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Roam
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Roam
| cover = Roam.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = the B-52's
| album = Cosmic Thing
| B-side = Bushfire
| released = 1989
| recorded =
| studio = Skyline (New York City)
| genre =
| length =
* 4:54 (album version)
* 4:05 (single edit)
| label = Reprise
| writer =
* Kate Pierson
* Fred Schneider
* Keith Strickland
* Robert Waldrop
* Cindy Wilson
| producer = Nile Rodgers
| prev_title = Love Shack
| prev_year = 1989
| next_title = Deadbeat Club
| next_year = 1990
| misc =
}}
"'Roam'" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's. It was released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, 'Cosmic Thing' (1989), following "(Shake That) Cosmic Thing", "Channel Z", and "Love Shack". The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, making it the only vocal track on the album without any vocal involvement from Fred Schneider (although Schneider is heard singing "c'mon" near the end of the song).
"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 a total of 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".
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.
Track listings
'US maxi-CD single'
# "Roam" (7-inch remix) 5:11
# "Roam" (radio mix) 4:13
# "Roam" (12-inch remix) 8:17
# "Bushfire" (LP version) 4:56
# "Roam" (extended remix) 5:25
# "Roam" (instrumental) 5:27
'US and Australian 12-inch single'
:A1. "Roam" (extended remix) 5:27
:A2. "Roam" (instrumental) 5:25
:B1. "Roam" (12-inch remix) 8:17
:B2. "Bushfire" (LP version) 4:56
'US 7-inch and cassette single'
:A. "Roam" (edit) 4:05
:B. "Bushfire" (LP version) 4:56
'UK 7-inch, CD, and cassette single'
# "Roam" (edit)
# "Whammy Kiss" (live)
# "Dance This Mess Around" (live)
'UK 12-inch single'
:A1. "Roam" (radio mix) 4:13
:A2. "Roam" (12-inch remix) 8:17
:B1. "Roam" (12-inch extended mix) 5:25
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
Certifications
Cover versions
* The Chipettes covered the song in the 1991 Alvin and the Chipmunks album The Chipmunks Rock the House.
* A parody of the song and video, called "Comb," was a skit on 'Fast Forward' in 1990 as the B-52's began the Australian leg of their Cosmic Tour. The video, which poked fun at Pierson's and Wilson's bouffant wigs, starred Gina Riley, Jane Turner, Michael Veitch and Peter Moon as Kate, Cindy, Fred and Keith respectively.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/U-Q_94Ymdqo Ghostarchive] and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190902022100/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Q_94Ymdqo&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]:
* The song was performed by the cast of the 2002 stage version of 'Earth Girls Are Easy'.
* The Yayhoos covered the song on their 2006 album 'Put The Hammer Down'.
* Argentine female singer Marcela Morelo covered the song on her 2009 album 'Otro Plan' in a Spanish version.
* Caroline Sunshine covered the song for the soundtrack to the 2012 film 'Treasure Buddies'.
References
Category:1989 singles
Category:1989 songs
Category:1990 singles
Category:The B-52's songs
Category:Reprise Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Nile Rodgers
Category:Songs written by Cindy Wilson
Category:Songs written by Fred Schneider
Category:Songs written by Kate Pierson
Category:Songs written by Keith Strickland
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