Cindy Wilson of B52s Reflects on Hit Roam that Bookended 1989 & 1990 | Professor of Rock

In an exclusive interview Cindy Wilson a founding member and singer from legendary New Wave Act the B52s who dominated the end of the 80s tells us the story behind their biggest hit Roam next on Professor of Rock.

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1989-1990 was a special time for a pioneering new wave act that spent over a decade decade building a following. The B52s were more than due for a mainstream breakthrough as the 80s were wrapping up. They did just that with their multi-platinum melee Cosmic Thing. They conquered the charts with their third single off the record: Love Shack which we covered in a previous mini-documentary that you can see on our channel.

The Third time was the charm for the band, as the first two singles from Cosmic Thing Channel A and Shake Your Cosmic Thing stiffed on the charts, but Love Shack had the catchy undeniable dance beat and charm of the larger than life personalities of the vocalists Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Fred Schnieder

Love shack was arguably the summer jam of 1989, produced by the great Don Was, the song was a comeback for the band as their previous releases hadn’t resonated with a large audience. The band had been haunted by tragedy with the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson four years previous to the release of Love Shack and actually the band had agreed to part ways after their album Bouncing off the Satellites in 1986.

Although Love Shack is considered to be the band’s signature song, I’ve always been partial to 2 other tracks from Cosmic thing. Realistically the B52s next single was actually just as big of a hit as Love Shack. Roam went to the same #3 position on the billboard hot 100 and also went gold.

Although Love Shack is a cultural touchstone, one of the most played party songs ever, I believe Roam is the better song. We all have our preferences, and to be fair Roam is probably my favorite B52s song ever. With exquisite vocals by the cosmic blend of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, and although Fred is in the video he doesn’t sing or talk on the track. Roam was a hit worldwide as well hitting the top 10 in Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland and was nominated for a grammy.

Their last single from Cosmic Thing was the reflective and elegant Deadbeat Club. The band members wrote the song about their early days when they were hanging around in Cafe’s in Athens Georgia , they were given that name by their parents as they didn’t have jobs. They talk about real places in the area and actually the video to the song featured Athens other great band REM’s Michael stipe.

[ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What was the best post 80s New Wave song?

[kalena]

I was obsessed with Roam back then. Once, I called up my local radio station, exuberantly requesting it. The station ended up using my call-in request as the intro for the song! Nothing like that had happened to me before or since. Such good times, I'll never forget hearing my own voice on the radio. 😊

[thebouncinghearts]

Cindy and Kate's harmonies are always so imaginative, and perfectly executed.

[CInstallations]

This song represents one of my milestones...sitting on a bus travelling from ATL to Ft. Benning, GA, to begin infantry basic training in January 1990. Roam came on and it just hit me, made me feel free and grown-up, adventurous and brave. I have never forgotten that moment of transition.

[fifthof]

Roam always reminds me of being on holiday in South Africa with my late, best mate. Miss him.

[MyName-plzn]

The harmony on Roam is outstanding, always loved the B-52s "party music" but Roam came from a different place, it's so hopeful and about live your life to the fullest, definitely can see how this album was about keep going even when tragedy is happening in your life. Great interview professor, it's funny how many of these artists say "exactly " or " funny you should mention that"when you say what the song is about or the feeling it brings, great analysis.

[gulliblesbabbles]

I’m old enough to have been fortunate enough to see the B-52s perform live. A favorite concert memory along with the Ramones, Blondie and the Go-Gos. I was the perfect (college) age for 80s music and it remains the soundtrack to my life. Love to the B-52s. ❤❤❤

[RodCornholio]

Roam has a timeless quality...as if it could be a hit in any of the years between 1950 - 2150.

[spamwagon]

Cosmic Thing is an album that in my opinion is as close to perfection as any album ever. The B-52s are almost their own unique musical genre. Both Roam and Deadbeat Club can still bring a tear to my eye when I listen to them, the harmonies are just so beautiful. And, both Cindy and Kate sing notes so pure and steadfast, there is no hiding behind vibrato, either you hit the note and hold it... or you don't. Continuing to sing like that must be hard as they age, I've noticed a lot of aging singers try to bury bad pitch with vibrato. Not these girls.

[kodiakbearson]

The B 52's were one of those bands that had an uncanny way of making you bob your head or tap your foot wether you liked them or not. They definitely had their place in American music that eventually caught on world wide. Super cool interview professor. As always, clear, concise and informative. Great job as usual.

[kevincopenhaver]

The B52s had ( and have) such a profound effect on my life. Both Deadbeat Club and Roam bring me to tears of joy EVERY single time I listen to them. So much LOVE for this band!!!

[austinskaggs]

“give me back my man” is my favorite B52’s song. Her vocal delivery in that one is so passionate and just other-worldly.

[johnroos]

I was a little late to the 'Party', but I started with the B-52's in 1983. It was just great time to be alive!:) Semper Fidelis

[KowankoMusic]

I agree, the whole vibe of Cosmic Thing is tinged with melancholy - it's hopeful and joyous but it knows an era is ending. "Topaz" and "Follow Your Bliss" are literally like the 'closing credits' music of the 1980s. Just so beautiful.

[ronnsnow]

Keith Strickland doesn't get enough recognition as a musician. Even before Ricky's death, he had a hand in writing alot of the music.

[saltermellon]

Cindy’s speaking voice is so cool. I could listen her for hours

[dennisflax]

'Channel Z' got me to buy the album and I did not regret it. Loved the guitar in that track SO much.
'Roam' gives me the dialed-in, perfect 'nostalgia' vibes of a Summer that was close to perfection.
What a great album.

[badius]

Their voices were amazing in Topaz...my favorite song on the album.

[rjblaskiewicz]

"Deadbeat Club" makes me nostalgic for something I never had, which is a heck of a trick. I've come back to "Roam" and "Deadbeat Club" over and over in the last year. Actually, I heard the band a few years ago in Philly (my first B52's concert!) and going in I wondered if Cindy and Kate would still have those perfect harmonies, and...oh....my...god... they were superb. They lift each other's voices. During the pandemic, as I taught online, I'd warm up my classes with music videos. And students vibed real hard with "Rock Lobster" and scratched their heads bemusedly at "Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland." I explain that this is a band that's about having fun, and the students go with it.

[davidskidmore]

I love those songs too. "Deadbeat Club" to me has always been about the time in life, when you are in college, maybe you got a easy major, no stress, just friends and happenings, music, and life is magic.