Burning The Ground Exclusive
Wig! The B-52’s Let Their Hair Down
Some songs tell you to fit in. Then there are songs like “Wig” by The B-52’s that practically dare you to stand out.
Released as a single in the UK in 1987 from the album Bouncing Off the Satellites, “Wig” is one of the most gloriously offbeat entries in The B-52’s remarkable catalog. It may not have achieved the commercial heights of later hits like “Love Shack” or “Roam,” but for longtime fans, “Wig” remains an irresistible celebration of individuality, self-expression, and having the confidence to be exactly who you are.
And really, what could be more fitting for Pride Month than that?
By the time Bouncing Off the Satellites finally arrived in record stores, The B-52’s had endured unimaginable heartbreak. Original guitarist Ricky Wilson had passed away in October 1985 from complications related to AIDS. Devastated by the loss of their friend, bandmate, and creative force, the group chose not to tour in support of the album’s original U.S. release.
Instead, the record became something of a transitional chapter. It captured the final recordings created with Ricky’s unmistakable musical fingerprints while hinting at the resilience that would eventually propel the band into their next era.
“Wig” perfectly embodies the playful absurdity that made The B-52’s unlike anyone else. Built around a buoyant groove and punctuated by Fred Schneider’s unmistakable spoken declarations, the song encourages listeners to throw caution to the wind and embrace transformation.
Need confidence? Put on a wig.
Need an attitude adjustment? Put on a wig.
Need a little extra fabulousness? You know what to do.
Beneath the campy humor lies a surprisingly empowering message. Long before conversations about authenticity and chosen identity became commonplace, The B-52’s understood that fashion, performance, and self-invention could be acts of liberation. Whether it was teased hair, thrift store glamour, vintage dresses, or outrageous accessories, they championed the idea that identity could be joyful, fluid, and entirely your own.
The UK embraced “Wig” enough to send it into the Top 80, peaking at No. 79 on the singles chart. Released to coincide with the delayed British issue of Bouncing Off the Satellites, it allowed the band to reconnect with audiences overseas through television appearances and promotional performances. Although it was a modest chart success, the song developed a devoted following among fans who appreciated its eccentric charm.
Years later, the band rediscovered their affection for the track and began performing it live again, beginning in 2010. A live version would eventually appear on their concert album With The Wild Crowd! Live in Athens, GA, proving that even deep cuts can have a second life when audiences are finally ready to celebrate them.
The B-52’s always occupied a unique space in popular music. Emerging from Athens, Georgia, in the late 1970s, they blended new wave, surf rock, kitsch, dance music, and pure art school weirdness into something entirely their own. Their thrift store aesthetic and joyful embrace of the unconventional made them icons for generations of outsiders.
For LGBTQ+ listeners especially, The B-52’s represented possibility. They invited everyone onto the dance floor. Misfits were welcome. Individuality was encouraged. The stranger you were, the better.
So this Pride Month, if the world feels a little too serious, take a cue from Fred, Kate, Cindy, Keith, and Ricky.
Turn up the volume.
Strike a pose.
Adjust your attitude.
And if all else fails…
Put on a wig.
Whether you remember buying the 7-inch back in 1987 or are discovering this wonderfully weird gem for the first time, “Wig” remains a reminder that self-expression should be celebrated, joy should never be underestimated, and life is simply more fun when you’re not afraid to be a little outrageous.
SIDE A:
Wig 4:30
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Written-By – The B-52’s
Summer Of Love (Remix) 4:00
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Remix [Re-Mix], Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – C. Wilson, K. Pierson, K. Strickland, R. Wilson
SIDE B:
Song For A Future Generation 3:59
Producer – Steven Stanley
Written-By – The B-52’s
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | #79 | 1987 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label:Island Records – 12 BFT 2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: Jun 1987
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
- Design – Island Art
- Photography By – Mike Prior (2)
- Stylist [Styling] – Sue Venning
NOTES:
Track A2 Produced For – Mastermix Productions
But the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
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ANY B-52s is good for me, this one passed me by, so thank you!!
Thank you Paul. Hahaha , what a track. Wig Wig Wig Wig Wig. I never paid much attention to this song and you only really pay attention to some songs once you’ve gotten older. In any case, I had a lot of fun with this song. Have a fantastic weekend, all you BTG fanatics!
Toxicaudio, this comment had me laughing because I think that’s exactly the experience many of us have with “Wig.” Back in the day, it was easy to overlook it among all of The B-52’s bigger hits, but with a few more years and a little more appreciation for the band’s wonderfully odd sense of humor, songs like this reveal their charms. Before you know it, you’re walking around the house with “Wig! Wig! Wig! Wig! Wig!” stuck in your head and realizing just how much fun you’re having. I’m glad this one brought a smile and gave you a new… Read more »
Such a wild track with such a great cover! Love Shack was my “The B-52’s Gateway Drug” and this was always one of the wacky fun tracks I enjoyed… just so silly and effervescent. Great stuff!
Thank you for the luxurious week of picks Paul, I never would have guessed these selections!!
JP, “Love Shack” was the gateway drug for so many of us! Once The B-52’s pulled you in with that irresistible party atmosphere, it didn’t take long before you started exploring the deeper corners of their catalog and discovering wonderfully strange little gems like “Wig.” You’re absolutely right, it’s silly, effervescent, and completely unapologetic about it. The B-52’s had a gift for taking something delightfully absurd and turning it into three minutes of pure joy. Not every song has to change the world. Sometimes its job is simply to make you grin and chant “Wig! Wig! Wig!” long after the… Read more »
Much appreciated, love all of your B-52’s singles & EP’s rips, many thanks!
gnihtytterp, thank you so much for that. The B-52’s have always been one of those bands whose singles and EPs were worth tracking down because there always seemed to be an extra remix, alternate version, or quirky B-side waiting to be discovered. They’ve never done anything quite the conventional way, and that’s a big part of their charm. I’m really happy to hear you’ve enjoyed the transfers over the years. It’s comments like yours that remind me why I started sharing these records in the first place, preserving these mixes and giving fans a chance to revisit them or hear… Read more »
Awesome single! And many thanks for sharing these gems. Unfortunately, got some of the B-52’s posted only in RB — I missed the 24/96 versions at the time, but either way, they sound great!
Welcome back Paul!! (I know I’m a couple days late). This is completely new to me, but what a track! An unadulterated party and celebration wrapped up in 4:30! I love the Cosmic Thing album and this single is a great introduction to their Bouncing Off The Satellites. Big thank you Paul and shout out to Jeff and everyone else here! Have a great weekend everyone.
Retro Hound, better late than never, and thank you for the warm welcome back! It’s great to see you here. I love that this was a completely new discovery for you. That’s one of my favorite things about doing these posts. Even with a band as well known as The B-52’s, there are still plenty of hidden corners waiting to be explored. Like you, I know a lot of people came to them through Cosmic Thing. It was such a massive comeback album that it became the entry point for an entire generation of fans. Then you start digging a… Read more »
Thank you for this! I went to college at UGA in Athens, and we love us some B-52s here in Georgia!
Grant, that’s fantastic! There really is something special about having that hometown connection to a band like The B-52’s. Athens has such an incredible musical legacy, but The B-52’s helped put the city on the map for an entire generation of music fans. It’s hard to imagine the story of Athens music without Fred, Kate, Cindy, Keith, and Ricky right at the center of it. I can only imagine the pride of going to UGA and knowing that this wonderfully quirky group emerged from the same college town. Their influence stretched far beyond Georgia, but they never lost that uniquely… Read more »
Bouncing Off The Satellites is definitely an underrated album.
Jason, I couldn’t agree more. Bouncing Off The Satellites often gets overlooked, which is understandable when it’s sandwiched between the cult status of their early records and the massive commercial success of Cosmic Thing. But taken on its own terms, it’s a really rewarding album. There’s a bittersweet quality to it, knowing it was the final B-52’s album to feature Ricky Wilson’s contributions before his passing. Even through the sadness surrounding that period, the band never lost their sense of fun, wit, and individuality. Tracks like “Wig,” “Summer of Love,” and “Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland” show that wonderfully… Read more »
Terrific follow up to the Army of Lovers post, Paul! “Wig” by The B52s is one of my faves by them. To this day I’ll start singing randomly: “What’s that on your head?”,and Karen will answer, “A Wig!” We both laugh at the part where it sounds like a pig call: “Wig! Wig! Wig! Wig! Wig!” Oh, what fun! Thank you, Paul, for such a silly record! The other tracks are great too! Pretty cool about the Shep Pettibone edit also! Thanks for what looks to be a fabulous Pride Month! I hope you, Paul, have a great weekend! You… Read more »
While I was reading your post, this song was playing in the background, and I had to laugh out loud – at the exact same spot you described: “it sounds like a pig call: ‘Wig! Wig! Wig! Wig! Wig!'”. I wish you a nice weekend, too.
Jeff, I absolutely love this! The fact that you and Karen have turned “What’s that on your head?” into your own little call-and-response routine is exactly the kind of joy this song inspires. I can picture it now. “What’s that on your head?” “A Wig!” And then both of you dissolving into laughter as the inevitable chorus of “Wig! Wig! Wig! Wig! Wig!” follows. It’s wonderfully ridiculous, and that’s precisely why this song has endured with the fans who love it. The B-52’s understood that music didn’t always have to be serious to be meaningful. Sometimes the greatest gift a… Read more »
Thanks Jeff. I appreciate your kindness and wishing us a good weekend. I hope you and your family have a wonderful time. Hugs.
The B-52s, from the very beginning were a very unconventional band. They never denied their LGBTQ status, but I don’t think they needed to admit it either. To those who read between the lines, it was obvious. The general society in the late ’70s and ’80s, though, was not a positive place for those who were not heterosexual—this was especially true in the US. Many US labels pushed their gay artists to downplay their status to avoid negative commercial backlash. While I had heard “Rock Lobster” in high school at dances, the Bouncing Off the Satellites was my first deep… Read more »
SynthPapa, this is such a thoughtful perspective, and I think you’ve touched on an important part of what made The B-52’s so significant. You’re absolutely right that they emerged during a time when many LGBTQ+ artists were either encouraged, or outright pressured, to keep parts of themselves hidden for fear of damaging their commercial prospects. The landscape was very different then, particularly in the United States, where authenticity often came with professional and personal risk. What I always admired about The B-52’s was that they never seemed interested in molding themselves into what the industry expected. They created their own… Read more »