one of the era's must underrated singers!
Definitely, it is a "get you on the floor" song. I hope you will listen to Rock Lobster 🦞, next!! It is a wonderful, super fun, nugget of sound and sing-a-long lyrics! It was played at my middle school dances, and it got even the shy or awkward folks out on the floor. In Canada, we even did a little move, in the middle of the song, where we would all slowly fall down to the gym floor, as the lyrics said "Down, down, down", and then jump up and stomp (two feet)down, to the beginning of the guitar, again. Damn it, I miss school dances.
A lot of us, as teenagers, knew of a place that was "off the map" and a party house or hand out place, where you had to have a connection to get in. I remember a couple in San Diego when I was a kid. This song always reminds me of those days.
I was six years old when this came out and you best believe my siblings and I ROCKED out dancing in the living room to it. BANG BANG! On the door, baby!
B52s…100% fun!! They were the first band I introduced on stage in concert as a radio DJ WAY back in ‘83. They remind me a bit of Talking Heads in that they’re just outside the mainstream but close enough to be accessible.
"Tin roof.... RUSTED". It means "I'm preggo". The Video for this song is outstanding. The Bassist is Sara Lee. She also played with: Gang of Four, Todd Rundgren, and many more bands.
Tin roof is a euphemism for condom. Rusted means the condom had holes/split and she got pregnant. So an unplanned pregnancy. So make sure your tin roof isn't rusty everyone.
I was relieved to hear you both say, I think I've heard this before, because I can't imagine anyone your age ever not hearing this song at some point - a bar, the mall, a restaurant. It's just not possible. Rock Lobster is by far their most famous song, with Love Shack (1/2, not sure of the order). However, I prefer their albums Cosmic Thing and Wild Planet. Cosmic Thing is flawless. So many hits on the album (Love Shack, Roam, Deadbeat Club, Channel Z), though my favorite from the album was not a hit, Bushfire. Early B-52's from Wild Planet was awesome, with Private Idaho, Strobe Light, and Give Me Back My Man. My recommendation for next listen is Private Idaho.
This whole album is brilliant and in an ironic way, "Love Shack" being such a mega-hit for the B-52's almost prevents casual fans from discovering all the other lesser known excellent gems on this iconic, wonderful album. Enjoy!
Gotta agree. This album is one of the few that I own by any artist without a bad track. And I love how the tone and feel of the songs are all over the place. Compare this song with Roam, with Topaz, and with Follow your Bliss. Cosmic Thing is just a great album altogether.
I was one of those teenage Metalheads in the 80s (was a huge GnR fan) who also liked the B52s. They were very goofy and my friends and I used to make fun of the vocals on this song, but this was super popular party music and always got the girls on the dance floor. It was hard to dislike them, unless you were completely anti-social, LOL.
Speaking of . Have you ever heard Houston underground metal legends, deadhorse doing their version of Rock Lobster ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LfHDVyHGDJk.html
This is such a funny situation that I love to scenario in my head. Imagine it's the late 70s. You got some red-blooded heterosexual dudes who are ALL about The Ramones, The Clash, maybe Black Sabbath/Zepp/Rush etc. Disco is everywhere and it SUCKS. Just corny and painful to listen to. But dammit, The Bee Gees, Village People, and Donna Summer are what get the hot, foxy girls in tight outfits to dance and drink and (possibly) lay you, so you and your buds head out to the club on Friday night to try your luck even though you frickin HATE disco. This had to have been the case around the world back then, on most weekend nights, haha.
The B-52s came out of the 'Arty Party' music scene in Athens, GA, the same town which (a bit later) spawned REM. I one saw them described as the "most aggressively weird" New Wave band in the '80s, which is a crowded field, but they might be. ~edited to add: you should definitely do Rock Lobster.
B52s fantastic band, check out “Planet Claire” “Private Idaho” “Summer of Love” “Rock Lobster” is a classic, they definitely don’t take themselves too seriously.
Holy crud, I thought you guys had heard the B52s before. This was your first B52s? I have two more songs for you that I cannot wait to see you hear for the first time. First, go back to the first album, and see how 'Planet Claire' hits you. It is everything Alex craves for 'not 80s' and fantastic. And then, nothing will prepare you for 'Rock Lobster', which needs to become part of your life :D
This is a brilliant, lost in the sauce, epic party tune!! It has survived decades and is still right there at the top as far as pop a beer, get on the dance floor and shake your groove thang 💃🎊 🎸🎊🕺
All their tracks sound like a show, you can almost see it. They seem to have the, "C'mon everybody!" vibe completely down pat. It almost feels like aerobics.
You need to watch the video of this song, too. It’s fabulous. The ladies’ harmonies are amazing. Yes, you need to do Rock Lobster! Do not take it seriously. Listen to the sounds and enjoy!
New wave refers to the wave of new music in the late 70's early 80's. It happened almost the same time as the punk movement but lasted a little longer. The Cars were part of the new wave. The first wave was in the early sixties that brought Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, and the Who to America.
Yes The B 52's were part of the NYC Punk/New Wave CBGB's scene along with The Talking Heads, The Ramones. Blonde etc Their classic material is more rough around the edges weird & artsy. " Rock Lobster " circa 78 (This was 89) Also " Private Idaho" (78) " Planet Claire" (78)
Right, I've also heard "New Wave" music described as Punk, Punk Music, Punk Rock, New Music, Alternate Music, Alternate Rock, & New Rock depending on where you where in the USA!
I always thought of "New Wave" as being the second wave, after the first wave of punk washed away Prog and Disco. It's what punk morphed into, when it discovered that 3 chords and a lot of anger could produce a lot great music, but so could 4 or 5 chords and emotions other than anger.
@@dctbass Me, too. Lol.The glorious angst. I'd almost forgotten. Just an observation of what others I encountered called it. I've even heard Echo and The Bunnymen called punk. WTH
Saw the B52s twice - 40 years apart! IMHO - Better than "Rock Lobster" for early B52s is "Private Idaho" for the banging chorus. Most underrated late B52s - "Channel Z" - That and Roam have some of the most original harmonies in pop. "Channel Z" has that early B52s sci-fi 60s vibe Most underrated early B52s - "52 Girls" For those old enough - I was at this show the year I graduated high school! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jxTBYkI6wmc.html
Freedom Shack meets the Love Shack! I used to crank this tune when it was new-- played it on the boom-box in the little restaurant I had. Rock on, Boys!
The B-52s came out of the Altanta/Georgia music scene. They were very tight with the group REM. As I understood it they did some backing vocals on each other's albums.
The B-52s are one of those bands that are really hard to categorize. They are super unique and there’s nobody quite like them. This album, Cosmic Thing, was the first album I ever picked out for myself when I was 8 years old. I just listened to it again over the weekend for the first time in probably 30 years and was really blown away by how many absolute jams are on that thing! Roam, Channel Z and Topaz are some of my faves. Thanks for this video guys. That was fun!
This was one of the best Club Songs to just go out on the Dance floor and have a great time with... In The Mid To Late 80's We Still Had Special Clubs that Would Play Disco and the B52's Were Played Right Along with The Bee Gees, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge, War, K.C. and The Sunshine Band, Cherry, A Taste of Honey.. Not Everyone Was Against Playing Disco Music, People Still Wanted To Just Have A Good Time And Dance..
This Cosmic Thing was a fantastic comeback album for the group. "Roam" is another outstanding banger on it, and I adore the luscious instrumental, "Follow Your Bliss." But for the A&A science project of musical history, yes, you have to hit "Rock Lobster" next for the proper data point.
The entire Cosmic Thing album is packed with party hits. Junebug is another banger and Topaz is dreamy. This is the B-52's at their commercial height. Their earlier stuff, while still catchy, was weirder and more niche. As swell as the earlier hits Rock Lobster and Planet Claire, I'd recommend deeper cuts like Party Out Of Bounds, Big Bird and Trism. By the way, 'late in their career'? They only did their farewell tour last year.
The B-52s are amazing, and their backstory will make you love them even more. They were always quirky, but in the mid 80s, they lost their original bassist / the brother of one of the two vocalists to the AIDS crisis. Instead of drowning in their sadness, hanging it up, and calling it quits, they came roaring back with this defiantly-positive album, which is my personal favorite of their catalog. I still listen to it cover to cover at least a few times a year.
I always wondered why they weren’t very popular for a few years and then they played in my hometown at a really big outdoor shopping mall. I don’t even know how we found out about it but there are only about 200 or 300 people are in this parking lot it was so cool
Their backstory is even more amazing.....He was actually the guitar player. They didn't have a bassist, originally. He played his guitar with only 4 strings instead of all six...2 bass strings and 2 high strings. When he passed away, instead of quitting or hiring another guitar player, the drummer learned how to play guitar...that same 4 string guitar...so he could play the original parts. Not easy, as their was nobody who could teach him since the guitar player basically invented his own style.
Hope You Both had a Great Birthday!! My oldest daughter's Birthday is the 12! Happy Birthday! Thanks for the memories from THIS song! I think I was in 9th grade when this song came out. Remember hearing it on the bus ride home!
I always loved Kate’s voice and the quirkiness of Fred. They had so many fun songs, you can never go wrong playing the B 52’s! Kate and Iggy Pop did a song together “Candy”, you should give a listen to.
The B-52s were a Performing Arts band. You really have to see them either in video form or live to truly appreciate them and yes if you were in any college bar in the late '80s early '90s you heard this song
Guys when MTV was actually Music Television they played the song all day long one day when it first came out.. It's one of those songs that you've heard a lot for years but somehow you still want to groove to it LOL
I was in college when this song was a big hit in '89. In the following 33 trips around the sun, I've heard it at parties, on the radio, in stores on the "muzak", I'm sure I've heard it thousands of times. And yet, until today I've never heard this long version of the song. Apparently this is an album version vs. a single/radio version thing, and it took over 3 decades for me to hear the album one!
I love this song because it reminds me of the local "love shack" I went to starting at age 15 in the mid 1960s. And I love the Southern flair to it. When I hear this song, I can't do anything but dance and scream out the lyrics. It makes me totally happy. It may be a great hamburger of a song, but not all songs bring me such joy. And that Chrysler whale of a car? Y'all never got to ride in those things! That was fun and crazy too.
" Give Me Back My Man " (I prefer live version at Capitol Theatre) and "Mesopotamia " are two by them that shows their ability to crank and groove. They never took themselves serious which is why they survived. "Private Idaho" and "52 Girls" are fun songs, also.
Some excellent suggestions there .. "Give Me Back My Man" and "Private Idaho" are 2 of my 3 favourite B-52s songs .. The other being "Dirty Back Road".
@@wayne_twentyfive we partied to them while I was in college in Athens. It wasn't unusual to see them on Legion field as well as REM in their early days. Private Idaho and Planet Clare are fun songs.
This was considered a “commercial” song from them when it came out! Lol. Earlier recordings were even more out there but always fun and creative. More punk vibe! 😎✌️
I listened to Guns n' Roses and the B-52's at the same time and loved both. Then again, I was always that way, and there were plenty of '80s radio stations that would have played both at the time. This was their comeback album after nearly breaking up after their guitarist Ricky Wilson died of AIDS a few years before. That's why you have to hear "Rock Lobster", "Planet Claire", "Private Idaho", etc. from their first couple albums. He had a rather unique sound that had a lot to do with why they were so successful early on. Off "Cosmic Thing", the album "Love Shack" is from, I would suggest "Roam", "Deadbeat Club" and "Channel Z". Don Was and Nile Rodgers did a lot of the production work on it, which is probably one of the reasons for a lot of your positive reaction.
