The name comes from the bouffant wigs that are part of the band's distinctive look, worn by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Along with Wilson and Pierson, fellow vocalist Fred Schneider, drummer (and later guitarist) Keith Strickland, and guitarist Ricky Wilson (Cindy's older brother) formed the band after a drunken night at a Chinese restaurant. They shared a passion for mixing and matching older styles with a partying, good-time public image, which set them apart from many staid 70s contemporaries.
Their sound is particularly marked by the vocals of Wilson and Pierson, with Kate singing in a slightly deeper voice, along with the generally monotone or spoken-word vocals of Schneider. Aside from their vocals, the band also had a unique New Wave sound that was a combination of 50s and 60s dance music and surf rock, and the unusual guitar-string tunings utilized by Ricky Wilson. Although a clear part of said movement, their music was more experimental than most new wave groups, indulging in all manner of odd vocal and synthesizer effects. The B-52's created a quirky dance vibe that became very popular and their tours have been successful for decades.
Website= http://theb52s.com/
52 Girls
The B-52's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Madge and Mabel
Biddie, see them on the beach
Or in New
York City, Tina Louise
And there's Hazel and Mavis
Can you name, name, name
Name 'em today?
Can you name, name, name
Name 'em today?
Wanda and Janet
And Ronnie and Reba, oh, oh, oh
These are the girls of the U.S.A.
The principal girls of the U.S.A.
Can you name, name, name
Name 'em today?
Can you name, name, name
Name 'em today?
Oh, oh, oh
Kate
Kate and Cindy
And Crystal and Candy
Mercedes and Joan, Betty and Brenda
Suzie and Anita
And Pheobe and Jack, Jackie-O
These are the girls of the U.S.A.
The principal girls of the U.S.A.
Can you name, name, name
Name 'em today?
Can you name, name, name
Name 'em today?
Can you name, name, name?
The lyrics to The B-52's's song "52 Girls" are a lively and playful list of names of women from all over the United States. The song begins by listing names like Effie, Madge, Mabel, Biddie, Tina Louise, Hazel, and Mavis, and asks the listener if they can name all 52 girls mentioned in the song. It then adds more names, such as Wanda, Janet, Ronnie, Reba, Kate, Cindy, Crystal, Candy, Mercedes, Joan, Betty, Brenda, Suzie, Anita, Pheobe, and Jackie-O to the mix.
The song seems to celebrate the diverse and eclectic mix of women who make up the United States, almost like a love letter to the country and its people. The repeated refrain of "Can you name, name, name/name 'em today?" encourages listeners to sing along and participate in the celebration of these women. The upbeat and catchy tone of the song adds to its playful vibe, and the use of names instead of descriptions or labels for the women gives them a sense of individuality and personality that invites listeners to appreciate and know them as individuals.
Overall, "52 Girls" is an energetic and fun ode to the diversity and individuality of women in the United States.
Line by Line Meaning
Effie
No specific meaning. This is just a name.
Madge and Mabel
Introducing two female names.
Biddie, see them on the beach
Describing the location where the girls can be seen.
Or in New
The girls can also be seen in New York City.
York City, Tina Louise
Tina Louise is a reference to the actress who played Ginger on the TV show 'Gilligan's Island'.
And there's Hazel and Mavis
Introducing two more female names.
Can you name, name, name
Asking if the listener can name all of the girls mentioned so far.
Name 'em today?
Asking again if the listener can name the girls today.
Wanda and Janet
Introducing two more female names.
And Ronnie and Reba, oh, oh, oh
Introducing two more female names, with a musical touch.
These are the girls of the U.S.A.
Stating that all of these girls are from the United States of America.
The principal girls of the U.S.A.
Emphasizing that these are important girls in the USA.
Kate
Introducing another female name.
Kate and Cindy
Introducing two more female names.
And Crystal and Candy
Introducing two more female names, with a sweet theme.
Mercedes and Joan, Betty and Brenda
Introducing four more female names.
Suzie and Anita
Introducing two more female names.
And Pheobe and Jack, Jackie-O
Introducing two more female names, with a reference to Jackie Onassis.
Can you name, name, name
Asking one last time if the listener can name all of the girls mentioned.
Name 'em today?
Asking again if the listener can name the girls today.
Can you name, name, name?
Final repeated question asking if the listener can name all the girls.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHARLES J. AYERS, CINDY WILSON, FRED SCHNEIDER, KATE PIERSON, KEITH STRICKLAND, RICKY WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony-Deborah.
on Debbie
NO! It's not about some generic "Debbie," it's a tribute to Debbie Harry of Blondie! (I guess it's easier if you grew up in the 80s)
Wayne Matthess
on Dance This Mess Around
Remember........when you held his little kitty Paw.............Remember......Remember when you held my cat';s paw...walk and talk in the name of Kalvin........before you break...My heart......oh don't ya know why.........Why won't you dance with me, my cats? I'm not no limburger.....just a limburger.......Just a limburger 2 more times...oh 3 more times.....and finally Fred....Dance this Mess Round Round Round Round Round....
Wayne Matthess
on There's A Moon In The Sky (Called The Moon)
there's a moon in the sky.....does anyone beside me think this was a song no one realized was so great....i think this is one good good song that is so danceable even 30 yrs.....listen and groove........no one has thought this is one of the best ones they've ever done but simply just one track on 2nd album, a B side song i guess.......dang, i would've put this on radio play, video the whole works....instead of that awful awful Love Shack....my god that Love Shack sucked,........