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/
Strobelight
The B-52's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Is that you baby?"
"Yeah"
"Got something to tell you"
"Oh, what?"
I want to see you tonight
I want you to lay on the floor
'Cause tonight's the night
We make love, under a strobe light (strobe light, strobe light)
Underneath the strobe light
Want to make love to you under the strobe light
Want to make love to you under the strobe light
Strobe light, woah-oh-oh
Strobe light, woah-oh-oh
Yeah!
Pulsing light goes to my head!
Everything I see is red
Baby, when I kiss your hair
I feel electricity in the air
I'm gonna kiss your eyes
Then I'm gonna kiss your neck
Then I'm gonna kiss your tummy
Then I'm gonna kiss your pineapple
Tonight's the night
For love under the light
Strobe light, strobe light
Underneath the strobe light
Want to make love to you under the strobe light
Want to make love to you under the strobe light
Strobe light woah oh oh
Strobe light woah oh oh
Yeah!
I just want to make love to you
I just want to make love to you
Underneath the strobe light
Strobe light, strobe light
Strobe light, strobe light
Strobe light
Strobe, strobe, strobe, strobe, strobe light
The B-52's's song Strobelight is a love song that takes place under the pulsing lights of a strobe light. The lyrics begin with the singer asking for their phone before engaging in a conversation with their lover. The singer then reveals their desire to see their lover that night and make love with them underneath a strobe light. The strobe light serves as a metaphor for the intensity of their passion and the electric energy that flows between them. As the singer kisses their lover, they feel the electricity in the air and the all-consuming red light of the strobe.
The song is playful and joyful, with the band's characteristic bubbly energy and exuberance. The lyrics capture the excitement of a new love, the desire to be close to someone, and the rush of passion that comes from being intimate with someone you care about. The strobe light adds an element of whimsy that fits in perfectly with The B-52's's style.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's my telephone?
Asking for a phone to connect with someone.
"Is that you baby?"
Asking if they are talking to the desired person.
"Yeah"
Confirming that it is the desired person.
"Got something to tell you"
Eager to share some information or feelings.
"Oh, what?"
Curious about what information or feelings are about to be shared.
I want to see you tonight
Expressing a desire to spend time with the person.
I want you to walk in the door
Desiring the person to physically come inside and join them.
I want you to lay on the floor
Desiring intimate physical contact with the person on the floor.
'Cause tonight's the night
Highlighting the importance and specialness of this moment.
We make love, under a strobe light (strobe light, strobe light)
Desiring to make love while illuminated by a flashing light.
Underneath the strobe light
Literal reference to physically being under a flashing light.
Want to make love to you under the strobe light
Repeating the previous desire for emphasis.
Strobe light, woah-oh-oh
Pausing for musical effect as the chorus begins.
Pulsing light goes to my head!
Expressing the intensity of the flashing light's effect on one's senses.
Everything I see is red
Implying a dizzying and disorienting effect on vision from the flashing light.
Baby, when I kiss your hair
Addressing the person in an affectionate way.
I feel electricity in the air
Describing a feeling of intense passion and attraction.
I'm gonna kiss your eyes
Setting a physical and intimate scene.
Then I'm gonna kiss your neck
Continuing to describe an intimate experience.
Then I'm gonna kiss your tummy
Continuing to describe an intimate experience.
Then I'm gonna kiss your pineapple
Using a playful and unexpected phrase to describe further intimacy.
Tonight's the night
Reiterating the importance and specialness of the moment.
For love under the light
Referencing the desire to make love under the flashing strobe light.
I just want to make love to you
Asserting the central desire of the song.
Strobe light
Simplifying and emphasizing the importance of the flashing light.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: 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,........