"We Got the Beat" evolved from the group covering the Smokey Robinson song that served as the group's namesake: the Miracles' "Going to a Go-Go". Taking inspiration from that, and from the opening theme of The Twilight Zone, lead guitarist Charlotte Caffey wrote "We Got the Beat" and offered it to the band with hesitation, afraid that it would not be punk enough for the other members' tastes. When the rest of the Go-Go's heard the song, they loved it, and its incorporation into their set marked a stylistic change for the group as they moved away from punk rock and toward a more pop sensibility that would put the Go-Go's in with what was being termed "new wave". Go-Go's manager Ginger Canzoneri secured a deal with British indie label Stiff Records to release "We Got the Beat" as a single to support the band's UK tour with Madness and The Specials. Stiff Records had also wanted to secure publishing rights for "We Got the Beat" and its B-side, "How Much More", but Canzoneri declined, thinking it was important for the band to hold the publishing rights to their own songs.
After returning from a tumultuous UK tour, the Go-Go's returned to large crowds at clubs in Los Angeles, due to the single's popularity, leading them to a deal with newly established I.R.S. Records. The band headed to New York's Pennylane Studio to record their debut album where producer Richard Gottehrer advised the group to slow their songs down. "We Got the Beat" remained an exception to this advice, though the band lengthened it slightly by adding a few instrumental bars at the song's start.
"We Got the Beat" led off the second side of the Go-Go's debut album, Beauty and the Beat, released in July 1981, and served as the album's second single in January 1982, now with another album track, "Can't Stop The World", as its B-side. Clocking in at 2+1⁄2 minutes, the second studio version song is recognizable by its drumming intro. The lyrics mention various early 1960s dances such as the Pony, the Watusi, and Go-Go dancing.
The song's music video, filmed at a live performance at Palos Verdes High School in Los Angeles on December 4, 1981, received heavy airplay on MTV. It gained further exposure when it was used in the opening sequence of the Amy Heckerling-directed film Fast Times at Ridgemont High, released in August 1982.
The Go-Go's performed the song, along with "Vacation" and "Our Lips Are Sealed", during the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Cash Box said "The Grammy Awards-nominated Go-Go's continue on their winning ways with this new recording of the cut that started it all for the girls in 1980 as an English single on stiff, punchy, to-the-point power-pop." Billboard called it a "catchy rocker" that has "the same endearing charm" as "Our Lips Are Sealed."
"We Got the Beat" became the Go-Go's biggest hit, spending three weeks at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, behind Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'n Roll". It was during the song's time in the U.S. Top 10 that Beauty and the Beat topped the U.S. Billboard 200.
We Got the Beat
The Go-Go's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fall in line just watching all their feet
They don't know where they want to go
But they're walking in time
They got the beat
They got the beat
They got the beat
All the kids just getting out of school
They can't wait to hang out and be cool
Hang around 'til quarter after twelve
That's when they fall in line
They got the beat
They got the beat
Kids got the beat
Yeah, kids got the beat
Go-go music really makes us dance
Doing the pony puts us in a trance
The Watusi, just give us a chance
That's when we fall in line
'Cause we got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
Yeah, we got it!
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
Everybody get on your feet
We got the beat
We know you can dance to the beat
We got the beat
Jump back, get down
We got the beat
Round and round and round
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
We got the beat
"We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go's is a fun and infectious song with a message about youth culture and the power of music to unite people. The lyrics describe people walking down the street, falling in line, and moving together in time to the beat. They may not know where they are going, but they are united by the music and rhythm of their steps. The chorus repeats the phrase "We got the beat" and encourages everyone to dance and move to the music.
The second verse focuses on kids getting out of school and hanging out together. They wait until late at night to join the crowd and start moving in rhythm with each other. The bridge of the song adds to the upbeat party feeling with references to popular dance moves and a call to action for everyone to get on their feet and dance to the beat.
Overall, "We Got the Beat" is a rallying cry for anyone who loves music and wants to feel united with others through the power of rhythm and dance. The song celebrates youth culture, the joy of movement, and the unifying force of music.
Line by Line Meaning
See the people walking down the street
Observing people who are in motion towards an undefined destination
Fall in line just watching all their feet
Following the crowd without any clear direction and without thinking for themselves
They don't know where they want to go
Lacking a clear idea of their purpose or destination
But they're walking in time
Following the same pattern as everyone else, without questioning why
They got the beat
Everyone is in sync and following the rhythm
All the kids just getting out of school
Young people with a newfound sense of freedom
They can't wait to hang out and be cool
Socializing with their peers, trying to appear popular or trendy
Hang around 'til quarter after twelve
Staying out late, enjoying their newfound sense of independence
That's when they fall in line
Following the same pattern as everyone else by dancing to the music and conforming to social norms
Kids got the beat
Young people are enjoying the music and dancing to the rhythm
Go-go music really makes us dance
The upbeat tempo of the music is captivating and prompts people to move
Doing the pony puts us in a trance
The dance moves are hypnotic and put people in a state of trance-like euphoria
The Watusi, just give us a chance
People are eager to try different dance moves and participate in the fun
'Cause we got the beat
We are confident and empowered by the rhythm of the music
Everybody get on your feet
Encouraging everyone to join in and dance along
We know you can dance to the beat
Assurance that everyone can enjoy the music and participate in the dancing
Jump back, get down
A directive to let loose and enjoy the music
Round and round and round
The repetition of the music and dancing is hypnotic and energizing
We got the beat
Reiterating the empowering feeling of being in sync with the rhythm of the music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charlotte Caffey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DW11111
@@MM-gf5vm why specify gender?
Bonham
Peart
Rich
Mangini
and many others
She doesn't hold a candle to them on their worst days. Sorry but its true.
You sound like the butthurt feminists when John McEnroe said Serena was the best female player of all time. Why not just tennis player of all time? Because a male player ranked 206 decimated her playing like a 600 ranked player "just to keep it interesting". Same principle here. The drums in this song sound busy but its technically simple.
@wadekemmsies7180
Whoever came up with that bassline deserves a massive raise.
@richardroberson2564
The lead guitarist.
@Jestak
Charlotte Caffey wrote the song, so presumably she did.
@xPrincessPandora
Actually it was Margo Olavarria the original bassist of the go go’s and founding member with Elissa Bello the original drummer. The song was written by Caffey, Olavarria and Bello but as Olavarria and Bello we’re kicked out of the band all the credit went to Caffey
@hilaruisdancer255
Finally I found another fellow with that picture
@Jestak
@@xPrincessPandora What is your source for saying that Margot Olavarria and/or Elissa Bello were cowriters with Charlotte Caffey on "We Got the Beat?" I have seen multiple interviews with Margot about her days with the band--she never makes a claim to have written or co-written this song (she does claim to have contributed to "How Much More," though). I have never seen any claim that Elissa Bello did any songwriting at all. The 1980 single version of the song released by Stiff Records, which was made when Margot was still with the band, lists Charlotte as the sole songwriter.
@chrisshugart6189
How Belinda manages to dance in those heels is a talent unto itself.
@stuartomahony5364
Thanks for answering my question I loved her solo career but they were a good band too
@user-ty4tl8cn1q
Me too
@katherinewilson1853
Those heels were IN fashion. All the girls in fashion, everyone wore them.