The B-52's

Released: July 6, 1979

Songwriter: Tony Hatch

Producer: Chris Blackwell

Bring all the lights low, I know a place to go
Yeah, I know a place to go
Downtown
(Downtown!)

When you are lonely, life is makin' you grumpy
You can always go (Downtown!)
Just listen to the music and the traffic of the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
(Downtown!)

I know a place to go when it is so slow (Downtown)
(I want some tea!)
I know a place to go when you get so old (Wanna beer!)
I know a place to go when you want dress up and love
(Downtown, downtown!)

Yeah, listen!
Oo, listen!
Yeah, listen!
(Downtown!)
When you're working!
(Downtown!)
When you're talking!
(Downtown!)
When you get your lover's notes!
(Downtown!)

Think of the people
Yeah, think of the people
Oh, maybe I'll see you there
If I can do my hair (Downtown!)
Where you see the people go in free (Downtown!)
Where you see the people go downtown
Let's all go

I said, why don't we show ourselves?
Downtown! (Downtown!)
Oo, Downtown! (Downtown!)
Where all the lights are low!
(Downtown!)
Yeah!

Let's all go
Downtown! (Downtown!)
Downtown! (Downtown!)
Downtown!

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

The B-52's

From the album

The B-52's (1979)

The B-52's popular songs

DowntownThe B-52's

The B-52's

The B-52's