The Go-Go's - Our Lips are Sealed

In the 1950 and 1960s women in pop music were mainly limited to singing, either as a group (The Ronettes) or  acoustic (Joni Mitchell). It took until the 1970s, with the Runaways in the USA and punk in the UK, to lead the way for the chart success of the Go-Go's and the Bangles.

The Go-Go's, a Los Angles female five piece, emerged as punk then moving into new wave poppier fare, with Belinda Carlisle vocals and Jane Wiedlin's songwriting. Their initial breakthrough occurred after meeting the Specials in Los Angeles. The quirky Jane Wiedlin commenced  a brief affair with Terry Hall, complicated as he already had a serious UK relationship. Hall posted Wiedlin some lyrics about their clandestine affair, which she completed and added the music.

"Our Lips are Sealed" is an exuberant slice of pop heaven, expressing caution to avoid the gossip ("Can you hear them? / They talk about us / Telling lies"), and it is better to keep quiet ("In our defence / Silence"). They should not be too concerned ("No one listens anyway ").

There is a great chugging guitar sound, with the drums laying a vital beat, and Carlisle perky vocals. I especially like the quieter bridge, where Wiedlin take over to console ("Hush, my darling", "Forget their lies").

"Our Lips are Sealed" was the Go-Go's first US single, slowly reaching the top 20, in a marathon 30 week stay. The subsequent "We got the Beat" hit number 2, and the album "Beauty and Beat" number 1 (unprecedented for a female self-penned group). 

"Our Lips are Sealed" was also recorded by Hall's next band Fun Boy Three, but a much more downbeat version. 

 

There would be  two more Go-Go's albums, before disintegrating amid drug excesses and petty  disputes. Carlisle moved on to a very  successful solo pop career, Wiedlin hit with the wonderful "Rush Hour", befefore a series of reunions.

The Go-Go's remain a definitive and essential group with several memorable and catchy singles.

Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3kQlzOi27M  and I also discovered this great acoustic  version from Jane Wiedlin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8I_uIv45HY

Hear Next -  "Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's" is a great compilation and includes all the Go-Go's you will need.


** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available  on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats.