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/
Eyes Wide Open
The B-52's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rise above, hit the jet-stream
Rocky road, got my assignment
Rise above, ride my dreams
One on one, take a little bite
What I got, you never had
One on one, no use to fight
Love's my thing, so good it's bad
Love's my thing, so good it's bad
So good it's bad, so good it's bad
Let's go down to our secret place
So good it's bad, so good it's bad
Let's go down to our secret place
You got my eyes wide open
Unexpected, undetected
You got my eyes wide open
Hiding from those prying eyes
You got my eyes wide open
Below the radar, in plain sight
You got my eyes wide open
Secret passage to your place tonight
You got my eyes wide open
I don't wanna clash
I don't want to rehash the past
I just want release
(I just want some peace)
Let's go down to our secret place
You got my eyes wide open
Let's go down to our secret place
You got my eyes wide open
Feel it, feel it, feel it, feel it
Oh, yeah
Feel it, feel it, feel it, feel it
Oh, yeah
Yeah, you're so good, so good it's bad
What you got is what I want
One on one, don't you fight
Pull it together, ride it right
Love so good, so good it's bad
What I got you never had
Get it together, get it right
Get it together, take a bite
Can you feel it? Unexpected
Can you feel it? Undetected
Livin' on the periphery
Can you feel it? Unexpected
Can you feel it? Undetected
Livin' on the periphery
Can you feel it? Words are bombs
Can you feel it? Words are missiles
Livin' on the periphery
Can you feel it? Undetected
Can you feel it? So unexpected
Living on the periphery
I don't wanna clash
I don't want to rehash the past
I just want release
I just want some peace
Let's go down to our secret place
You got my eyes wide open
The B-52's's "Eyes Wide Open" features a techno-infused pop sound that extols the virtue of love in the face of an unpredictable world. The opening lyrics, "Crazy planet, no alignment/Rise above, hit the jet-stream," suggest the need for emotional self-protection in an environment that is out of sync. The song speaks to finding reprieve in a secret place, away from prying eyes, and a refreshing of the mind to release the past and find peace. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the title phrase, "Let's go down to our secret place/You got my eyes wide open," signifying a finding of solace and a sense of security in the lover's arms. The lyrics reinforce that although love is unpredictable and potentially dangerous, it's worth it for the pleasure and comfort it provides.
The lyrics move into a dialogue-style as the second half of the song rebounds lines different than those in the first half. When the song breaks into "Can you feel it? Words are bombs/Can you feel it? Words are missiles/Livin' on the periphery," it juxtaposes the previous themes of love with descriptions of danger that reminds one of the need to be alert to the danger while pursuing intimacy. The song finishes on this note of danger and the periphery, paralleling the message of the initial verses even as it takes a different tack in the second half.
Line by Line Meaning
Crazy planet, no alignment
On this unpredictable planet, there is no guarantee of stability or order
Rise above, hit the jet-stream
To overcome these challenges, one must soar high and ride the flow of life
Rocky road, got my assignment
The journey ahead may be difficult, but I am ready to face it
One on one, take a little bite
Let's spend some one-on-one time together and explore our connection slowly
What I got, you never had
My unique qualities are what make me stand out and attract you to me
No use to fight
There is no point in arguing or competing, as our feelings should be mutual
Love's my thing, so good it's bad
I am passionate about love, but sometimes it can be too intense or even unhealthy
Let's go down to our secret place
Let's escape from the world and enjoy each other's company in privacy
You got my eyes wide open
Your presence and affection have opened my eyes to new possibilities
Unexpected, undetected
Our love is hidden and unexpected, making it all the more exciting
Hiding from those prying eyes
We must keep our relationship hidden from outside judgment or scrutiny
Below the radar, in plain sight
Our love is both hidden and obvious at the same time, as if under the radar
Secret passage to your place tonight
We have a private and intimate way to be together tonight
I don't wanna clash
I don't want to rehash the past
I just want release
(I just want some peace)
I don't want our relationship to be destructive or bring up old wounds; I just want to feel at peace with you
Feel it, feel it, feel it, feel it
Oh, yeah
Our connection is intense and passionate, making us feel alive and excited
Yeah, you're so good, so good it's bad
What you got is what I want
You have qualities that I find irresistible and that also trouble me at the same time
Pull it together, ride it right
We need to work together and navigate our relationship in a healthy and positive way
Can you feel it? Words are bombs
Can you feel it? Words are missiles
Our words can be powerful and damaging, so we need to be careful with how we communicate
Livin' on the periphery
We are living on the edge or outside of societal norms and expectations
I just want some peace
Let's go down to our secret place
You got my eyes wide open
I just want to feel content and safe with you, away from the chaos of the world
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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,........