All Time Favorite MusicThe Go-Go's | Celebrate The Go-Go's, the iconic all-female band that conquered the charts! Emerging from the L.A. punk scene, their infectious blend of new wave, power pop, and rock and roll defined the early 80s sound. Discover the trailblazers behind effervescent, unforgettable pop-rock classics.
All Time Favorite Music
Making waves starting around 1980, The Go-Go's brought a fresh, energetic mix of new wave and rock and roll to the forefront. Their chart-topping success broke barriers for all-female bands writing and playing their own music, delivering vibrant, catchy anthems that captured youthful exuberance.
Featured on The Go-Go's landmark debut album Beauty and the Beat (1981), "We Got the Beat" captured the vibrant energy of the burgeoning new wave scene. Written by guitarist Charlotte Caffey, this version combines rock and roll foundations with surf-inspired guitar riffs and irresistible power pop enthusiasm. Its instantly recognizable drum intro and Belinda Carlisle's effervescent vocals made it a signature song.
Although an earlier indie version existed, the re-recorded "We Got the Beat" released with Beauty and the Beat around July 08, 1981 (and as a major hit single in early 1982) propelled The Go-Go's to massive success. This new wave anthem helped make them the first chart-topping all-female band playing their own instruments and writing their songs, becoming an enduring rock and roll classic.
SONG MEANING: "We Got the Beat" is a pure celebration of the infectious power of music, rhythm, and dance. The lyrics depict people spontaneously falling into sync with a beat they hear ("See the people walking down the street / Fall in line just watchin' all their feet"), capturing the unifying joy and carefree energy found in music and movement.
Serving as the title track for The Go-Go's second studio album in 1982, "Vacation" successfully followed up their massive debut success. This quintessential new wave and power pop song delivered more of the band's signature elements: energetic rhythms, catchy guitar hooks, and Belinda Carlisle's distinctive lead vocals, all wrapped in a bright, accessible arrangement perfect for radio airplay.
Released as the lead single around June 02, 1982, "Vacation" quickly climbed into the Top 10, reaffirming The Go-Go's chart dominance. This upbeat power pop tune, contrasting its sunny sound with lyrics about inescapable thoughts, became a defining summer anthem of 1982. Its catchy chorus and new wave energy have made it an enduring 80s classic.
SONG MEANING: "Vacation" describes the experience of trying to take a break or get away from personal problems or a troubled relationship, only to find that one's thoughts and feelings follow them. The lyrics express the desire for escape ("Vacation, all I ever wanted / Vacation, had to get away") but also the realization that the mental escape isn't working ("Can't seem to get my mind off of you").
