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Channel Z (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Channel Z"
Single by the B-52's
from the album Cosmic Thing
B-side"Junebug"
Released1989
StudioBearsville (Woodstock, New York)
Genre
Length4:49
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)The B-52's
Producer(s)Don Was
The B-52's singles chronology
"Wig"
(1987)
"Channel Z"
(1989)
"Love Shack"
(1989)

"Channel Z" is a song by American band the B-52's from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989).

Release

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The song was the first single from Cosmic Thing but its success was limited. Multiple renditions of the song were released, including the album version and a 7-inch single edit and remix, as well as a "rock mix" and a "rock dub" which were on a five-track CD single in the United States.[3]

In 1990, after the success of the follow-ups "Love Shack" and "Roam" the single was reissued with a new 12-inch mix.

Meaning

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Fred Schneider told an interviewer in 2008 that the song was "probably our most straightforward political song up until then ... It was about the state of the country [at the time]. And who knew nearly 20 years later it'd be worse?"[4]

Critical reception

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Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described it as "a fine song that effortlessly updated the classic B-52's sound", adding that "it made for a good single and still stands as one of their better songs of the era."[3]

Chart performance

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In the United States, "Channel Z" topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in August 1989.[5] In Belgium, it reached the top 50, peaking at number 43 on the Ultratop chart.[6] The song peaked at number 61 on the UK Singles Chart following the 12-inch release in 1990.[7]

Music video

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The song's music video features the B-52's playing on stage in front of an audience, along with clips of them running through a forest. It was shot outside of New York City according to the credits of The B-52's 1979–1989.[citation needed]

Charts

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Chart (1989–1990) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] 43
UK Singles (OCC)[7] 61
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[5] 1

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States 1989 12-inch vinyl Reprise
United Kingdom August 6, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. The B-52s - Cosmic Thing (1989): Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Naftule, Ashley (August 13, 2019). "Seven Songs to Get You Into The B-52s". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Channel Z at AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Look Back the B-52s". People.com. April 14, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "The B-52's – Channel Z" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  8. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. August 4, 1990. p. 27.