On this day in music history: January 16, 1982 - We Got The Beat by The Go-Gos is released. Written by Charlotte Caffey, it is the biggest hit for the all female power pop/rock band from Los Angeles, CA. Formed in 1978, The Go-Gos will make their mark on the underground L.A. punk rock scene along with contemporaries like The Germs and X. However, they will not be able to attract the interest of any US record companies, feeling that they are too raw and unpolished to record. In the Spring of 1980, guitarist Jane Wiedlins friend Terry Hall of the ska band The Specials will invite them to come to the UK to play as a support act for his band. While in England, The Specials record label Stiff Records, liking the girls on stage presence and raw energy offer to record them. They will record We Got The Beat with producer Paul L. Wexler, written by guitarist and keyboardist Charlotte Caffey, one of the bands first self penned songs and an early live favorite. The original version is released as a single by Stiff in May of 1980, though it does not chart in the UK, it will help the band develop a following there. Back home in the US, the record will begin selling as an import and receives airplay on pioneering modern rock station KROQ in Los Angeles. The buzz created by that exposure will drive the single on to the Billboard Club Play chart where it peaks at #35. This will attract the attention IRS Records who sign The Go-Gos to recording contract. Paired with producer, songwriter and former Strangeloves member (I Want Candy) Richard Gotterher, The Go-Gos will re-record a more refined and polished version of We Got The Beat for their debut album Beauty And The Beat. Issued as the follow up to Our Lips Are Sealed, Beat is an immediate hit, streaking up the chart and spending 3 weeks at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April of 1982. The huge success of the single will drive the bands debut album to number one on the Top 200, and to multi-Platinum status. We Got The Beat will also be heard over the opening credits to the classic teen comedy Fast Times At Ridgemont High, also in the films Brimstone & Treacle and Romy And Michelles High School Reunion. The song is also covered by a number of artists over the years including the Chainsaw Kittens, Poison Idea, and the cast of Glee. We Got The Beat is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 00:00:10 +0000
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