"Our Lips Are Sealed" by The Go-Go's

Song#:  0725
Date:  08/29/1981
Debut:  90
Peak:  20
Weeks:  30
Genre:  Rock, New Wave



Pop Bits:  In the early rock era, all-female rock bands (not girl groups) were few and far between and it was a struggle for any of them to get some credibility. But there were some that made in-roads like Goldie and the Gingerbreads (the first signed to a major label in 1964), The Pleasure Seekers (featuring Suzi Quatro), and Fanny (the first to release an album on a major label in 1970). As influential as they and others like The Runaways were, all-female bands were just not having major success. And then in come The Go-Go's. Originally formed as a punk band on the L.A. club scene, they began mixing in more pop elements and their demo got the attention of I.R.S. Records. They got signed and their debut album "Beauty and the Beat" was released. This single was the first issued from the album and the song plus its video (an early MTV favorite) started to get major attention. Soon the LP would become a smash hit and also become the first album by an all-female band (playing their own instruments and writing their own songs) to reach #1 on the chart.

ReduxReview:  Oh I went ga-ga for The Go-Go's! I just loved the album from this opening track to the end. Their solid pop/new wave tunes were feisty and smart and I knew every lyric on the album. I think it still holds up today and is a classic, influential album of the era. I didn't fall hard for many artists, but I did for them and even created a big scrapbook of pictures, articles, etc. I think I still have it stored away somewhere.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Their success translated into a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1982.  2) This song was co-written by group member Jane Wiedlin and Terry Hall from The Specials when The Go-Go's were opening for that band. It was first recorded by The Go-Go's and in addition to its #20 US peak, it reached #47 in the UK. The following year, Hall left The Specials and started Fun Boy Three. They recorded a version of the song that hit #7 in the UK. However, it didn't reach the US chart.

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