Channel Z
The B-52's Lyrics
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Getting nothing but static, getting nothing but static
Static in my attic from Channel Z
Getting nothing but static, getting nothing but static
Static filling my attic from Channel Z
I don't know, I feel like something's happening
I feel love has got to come on, and I want it
Something big and lovely
I want the world to change for me
Gotta get away, away from Z
Living on the edge of Z
Space junk, laser bombs, ozone holes, better put up my umbrella!
Giant stacks blowin' smoke
Politicrits pushin' dope
All I know, we've got to change what's happening
Something good could happen
I feel light has got to come through, and I need it
Something big and lovely
I want the world to change for me, gotta get away, away from Z
Living on the edge of Z
Waste dumps, toxic fog, irradiate and keep it fresh forever
Good old boys tellin' lies
'Bout time I got wise
Getting nothing but static (static)
Getting nothing but static (static)
Static in my attic from Channel Z
Getting nothing but static (static)
Getting nothing but static (static)
Static in my attic from Channel Z
Gotta tune in, pico waves, gotta tune out, PCBs
Gotta tune in, market crash, gotta tune out, polar shift
Gotta tune in, narrow minds, gotta tune out, space junk
Gotta tune in, bombs, gotta turn out, atomic lasers falling from the sky
Where's my umbrella?
Gonna shoot that static down the drain (where's my umbrella?)
Gonna put that static out of my brain (where's my umbrella?)
Gonna put up my antennae (free, ow!)
Hamburger ads
Pop up in my head
On the edge of Aquarius (secret wars!)
I'm living on the edge (take my money away)
I know I feel a change is happening
Something good will happen
I feel love is coming on strong, and I want it
We can make it happen
I want the world to change for me
Gotta get away, away from Z
Living on the edge of Z
Channel Z's all static, all day, forever (whoa-oh)
Time to open your windows, let in better weather (whoa-oh)
Channel Z's all static, all day, forever
Time to take this information and shove it in the shredder
More trash, more dips, space junk, narrow minds, aah! (whoa-oh)
The lyrics to the B-52's song Channel Z express a desire for change, as the singer is frustrated with the constant static and negativity being broadcasted by Channel Z, a metaphor for the media and society as a whole. The verses describe various environmental and political issues, such as ozone holes, toxic waste dumps, and corrupt politicians, and the chorus expresses a longing for something big and lovely to come and change the world. The singer wants to escape from the negative influence of Channel Z and live on the edge of something new and positive.
The bridge of the song includes a series of quick associations between societal issues and their solutions, all while expressing a sense of urgency and desperation. The final verses express a desire for something to happen and a faith that it will, attributing this feeling to a shift of the age, referring to the astrological concept of the Age of Aquarius, and calling to let in better weather by opening the windows.
Overall, the song seems to be a call to action for the listener to recognize the negative aspects of society and media and actively seek change and something positive. It conveys frustration and desperation but ends on a somewhat hopeful note.
Line by Line Meaning
I am livin' on Channel Z!
I am living in the world of static and chaos created by Channel Z
Getting nothing but static, getting nothing but static
I am getting nothing but static, and it's all I can hear
Static in my attic from Channel Z
The static from Channel Z is everywhere. It's even filling my attic
I don't know, I feel like something's happening
I sense a change coming
Something good is happening
The change will be positive
I feel love has got to come on, and I want it
I am craving peace, love, and positivity
Something big and lovely
The change will be big and beautiful
I want the world to change for me
I want the world to become a better place for me and everyone else
Gotta get away, away from Z
I need to distance myself from the negative energy of Channel Z
Living on the edge of Z
I am living in the midst of the madness created by Channel Z
Space junk, laser bombs, ozone holes, better put up my umbrella!
The world is full of environmental disasters, and I need an umbrella to protect me
Giant stacks blowin' smoke
The factories are damaging the environment
Politicrits pushin' dope
The politicians are pushing harmful policies
All I know, we've got to change what's happening
We need to create a positive change in the world
Something good could happen
There is a chance that we can make the world a better place
I feel light has got to come through, and I need it
I am optimistic that a bright future is possible
Waste dumps, toxic fog, irradiate and keep it fresh forever
The environment is being polluted and irreversibly damaged
Good old boys tellin' lies
The politicians are not telling the truth
Getting nothing but static (static)
I am still hearing nothing but static
Gotta tune in, pico waves, gotta tune out, PCBs
We must focus on the positive and reject the negative
Where's my umbrella?
I need protection from the world's negativity
Gonna shoot that static down the drain (where's my umbrella?)
I am going to get rid of the negative energy in my life
Gonna put that static out of my brain (where's my umbrella?)
I will no longer let the negativity of the world consume me
Gonna put up my antennae (free, ow!)
I will be open to new ideas and positive energy
Hamburger ads
The media is full of shallow and meaningless messages
Pop up in my head
These messages are pervasive and hard to ignore
On the edge of Aquarius (secret wars!)
We are on the brink of a new era and must avoid conflict
I'm living on the edge (take my money away)
I am uncertain of what the future holds and feel vulnerable
I know I feel a change is happening
I am positive that change is coming
We can make it happen
Together, we have the power to create positive change
Channel Z's all static, all day, forever (whoa-oh)
The world can be filled with negativity and chaos
Time to open your windows, let in better weather (whoa-oh)
It is time to embrace positivity and change
Time to take this information and shove it in the shredder
We need to reject the negative media and propaganda
More trash, more dips, space junk, narrow minds, aah! (whoa-oh)
The world is full of negativity and chaos
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CINDY WILSON, FRED SCHNEIDER, KATE PIERSON, KEITH STRICKLAND, PAUL ASH, WALTER DONALDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamiethornton6101
Cosmic Thing was simply put, one of the greatest albums released in music history. It doesn't get the respect it deserves. A masterpiece.
@cb3648
It was a great comeback, love the first two albums, Ricky's guitar playing couldn't be reproduced but it's an album that you could make a single out of any song on it.
@abathens
Yes. Remember hearing it for the first time playing in a record store. 1989.
@Fenncer24
Yep totally agree used to listen to to this album almost every day while in then West Germany while in the Army 1988-1991. Oh what great memories.
@fontaholic
Alot creatives love that too they changed a bit the world ♥╣[-_-]╠♥ huggs from Germany around the world …ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
@falconlara
AGREED!
@CoastPropertyBuyers
Kate and Cindy have some of the best harmonies in pop music. One of my fave albums full stop.
@ssake1_IAL_Research
Most unlikely-looking prophets. This song is eternal.
@howieb71
My favorite song from the Cosmic Thing album. It really showcases just how awesome Kate and Cindy's voices are and how perfect they harmonize together.
@amyboone125
Absolutely!