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Talk You Into It - Episode 19 - The Go-Go's
Trailblazers. Pioneers. MTV 80s Icons. And at long last, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Go-Go’s. Sherman and Ski remain baffled that it took 15 years after they first became eligible, that the Go-Go’s received their first nomination for the Hall. Thankfully, the powers at be recognized that they had waited long enough and gave credit where credit was due: in the face of a record industry that had only found space for all-female singing groups, Belinda Carlisle (vocals), Charlotte Caffey (Guitar), Jane Wiedlin (Guitar), Kathy Valentine (Bass) and Gina Schock (Drums) showed the world that the Go Go’s could more than hang with the boys: they could flip the script and usher in a musical revolution. Think about it: “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation”: three songs that defined the sound and the era of early 80s music, even without the synths: brilliant, post-punk pop gems, simple and clear to the point, unforgettable. And that list of classics doesn’t even include their best song, the undeniably infectious “Head Over Heels” (featuring a bass breakdown for the ages courtesy of Ms. Valentine). Yes, written and performed by the Go-Go’s. That should go without saying, but in the late 70s and early 80s it was unheard of for a group of five women to achieve that level of success on their own and on their own terms.
Don’t be fooled, though, this wasn’t a singles band. Look at “Lust to Love” How Much More” “Turn to You” and their fierce anthem “This Town.” All elements of the Go-Go’s can be found here too: the cool rock steady twin guitar attack of Caffey/Wiedlin, Belinda’s angelic vocals rooted in punk rock (with a nice assist from Jane on backing vocals) and the Valentine/Schock rhythm section that remains a force of nature (We got the beat, indeed).
By 1985, they were burned out and Belinda went on to a hugely successful solo career (“Mad About You” “Leave a Light On For Me” “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”) that suggests, had they stayed together, more hits would have followed (though we also shouldn’t overlook Jane’s Top 10 Hit “Rush Hour” and Ski would like to make a plug for Charlotte’s post Go-Go’s outfit The Graces, featuring “Lay Down Your Arms.”). You always got the sense that the Go-Go’s felt they had unfinished business, and numerous reunions followed, and a fourth album in 2000, God Bless The Go-Go’s, that is more than worthy to be included in their alongside their LPs from their 80s heyday, with an assist from Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong on “Unforgiven.”
What followed? The Bangles, Hole, The Donnas, Liz Phair and, ahem, Elastica. And so many others. These women earned their rightful spot alongside rock’s greatest and they’re still at. Sherman and Ski will take two tickets at the 9:30 Club, please. See you there.
View all episodes
By Josh Sherman
5
22 ratings
Trailblazers. Pioneers. MTV 80s Icons. And at long last, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Go-Go’s. Sherman and Ski remain baffled that it took 15 years after they first became eligible, that the Go-Go’s received their first nomination for the Hall. Thankfully, the powers at be recognized that they had waited long enough and gave credit where credit was due: in the face of a record industry that had only found space for all-female singing groups, Belinda Carlisle (vocals), Charlotte Caffey (Guitar), Jane Wiedlin (Guitar), Kathy Valentine (Bass) and Gina Schock (Drums) showed the world that the Go Go’s could more than hang with the boys: they could flip the script and usher in a musical revolution. Think about it: “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation”: three songs that defined the sound and the era of early 80s music, even without the synths: brilliant, post-punk pop gems, simple and clear to the point, unforgettable. And that list of classics doesn’t even include their best song, the undeniably infectious “Head Over Heels” (featuring a bass breakdown for the ages courtesy of Ms. Valentine). Yes, written and performed by the Go-Go’s. That should go without saying, but in the late 70s and early 80s it was unheard of for a group of five women to achieve that level of success on their own and on their own terms.
Don’t be fooled, though, this wasn’t a singles band. Look at “Lust to Love” How Much More” “Turn to You” and their fierce anthem “This Town.” All elements of the Go-Go’s can be found here too: the cool rock steady twin guitar attack of Caffey/Wiedlin, Belinda’s angelic vocals rooted in punk rock (with a nice assist from Jane on backing vocals) and the Valentine/Schock rhythm section that remains a force of nature (We got the beat, indeed).
By 1985, they were burned out and Belinda went on to a hugely successful solo career (“Mad About You” “Leave a Light On For Me” “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”) that suggests, had they stayed together, more hits would have followed (though we also shouldn’t overlook Jane’s Top 10 Hit “Rush Hour” and Ski would like to make a plug for Charlotte’s post Go-Go’s outfit The Graces, featuring “Lay Down Your Arms.”). You always got the sense that the Go-Go’s felt they had unfinished business, and numerous reunions followed, and a fourth album in 2000, God Bless The Go-Go’s, that is more than worthy to be included in their alongside their LPs from their 80s heyday, with an assist from Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong on “Unforgiven.”
What followed? The Bangles, Hole, The Donnas, Liz Phair and, ahem, Elastica. And so many others. These women earned their rightful spot alongside rock’s greatest and they’re still at. Sherman and Ski will take two tickets at the 9:30 Club, please. See you there.