The B-52's are
a special hybrid of kitsch, 1960s surf guitar, 70s disco, classic pop culture and
science-fiction and day-glo colours - music that could grace any John Waters'
film.
They emerged
from Athens, Georgia (like R.EM), as a quirky new wave dance act, with the very popular debut
"B-52's" album, and the great "Rock Lobster" single. Typically
the distinctive lead vocals of Fred Schneider, and backing vocals from Cindy
Wilson and Kate Pierson were married with a great beat to form a potent and
original sound (although John Lennon detected a Yoko Ono resemblance).
My favourite is "Give Me Back My Man", one of
their earliest songs, but only made it on the second album "Wild
Planet" in 1980. Unusually this
only has a solo vocal from Cindy Wilson, so Schneider was consigned to adding a
great glockenspiel part (not enough glockenspiel in pop music) and Pierson on
keyboards.
On the
surface it seems like another version of Dolly Parton's "Jolene", as Pierson
recounts a sad fable of a stolen man. Narrating in the third person, she covers
regret ("Wishin' everything
could be the same / Like when she had him") and desperation ("If she don't get her man back / She's
gonna drown"). Including the frantic bargaining of the
chorus, as she howls
"I'll give you fish / I'll give you candy /I'll give you everything I have
in my hand", she has truly been through all the stages of grief.
However this
being the B-52's, there were suggestions that it related to a boyfriend eaten
by a shark ! Not a common occurrence in hit pop song, but the water and bird
imagery can support this view.
Despite the downbeat
subject, the music is so groovy, with a classic B-52's dance beat. She might be
upset, but the band are having a ball. The joyful dancing on the video was
surely echoed in many 1980s clubs.
"Give Me Back My Man" was not a hit
single, and "Wild Planet" did
not garner the same raves as its predecessor. A pity, as it is superb album
with many great moments like "Private Idaho" and "Party Out of
Bounds".
After four
albums, they would be rocked by the death of guitarist (and Cindy's brother)
Ricky Wilson, not returning until 1989 with a second wave including hits "Love
Shack", "Roam" and the awful "Meet the Flintstones" (as the BC-52s!). It was still fun, but more cartoonish, so it
is better to remember the early years and the classic "Give Me Back My
Man"
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swBDlOk0V6Y
Hear Next -
Either of the first two albums "B-52's" or "Wild
Planet" are essential.
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