"Roam" is a song by American
new wave band
the B-52's released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). 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. It is also the only track from the album in which the B-52's worked with a co-writer, Robert Waldrop, who penned the lyrics.[2] Released as a single in 1989, "Roam" peaked at number three on the US
Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.
Release
The "Roam" single was released with a variety of song's remixes as well as live tracks recorded at the
Cleveland Music Hall,
Cleveland,
Ohio on December 2, 1989.[3]
Reception
"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".[4]
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 Pierson, Wilson, Schneider, and Strickland, respectively.[31]
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.
In 2023 the
Bonvoy loyalty program for
Marriott International released a series of ads featuring re-recorded and remixed versions of the song as part of their "Roam Around the World" campaign. The songs were produced by W Hotels Global Music Director Leah Chisholm (aka LP Giobbi) and featured vocals by Amelia Rae.[33][34][35]
^
abRoam (UK CD single liner notes). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1990. W9827CD, 7599-21542-2.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^"Video Track". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 48. December 2, 1989. p. 48.
^Roam (US maxi-CD single disc notes). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1989. 9 21441-2.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Roam (US & Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1989. 0-21441, 9 21441-0.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Roam (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1989. 7-22667.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Roam (US cassette single cassette notes). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1989. 9 22667-4, 4-22667.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Roam (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1990. W 9827.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Roam (UK cassette single sleeve). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1990. W9827C.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Roam (UK 12-inch single sleeve). The B-52's. Reprise Records. 1990. W9827T, 7599-21480-0.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)