Roam Explained

Roam
Cover:Roam.jpg
Type:single
Artist:the B-52's
Album:Cosmic Thing
B-Side:Bushfire
Released:1989
Studio:Skyline (New York City)
Genre:Pop[1] [2]
Length:
  • 4:54 (album version)
  • 4:05 (single edit)
Label:Reprise
Composer:The B-52's
Lyricist:Robert Waldrop
Producer:Nile Rodgers
Prev Title:Love Shack
Prev Year:1989
Next Title:Deadbeat Club
Next Year:1990

"Roam" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. The B-52's worked with a co-writer, Robert Waldrop, who penned the lyrics. Released as a single in 1989, "Roam" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Release

The "Roam" single was released with a variety of song's remixes as well as live tracks recorded at Cleveland Music Hall.[3]

Reception

"Roam" became the band's second and final US top-10 hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1990 and spending 20 weeks on the chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in April 1990. Worldwide, the song became a top-10 success in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, peaking at numbers four, nine, and two, respectively. In February 1991, the B-52's were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Roam".[4]

Music video

The music video for "Roam" was directed by Adam Bernstein and produced by Jonna Mattingly, with Zack Winestine serving as the director of photography. Filmed in New York City, the video contains plentiful animations and stock footage.[5]

Track listings

US maxi-CD single[6]

  1. "Roam" (7-inch remix) – 5:11
  2. "Roam" (radio mix) – 4:13
  3. "Roam" (12-inch remix) – 8:17
  4. "Bushfire" (LP version) – 4:56
  5. "Roam" (extended remix) – 5:25
  6. "Roam" (instrumental) – 5:27

US and Australian 12-inch single[7]

A1. "Roam" (extended remix) – 5:27

A2. "Roam" (instrumental) – 5:25

B1. "Roam" (12-inch remix) – 8:17

B2. "Bushfire" (LP version) – 4:56US 7-inch and cassette single[8] [9]

A. "Roam" (edit) – 4:05

B. "Bushfire" (LP version) – 4:56

UK 7-inch, CD, and cassette single[10] [3] [11]

  1. "Roam" (edit)
  2. "Whammy Kiss" (live)
  3. "Dance This Mess Around" (live)

UK 12-inch single[12]

A1. "Roam" (radio mix) – 4:13

A2. "Roam" (12-inch remix) – 8:17

B1. "Roam" (12-inch extended mix) – 5:25

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Cosmic Thing album booklet.[13]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1989–1990)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14] 40
US Cash Box Top 100[15] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (1990)Position
Australia (ARIA)[16] 68
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[17] 45
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] 45
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 40
US Cash Box[20] 36

Cover versions

In 2023 the Bonvoy loyalty program for Marriott International released a series of ads featuring re-recorded and remixed versions of the song as part of their "Roam Around the World" campaign. The songs were produced by W Hotels Global music director Leah Chisholm (aka LP Giobbi) and featured vocals by Amelia Rae.[21] [22] [23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Al. Melchior. Remember When: The B-52s Improbably Became Bigger than Ever with 'Cosmic Thing'. American Songwriter. April 6, 2024. April 7, 2024 . Roam” was not typical B-52s fare. It’s a straightforward pop song that relies more on its melodicism....
  2. Web site: Naftule. Ashley. Seven Songs to Get You Into The B-52s. Phoenix New Times. August 13, 2019. October 19, 2024.
  3. Roam. The B-52's. 1990. UK CD single liner notes. Reprise Records. W9827CD, 7599-21542-2.
  4. Web site: Annual Grammy Nominations. United Press International. February 19, 1991. September 16, 2020.
  5. Video Track. Billboard. 101. 48. 48. December 2, 1989.
  6. Roam. The B-52's. 1989. US maxi-CD single disc notes. Reprise Records. 9 21441-2.
  7. Roam. The B-52's. 1989. US & Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc. Reprise Records. 0-21441, 9 21441-0.
  8. Roam. The B-52's. 1989. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Reprise Records. 7-22667.
  9. Roam. The B-52's. 1989. US cassette single cassette notes. Reprise Records. 9 22667-4, 4-22667.
  10. Roam. The B-52's. 1990. UK 7-inch single sleeve. Reprise Records. W 9827.
  11. Roam. The B-52's. 1990. UK cassette single sleeve. Reprise Records. W9827C.
  12. Roam. The B-52's. 1990. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Reprise Records. W9827T, 7599-21480-0.
  13. Cosmic Thing . Cosmic Thing . 1989 . US CD album booklet . . W2 25854.
  14. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 7. 22. IV. June 2, 1990. July 5, 2020.
  15. Top 100 Singles. Cash Box. LIII. 34. 22. March 17, 1990. September 16, 2020.
  16. Web site: The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart 1990 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report No. 50). ARIA. Imgur. October 10, 2016.
  17. Top 100 Tracks of 1990. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. May 14, 2018.
  18. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 1990. Recorded Music NZ. May 20, 2015.
  19. 1990 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles. Billboard. 102. 51. YE-14. December 22, 1990.
  20. Awards – Top 50 Pop Singles. Cash Box. LIV. 22. 9. December 29, 1990. September 16, 2020.
  21. . Marriott Bonvoy Inspires Travelers to Discover the Unexpected as They Roam Around the World . Bethesda, MD . 2023-04-17 . 2024-04-11.
  22. Web site: Roam Around the World Marriott Bonvoy . youtube.com . . en . video . Apr 17, 2023. Cited information in the video's description
  23. Web site: A Conversation with W Hotels Global Music Director, LP Giobbi Marriott Bonvoy . youtube.com . . en . video . Jul 31, 2023. Interview with LP Giobbi

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Roam".

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