Love Shack

"Love Shack" is a single by American new wave band The B-52's from their 1989 album Cosmic Thing. It was released on June 20, 1989, and was produced by Don Was. The song was a comeback for the band following their decline in popularity in the mid-1980s and the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson in 1985.[4]

"Love Shack"
Cover art for US editions
Single by The B-52's
from the album Cosmic Thing
B-side	"Channel Z"
Released	June 20, 1989[1]
Recorded	1988
Studio	Dreamland Recording Studios (West Hurley, New York)
Genre	Pop rock[2] dance-rock[3] new wave
Length	5:21 (album version) 4:15 (single edit)
Label	Reprise
Songwriter(s)	Kate Pierson Fred Schneider Keith Strickland Cindy Wilson
Producer(s)	Don Was
The B-52's singles chronology
"Channel Z" (1989) "Love Shack" (1989) "Roam" (1989)
Audio sample
file help
Music video
"Love Shack" on YouTube

"Love Shack" is considered the band's signature song and has been a concert staple since its release. Commercially, the single topped the charts in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 (becoming their first top-forty hit), and number five on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. It also became a top-twenty hit in Belgium and the Netherlands. Rolling Stone named "Love Shack" the best single of 1989[5] and ranked it 246th on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[6] The song was also named one of the 365 Songs of the Century in 2001.[7]

Background

The inspiration for the song was "a cabin around Athens, Georgia," with a tin roof, where the band conceived "Rock Lobster", a single from their debut album. The cabin was said to have been located off the Atlanta Highway near Athens. B-52's singer Kate Pierson lived in the cabin in the 1970s, and it burned down in December 2004.[8] Cindy Wilson's line "tin roof rusted" was originally an outtake from a jamming session, where Wilson continued her line while the tape had stopped.[9]

Critical reception

Matthew Hocter from Albumism noted the B-52s' "own unique brand of upbeat, lyrically positive and infectious dance grooves", like on "Love Shack".[10] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic described it as "an irresistible dance number with delightfully silly lyrics and hooks as big as a whale that unbelievably gave the group a long-awaited Top Ten hit."[11] The Daily Vault's Denise Henderson commented, "The celebration of life in dance and music is demonstrated by the repetitive chorus "Everybody's movin/everbody's groovin baby!" Well, when in doubt, dancing and drinking and having a little fun always worked for me!"[12] Music & Media said it is "the best track from the disappointing Cosmic Thing. Good clean fun from some of the US' most productive eccentrics."[13] David Giles from Music Week wrote, "The B-52's deserve a hit after their fine return to form last summer with the Cosmic Thing LP, but I'd be surprised if this is the track to do it." He added, "Like Party Out of Bounds, it tries to conjure up a wild, chaotic celebration, but unlike that particular track it is neither inventive nor melodic enough."[14] People noted "the wild abandon" of the song.[15]

Music video

The music video was directed by American film director, music video director and television director Adam Bernstein and shot at the home and studio of ceramic artists Philip Maberry and Scott Walker in Highland, New York.[16][17] The video features a cameo from a pre-fame RuPaul in his first mainstream appearance.[18] The video won the award for Best Group Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.

Commercial performance

The single was the band's biggest hit song as well as their first million-copy seller.[5] It was the band's first song to reach the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three in November 1989.[19] It also reached number five in Canada,[20] number two in the United Kingdom,[21] and number one in Australia (eight weeks),[1] Ireland (one week)[22] and New Zealand (four weeks),[23] as well as on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart (four weeks).[24]

Track listings

The single release contained different tracks in different countries of release. Some countries, including the United States, had singles backed with "Channel Z", while other releases included live versions of "Planet Claire" and "Rock Lobster" as the B-side. In 1999, the single was released again with a number of remixes, including one by DJ Tonka. Although the re-release did not chart in the United States, it did enter the UK Singles Chart.[25]

US 12-inch maxi-single[26] A1. "Love Shack" (12-inch remix) — 7:58 A2. "Love Shack" (12-inch instrumental) — 6:34 B1. "Love Shack" (12-inch mix) — 6:09 B2. "Love Shack" (Big Radio Mix) — 5:32 B3. "Channel Z" (12-inch Rock Mix) — 6:22 US maxi-single[27] "Love Shack" (12-inch remix) – 7:58 "Love Shack" (remix/edit) – 4:02 "Channel Z" (12-inch Rock Mix) – 6:22 "Love Shack" (12-inch mix) – 6:09 "Love Shack" (a cappella) – 3:54 "Love Shack" (Big Radio Mix) – 5:32 International 7-inch single[1] A. "Love Shack" (edit) – 4:15 B. "Channel Z" (LP version) – 4:49

Australian 12-inch single[28] A1. "Love Shack" (12-inch remix) – 7:58 A2. "Love Shack" (12-inch instrumental) – 6:34 A3. "Rock Lobster" (original version) – 6:49 B1. "Love Shack" (12-inch mix) – 6:09 B2. "Love Shack" (Big Radio Mix) – 5:32 B3. "Channel Z" (12-inch Rock Mix) – 6:22 Australian CD single[1] "Love Shack" – 4:18 "Planet Claire" (live) – 5:10 "Rock Lobster" (live) – 5:17 "Love Shack 99"[29] "Love Shack 99" (radio mix) – 4:39 "Love Shack" (DJ Tonka Remix) – 6:28 "Love Shack" (album version) – 5:21

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1989–1990) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[1] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[30] 12 Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[31] 9 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[20] 5 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[32] 8 Canada Retail Singles (RPM)[33] 3 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[34] 5 France (SNEP)[35] 42 Ireland (IRMA)[22] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 18 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 15 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[21] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 3 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[24] 1 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[38] 7 US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[39] 11 Love Shack 99 Chart (1999) Peak position Scotland (OCC)[40] 71 UK Singles (OCC)[25] 66

Year-end charts Chart (1989) Position Australia (ARIA)[41] 98 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[42] 76 US Billboard Hot 100[43] 47 Chart (1990) Position Australia (ARIA)[44] 10 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[45] 83 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[46] 24 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[47] 23 US Billboard Hot 100[48] 78 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[44] 2× Platinum 140,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Gold 400,000 United States (RIAA)[50] Gold 500,000^^ ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

In popular culture

• "Love Shack" was played in the third-season finale of Full House, where Stephanie danced to the song at the "We Love Our Children" telethon. The scene was also recreated by Jimmy Gibbler in the final season of Fuller House.[51]
• The song was covered in Glee's third season episode "Heart." The episode, broadcast on Valentines Day, used the song to close the show. The cover, primarily performed by Darren Criss and Chris Colfer, was cited as the highlight of the episode by several critics, and a "rousing" end to the episode.[52][53]
• The song was lip synced in 2016 on the television show Lip Sync Battle by American basketball player Shaquille O'Neal.[54] Because O'Neal commonly goes by the nickname Shaq, host LL Cool J pointed out that O'Neal was singing a "love song to himself."[54]

See also

• List of Billboard number-one alternative singles of the 1980s
• List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1980s
• List of number-one singles of 1990 (Ireland)
• List of number-one singles from the 1990s (New Zealand)

References

1. "Australian-charts.com – The B-52's – Love Shack". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
2. Wilkerson Daily Corporation, ed. (1990). The Hollywood Reporter, Volume 315, N° 1 to 17.
3. "B-52s". WOLX-FM. From groundbreaking songs like "Rock Lobster," ... to chart-topping hits like "Love Shack" ... the B-52s' unforgettable dance-rock tunes start a party every time their music begins.
4. Richie Unterberger, Samb Hicks, Jennifer Dempsey. Music USA: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides, 1989.
5. David Mansour, From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century. Andrews McNeel Publishing, 2005.
6. "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. April 2010.
7. Allen, Jamie (March 8, 2001). "Songs of the Century". CNN.
8. "B-52's 'Love Shack' burns down". Today. Associated Press. December 16, 2004.
9. Pevos, Edward (June 5, 2018). "The B-52s talk Michigan, 'Love Shack' and the origin of 'Tin Roof, Rusted'". Booth Newspapers.
10. Hocter, Matthew (June 24, 2019). "The B-52s' 'Cosmic Thing' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
11. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The B-52s – Cosmic Thing". AllMusic. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
12. Henderson, Denise (February 25, 1998). "Cosmic Thing – The B-52's". The Daily Vault. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
13. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. December 9, 1989. p. 12. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
14. Giles, David (February 24, 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 25. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
15. "Picks and Pans Review: Cosmic Thing". People. August 21, 1989. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
16. Pond, Steve (July 30, 2014). "Emmy Nominated Director's Strange Trip: From Sir-Mix-a-Lot's 'Baby Got Back' to 'Fargo'". TheWrap.
17. Steinberg, Claudia (May 1, 2003). "House Proud; Thrill Rides on the Color Wheel". The New York Times.
18. Parke, Lyndsey (March 30, 2017). "The B-52's' Fred Schneider on RuPaul's Pre-Fame 'Love Shack' Cameo: 'He Got the Line-Dance Going!'". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
19. "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
20. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6660." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
21. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
22. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Love Shack". Irish Singles Chart.
23. "Charts.nz – The B-52's – Love Shack". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
24. "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
25. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
26. "Love Shack" – US 12-inch maxi-single (Vinyl disc). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1989. 0-21318, 9 21318-0.CS1 maint: others (link)
27. "Love Shack" – US maxi-single (Liner notes, compact disc). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1989. 9 21318-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
28. "Love Shack" – Australian 12-inch single (Vinyl disc). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1989. 0.21410, 0-21410.CS1 maint: others (link)
29. "Love Shack 99" – UK & European CD single (CD sleeve). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1999. W0461CD, 9362 44575 2.CS1 maint: others (link)
30. "Ultratop.be – The B-52's – Love Shack" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
31. "Love Shack – B-52'S". VRT (in Dutch). Top30-2.radio2.be. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2013. Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 9
32. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 6683." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
33. "RPM 30 Retail Singles – December 16, 1989". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
34. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7 no. 13. March 31, 1990. p. IV. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
35. "Lescharts.com – The B-52's – Love Shack" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
36. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 51, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved July 14, 2019.
37. "Dutchcharts.nl – The B-52's – Love Shack" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
38. "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
39. "The B-52s Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
40. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
41. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – 1989". ARIA, via Imgur.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
42. "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
43. "Billboard Top 100 – 1989". Billboard. The Longbored Surfer.
44. "1990 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
45. "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7 no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. 60. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved January 15, 2020 – via American Radio History.
46. "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
47. "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. March 2, 1991. p. 41.
48. "Billboard Top 100 – 1990". Billboard. The Longbored Surfer.
49. "British single certifications – B-52's – Love Shack". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
50. "American single certifications – B-52's – Love Shack". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 14, 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
51. "Stephanie's dance to Love Shack Baby". YouTube. April 29, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
52. "Glee "Heart."". IMDb. February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
53. Chaney, Jen (February 14, 2012). "'Glee' by the musical numbers: Amber Riley sings Whitney Houston". The Washington Post. Katharine Weymouth. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
54. Emery, Debbie (June 2, 2016). "Shaq Turns into a 'Maniac,' Aisha Tyler Plays 'Basketball' in 'Lip Sync Battle' Showdown". The Wrap. Los Angeles: The Wrap News Inc. Retrieved April 8, 2020.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics