Talk Show (The Go-Go's album)

Last updated
Talk Show
Talk show album cover.jpg
Studio album by
the Go-Go's
ReleasedMarch 19, 1984 (1984-03-19)
RecordedSpring–Fall 1983
Studio Genetic, England
Genre Pop rock, new wave
Length37:08
Label I.R.S.
Producer Martin Rushent
The Go-Go's chronology
Vacation
(1982)		Talk Show
(1984)		 Greatest
(1990)
Singles from Talk Show
  1. "Head over Heels" / "Good for Gone"
    Released: March 1984
  2. "Turn to You" / "I'm with You"
    Released: June 1984
  3. "Yes or No" / "Mercenary"
    Released: September 1984
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Robert Christgau A− [2]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Talk Show is the third studio album by the American rock band the Go-Go's, released on the I.R.S. label in 1984. Although some critics considered it an inspired return to form [3] after their second album Vacation , other than the No. 11 hit single "Head over Heels", [4] the album was a relative commercial disappointment, peaking at No. 18 [5] and selling fewer than 500,000 copies. This would be the last all-original album by the group until 2001's God Bless The Go-Go's .

Contents

The music video for the first single "Head over Heels" was directed by Douglas Brian Martin. The music video for the second single "Turn to You", which peaked at No. 32 in the US Billboard Hot 100, [4] featured a starring role for rising-star actor Rob Lowe; the song was written about baseball pitcher Bob Welch, a one-time boyfriend of Charlotte Caffey. The video director, Mary Lambert, went on to work on several other videos, including hits by Madonna, and on films, such as Pet Sematary . The music video for the album's third single, "Yes or No", was released shortly before the group's breakup was announced, possibly hurting the song's sales and chart performance (peaked at No. 84). [4]

The flip side of "Head over Heels", "Good for Gone", did not appear on the initial album release, but was included in some CD releases of Talk Show, and also appeared on The Go-Go's 1994 boxed set of rarities, singles, deep cuts and new songs, "Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's".

Conflict among the members of the Go-Go's during the recording of the album fractured the band, and they broke up shortly after completing their "Prime Time" tour to fulfill contractual obligations. Many of the songs on the album have not been performed by the Go-Go's in concert in any of the reunions of the band since the early 1990s. Only "Head over Heels" went on to consistently be a staple of the band's live shows and Belinda Carlisle's solo performances.

Jane Wiedlin confirmed in Alison Ellwood's 2020 documentary of the band that the recording of the song "Forget That Day" contributed to her leaving the band. Wiedlin had wanted to be the main vocalist on the track, which was very personal to her, only to be blocked from doing so by the rest of the band. "One of them said, 'What makes you think you're good enough to sing the song?,'" Wiedlin said in the documentary. Another point of contention was royalties; Wiedlin wrote most of the album and so expected to receive a larger share of the profits. However, a decision was made that the royalties would be divided evenly among the band, even to members who had not contributed much to the album. "And then I said, 'F–k you, I quit,'" she stated in the documentary.

In 2016, Edsel Records reissued remastered deluxe editions, all with bonus tracks, of the Go-Go's original three releases. [6]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Head over Heels" Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine 3:38
2."Turn to You"Caffey, Jane Wiedlin3:48
3."You Thought" Gina Schock, Valentine4:12
4."Beneath the Blue Sky"Valentine, Wiedlin3:00
5."Forget That Day"Wiedlin4:25
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."I'm the Only One"Valentine, Danny B. Harvey, Carlene Carter 3:29
7."Yes or No"Wiedlin, Ron Mael, Russell Mael 4:04
8."Capture the Light"Wiedlin3:15
9."I'm with You"Schock, Wiedlin3:37
10."Mercenary"Wiedlin, Valentine, Caffey3:40
CD edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Good for Gone"Schock, Valentine2:54

Personnel

Band members

Production

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Go-Go's</span> American rock band

The Go-Go's were an American all-female rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1978. Except for short periods when other musicians joined briefly, the band has had a relatively stable lineup consisting of Charlotte Caffey on lead guitar and keyboards, Belinda Carlisle on lead vocals, Gina Schock on drums, Kathy Valentine on bass, and Jane Wiedlin on rhythm guitar. They are widely considered the most successful all-female rock band of all time.

<i>Beauty and the Beat</i> (The Go-Gos album) 1981 studio album by The Go-Gos

Beauty and the Beat is the debut album from California new wave band the Go-Go's. Released July 14, 1981 on the I.R.S. Records label, the album reached number one on Billboard's Top LPs & Tape chart in March 1982, bolstered by its two big Hot 100 hit singles: "Our Lips Are Sealed" and "We Got the Beat", released in 1980, but in a different version. After a long and steady climb, Beauty and the Beat reached number one in the album chart dated March 6, 1982, the week before "We Got the Beat" entered the Top Ten of the Hot 100. The album stayed at the top for six consecutive weeks, and ranked second in Billboard's year-end Top 100 of 1982. The LP sold in excess of two million copies, and was RIAA-certified double platinum, qualifying it as one of the most successful debut albums of all time. Critically acclaimed, it has been described as one of the "cornerstone albums of American new wave".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belinda Carlisle</span> American singer (born 1958)

Belinda Jo Carlisle is an American singer and songwriter. She gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, the most successful all-female rock band of all time, and went on to have a prolific career as a solo artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlotte Caffey</span> American guitarist

Charlotte Irene Caffey is an American guitarist, best known for her work in the rock band the Go-Go's in the 1980s, including writing "We Got the Beat".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Go-Betweens</span> Australian rock band

The Go-Betweens were an Australian indie rock band formed in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1977. The band was co-founded and led by singer-songwriters and guitarists Robert Forster and Grant McLennan, who were its only constant members throughout its existence. Drummer Lindy Morrison joined the band in 1980, and its lineup would later expand to include bass guitarist Robert Vickers and multi-instrumentalist Amanda Brown. Vickers was replaced by John Willsteed in 1987, and the quintet lineup remained in place until the band split two years later. Forster and McLennan reformed the band in 2000 with a new lineup that did not include any previous personnel aside from them. McLennan died on 6 May 2006 of a heart attack and the Go-Betweens disbanded again. In 2010, a toll bridge in their native Brisbane was renamed the Go Between Bridge after them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jane Wiedlin</span> American musician

Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin is an American musician and singer, best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist of the new wave band The Go-Go's. She is also the drummer and backup vocalist of the rock band The Hex Girls. She also had a successful solo career.

<i>Vacation</i> (The Go-Gos album) 1982 studio album by the Go-Gos

Vacation is the second studio album by American rock band the Go-Go's, released on July 20, 1982, by I.R.S. Records. The album reached number eight on the Billboard 200, and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The title track reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathy Valentine</span> American guitarist and bassist

Kathryn Valentine is an American musician who is the bassist for the rock band the Go-Go's. She has maintained a career in music through songwriting, recording, performing and touring as well as additional academic and creative pursuits. Valentine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October 2021 as a member of The Go-Go's.

<i>Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich</i> 1989 debut album by Warrant

Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich is the debut studio album by American glam metal band Warrant, released in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lips Are Sealed</span> 1981 single by the Go-Gos

"Our Lips Are Sealed" is a song co-written by Jane Wiedlin, guitarist of the Go-Go's, and Terry Hall, singer of the Specials and Fun Boy Three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mad About You (Belinda Carlisle song)</span> 1986 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Mad About You" is the debut solo single by American singer Belinda Carlisle. It was written by Paula Jean Brown, James Whelan and Mitchel Young Evans, and produced by Michael Lloyd for Carlisle's debut solo album Belinda. The single was released in 1986 as a CD single, 7-inch single and a 12-inch single. It was her first hit after leaving the Go-Go's, peaking at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and at number one on the Canadian Singles Chart.

<i>Heaven on Earth</i> (Belinda Carlisle album) 1987 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Heaven on Earth is the second solo studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle. It was released on October 5, 1987, by MCA Records. Three singles reached the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, including the number-one single and Carlisle's signature song "Heaven Is a Place on Earth". The album has been certified triple Platinum in the United Kingdom and Platinum in many countries, including the United States.

<i>Belinda</i> (Belinda Carlisle album) 1986 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Belinda is the debut studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle. It was released on May 19, 1986 by I.R.S. Records. Carlisle began work on the album in 1985 following the breakup of the Go-Go's, for whom she was the lead singer. The album was supported by four singles, with lead single "Mad About You" peaking at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in Canada.

<i>Runaway Horses</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Runaway Horses is the third solo studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle, released on October 3, 1989, by MCA Records. The album features songs written by Rick Nowels, Ellen Shipley, Charlotte Caffey and a song co-written by Carlisle herself. The album contains an array of guest artists, including George Harrison and Bryan Adams.

<i>Real</i> (Belinda Carlisle album) 1993 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Real is the fifth studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle, released on September 29, 1993, by Virgin Records. The album has a genre of mainly pop songs written by Charlotte Caffey, Thomas Caffey, Ralph Schuckett and half co-written by Carlisle. It was the second Belinda Carlisle album where Rick Nowels had no writing or producing credits and was also Carlisle's first album where she contributed to the producing. The album cover was designed by Tom Dolan and is a departure for Carlisle, who presented a glamorous look on all her previous covers, choosing a "jeans and tee shirt" look instead this time without make-up. The album features a cover version of the Graces' song "Lay Down Your Arms". Former Germs guitarist Pat Smear, as well as Redd Kross members Jeff and Steve McDonald, and The Bangles' Vicki Peterson appear on the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Much More</span>

"How Much More" is a song written by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin that was first released as part of the Go-Go's debut single along with "We Got the Beat" in 1980. A re-recorded version was released on their 1981 debut album Beauty and the Beat.

<i>God Bless the Go-Gos</i> 2001 studio album by the Go-Gos

God Bless the Go-Go's is the fourth and final studio album by the American rock band the Go-Go's, released on May 15, 2001. It was their first studio album after a lengthy hiatus, and was released 17 years after the band's previous album Talk Show was released in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head over Heels (Go-Go's song)</span> 1984 single by The Go-Gos

"Head over Heels" is a song by the all-female pop rock/new wave band the Go-Go's, released in 1984 as the first single from their third studio album, Talk Show. The song was written by band members Charlotte Caffey and Kathy Valentine, and produced by English record producer Martin Rushent. The Go-Gos' rhythm guitarist Jane Wiedlin has cited "Head over Heels" as her favorite Go-Go's song, describing it as "just a classic. Like a little pop truffle of chocolate that's just completely delicious."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cool Places</span> 1983 single by Sparks and Jane Wiedlin

"Cool Places" is a 1983 new wave song recorded by American pop band Sparks in collaboration with the Go-Go's rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jane Wiedlin. It was their second single to enter the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yes or No (The Go-Go's song)</span> 1984 single by The Go-Gos

"Yes or No" is a song by the American rock band the Go-Go's, from their 1984 album Talk Show. The song was co-written by the Go-Go's guitarist Jane Wiedlin and Ron and Russell Mael of the Los Angeles band Sparks.

References

  1. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Go-Go's Talk Show review". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  2. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Album Reviews:Consumer Guide Reviews: Talk Show". Robert Christgau . Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  3. 1 2 Connelly, Christopher (12 April 1984). "Album Reviews: The Go-Go's - Talk Show". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 2 October 2007. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Talk Show Billboard Singles". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  5. 1 2 "Talk Show Billboard Albums". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  6. ↑ Sinclair, Paul (February 22, 2016). "All systems Go-Go's for deluxe reissues". Super Deluxe Edition. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 40, No. 13, June 02 1984". Library and Archives Canada. 2 June 1984. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  8. ↑ "Top Singles - Volume 40, No. 12, May 26, 1984". Library and Archives Canada. 26 May 1984. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  9. ↑ "Top Singles - Volume 40, No. 24, August 18, 1984". Library and Archives Canada. 18 August 1984. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.