BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1978
“Rock Lobster” is a song written by Fred Schneider and Ricky Wilson, two members of The B-52’s. It was produced in two versions, one by DB Records released in 1978, and a longer version, which was part of the band’s 1979 self-titled debut album, released by Warner Bros. The song became one of their signature tunes and it helped launch the band’s success.
“Rock Lobster” was the band’s first single to appear on Billboard Hot 100, where it reached No. 56. A major hit in Canada, the single went all the way to No. 1 in the RPM national singles chart. Its follow-up was “Private Idaho,” in October 1980, which reached No. 74 in the US. It was well received by critics and was placed at No. 147 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
SIDE A:
Rock Lobster 4:38
Written-By – Schneider*, Wilson*
SIDE B:
52 – Girls 3:23
Written-By – Ayers*, Wilson*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979/80 | Rock Lobster | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #56 |
| 1979/80 | Rock Lobster | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #24 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: DB Recs – DB-52
Format: Vinyl, 7″, Single, 45 RPM, Yellow logo
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave
CREDITS:
Engineer – Bruce Baxter
Photography By – Ann States
Producer – B-52’s*, Kevin Dunn
NOTES:
Recorded at Mountain Studios, Atlanta, February 1978
Find the 7″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
What an amazing post! I am new to the site so I’m a bit like a kid in a sweeet shop at the mo. I knew of this version but hadn’t heard it in years so thanks very much for making it possible to actually have a copy. I’m sure you’ve already posted “Love Shack” long ago but if so I live in hope of it returning to the site one day. Keep up the great work and I look forward to the next intriguing instalment.
Thanks
John
Thank you very much, sir.
Totally awesome!
Sounds fabulous. I love it.
quite different
Sweeeeet! Love the original video as well. Thanks Paul.
Thank you both Paul and the person who donated for this rarity. I wish it wasn’t so expensive to post records to the U.S. from Oz as I have a load of 12″ singles that sound terrible when I rip them. Oh well I’ll keep trying and if I get it right maybe Paul could put my blog on a side bar. Will keep you informed.
Look forward to that. And thanks it was not only a pleasure in suggesting this and being part of it but for Paul to give me the bonus of re-upping ‘GFIGTG’ in a new rip followed by ‘Summer of love’ taking the toll of working B-52’s links from 0 to 3 in just 3 days on this blog is awesome.
Great find Paul! I recently got the B-52’s (almost) entire catalog at HD Tracks and this was not among them. I didn’t even though this existed. Big thanks.
Thanks so much for your hard work on this. What a treat!
Great to hear the indie versions of these tracks in such wonderful quality. Thank you!
OMG, thank you so much for this!
Great rarity! Thanks Paul.
Thanks Paul.
This was the first version of “Rock Lobster” I ever heard, on the Dr. Demento show of all places. I was disappointed with the slowed-down album version, which I always thought lost in excitement what it might have gained in production values. When REM put the original single of “Radio Free Europe” on one of their comps I hoped The B-52’s would follow suit, but as far as I know it’s never happened.
I been secretly hoping that this would appear here some day…thank you so much for doing this one!
What a great surprise! I’ve always wanted to hear this version. Thank you SO much.
My pleasure VanceMan 🙂
Paul you rocks!!! Good choice my friend , any chance to Legal tender 12″????? All the best
All I have seen is a 12″ promo are their remixes?
Don’t see any remixes on discogs. Peru / Mexico feature alt names in native language but i’m guessing they aren’t recorded in another language though. 12″ promo is here http://www.discogs.com/B-52s-Legal-Tender/release/661746 I’ve checked the track lengths and all are the same as the album versions (Whammy!) so i personally see no point in riping this as there are many other B-52’s pieces of vinyl that have exclusive tracks / mixes
Thanks. Love the B’s
you’re welcome David 🙂
Wow, they really reworked this one a lot when they re-recorded it for the debut album, didn’t they… The tempo is so much faster than the original that if I didn’t know better, I’d almost suspect this of being a 33 being played at 45; and Fred Schneider sounds like someone slipped him a tranquilizer before the recording session, compared to his manic delivery on the album version. 😀
yeah completely transformed 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
you’re welcome Tyson 🙂
Paul! These original versions are amazing! I did not know of these before and they’re both treasure! As are you for sharing these. 🙂 Thank you so much! OMG
You’re very welcome Marty 🙂
Thank you so very much for this! I’m a lifelong huge B’s fan and am so happy to finally have an impeccable copy of this recording. I echo the wishes of one of the above posters–I have followed your site for years and would be overjoyed if “Girl From Ipanema Goes To Greenland” is posted again! 🙂 Thank you so much for all your hard work! I’m dancing in my living room to this post!
You’re welcome Stephen. Have fun!
Thank you so much, Paul!
You’re welcome Antbee 🙂
Wow, the original Rock Lobster. So unshellfish of you to share this one with us. Total Awesomeness! You Rock.
Thank you Joey 🙂
Looking forward to hearing this version
Thank you, Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
THanks Paul! I didn’t know there were 2…
You’re welcome JTF 🙂
I certainly echo NKelly’s statement above Paul. So many times we await rarities to be released, but nobody, save you and MAYBE, a small amount of others care what the finished product sounds like. I am so happy that you are out there, with all of your talents and caring to bring these out to fans and collectors. I am humbled once again by your enthusiasm and generosity. THANK YOU Paul.
Humbled,
Jeff
You’re very welcome Jeff I enjoyed working on this track. Sad that these versions have been neglected for so long 🙂
Thank you Jeff. Now this post has died down (with 33 comments no less) i’d just like at add that i suggested and contributed to this post by Paul. It was a huge omission in their catalogue and one that is becoming ever-increasingly unlikely to be rectified. I also contributed to the Level 42 Micro Kid post as the best mix bar none (UK 12″) was the only mix not available on CD (this unbelievably included the 2014 deluxe of ‘Standing in the light’ with no fewer than 6 other mixes of said track). I have a few more ideas… Read more »
Thank You NKelly for your excellent contribution to Paul’s blog. I get so fired up when it comes to the knowledge and/or contributions of his readers. Every time you post, I always know there will be some valuable information included in the response. It’s so important, and dare I say it: VITAL, that we fans/music lovers/audiophiles do all that we can to help Paul out. The donations are so important as also the contributions of near mint vinyl. I love giving back, especially to someone like DjPaulT who is such a beautiful soul. And the atmosphere on Burning The Ground… Read more »
Thanks Jeff. Yes we can all make a little difference here and do what those record companies fail to do. Thanks Paul, for that. It wasn’t my place to put it like that so i thought i’d leave that part to the imagination. BTW i’m no expert but in reply to a previous comment at the top i’m sure from everyone’s comments through the years, your RIP is bound to have done the tracks justice. I wish i had the time, inclination and money to have such great equipment as yourself to be able to rip my entire collection of… Read more »
How did you contribute NKelly?
#1Fan it went down like this. I didn’t have the record so NKelly donated I bought it and ripped it and here it is 🙂
Thank you, Neil and Paul! Too cool!
Awesome! It arrived quickly then. A HUGE omission / void in The B-52’s catalogue of material has finally been filled 37 years too late but at least it’s finally done. Thanks so much i will treasure this i have a rip on a bootleg CD but i know you’re rip will trounce the other one and become the definitive one as i cannot see a time The B-52’s will commit this version to CD. Even then there’s a very high chance it will not be done as good as you have done it.
You’re welcome Neil I really hope that I did the track justice. Enjoy mate 🙂
Thanks Paul, i will / am! I meant to ask some time ago if you do get time could you possibly update the other The B-52’s post as it’s down. Looking for it it’s gone AWOL lol? Don’t understand that maybe you’ve already deleted it for replacement tomorrow. Think it was Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland if i remember correctly
I took that one down Neil until I have a chance to work on it again.