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Channel Z (song)
1989 single by the B-52's From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"Channel Z" is a song by American band the B-52's from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989).
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Release
The song was the first single from Cosmic Thing but its success was limited. 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.[4]
In 1990, after the success of the follow-ups "Love Shack" and "Roam" the single was reissued with a new 12-inch mix.
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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?"[5]
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."[4]
Chart performance
In the United States, "Channel Z" topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in August 1989.[6] In Belgium, it reached the top 50, peaking at number 43 on the Ultratop chart.[7] The song peaked at number 61 on the UK Singles Chart following the 12-inch release in 1990.[8]
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.[citation needed]
Charts
Release history
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See also
References
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