The B-52's

Released: January 15, 2002

Songwriter: Ricky Wilson (B-52's) Cindy Wilson Keith Strickland Fred Schneider Kate Pierson

Producer: David Byrne

Momma!
Rockin' on the roulette wheel
Momma grabbed my hand
She was about to die
And she said, "Child, I never been around you much
But I want to give you one thing
Oh, your father was a one-eyed jack of hearts
With diamonds and an ace up his sleeve
Let me tell you I got the system
I got the plan, I got the plan."
Momma give me your blessing
So I can be stronger
Queen of Las Vegas
Queen of Las Vegas
Don't leave me
Queen of Las Vegas
Queen of Las Vegas

Come here again
MY momma she grabbed my hand
She looked at me with a bittersweet smile
She said, "Throw 'em a mile!"
Oh! Momma! I got the system!
Oh, oh, oh Momma, I understand the plan
Give me your blessing so I can be stronger
Help me to grow up and be the Queen

Queen of Las Vegas, Queen of Las Vegas
Queen of Las Vegas (Don't leave me!)
Queen of Las Vegas, Queen of Las Vegas
Queen of Las Vegas

The B-52’s, (now stylized as The B-52s) are an internationally successful New Wave band also known for their campy fashion. The group’s original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson and Ricky Wilson. Originally, all members of the band played multiple instruments. However, after Ricky Wilson’s tragic AIDS-related death in 1985, instead of hiring a full-time replacement, Strickland transitioned to primarily playing guitar, and the band has used various other musicians for recording and touring purposes.

Their self-titled first album The B-52’s was released to critical acclaim in 1979, spawning the Canadian chart-topping hit “Rock Lobster”, which was also successful in Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK. Rolling Stone magazine later placed the album at #152 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Their second album, Wild Planet, released in 1980, spawned another minor US hit with “Private Idaho”. Whammy! followed in 1983, giving the band a third minor US hit with “Legal Tender”. Their fourth album, Bouncing Off the Satellites, was recorded and mixed but not yet released when Ricky Wilson died in October 1985. It was nearly a year before the album was released, in September 1986. It is the band’s only album that does not feature a picture of its members on the cover.

more tracks from the album

Nude on the Moon: The B-52's Anthology

From the album

Nude on the Moon: The B-52's Anthology (2002)

The B-52's popular songs

Queen of Las Vegas [Mesopotamia Outtake Version]The B-52's

The B-52's

Nude on the Moon: The B-52's Anthology