The "Roam" single was released with a variety of song remixes as well as live tracks recorded at the Cleveland Music Hall, Cleveland, Ohio on December 2, 1989.
"Roam" became the band's second and final US top-10 hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1990 and spending 20 weeks on the chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in April 1990. Worldwide, the song became a top-10 success in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, peaking at numbers four, nine, and two, respectively. In February 1991, the B-52's were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Roam".
The music video for "Roam" was directed by Adam Bernstein and produced by Jonna Mattingly, with Zack Winestine as the director of photography. Filmed in New York City, the video contains animations and stock footage.
Roam
B 52 S Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whistling air
Whispering
In my ear
Boy Mercury shooting through every degree
Oh girl dancing down those dirty and dusty trails
Take it hip to hip, rocket through the wilderness
Roam if you want to
Roam around the world
Roam if you want to
Without wings, without wheels
Roam if you want to
Roam around the world
Roam if you want to
Without anything but the love we feel
Skip the airstrip to the sunset, yeah
Ride the arrow to the target, one
Take it hip to hip, rock it through the wilderness
Around the world the trip begins with a kiss
Roam if you want to
Roam around the world
Roam if you want to
Without wings, without wheels
Roam if you want to
Roam around the world
Roam if you want to
Without anything but the love we feel
Fly the great big sky
See the great big sea
Kick through continents
Busting boundaries
Take it hip to hip, rocket through the wilderness
Around the world the trip begins with a kiss
Roam if you want to
Roam around the world
Roam if you want to
Without wings, without wheels
Roam if you want to
Roam around the world
Roam if you want to
Without anything but the love we feel
Take it hip to hip
Rocket through the wilderness
Take it hip to hip
Rocket through the wilderness
Take it hip to hip
Rocket through the wilderness
Take it hip to hip
Rocket through the wilderness
Take it hip to hip
Rocket through the wilderness
Take it hip to hip
Rocket through the wilderness
Take it hip to hip
Rocket through the wilderness
Take it hip to hip
Rocket through the wilderness
The B-52's "Roam" is a lively and upbeat song that conjures up images of traveling the world without any boundaries, all in the name of love. The song begins with a description of the wind whistling and whispering in the singer's ear, setting the stage for an adventurous journey. Then, the lyrics turn to celestial imagery as the singer mentions Boy Mercury shooting through every degree, alluding to the Greek god of communication and travel. The girl dancing down those dirty and dusty trails highlights the sense of wild freedom that comes with roaming around the world without any limitations. The chorus urges the listener to "roam if you want to" around the world, without needing wings or wheels, just the love they feel.
The lyrics continue with a dynamic flow, describing skipping the airstrip to the sunset and riding the arrow to the target, exhorting the listener to take it hip to hip and rock it through the wilderness. The second chorus follows the same pattern as the first, with the singer urging the listener to "roam if you want to" around the world, without any impediments other than the love they feel. The bridge takes us even higher, with the singer imploring the listener to fly the great big sky, see the great big sea, and kick through continents to bust boundaries. The song returns to its familiar themes with the singer urging the listener to take it hip to hip and rocket through the wilderness once more.
Overall, "Roam" is a celebration of the adventurous spirit, urging the listener to throw caution to the wind and explore the world without hesitation. The song speaks to the power of love to open up new horizons and to overcome any obstacles that may arise along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear a wind
I am acutely aware of my surroundings
Whistling air
The sound of the wind is present and audible
Whispering
It feels as though the wind is speaking directly to me
In my ear
The wind is close and feels personal
Boy Mercury shooting through every degree
The journey will be a fast-paced and wild adventure
Oh girl dancing down those dirty and dusty trails
The girl is free-spirited and unafraid to embrace the less glamorous parts of life
Take it hip to hip, rocket through the wilderness
Let's travel together, moving quickly and fearlessly through uncharted territory
Around the world the trip begins with a kiss
Our adventure begins with a simple gesture of affection
Roam if you want to
You have the freedom to travel and explore as you please
Roam around the world
The world is our playground and we can go anywhere we desire
Without wings, without wheels
We don't need any fancy equipment to travel and explore
Without anything but the love we feel
The most important thing we will have on our journey is love for each other
Skip the airstrip to the sunset, yeah
Let's avoid the typical, boring ways of travel and instead choose excitement and beauty
Ride the arrow to the target, one
We will be direct and focused in our travels
Fly the great big sky
We will embrace the vastness and freedom of the sky
See the great big sea
We will marvel at the beauty and power of the ocean
Kick through continents
We will explore the various regions and cultures of the world
Busting boundaries
We will defy limits and expectations of what can be accomplished
Take it hip to hip, rocket through the wilderness
Let's continue to travel together, facing any challenges with bravery and strength
Take it hip to hip
Let's stay close to each other on this journey
Rocket through the wilderness
We will move quickly and confidently through any obstacles
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.,
Written by: CINDY WILSON, FRED SCHNEIDER, KATE PIERSON, KEITH STRICKLAND, ROBERT WALDROP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@myont8256
Who's still listening in 2024?!
@neilhargreaves5271
Enjoy 😍 one of my favorite songs
@christernordstrom4527
I still enjoy them, they're just great. Så är det bara....❤
@robovike
Loopin' it.
@amedina.mobile
100% - The entire album! 😃
@randy5655
Still roaming!
@joeguajardo5092
Cindy and Kate's voices together is magic
@rosep5672
I know! They're so crazy similar and complimentary
@davidplatten9872
Their harmony is wonderful 🤗
@rodneyschannel69
True, Joe.