July 27, 2020

1981 - May: The Go-Go’s “Beauty and the Beat”

31 minutes

I can tell what you're thinking: really, What the Riff? The Go-Go's? That's not rock, that's pop! Well we'll agree that their debut album Beauty and the Beat was quite popular, but the group has its roots in the punk movement, not pop music.

With Belinda Carlisle on lead vocals, Charlotte Caffey on lead guitar and keyboards, Gina Schock on percussion, Kathy Valentine on bass, and Jane Wiedlin on rhythm guitar, The Go-Go's were the first and (so far) only all female band to hit the top of the charts writing their OWN songs and playing their OWN instruments.

Their inspiration comes from punk stalwarts like Iggy Pop and The Sex Pistols, and the band was formed before the members actually knew how to play their instruments. They established a reputation in the L.A. punk scene and were eventually signed by I.R.S. Records. Beauty and the Beat combines Punk sensibilities with the upcoming New Wave sound of the early 80's, and the result was both critically and popularly well received. The Go-Go's would be nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy in 1982, and Beauty and the Beat would spend 6 weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart.

So it is OK to rock out to The Go-Go's. But don't worry if you're embarrassed. We won't tell. Our lips are sealed!

We Got the Beat

This is the song that started it all for The Go-Go's. Penned by guitarist and keyboardist Charlotte Caffey, it gained popularity as a demo in the UK in 1980. They were invited to tour with the group Madness at that time, and it's distinctive percussion beat is iconic.

Our Lips Are Sealed

“Pay no mind to what they say. It doesn't matter anyway.” This was the first track on the album and the lead U.S. single. It's pop orientation is also atypical for the group, and The Go-Go's were unenthusiastic about doing the video. The perky, fresh image was very different from their roots.

Can't Stop the World

This deeper cut sounds a little more new wave than the hits off the album. Kathy Valentine's bass licks are prominent on this track. The lyrics are good advice for today. “Things will be alright. Can't stop the world.”

Automatic

This minor key track has a mysterious vibe to it. This song is played in the background on a documentary on The Go-Go's discussing the darker side of the group. There are some cool pauses in the middle of this track.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The William Tell Overture (Main Theme from "The Legend of the Lone Ranger")

One of the biggest box office failures hit the cinemas this month, and both the star and director of the movie would not respectively act and direct again.

STAFF PICKS:

Swords & Tequilla by Riot

Wayne's staff pick cranks out the rock. Heavy Metal band Riot is out of New York City, and unfortunately didn't catch the fame that later hair bands would gain. This is from their album Fire Down Under. The lead singer was killed in Atlanta when shot during an attempted carjacking.

Ain't Even Done with the Night by John Cougar

Brian brings us an early hit from the album “Nothin' Matters, and What If It Did” by John Cougar. Cougar - soon to revert back to John Mellencamp - was an observational writer, and so his songs are not autobiographical. “It's time to go home, and I ain't even done with the night.”

Find Your Way Back by Jefferson Starship

Bruce's staff pick is off Modern Times, the sixth album by Jefferson Starship, and the second with Mickey Thomas on lead vocals. This song is about regret at leaving a relationship. The chorus comes back to the theme, “find your way back to her heart.”

Somebody's Knockin' by Terri Gibbs

Rob finishes us off with a crossover country song from from talented and blind Georgia native Terri Gibbs. This song hit number 13 on the pop charts. “Lord it's the devil, would you look at him? I've heard about him, but I never dreamed he'd have blue eyes and blue jeans.”

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Primera Invasion by Santana

This instrumental track showcases the talents of Carlos Santana, who had an album on the charts at the time.

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**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.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings