August 08, 2022

1986 - December: The Georgia Satellites “Georgia Satellites”

36 minutes

Atlanta, Georgia's own The Georgia Satellites released their debut and self-titled album in 1986. Dan Baird was their primary songwriter and lead vocalist on most songs. Guitarist Rick Richards, bassist Rick Price, and dummer Mauro Magellan complete the band. Originally formed as Keith and the Satellites in 1980, the band saw a number of personnel changes and a name change to The Georgia Satellites soon thereafter. They honed their craft playing at a Buckhead bar called Hedgens on Monday nights.

The Georgia Satellites signed with Elektra Records in 1986 and released this debut album to significant commercial success. The single "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" saw significant airplay on MTV, and went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, denied the number 1 spot by Bon Jovi's "Livin' On a Prayer." The band featured a southern rock sound with a boogie slant, and this debut would be certified Platinum by the RIAA.

The Georgia Satellites would produce two albums of original material and a third with both new and re-released tracks after this debut, but would not see the popularity return to the level of this first album. Dan Baird left the band in 1990 and the band went on hiatus for a few years, but the remaining members would return to touring by 1993 and still perform today.

Wayne brings us this classic of southern rock.

Railroad Steel

This track is the third single from the album. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 but made it to number 34 on the Billboard Rock Charts. The lyrics are about a guy who is cold, but whose heart can be melted by a particular woman.

Keep Your Hands To Yourself

"She said, 'Don't hand me no lines, and keep your hands to yourself!'" This is the big hit from the album, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is about a woman that will not give in to a guys pleading until they get married. "You see, I wanted her real bad and I was about to give in. Oh, that's when she started talking about true love, started talking about sin."

Battleship Chains

Though it didn't make the top 40, this was an entry into the Billboard Hot 100 at number 86. It also features guitarist Rick Richards on lead vocals. This song was written by Terry Anderson and recorded by his band The Woods out of North Carolina. The Georgia Satellites heard the band and recorded their own version.

Red Light

This is a deep cut, and is a song about a woman who is angry at her partner. "Got Van Halen wailin' on the stereo eight track. Watch out baby that's what I said. There's a red light, road block, bridge out ahead."

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Dentist! by Steve Martin (from the motion picture “Little Shop of Horrors”)

This movie based on the musical of the same name starred Rick Moranis and a psychotic plant living off human blood. Steve Martin has a cameo as a sadistic dentist.

STAFF PICKS:

Ship of Fools by World Party

Rob starts off our staff picks with a British group which was basically a solo project for lead man Karl Wallinger. While his band was a one-hit wonder, Wallinger collaborated with other artists like Sinead O'Connor and Robbie Williams, and was the musical director for the films “Clueless” and “Reality Bites.” The concept of the lyrics is that there will be a price to pay from the way you are living today.

The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby and the Range

Bruce's staff pick is a piano driven soft rock song about civil rights and not getting complacent. It hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. "That's just the way it is - ah, but don't you believe them."

Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung

Brian brings us a song originally conceived as a ballad, but adapted to a faster pace and dance orientation by producer Peter Wolf. The self-referential verb "Wang Chung" is a nonsensical but catchy phrase.

(I am) Superman by R.E.M.

Wayne's staff pick is actually a cover song originally recorded by a band called The Clique. Bassist Mike Mills sings lead on this song because Michael Stipe wasn't very enthusiastic about it. When Stipe sings backup vocals in live performances, he holds his arms up and out as if he is Superman flying.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Walter's Theme by R.E.M.

We wrap up this week's podcast with an instrumental track off R.E.M's album "Dead Letter Office."

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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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