5 of The B-52’s Most Bizarre Music Videos

Member for

3 years 3 months
Birthdate
Country
Australia
Yes! I Want to discover more artists like [ARTIST NAME].
No
Submitted by karajayne on

5 of The B-52’s Most Bizarre Music Videos

Posted
b 52s
The B-52's. Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images.

Every decade or so, rock and roll reinvents itself, sometimes dramatically. But, dramatic would be a monumental understatement when describing the disruptive power of New Wave trailblazers, The B-52’s when they first arrived on the scene in 1979.

Like a John Waters film brought to life, the band were beamed from an otherworldly wonderland, with a timelessly kitsch sound to match. Classic surf guitar, clearly inspired by the forbearers of 50s and 60s rock, had never been paired with maniacal lead vocals like those of flamboyant frontman, Fred Schneider, and eerie backings of both Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, summoning you into the weird like hypnotic pop culture sirens. Altogether, it was an electrifying experience – one that, to this day, still feels more like a window into another plane of existence than an entry in the annals of rock history.

Luckily for us, the band's unapologetically unique, global chart-topping hits were all captured in gleefully off-kilter music videos, so bizarre, they somehow make perfect sense. Let's enjoy five of B-52’s best and most bizarre below!

The B-52's | 'Rock Lobster'

Singer and keyboardist, Kate Pierson once told Pitchfork that B-52’s guitarist, Ricky Wilson introduced the riff for their 1979 debut smash Rock Lobster by saying, “I’ve just written the stupidest guitar line you’ve ever heard.”

As the old saying goes, it’s a fine line between stupidity and genius because this beach-party classic turned out to be a slice of genius, remaining a timeless classic to this day. 

The B-52's | 'Roam'

In more recent times, this 1989 Cosmic Thing hit stands as both a homage to the good old days – and a manifesto to better days ahead.  

The B-52's | 'Planet Claire'

The second single from their 1979 self-titled debut drops you straight into an interplanetary spy thriller, building with relentless tension as a pulsation two minute intro leads you on an hypnotic journey to Planet Claire... 

The B 52's | 'Private Idaho'

Step into the B-52’s very own Twilight Zone of frenzied guitar riffs and merciless melodies. Director, Gus Van Sant used the song as the inspiration for his 1991 drama, My Own Private Idaho starring Keanu Reeves and the late River Phoenix.

The B-52's | “Love Shack”

And last but not least, is the quintessential party anthem inspired by a ‘party’ cabin of sorts in Athens, Georgia where Kate Pierson actually lived during the 1970s. The property is rumoured to have previously belonged to the Love Guru, DundaWhalla. True story – watch Pierson explain, here. 

GET THE B-52’s ALBUMS ON VINYL, HERE. 

Listen to the B-52’s on Spotify:

Listen to the B-52’s on Apple Music:

Related Posts

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE