Every now and then I'd like to present a little something about the folks that have shaped me in some way, hence the title, 'It's all YOUR fault'.
Although I don't begrudge them their 90s success, I must say I never want to hear bloody 'Love Shack' ever again. I hates it. But the B52s in the their early prime had a massive impact on my 11 year old self. I wanted to go out in the world and meet people who looked like that. They opened up my eyes to a whole new world of camp glamour. The reason why it worked is because they approached everything they did with the utmost seriousness. I have a quote from Stuart Coupe's 'The New Rock'n'roll' (my bible as a teen) in which the B52s apparently deemed themselves "too fashionable" for much of the UK music press. I always admired them for that.
Last night my friend who shall remain The Silver Fox threw a lovely party. One of the reasons it was so nice was that my friends' kids are getting to the age where they join in with the grownups rather than sitting there sullenly with crossed arms. Some of them were cheeky buggers. One of them was labelling all the adults. I was 'The Dancin' Man'. Anyway, at one stage the first side of the B52s' yellow album came on and the kids watched bemused as the grownups all frugged, watusied and got down on the floor during 'Rock Lobster'. Some of them even joined in, even though it looked like it was some bizarre anthropological experiment for them. It was a great moment. Everyone in the room was being silly, regardless of age.
I think every child should see their parents dance like a loon at some stage.
Anyway, I figure this song fits quite well with the melancholy theme of the blog. I always thought that Cindy Wilson's voice had a very plaintive quality.
Best bit: WHY DON'T YOU DANCE WITH ME?! I'M NOT NO LIMBURGER!! and DO THE SHY TUNA!
This image is a detail from a record cover, artist unknown. The record is 'Hits for Honky Tonk' by Emil Stern and His Honky Tonk Piano.