We Got the Beat
| "We Got the Beat" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Picture sleeve for 1982 US vinyl single | ||||
| Singlebythe Go-Go's | ||||
| from the albumBeauty and the Beat | ||||
| B-side | "Can't Stop the World" | |||
| Released | AUS: July 19, 1981(original version) UK: July 27, 1981(original version) US: January 16, 1982(re-recorded version) | |||
| Recorded | 1980–1981 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:32 | |||
| Label | Stiff(1980),I.R.S.(1981, 1982),A&M(1982) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Charlotte Caffey | |||
| Producer(s) | Paul L. Wexler (original version) Richard Gottehrer,Rob Freeman(re-recorded version) | |||
| The Go-Go'ssingles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "We Got the Beat"onYouTube | ||||
"We Got the Beat"is a song by the Americanrockbandthe Go-Go's,written by the group's lead guitarist and keyboardistCharlotte Caffey.The band first recorded the song in 1980 for a single on UK-basedStiff Records,and later rerecorded it for their debut albumBeauty and the BeatonI.R.S. Records.The initial single release brought the Go-Go's underground credibility during their first UK tour and in the band's hometown ofLos Angeles.The first version reached No. 35 on the U.S.Hot Dance Club Playchart due to its popularity in clubs as an import, and the second version was a top 10 hit in both the United States and Canada. It is considered anew waveclassic hit, as well as being the Go-Go's'signature song.[2][1]The song was named one of "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll".[3]
Background, composition and release
[edit]"We Got the Beat" evolved in part out of the Go-Go's covering theSmokey Robinsonsong that served as the group's namesake:The Miracles' "Going to a Go Go"(1965).[4]Taking inspiration from that, and from the opening theme ofThe Twilight Zone,lead guitarist Charlotte Caffey wrote "We Got the Beat" and offered it to the band with hesitation, afraid that it would not bepunkenough 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 align the Go-Go's with the music that was being termed "new wave".
Go-Go's managerGinger Canzonerisecured a deal with British indie labelStiff Recordsto release the original version of "We Got the Beat" as a single, in support of the band's 1980 UK tour withMadnessandthe Specials.In the 2020 documentaryThe Go-Go's,Canzoneri recalled that Stiff Records had also wanted to secure publishing rights for "We Got the Beat" and its B-side, "How Much More" (both produced by Paul L. Wexler), but she declined, thinking it was important for the band to hold the publishing rights to their own songs.[5]
After the tumultuous UK tour, the Go-Go's returned home to Los Angeles and packed clubs when they performed, due to the single's popularity – leading them to finally sign a deal with newly establishedI.R.S. Records.The band headed to New York City to record their debut album at Pennylane Studio, where producerRichard Gottehreradvised 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 bars to the song's instrumental intro.
"We Got the Beat" led off the second side of the Go-Go's debut album,Beauty and the Beat,released in July 1981. It served as the album's second single in January 1982, now with another album track, "Can't Stop the World", on its B-side. Clocking in at2+1⁄2minutes, the second studio version of the song is recognizable by its drumming intro.[6]The song's lyrics mention various early 1960s dances such asthe Pony,the Watusi,andGo-Go dancing.
The song'smusic video,filmed at a live performance atPalos Verdes High SchoolinLos Angeleson December 4, 1981, received heavy airplay onMTVat the time.
The Go-Go's performed the song, along with "Vacation"and"Our Lips Are Sealed",during the 2021Rock and Roll Hall of FameInduction Ceremony.[7]
Reception
[edit]Cash Boxsaid "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 onStiff;punchy, to-the-pointpower-pop."[8]Billboardcalled it a "catchy rocker" that has "the same endearing charm" as "Our Lips Are Sealed."[9]
Chart performance
[edit]"We Got the Beat" became the Go-Go's biggest hit, spending three weeks at No. 2 on the U.S.BillboardHot 100,behindJoan Jett & the Blackhearts'"I Love Rock 'n Roll".It was during the song's time in the U.S. top 10 thatBeauty and the Beattopped the U.S.Billboard200.[10]
Weekly charts
[edit]| Chart (1981-1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USDance Club Songs(Billboard)[11] | 35 |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 29 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] | 3 |
| US (BillboardHot 100)[13] | 2 |
| USMainstream Rock(Billboard)[14] | 7 |
Year-end charts
[edit]| Year-end chart (1982) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[15] | 32 |
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[16] | 25 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[17] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[18] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Track listing
[edit]- UK 7 "Single (1980, Stiff Records)
- "We Got the Beat" (Caffey)
- "How Much More"(Caffey/Wiedlin)
- UK 7 "Single (1981, I.R.S. Records)
- "We Got the Beat" (Caffey)
- "Skidmarks on My Heart" (Caffey/Carlisle)
- US 7 "Single (1981, I.R.S. Records)
- "We Got the Beat" (Caffey) - 2:30
- "Can't Stop the World" (Valentine) - 3:22
Debby Ryan version
[edit]A cover of "We Got the Beat" was recorded in 2012 by American singer-songwriterDebby Ryanfrom thesoundtrackof the movieRadio Rebel.[19]It was produced byMatthew Gerrard,Ali Dee TheodoreandMatthew Tishler.[20]
A music video was released onDisney Channelon February 13, 2012.[21]The video was directed by Ryan and choreographed byAlyson Stoner.[22][23]
References
[edit]- ^ab"We Got the Beat - the Go-Go's | Song Info | AllMusic".AllMusic.
- ^"The Go-Go's Bring 'We Got the Beat' to 2016 Billboard Music Awards".Billboard.
- ^"Experience The Music: One Hit Wonders and The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum".Rockhall.com.Retrieved2011-04-13.
- ^BillboardJan 8, 1983
- ^Ellwood, Alison (director) (2020).The Go-Go's(film). United States: Showtime.
- ^The Drummer: 100 Years of Rhythmic Power and Inventionedited by Adam Budofsky, Michele Heusel, Michael Ray Dawson and Michael Parillo.
- ^Zaleski, Annie (October 30, 2021)."The Go-Go's Break Out Hits, 'Rock Star' Poses for Long Overdue Rock Hall Induction".Rolling Stone.
- ^"Single Review"(PDF).Cash Box.January 23, 1981. p. 9.RetrievedDecember 5,2021– via World Radio History.
- ^"Top Single Picks".Billboard.January 30, 1982. p. 75.Retrieved2023-01-21.
- ^"Billboard 200 - Week of March 6, 1982".March 6, 1982.Archivedfrom the original on June 21, 2023.
1 - Beauty And The Beat - Go-Go's
- ^"go-gos Chart History (Dance Club Songs)".Billboard.
- ^"Top RPM Singles: Issue 4342."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.
- ^"Billboard Hot 100 - Week of April 10, 1982".April 10, 1982.Archivedfrom the original on April 8, 2023.
2 - We Got The Beat - Go-Go's
- ^"go-gos Chart History (Mainstream Rock)".Billboard.
- ^"Top 100 Singles of 82 - Image 6167 - RPM Weekly".Library and Archives Canada.December 25, 1982.RetrievedDecember 11,2023.
- ^"Talent in Action: Top Pop Singles".Billboard.Vol. 94, no. 51. December 25, 1982. p. TIA-20.
- ^"Canadian single certifications – We Got the Beat".Music Canada.RetrievedAugust 3,2023.
- ^"American single certifications – We Got the Beat".Recording Industry Association of America.RetrievedAugust 3,2023.
- ^"Behind-the-Scenes of Debby Ryan's" We Got the Beat "with Alyson Stoner!".Sillykhan. 2012-10-23.Retrieved2012-10-31.
- ^"Original Soundtrack Radio Rebel".Allmusic. 2012-10-28.Retrieved2013-01-01.
- ^"Debby Ryan Premieres" We Got the Beat "Music Video!".Sillykhan. 2012-10-23.Retrieved2012-10-31.
- ^"Debby Ryan Makes Radio Rebel Announcements About" We Got The Beat "".Disney Dreaming. 2012-10-23.Retrieved2012-10-31.
- ^"Alyson Stoner Helps Debby Ryan With Her" We Got The Beat "Music Video".Disney Dreaming. 2012-10-23.Retrieved2012-10-31.
