Channel Z (song)

"Channel Z" is a song by American band the B-52's from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The song was the first single from Cosmic Thing but did not achieve as much success as the follow-ups "Love Shack" and "Roam". In 1990, the single was reissued with a new 12-inch mix after these two singles. Multiple renditions of the song were released, including the album version and a 7-inch single edit and remix, as well as a "rock mix" and a "rock dub" which were on a five-track CD single in the United States.[1]

"Channel Z"
Single by the B-52's
from the album Cosmic Thing
Released1989
StudioBearsville (Woodstock, New York)
Length4:49
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)The B-52's
Producer(s)Don Was
The B-52's singles chronology
"(Shake That) Cosmic Thing"
(1989)		 "Channel Z"
(1989)		 "Love Shack"
(1989)

Meaning

Fred Schneider told an interviewer in 2008 that the song was "probably our most straightforward political song up until then ... It was about the state of the country [at the time]. And who knew nearly 20 years later it'd be worse?"[2]

Critical reception

Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described it as "a fine song that effortlessly updated the classic B-52's sound", adding that "it made for a good single and still stands as one of their better songs of the era."[1]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Channel Z" topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in August 1989.[3] In Belgium, it reached the top 50, peaking at number 43 on the Ultratop chart.[4] The song peaked at number 61 on the UK Singles Chart following the 12-inch release in 1990.[5]

Music video

The song's music video features the B-52's playing on stage in front of an audience, along with clips of them running through a forest. It was shot outside of New York City according to the credits of The B-52's 1979–1989.

Charts
Chart (1989–1990) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] 43
UK Singles (OCC)[5] 61
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[3] 1

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States 1989 12-inch vinyl Reprise
United Kingdom August 6, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 [6]

See also

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Channel Z at AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  2. "Picks and Pans Review: Look Back the B-52s". People.com. April 14, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  3. "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  4. "The B-52's – Channel Z" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  6. "New Singles". Music Week. August 4, 1990. p. 27.
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