The B-52's – The B-52's

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Genre:	Rock
Style:	New Wave
Year:	1979

Tracklist

		Planet Claire	4:35
		52 Girls	3:34
		Dance This Mess Around	4:36
		Rock Lobster	6:49
		Lava	4:54
		There's A Moon In The Sky (Called The Moon)	4:54
		Hero Worship	4:07
		6060-842	2:48
		Downtown	2:57

Credits (11)

Sue Ab Surd
Art Direction
Keith Strickland
Drums, Percussion
Cass Rigby
Engineer [Assistant]
Ricky Wilson (3)
Guitar
La Verne (2)
Hair [Hairdos By]
George DuBose
Photography By

Notes

Also released in Germany as "Play Loud".
Sometimes also incorrectly referenced as "High Fidelity" due to the joke logo printed on the front cover.

The B-52's is an eponymous New Wave album by Athens, Georgia-based rock band The B-52's. The kitschy lyrics and mood, and the hook-laden harmonies helped establish a fanbase for the band, who would go on to release several chart-topping singles. The album cover was designed by Tony Wright (credited as Sue Ab Surd).

The B-52's peaked at number 59 on the Billboard 200 and "Rock Lobster" peaked at number 56 on the Hot 100. In 2003 the TV network VH1 named The B-52's the 99th greatest album of all time. Shortly before his death, John Lennon said he enjoyed the album. In his 1995 book The Alternative Music Almanac, Alan Cross placed the album in the #9 spot on the list of '10 Classic Alternative Albums'. In 2003 the album was ranked number 152 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Versions

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216 versions

Image	,	–			In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory	Version Details	Data Quality
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo	Island Records – ILPS 9580*, Island Records – ILPS 9580	UK	1979	UK — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, Don Mills Pressing	Warner Bros. Records – QBS 3355	Canada	1979	Canada — 1979
	The B-52's Cassette, Album	Warner Bros. Records – M5 3355	US	1979	US — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album	Island Records – 9123 048	France	1979	France — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, Los Angeles Pressing	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	US	1979	US — 1979
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo	Island Records – 200776	Netherlands	1979	Netherlands — 1979
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo	Island Records – ILPS 19580	Italy	1979	Italy — 1979
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo; 7", 45 RPM, Single	Island Records – ILPS 9580	UK	1979	UK — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, Club Edition	Island Records – 30 081 4	Germany	1979	Germany — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album	Island Records – ILS-81263	Japan	1979	Japan — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's Cassette, Album	Warner Bros. Records – M5 3355	Canada	1979	Canada — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album, Repress, Winchester Pressing	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	US	1979	US — 1979
	The B-52's LP, Album	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	New Zealand	1979	New Zealand — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album	Island Records – 5200 776	Portugal	1979	Portugal — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album	Island Records – ML 4360	South Africa	1979	South Africa — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo	Island Records – 14C 062-63015	Greece	1979	Greece — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's 8-Track Cartridge, Album	Warner Bros. Records – M8 3355	US	1979	US — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's 8-Track Cartridge, Album	Warner Bros. Records – M8 3355	US	1979	US — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	Australia	1979	Australia — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, White Label	Island Records – ILPS 9580	UK	1979	UK — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's Cassette, Album	Island Records – ICT 9580	UK	1979	UK — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo	Island Records – 5200 776	Portugal	1979	Portugal — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, Promo	Island Records – ILS-81263	Japan	1979	Japan — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo, Blue Label	Island Records – 9123 048	France	1979	France — 1979	Recently Edited
	Play Loud LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo	Island Records – 200 776, Island Records – 200 776-320	Germany	1979	Germany — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, Club Edition, Santa Maria, Columbia House	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	US	1979	US — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album, Misprint	Warner Bros. Records – QBS 3355	Canada	1979	Canada — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's Cassette, Album	Island Records – 7250 030	France	1979	France — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album, Label Variation	Island Records – ILPS 9580, Island Records – ILPS 9580*	UK	1979	UK — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album	Island Records – 200 776, Island Records – 200776	Scandinavia	1979	Scandinavia — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B 52's Cassette, Album, Stereo	Island Records – ZCI 9580	UK	1979	UK — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album, Jacksonville Pressing	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	US	1979	US — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album, Winchester Pressing	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	US	1979	US — 1979	Recently Edited
	The B-52's LP, Album	Warner Bros. Records – W-3929	Venezuela	1979	Venezuela — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album, Repress, Jacksonville Press	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	US	1979	US — 1979	New Submission
	Play Loud Cassette, Album	Island Records – 400 776, Island Records – 400 776-352	Germany	1979	Germany — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's Cassette, Album	Island Records – D 400776	Spain	1979	Spain — 1979	New Submission
	The B-52's LP, Album, Stereo	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	Philippines	1979	Philippines — 1979
	The B-52's LP, Album, Repress, Los Angeles Pressing	Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3355	US	1979	US — 1979	Recently Edited
	Play Loud LP, Album	Island Records – 200 776, Island Records – 200 776-320	Germany	1979	Germany — 1979	Recently Edited

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Reviews

h2odm Apr 14, 2025
referencing The B-52’s (LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue) RPD1 3355
This is the highest quality (best sounding) picture disc that I have, and the images are iconic.
Lawlerskates Apr 13, 2025
referencing The B-52’s (LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue) RPD1 3355
This is remarkably good. Sounds incredible on my system granted I have custom equalizers, but it’s really clean and crisp
Fabrice.e Mar 13, 2025
referencing Play Loud (CD, Album, Reissue) 250 776
File Name | Format | SR | Word Length | Max. TPL | LUFSi | DR (PMF) |

01-01 Planet Claire | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | -0.44 | -14.47 | 11 |
01-02 52 Girls | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | -1.61 | -15.69 | 13 |
01-03 Dance This Mess Around | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | -2.03 | -16.42 | 12 |
01-04 Rock Lobster | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | +0.06 | -14.68 | 12 |
01-05 Lava | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | -0.34 | -14.45 | 12 |
01-06 There's A Moon In The Sky (Called The Moon) | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | -0.77 | -15.91 | 14 |
01-07 Hero Worship | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | -0.32 | -13.73 | 12 |
01-08 6060-842 | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | -0.28 | -13.32 | 11 |
01-09 Downtown | .aiff | 44.1k | 16 | -3.85 | -18.06 | 12 |

Number of EP/Album Files: 9
Official EP/Album DR: 12
Gregrud Mar 8, 2025
referencing The B-52's (LP, Album, Don Mills Pressing) QBS 3355
Great soundstage, great bass and extended treble. Punchy and fun. Sounds amazing. Last copy you’ll need and can be found on the cheap. Highly recommended.
john-logsdon Feb 25, 2025
referencing The B-52's (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo) MOFI 1-004
I got mine cheap ($20) used, so it was worth it to have another. Weird thing though: labels are on the wrong sides.
BrandohCalrissian Jan 29, 2025
referencing The B-52's (LP, Album, Reissue, Repress) R1 3355
My copy sounds pretty damn good for the most part. But gawtdamn the IGD is baaad on the last track of both sides. Not like “I’m never listening to this again” bad. But definitely “damn… that kinda sucks. At least it’s only like a minute or two on both sides” bad. I’ve got far worse in my collection from records that were more expensive. I’ll take it.
Scrade Jan 20, 2025
referencing The B-52's (LP, Album, Reissue, Repress) R1 3355
Quite a good sounding pressing. A bit muddy in the midrange but nothing really terrible. It sounds quite fantastic all things considered, and it's quite cheap too
Blaine78 Jan 20, 2025
referencing The B-52's (LP, Album, Repress, Los Angeles) BSK 3355
Incredible sound. super punchy and dynamic. can't go wrong with this press!
mauswaffles Jan 4, 2025
referencing The B-52's (CD, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, BMG, SRC) 3355-2
I bought this on a whim from here for 2 bucks, in an order with a bunch of stuff i was initially more excited about, but now i feel dumb for having ignored this album so long. Best $2 I’ve ever spent. These songs on paper really shouldn’t work, but the contrast between Fred’s speak-singing and Kate and Cindy’s 60’s girl group melodies, plus Ricky’s guitar lines, really sell it. Dare I say this album deserves recognition among post-punk in the same sense as Unknown Pleasures, Chairs Missing and Entertainment!
Akilles2010 Nov 28, 2024
Edited 5 months ago
referencing The B-52's (LP, Album, Repress, Jacksonville Press) BSK 3355
This album is completely bonkers to a good effect.Weird arragements and playing.Planet claire says it all and what follows is weird to the extreme.Oh I love this record to bits.