**FINALLY!!!!!!** Finally a reaction team that understands and appreciates this song for what it is instead of making fun of what they don't understand calling it stupid and cheesy!!!!!!! Every person/team that has reacted to this did nothing but laugh at it and call it so cheesy but you two were able to step back and really see it for what it is, an amazing display of being extremely creative. Genius doesn't always have to be poetry, deep meanings, 4 or 5 transitions and a few bridges, it can still be simple and still be extremely creative. Thank tyou to both of you for giving me a little hope for the younger generation, wish there was more like you. Peace
Agreed! I saw one reaction where the people called this a "gimmick" song. I felt bad for them; they just didn't get it. The musicality -- and creativity -- and talent -- in this song and the band, are epic.
Those ladies have some of the most amazing voices. I’ve seen this band live many times and let me tell you, when either Kate or Cindy opens their mouth you feel it vibrate in your soul. They are loud and crystal clear with the tone of bells. You don’t get to appreciate it as much in this song, but this one is a must. Rock Lobster tells you everything you need to know about how quirky baby B-52s were. If you would like to check out some beautiful harmonies with this ladies and a bit more mainstream, Roam is a great choice. Wanna see some more quirky older Bs, Legal Tender, Planet Claire or Private Idaho, Dance This Mess Around, and Give Me Back My Man are all great choices. I highly recommend more live B-52s as well. A great choice is Big Bird live from Germany.
One of my favorite songs ever. Almost at the end after he screams "Here comes a bikini whale" and they kick it into 7th gear, that whole psycho freak-out rave-up, is just an absolute blast of heaven on earth.
I am so happy you guys like this song! It is so much fun. My best friend and I knew every word to this song in high school, it was a great dance song! Did you notice how he was dancing, kind of jumping up and down? That was a new dance at the time. Everyone had been doing disco and their dance moves kind of swayed side to side, then B52's and other New Wave groups got popular and it changed the whole way we danced in the 80's. People have forgotten it, but New Wave music really transformed popular music. It was a breath of fresh air at the time, especially for the kids like me who enjoyed having something new that was aimed at our own age group. Disco was still going strong but we saw it then as "adult" music, where New Wave was for teenagers, and "cool people". Parents did not understand why we like it so well, but the kids loved it. Isn't that always the way. :). New Wave was an off shoot of Punk Rock and it kicked in during the late 70's and early 80's. It isn't as hard core as Punk Rock but it used some of their same driving rhythms, like you heard in Rock Lobster. The music we know today as typical 80's music was really inspired by it. The style was unique too. The guys often wore 50's style trousers, and had thin ties, girls wore black eye liner and restyled 60's British mod outfits. I was always looking for ways to try to spice up my wardrobe and accessorize my suburban high school clothes, to make them look more edgy and New Wave. I probably failed miserably but it was fun. :) The music makes me feel energized and young whenever I hear it.
Pogo-ing was the term I believe. Men Without Hats made a song about this new dance style called The Safety Dance. As a Canadian myself, it just felt natural to pogo at my prom and get kicked off the dance floor :)
@@PorscheRacer14 That's right, I forgot the term Pogo-ing! That's what it was. Wasn't it fun? Sorry you got kicked off the dance floor, would have liked to have seen you all dancing though. :). I would love to have a thimble full of the energy today! Thanks for the comment.
Utterly unique band.. closest I can come to explaining it to myself is post 60’s psychedelic punk… but I gave up trying to pigeon hole them years ago as they reinvent themselves all the time . Just fkn brilliant songs … inc this one . Kate Pierson… just one word .. YES !!! Nuff said bro . 👍🏴
The B-52's were really talented and all about fun. I'm so glad you enjoyed them! Fred Schneider's voice is distinct. But BOTH women can really, REALLY, sing! Check out "Planet Claire" and "Love Shack".
The bewildered look on your faces....priceless. Listen a few more times. It’s a fun party song. And yeah, everybody at dances sank to the ground when they sang DOWN...DOWN...
These guys were part of the punk movement in the beginning. But they, and bands like The Cramps, decided to have a definite sound.. They kind of have a cross between 60s sci fi music and new wave lol... The cramps went with 60s sci fi and rockabilly.. fun times back then. Great reaction.
This song was so fun to dance to! The dance floor was packed, everyone dropped to the floor during “down, down, down”. It was pure party fun! 😁❤️. I’ve seen the B52’s five times.
OmG! You made my day with this reaction. What fun to watch you two! This is one of my absolute favorite bands. Seen them many times and its a dance party. They put on a great show. Would love to hear a reaction to Planet Claire or Strobe light (you'll get a kick out of that one). Love Shack and Roam are more conventional songs from the B 52's just as suggestions. Thank you 😊
You have to hear the studio versions- the sound is incredible. Planet Claire is a favorite. And Dance This Mess Around. And their biggest radio hit was Love Shack
Gotta love Fred Schneider's interpretive dancing and also the Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson on the vocals and dancing. Don't know the names of the rest. As always, MORE COWBELL!!! The B-52's, the best export from Athens, Georgia since Georgia Bulldogs Football. I thought they were from "Planet Claire".
The guitarist in this videos name is Ricky Wilson, and he was Cindy's brother. He died of AIDS related illness in 1985, at which point the band took about two years off to grieve and get themselves back mentally so they could continue on. During that time, Keith Strickland (the drummer here) took time to learn to play guitar the same way as Ricky as a form of tribute (since Ricky had such a unique play style he used). 1989 was when they released the album "Cosmic Thing" which had the songs "Love Shack" (their most commercially successful song) and "Roam", among others.
I love this group so much. Going to see their Farewell Tour where they are stopping in Boston in September. Going to be a bittersweet night. Such a unique band and sound.
Fun song from a fun band. I’ve always loved their retro look, minimalist music and over-the-top vocals. Grab the beach towels, sunglasses and the transistor radio!
You got the fun part right. This was the most fun song to dance to in high school. And yeah, we went down on the ground (slowly), and bounced right back up like the floor was electrified. This was not a song to pick up to, it was a song to get crazy to and just enjoy.
The B52 and DEVO turned my world around. Danced like hell to this song. Scratched the long playing LP record from over playing it. That was a live performance. Listen to the studio version of Rock Lobster. Please react to the B-52's Planet Claire, Private Idaho and Roam. All fun hits.
This band is just so darn fun!!! You just have to get into the flow and go with it. Love the B-52s. My ears rang for two days after seeing them live, and my feet still dance when I hear them. You two have exactly the right attitude for the 5-52s! Thank you for this reaction!
FUN!!! That's exactly what they were. In concert at the Down-Down part everyone would get low/down and then jump back up when the song kicked back in. Too bad the audio isn't that great on this but it's nice to see them so young.
This was the song that caused John Lennon - who was in Bermuda at the time - to ring Yoko Ono and tell her people were finally being influenced by her. Specifically, it was caterwauling moment from the brunette female singer. Not by the B52s, but some of the backing vocals remind me of Frank Zappa's Be in My Video, which is worth a listen. An earlier work of his, as part of the group The Mothers of Invention, is Trouble Every Day, which is also reaction-worthy, in my opinion.
Most irreverent song ever! One of my all time favorite nonsense songs. I love ❤️ your reactions to this. You recognize fun 🤩 in music, which is why I liked it. 😜🍤🥳🥰👍🏿
So glad you guys enjoyed this. That's what the B-52s are all about. ❤️ I've seen so many people react to them on RU-vid, and they just don't seem to get that it's all in fun. I've heard so many people asking what are they talking about? Hell, man, they ain't talking about nothing. Lol. They're just having fun. I'm glad you guys get the spirit of them.
Every beachtown party of the 80's played this song and everyone would go nuts for it. If you heard Rock Lobster blasting somewhere you knew there was the kind of party going on that you could get into. Hey you guys playing Rock Lobster? Yeah who are you? I live 3 blocks over. Well come on up and grab a beer!
Once in college, my dorm wing had a wonderful party in our lounge. Went late with lots of 80's music, booze, other stuff, and dancing. Eventually security told us to shut it down. So some of us retreated into our dorm suite, went into the bathroom, turned on all the water to hot (to make a steam room) and danced like mad people to B-52's and Talking Heads until we were ready to collapse. An amazingly fun time...and (my adult self thinks) thankfully no one slipped on the wet floor while dancing and cracked their heads!
Most of the sounds are the actual sounds made by the real animals named in this song. The trilling, & that final squeal, are the sounds made by a real rock lobster as it's being boiled alive. An animal called "rock" lobster is the perfect subject for the B-52's. They were such a fun band.
This was their first hit song. They have so many good songs. Party out of bounds, Dance this mess around, Strobe Light, Private Idaho, 52 girls, Roam, Planet Claire, Give me back my man, for starters.
The B-52's came out around the start of Punk Rock and New Wave. NO other band sounded like them. Mostly New Wavers listened to their music when I was growing up in my teens listening to them.
The self-proclaimed "tacky little dance band from Athens, Georgia"! I first heard this at a party in a UMass dorm freshman year in 1979. It changed my life! This is one of the best party -- and wedding -- songs... where everybody goes "down, down" then pops back up to go wild. So many great songs by B-52s. One of my favorites... "Legal Tender"... only they could make a fun song about making counterfeit money in the cellar! LOL. And of course, Party Out of Bounds" and "Private Idaho." Thanks!
Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson the voices of the B-52's. They formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. Rock Lobster was released July 6, 1979 and was their first hit song.
I was a teen when this came out and most parents certainly didn't get this song, ha! But at my friends' houses we would put this song on and clear a space and dance ourselves silly, and we'd all chant DOWN DOWN and go lower and lower till we were all lying on our backs jerking our arms and bicycling our legs and having a sweaty blast, ha.
B52s are my fave!!! Their live concerts are a total nonstop dance party...they turned me onto whole cool new wave scene...they have so.many great songs...Planet Claire, Summer of Love, Roam, Private Idaho, Lava, Love Shack, Legal Tender and so many more!!!!!
Thanks for the reaction. Saw them live in San Diego on New Year's eve and when they went "down, down" during this song some of us were actually down on the floor rolling around.
*This song was to the dance clubs as The Rocky Horror Picture Show was to theater; a bit cult like. LOL. I remember going to clubs in the late 70s and early 80s and when they played this song...everyone did all of the dance moves and lying down on the ground like they do in the video. You just aren't having a party until this song is played and everyone cuts loose and goes nuts! If you play this at a party and all your $#!@+ isn't falling off the shelves....you doing it wrong. Fun times.*
Please do "Dance this Mess Around" or "Planet Claire" by them. I love that you 'got' it. Think of an homage to old sci-fi meets beach blanket bingo movies.
I would say this band was the first album I bought lol True many didn't like it at the time but creative people see the talent Have to admit love sack is my favourite Australia 💕Christina
One of my ex's favorite bands, I used to enjoy them as another flavor of the 80's but as I heard more of their songs much like The Bee Gees I had to just say they were a great band despite being in their own lane.
FYI, KC and the Sunshine Band will be in Arlington TX September 24. If you are able to come to CA, KC and the B-52's and playing together in Southern CA i November 4 and 5.
You need to experience their song PLANET CLAIRE!!! A futuristic sound you might call modernly psychedelic... at least that's how if felt on the dancefloor 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
So glad you got, and loved 'em. Soo much fun, saw 'em in 1980. Please, do check out 'Planet Claire', 'Private Idaho', and 'Mesopotamia.' They inspired John Lennon to call Yoko and say, in effect, "It's time. Somebody heard you, got it", and come out of house-husband/caregiver mode. One last album. At this point it was still guitar, drums, 3 vocalists all on misc. percussion plus Kate's keys when they came in. Rest In Peace Ricky Wilson, a great riff-meister, songbuilder and guitarist. Check out Kate, the redhead (tttt, I dug Cindy, Ricky's sister) with Iggy Pop, 'Candy'. Or Ig hisself, 'Cold Metal', official, or live if nec. (Letterman? Both w/ Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols on guitar) Also 'I'm Bored', 'Lust for Life', or with previous band the Stooges, 'Raw Power', Search and Destroy', and 'I Need Somebody.' Or 'I Wanna Be Your Dog', 'Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell' or 'I'm A Conservative.' 'Nightclubbing.' 'Tonight', if you've lost somebody. Elvis Costello: 'Accidents Will Happen', 'Mystery Dance', 'I Want to Be Loved.' Our ride in '80 insisted on heading for the parking lot as EC, the headliner came on. wtaf?
Hooray 🪨🦞! What a gem, hm? Flaming Lips might be fun, too. Have you partaken of "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots"? EDIT: "Race For The Prize" also is a breezy fun track.
