These Hollywood punks flipped the script on girl groups with this raucous debut. The Go-Go's were a mixed bag of cheerleaders, punks, and headbangers who rose up in the local punk scene. They played all of the instruments and wrote all of the songs, which are all solid new wave rockers that channel surf rock and hardcore into their 60's style harmonies. In 1978, Belinda Carlisle ("Dottie Danger") and Jane Wiedlin started the group, which shared rehearsal space with X (and at times the Go-Go's actually sound like them on this album!). Charlotte Caffey and Gina Schock joined during the next year and Kathy Valentine learned bass to join the band as they made their move from punk toward pop.
With his history with 60's girl groups and the first Blondie album Richard Gottehrer was brought in to produce with the assistance of Rob Freeman. 'Beauty and the Beat' went to number one in the States and number two in Canada. The album sold more than three million copies and went double platinum, making it one of the most successful debut albums of all time.
'Our Lips Are Sealed' was co-written by Jane Wiedlin and her boyfriend Terry Hall. He did his own version with Fun Boy Three and Bananarama. Both versions were hits; the Go-Go's version went to number twenty in the US and number two in Australia, while Fun Boy Three's version hit number seven in the UK.
"Can you hear them
They talk about us
Telling lies
Well that's no surprise"
Written by guitarist Charlotte Caffey, 'We Got The Beat' was originally released as a single on Stiff records before being re-recorded for the album. It was a worldwide smash, making it to number two in the US.
"Go-go music really makes us dance
Do the pony puts us in a trance
Do watusi just give us a chance
That's when we fall in line"
'This Town' was co-written by Caffey and Wiedlin about the local scene.
"We all know the chosen toys
Of catty girls and pretty boys
Make up that face
Jump in the race
Life's a kick in this town"
'Skidmarks On My Heart' was co-written by Caffey and Carlisle.
"You sure know how to hurt a girl
Fewer hugs and no more kisses
Just water for your carburetor
And bearings for your pistons
Rev her engine for your pleasure
Caress and fondle her steering wheel
When you moan and hug her gear shift
Stop! Think how it makes me feel"
'Can't Stop The World' was written by Kathy Valentine.
"Caught with no cards up your sleeve not much to choose from.
Grew up all along just thinking that you couldn't lose.
Don't want to live without that security.
You'd think that, with a little bit more, you'd be alright."
'Beauty and the Beat'
full album:
Side one
1. "Our Lips Are Sealed" Jane Wiedlin, Terry Hall 2:45
2. "How Much More" Charlotte Caffey, Wiedlin 3:06
3. "Tonite" Caffey, Wiedlin, Peter Case 3:35
4. "Lust to Love" Caffey, Wiedlin 4:04
5. "This Town" Caffey, Wiedlin 3:20
Side two
6. "We Got the Beat" Caffey 2:36
7. "Fading Fast" Caffey 3:41
8. "Automatic" Wiedlin 3:07
9. "You Can't Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep)" Caffey, Wiedlin 2:54
10. "Skidmarks on My Heart" Caffey, Belinda Carlisle 3:06
11. "Can't Stop the World" Kathy Valentine 3:20
No comments:
Post a Comment