Deadbeat Club Explained

Deadbeat Club
Cover:DeadbeatClub.jpg
Type:single
Artist:the B-52's
Album:Cosmic Thing
Released:January 1990
Length:4:45
Label:Reprise
Producer:Nile Rodgers
Prev Title:Roam
Prev Year:1989
Next Title:Good Stuff
Next Year:1992

"Deadbeat Club" is a song written and performed by American new wave band the B-52's. The song was released as the fifth and final single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989).

"Deadbeat Club" peaked at 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 21 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, No. 35 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart, and No. 73 on the Australian Singles Chart in 1990.

Background

The song is about the band's early days in Athens when they would hang around in cafes drinking coffee. Because they did not work or do anything, their parents nicknamed them "Deadbeats". Allen's, mentioned in the nostalgic song, was a real-life place in Athens, Georgia. Normaltown is a neighborhood of Athens.[1] The music video features R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe.

Tracklisting

CD and 12"
  1. "Deadbeat Club" – 4:48
  2. "Love Shack" – 5:20
  3. "B-52's Megamix" – 6:32

Charts

Chart (1990)Peak
position
Argentina (CAPIF)[2] 5
Australia (ARIA)[3] 73
US Cashbox Top 100[4] 27

Notes and References

  1. News: Hendrix. Steve. 2003-06-29. B-52's Athens, Ga.: All Rock, No Lobsters. en-US. Washington Post. 2020-11-24. 0190-8286.
  2. News: Las más populares. La Nación (Costa Rica). es. 5 February 2024. 2 July 1990. 32.
  3. Book: Ryan, Gavin. Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. 2011. Moonlight Publishing. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia.
  4. Web site: Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996. popmusichistory. August 26, 2023.