Bruce riffs on the fifth studio album by The B-52's, “Cosmic Thing” from July of 1989 (Love Shack / Cosmic Thing / Channel Z / Roam). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “It Had to Be You” by Harry Connick, Jr. (from the motion picture “When Harry Met Sally”) STAFF PICKS: “I'll Be You” by The Replacements — Wayne. “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty — Lynch. “Lay Your Hands On Me” by Bon Jovi — Rob. “If Dirt Were Dollars” by Don Henley — Bruce. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “It Had to Be You (Instrumental Trio)” by Harry Connick, Jr. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Because all of us presenters live in Georgia it is hard for us to believe that Cosmic Thing, the fifth studio album from The B-52's was the international breakthrough album. We had been listening to “Rock Lobster” and “Private Idaho” for about a decade before this album came out. But much of the B-52's discography was confined to college radio stations outside of their home state. Cosmic Thing would really put the group on the map nationally and internationally.
This album was also a comeback for the group. The original group consisted of Fred Schneider on vocals, Kate Pierson on vocals and keyboard, Cindy Wilson on vocals and tambourine, Ricky Wilson on guitars, and Keith Strickland on percussion. Ricky Wilson died of AIDS in October 1985, and hadn't told the band other than Keith Strickland that he had the then-terminal disease because he didn't want anyone worrying or fussing over him. His death devastated the group, particularly his sister, Cindy Wilson. The band did not tour to promote their 1985 album release “Bouncing off the Satellites,” nor did they put out any new music until 1989.
When they got back together they decided to remain a foursome. Keith Strickland moved to guitar and they brought in session drummers to fill in. It took about a year to compose the songs from this album, with the group spending a lot of time working through their grief in the loss of Ricky Wilson. The resulting album, however, was a tremendous success, with two songs breaking into the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the first songs of the group to do so.
Bruce brings us this comeback album in this week's podcast.
Love Shack
This has become the B-52's signature song. It went to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 - the group's first top 40 hit. The inspiration for this song was partly an African American club outside Athens, Georgia, called the “Hawaiian Ha-Le.” It was a place that looked like a shack from the outside, but hosted a great selection of bands.
Cosmic Thing
The title track and lead-off song to the album preceded the album by a few months. It was released on the soundtrack to the film “Earth Girls Are Easy.” It is also known as “(Shake That) Cosmic Thing.”
Channel Z
A deeper cut , this track has a little more political feel. It discusses the changes happening in the world, along with pollution, radiation, and other concerns. “Space junk, laser bombs, ozone holes, better put up my umbrella!” The band never lost their dance connection, with songs leaning more towards party and less towards politics.
Roam
The second big hit leads off side 2, and also went to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson duet on this song, making it the only vocal track on the album in which Fred Schneider doesn't have a vocal. It was the second and final US top-10 hit for the group.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
It Had to Be You by Harry Connick, Jr. (from the motion picture “When Harry Met Sally”)
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star in this romantic comedy, with Harry Connick, Jr. providing most of the soundtrack.
STAFF PICKS:
I'll Be You by the Replacements
Wayne features a Minnesota band which got their start in the punk genre before moving to alternative rock. This song plays in the bachelor party in the 1996 comedy “Jerry Maguire.” The replacements formed in 1979, and it would be 10 years before this song would be their sole entry into the top 100, peaking at number 51.
Free Fallin' by Tom Petty
Lynch's staff pick is a big hit off Petty's solo album “Full Moon Fever.” This song documents the feelings that a guy has after breaking up with his girl. Petty has ELO founder and fellow Traveling Wilburys member Jeff Lynne joining him on this single, providing synthesizer, bass, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals.
Lay Your Hands On Me by Bon Jovi
Rob brings us an epic rock song from Jon Bon Jovi off the album “New Jersey.” This one hit number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, the fourth single from the album to break into the top 10 on the pop charts. Dolly Parton covered this single in 2014, rearranged as a gospel song.
If Dirt Were Dollars by Don Henley
Bruce closes out the staff picks with a deeper cut off Henley's massive album “End of the Innocence.” Never one to shy away from politics and culture, Henley rails in this track against materialism, hypocrisy, false patriotism, and hubris. “These days the buck stops nowhere, no one takes the blame. But evil is still evil in anybody's name.”
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
It Had to Be You by Harry Connick, Jr.
We double dip on the Entertainment track to end this week's podcast, as Connick did a vocal and instrumental version of this classic song.