52 girls
B-52’s Lyrics
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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
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 B-52's' song "52 Girls" is a lighthearted and energetic tribute to the diverse and colorful women of the United States. The lyrics list over 50 names of women, presumably representing countless others throughout the country. The chorus asks the listener if they can name all of these women, emphasizing the vast array of individuals that make up American culture.
The song has been interpreted by some as a celebration of women's liberation and the breaking down of gender stereotypes. The idea of listing so many women's names in rapid succession is a nod to the idea of women being seen as individuals rather than just members of a group. It's a playful and upbeat song that highlights the diversity and uniqueness of American women.
One of the interesting things about "52 Girls" is that each of the women named in the song is thought to be based on a real person that the band members knew or had encountered. The lyrics have been said to be inspired by a party the band attended in Athens, Georgia, where they saw many different women from all walks of life.
Another interesting fact is that the song was actually written before the band had formed. Founding members Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson wrote "52 Girls" together in their home before they had even met fellow bandmates Fred Schneider, Ricky Wilson, and Keith Strickland.
Line by Line Meaning
Effie
Introducing the first name of one of the girls being referred to.
Madge and Mabel
Introducing the names of two more girls being referred to.
Biddie, see them on the beach
Addressing someone named 'Biddie' and suggesting that they are seeing some of the girls being talked about at the beach.
Or in New York City, Tina Louise
Suggesting that 'Biddie' might see some of the girls in New York City, and specifically referencing one of them by name ('Tina Louise').
And there's Hazel and Mavis
Introducing two more girls by name.
Can you name, name, name
Name 'em today?
Asking the listener if they can remember the names of all the girls listed and can list them all now.
Wanda and Janet
And Ronnie and Reba, oh, oh, oh
Listing off the names of four more girls in rhythm with the music.
These are the girls of the U.S.A.
The principal girls of the U.S.A.
Stating that all the girls listed are representative of the many girls in the USA, and possibly indicating that they are important or influential in some way('principal girls').
Kate
Kate and Cindy
And Crystal and Candy
Listing the names of four more girls.
Mercedes and Joan, Betty and Brenda
Suzie and Anita
And Pheobe and Jack, Jackie-O
Rapidly listing the names of several more girls.
Can you name, name, name
Name 'em today?
Repeating the earlier challenge to the listener to try to remember and list all of the girls mentioned.
Can you name, name, name?
One final challenge to the listener to see if they can remember all the names of the girls mentioned in the song.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., SENTRIC MUSIC
Written by: CHARLES J. AYERS, CINDY WILSON, FRED SCHNEIDER, KATE PIERSON, KEITH STRICKLAND, RICKY WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@evilwillhunting
This is one of those song that you’ll always get a groove with every time. That guitar is irresistible
@SuckasNeverPlayMe
It's tip ****** top 👍
@101Volts
There are 2 guitars in this song. Ricky's playing Rhythm and it's a bit hard to hear, then Kate's on lead, which is much easier to hear. You can probably hear Ricky's part easiest near the end of the song, popping in just after 3:18.
@Sal.Manila
About the guitars…You’re right…and also not right. (that’s a polite way of telling someone they’re wrong) So, the first guitar to fire up after the opening drum stomp, is Ricky Wilson. His playing style is a lot of that rhythmic “chugga-chugga” strumming. At 0:15, the 2’nd guitar (Kate Pierson) plucks out those melodic “twangy” parts. Toward the end (at 3:20, to be exact) is when it’s a lot easier to distinguish the 2’nd guitar part chiming in against Ricky’s heavier strumming riffs. Another good example of the 2’nd guitar inclusion is on “There’s a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon.)” Again, it’s dominated by Ricky’s aggressive strumming, and accented by a pattern of notes (this time by Cindy Wilson.)
@SuckasNeverPlayMe
@@Sal.Manila it's tip top 👍
@martinsauvage9581
Ricky Wilson ❤
@peterlagroove6555
One of the most underrated American bands EVER
@feliciadominguez3365
I think they hail from Georgia by way of outer space.
@kintarricrawford4976
DITTO
@crv110
Girl fronted, praising girls... and the most blistering rhythm guitar in the history of rock and roll. Set in the 70's, what else is not to like. Repeat it....