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We Got the Beat
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Wikipedia article
"'We Got the Beat'" is a song by the American rock band the Go-Go's, written by the group's lead guitarist and keyboardist Charlotte Caffey. The band first recorded the song in 1980 for a single on UK-based Stiff Records, and later rerecorded it for their debut album 'Beauty and the Beat' on I.R.S. Records. The initial single release brought the Go-Go's underground credibility during their first UK tour and in the band's hometown of Los Angeles. The first version reached No. 35 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart due to its popularity in clubs as an import, and the second version was a top 10 hit in both the United States and Canada. It is considered a new wave classic hit, as well as being the Go-Go's' signature song. The song was named one of "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll".
Background, composition and release
"We Got the Beat" evolved in part out of the group covering the Smokey Robinson song that served as the group's namesake: the Miracles' "Going to a Go Go" (1965).'Billboard' Jan 8, 1983 Taking inspiration from that, and from the opening theme of 'The Twilight Zone', lead guitarist Charlotte Caffey wrote "We Got the Beat" and offered it to the band with hesitation, afraid that it would not be punk enough for the other members' tastes. When rest of the Go-Go's heard the song, they loved it, and its incorporation into their set marked a stylistic change for the group as they moved away from punk rock and toward a more pop sensibility that would put the Go-Go's in with what was being termed "new wave". Go-Go's manager Ginger Canzoneri secured a deal with British indie label Stiff Records to release "We Got the Beat" as a single to support the band's UK tour with Madness and The Specials. Stiff Records had also wanted to secure publishing rights for "We Got the Beat" and its B-side, "How Much More", but Canzoneri declined, thinking it was important for the band to hold the publishing rights to their own songs.
After returning from a tumultuous UK tour, the Go-Go's returned to large crowds at clubs in Los Angeles, due to the single's popularity, leading them to a deal with newly established I.R.S. Records. The band headed to New York's Pennylane Studio to record their debut album where producer Richard Gottehrer advised the group to slow their songs down. "We Got the Beat" remained an exception to this advice, though the band lengthened it slightly by added a few instrumental bars at the song's start.
"We Got the Beat" led off the second side of the Go-Go's debut album, 'Beauty and the Beat', released in July 1981, and served as the album's second single in January 1982, now with another album track, "Can't Stop The World", as its B-side. Clocking in at minutes, the second studio version song is recognizable by its drumming intro.'The Drummer: 100 Years of Rhythmic Power and Invention' edited by Adam Budofsky, Michele Heusel, Michael Ray Dawson, Michael Parillo The song's lyrics mention various early 1960s dances such as the Pony, the Watusi, and Go-Go dancing.
The song's music video, filmed at a live performance at Palos Verdes High School in Los Angeles on December 4, 1981, received heavy airplay on MTV at the time. It gained further exposure when it was used in the opening sequence of the Amy Heckerling-directed film 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High', released in August 1982.
The Go-Go's performed the song, along with "Vacation" and "Our Lips Are Sealed", during the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Reception
'Cash Box magazine' said "The Grammy Awards-nominated Go-Go's continue on their winning ways with this new recording of the cut that started it all for the girls in 1980 as an English single on stiff, punchy, to-the-point power-pop."
Chart performance
"We Got the Beat" became the Go-Go's biggest hit, spending three weeks at No. 2 on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100, behind Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'n Roll". It was during the song's time in the U.S. top 10 that 'Beauty and the Beat' topped the U.S. 'Billboard' 200.
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Track listing
;UK 7" Single (1980, Stiff Records)
# "We Got the Beat" (Caffey)
# "How Much More" (Caffey/Wiedlin)
;UK 7" Single (1981, I.R.S. Records)
# "We Got the Beat" (Caffey)
# "Skidmarks on My Heart" (Caffey/Carlisle)
;US 7" Single (1981, I.R.S. Records)
# "We Got the Beat" (Caffey) - 2:30
# "Can't Stop the World" (Valentine) - 3:22
Debby Ryan version
A cover of "We Got the Beat" was recorded in 2012 by American singer-songwriter Debby Ryan.
It was produced by Matthew Gerrard, Ali Dee Theodore and Matthew Tishler.
In an interview with 'Shine On Media', Ryan commented on how she chose the song.
'We Got the Beat' has been one of my favorite songs for a long time. The song in itself and the vibe is all really really great. I kind of updated it a bit more, put it a little 2011. You hear some stutters and a couple things that are in pop music. We tried to stay really close, not only having old school live instrument grunge rock with a little bit of a 2012 dance beat.
Charlotte Caffey, composer of "We Got the Beat", also wrote Ryan's debut single, "We Ended Right".
Ryan's cover was released exclusively for radio premiere on February 11, 2012 on Radio Disney, premiered on February 18, 2012, and was released for digital download on February 21, 2012 as a promotional single only in the United States and Canada by Marvista Entertainment.
The song was included on the soundtrack of the movie 'Radio Rebel'.
Critical reception
This version of the song received mixed reviews from music critics. Anna Peel, speaking on'BSC Kids', commented: "I loved the original We Got The Beat but Im kind of lukewarm on Debby Ryans version. Debbys got a lot of talent, but I just cant get excited about this version".Music video
The music video was directed and produced by Ryan and choreographed by Alyson Stoner. In the video, Ryan and her friends dance in locations that include a wall with graffiti that reads "Who is Radio Rebel?". The music video for the single premiered on Disney Channel on February 13, 2012.Track listing
*;Digital download single#"We Got the Beat" 2:22
Release history
References
Category:1980 singles
Category:1982 singles
Category:The Go-Go's songs
Category:2012 singles
Category:Debby Ryan songs
Category:Songs written by Charlotte Caffey
Category:Song recordings produced by Richard Gottehrer
Category:1980 songs
Category:I.R.S. Records singles
Category:Stiff Records singles
Category:A&M Records singles
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