The B-52's "Mesopotamia"

[maxpower970]

Produced by David Byrne.

[sblizzy]

This is a classic....

[frizzlefrap]

like "roam" and "loveshack" the best. ....... especially the video of "roam"!!

[secondchapter]

I ain't no student, of ancient culture.

[rofflemows2]

reminds me of "Encyclopedia" XD

[cmode212]

I'll meet you by the 3rd pyramid,,,,come on now! :)

[blackpeter70]

I think it was either Francois K, or Heller and Farley who did a great remix of this track back in 2000.

[qofl]

6060812

[2tonsolid]

love the album

[L8EHayz]

Love, love, LOVE this song!!!!

[LanceHelmut]

the '52's get all intellectual....what a catalogue for a "party" band...cindy if you don't ever get yo man back  my address is....

[shnipintipin]

Vårt sociala studier läraren spelar den här låten när vi studerade Mesopotamien. Vår lärare är stor! :)

[sunnywitachance2000]

my social studies teacher played in class today.

[roddy76to86]

@sunnywitachance2000

Yet another one !

[davidls11]

@sunnywitachance2000 Cool teacher. I remember mine playing Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire."

[siouxsieandziggy]

I have always been in love with cindy Wilson!

[LegendaryStory]

lol, I remember listening to this song back in high-school, it's an odd song, but's pretty cool. It's kinda funny, the don't really go into any detail at all. XD

[bobbconner1]

I have some great HD live B52s on my channel...please visit.. since roddy wont post???

[roddy76to86]

@bobbconner1

I haven't got it to post. So everyone will have to visit your channel to view it !

[roddy76to86]

@bobbconner1

I've just noticed your video responses in my e-mail, but they aren't turning up in YouTube for some reason, or I would "post". There's probably some box in the guts of my channel that I'll have to look for to click or unclick. Other video responses (wanted or unwanted !) haven't turned up either.

[ROoooo80]

when is this album going to get the proper re-issue treatment, hopefully including all the David Byrne mixes..

[jessjess90016]

we listened 2 this song in social studies 2days ago...its catchy but kinda wierd song

[roddy76to86]

@jessjess90016

And another one ! The whole US education system is based on this one great song !

[SuperTrooper335]

My history teacher plays this every day so annoying.(TURN YOU WATCH BACK)

[roddy76to86]

@SuperTrooper335

Another one !



[dknjonz]

My goodness all of younger folks. You will love this music in the future....... This music is just to fun ......IamAnnMiller

[honeybozo]

before I talk I should read a book....

[bigblatino]

My all-time favorite B-52s song!

[juliepets2]

B-52s are amazing. I have all their albums. Real musicians. Sing it Fred!

[TheGreatToucan]

"6 or 8,000 years ago, they laid down the law.....One thing I do know, there's a lot of ruins in Mesopotamia".....how prescient.....Bush left the ruins of international law there for sure.

[TheGreatToucan]

6 or 8,000 years ago, they laid down the law.....One thing I do know, there's a lot of ruins in Mesopotamia.....how prescient.....Bush left the ruins of international law there for sure.

[itsmrthunderhead]

And here I thought that teachers bringin' out funky old music was cool. It's better than a boring, uninspired lecture.

My english teacher was the first person to introduce me to Frank Zappa.

Hoo-rah for cool teachers. Especially a P.E. teacher who likes the B-52s.

[jsbethke]

@itsmrthunderhead -- I'll second that hoo-rah.

[CityChicSinger]

Our history teacher made us listen to this song..... WE WERE ALL CRACKING UP!!!!! Worst song EVER!

[JuanOrtoux]

This song would be really great without Fred.

[DickMotorman]

It's a goddamn B-52's song who the fuck is really gonna complain about historical accuracy?

[theWWIIfanatic]

my P.E teacher plays this song all the fucking time in P.E.

[roddy76to86]

@theWWIIfanatic

Tell him it's meant for History classes.



[theWWIIfanatic]

@roddy76to86

well he plays in a band and loves this kind of music and it really pisses us all off. he also plays that "Tojo" song.

[roddy76to86]

@theWWIIfanatic

All I remember was my PE teachers shouting at us.

[theWWIIfanatic]

@roddy76to86

haha.

[dlucas7787]

@roddy76to86 and Kickin' ass

[TheReligionkills]

@theWWIIfanatic I understand. When you have to listen to music in scholl it automatically makes it uncool. But at least you didn't have to listen to Bob Seagars Old Time Rock n Roll in PE.

[donignacio2000]

@theWWIIfanatic I wish I heard songs like this in PE. I might have had a fond memory of that class, then.

[2011SummerRain]

I'll meet you by the brown pyramids ............ we'll meet in Mesopotamia Baby!

[ovicello61]

Poetic license. There were no pyramids in Mesopotamia, but who cares. I love the B-52's music. I've been listening to this song for about 29 years.

[Manchester7779]

@ovicello61 are you joking!!?

"Before you type you should read a book"

Your teachers would turn in their graves of course there are pyramids in Mesopotamia called Ziggurats

A ziggurat "to build on a raised area" is a temple tower of the ancient Mesopotamian valley and Iran, having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories.

[ovicello61]

@Manchester7779 I stand corrected. Thank you for that information. You learn something new everyday.

[arerooo]

I wonder if they know what Mesopotamia is?

It's the country of the Assyrians...

[roddy76to86]

@arerooo

Don't you mean "was" ?! But I feel sure they must have known at least some things about Mesopotamia before writing a song about it.

[Blackboilingrobotoil]

@arerooo The song is actually loosely accurate. Mesopotamia was actually more of region considered to be the "cradle of civilization" with the Assyrians being only one of many cultures that existed there. Another being Babylon where was written the "Code of Hammurabi" which is the oldest (surviving) codex's of law known to history. In Mesopotamia they, in fact, laid down the law.

[roddy76to86]

@Blackboilingrobotoil

The B-52's sure did their reseearch !

[hep2jive]

i love this! ugh though im so tired of people who are like im 17 and i listen to this...blah blah blah. half of the ppl saying that are prolly just pedos anyway. Ugh!

[soundboy3]

this song goes well with a good Cosmo and a bunch of friends.

[MrMrill]

"Before I talk, I should read a book" ------ Genius!

[ericbuchanan]

the ones who don't like this song got stood up at the 3rd pyramid!!!!!!!

[vtravier35]

I love this song been loving it since a child, not sure what or how to head bang but I blast this when I catch it on the radio or at home cleaning. love it bring back memories

[66kwc]

better than the aircraft and nicer too...with girls.......

[ClArissAxRaiNBoW]

I love this song so much. My daddy and I used to head bang to them lmao. B52's forever!

[xoxILoveCatsxox]

@ClArissAxRaiNBoW Lmao, how do you head-bang to their songs?

[ClArissAxRaiNBoW]

@xoxILoveCatsxox Lol well you know if you're having a good enough time you'll do anything. lol

[xoxILoveCatsxox]

@ClArissAxRaiNBoW Lol, nope, still can't do it, even when listening to their best songs. XD

[lecrew1]

this is just so original!! luve it,.

[duke5015]

@lecrew1 produced by david byrne

[roddy76to86]

@duke5015

Really ?

[randomsketchguy10]

this song sucks



[roddy76to86]

@randomsketchguy10

Don't listen to it then.

[wildswan66]

@randomsketchguy10 you suck!!!

[capnflukie]

@randomsketchguy10

hah, your comment is buried deeper than Mesopotamia...

[randomsketchguy10]

@capnflukie this song sucks

[roddy76to86]

@randomsketchguy10

Sucks what ?

[bigfinau]

Mesopotamia has gone to shite

[LadyKlife]

This song is one of the best examples of New Wave -- it took perfect vocal control and awareness of the beat to pull this off. 

[FlyingMindKiller]

after listening to this I should probably go read a book

[cptnwilliamread]

"This neat excavation is tricky business, what with all of the old laws here in these ruins. Better turn my watch back." *shit i didn't read that book*

[MissMesopotamia112]

GO MESOPOTAMIA!!!

[wittytee]

LOVE IT!!!

[starrynight633]

we got to listen to this in Ancient History because we are studying Mesopotamia.

[roddy76to86]

@starrynight633

Another one !

[echobravo97]

@starrynight633 same. haha

[roddy76to86]

@echobravo97

It's good to lighten things up in class for a bit. As long as you actually get some work done as well !

[WrathchildNH]

@starrynight633 did you notice there are a lot of ruins in Mesopotamia???

[roddy76to86]

@WrathchildNH

Dunno, never been there.

[sagster20]

@starrynight633

[QuantumBasis]

So funky, love this band. One of the best bands of all time. Wish we had more music like this now and days. Everyone I know that's seen them in concert said they're great live too

[uribe803]

Una de mis favoritas de este gran Grupo....me gusta tambien Fiesta sin Limites y Idaho privado ....los bailé mucho en los 80s y 90s

Saludos desde Lima-Perú

[Candiecane908]

My mom turned me on to this song...(I'm 16)...It's weird and I like it...

[ClArissAxRaiNBoW]

@Candiecane908 I'm 17 and I've been listening to them since forever. They're an great band.

[lilmsgothicprincess1]

@scbsebllbombdigity mine too

[Peeseful1]

@PumaDown @yutehoobfan2011 YES I just want to cosign about MOJO. He was such an innovator! He played everything! Back then it was just good music! It was not Black, White, Urban or whatever we all jammed to the same thing. He is definitely one of the reasons I have such eclectic taste in music today!

[PumaDown]

@Peeseful1 Exactly...he palyed everything from Prince to The Busboys to Ozone and we didn't see color...we just heard good music...which is what radio is lacking today

[molleraka]

@xyaqua You mean David Byrne

[lennymac100]

THIS IS A GREAT SONG N THE CLUB HIGH IN ACID.4 REAL

[madapplejack]

I want to meet Kate by the third pyramid...

[PumaDown]

The Electrifying Mojo use to play the B-52's all the time when I was growing up...5 stars all day long!!!

[krayf]

@PumaDown

Don't say damn, say woah

[krayf]

@PumaDown

Don't say damn, say woah

Infact make that a whammy woah

[yutehoobfan2011]

Mojo introduced me to the B-52's, Parliment Funkadelic, Prince and many others I had never heard before. He opened my eyes to music that was far outside the mainstream at the time, I miss Mojo and the mothership.

[yutehoobfan2011]

@PumaDown

Mojo introduced me to the B-52's, Parliment Funkadelic, Prince and many others that were outside the mainstream at the time. He opened my eyes to music I never new existed. I miss Mojo and the mothership.

[dannym6four]

Wow no wonder this was john lennons fav band. EARLY NERD ROCK!

[alcoholofamer]

love this song, but i like the original- other version better. esp. the drumbeats

[1997saltydog]

this song sounds so much better on my mp3 player

[preciousbash]

B's are so f'ing great! Soooo many fun awesome totally shake your tale feathers deeply funky grooves !!!

[corinne54]

I always loved this song. Great to hear it again - and sing and tap along with it too!

[colibri1]

As teenagers we thought the line, "Feel those vibrations. I know a neat excavation" was ridiculous and hilarious.

[roddy76to86]

@colibri1

My favourite: "But there's one thing that...I do know...there's a lot of ruins...in Mesopotamia".

But never mind just the lyrics, the whole song is f*cking brilliant !

[colibri1]

I had no idea history teachers were using this to teach ancient history! How cool! I remember when this song was new and on the radio. I wasn't sure what "they laid down the law" was referring to at the time, and then a few years later I learned that it's a reference to the Code of Hammurabi, the first known written laws of a civilization. Cool to have a song written about it.

[1997saltydog]

@colibri1 Mesopotamia is a part in the Middle East, I thinks its Iraq

[johnpeelfeel]

But there is one thing that i do now... ahaahaahahaahaaaahhhhaaahhhhhh­!

[MiracleFordLM]

I actually used to mix this with Jeopardy back in the day. It sounds like it would be a great match, but the way the mixes are constructed it was less than ideal. Now I should just do it digitally so I can make it really work.

[cowboybear40]

Early 52s is a required taste, we're talking pre Love Shack. THe reason why they are sounding like Talking HEads, David Burne produced their album MESOPOTAMIA. The 52s pre Love Shack days was their best years becxause they werent tryignt o make music tht would sell, they made classic new wave/post punk music

[WoodRatGirl]

@cowboybear40

David Byrne is awesome. Brian Eno was great with producing Devo's first album too.

[mooheiferghandi]

Someone needs to remix this with Greg Khin's "Jeopardy".

[TalkinBoutDaWayouts]

Yes notice the Talking Heads influence on this whole album this one of my favorites . Someone crank up Strobelight !

[clamourings]

We got to hear this in World History. :D

[roddy76to86]

Judging from other comments as well, this seems quite common !

[LoverMetal23]

Today we listened to the version by They might be giants , My teacher told me to look at this version ...

Im glad she did,

[MadeleineIV]

"Before I talk, I should read...a book!"

Hehehe. So crazy.

[jasmineej]

love it

[lummything]

haha we did the same for my world history class!! haha it was wierd she also had a power point for the song! like a music video i guess

[Connorr134]

I had to listen to this song in world history, hahah. my teacher was singing along too.

[Kittyslasher69]

YEAH DUDE!

I becha the whole class was rockin' to this!

[generationx1966]

I hope your teacher was at least somewhat cool otherwise (for me) it would have left a lasting impression that would have taken away from my enjoyment of this tune,to the point I might seek legal representation. j/k

[crunkaholic81]

@Connorr134 lol same here i go to goshen high school and my world history teacher played this song and was singin along to it her last name is diedrich

[TypeOneThoroughbred]

@Connorr134 do did i! my teacher was legit. haha he made our whole class sing along. lol

[Kittyslasher69]

Less annoying than love shack!

[roddy76to86]

That's just because "Love Shack" is the only B-52's song MTV ever play !

[Kittyslasher69]

Yeah, but this song is kinda a joke when you compare it to love shack!

[roddy76to86]

Well the B-52's are a bit of an acquired taste. Check out their earlier stuff, but NOT Rock Lobster.

[potorico1]

I'm ASSuME-ing ur being sarcastic?..........Rock lobster...and private idaho are on par with this .

I'm not trying to start something really,but i dont think they are an acquired taste......it really is jes good muzak...no genre needed..........just My O!

[RFB480]

@roddy76to86 why not? Rock lobster is a genius song.

[roddy76to86]

@RFB480

Perhaps I shouldn't have said that, because other people like it. But for some unknown reason I can stand the Rock Lobster !

[WoodRatGirl]

You can't help but want to get up and dance to this.

[roddy76to86]

Agreed.

But for me, I did when I was younger, but I think my dancing days are now over !

[WoodRatGirl]

Well, I'm 24 and I have two left feet lol.

[SoloRaven]

Great twist music! 10*

[odinson43]

damn what memories, i,m on planet claire

[potorico1]

i aint no student

[roddy76to86]

Nor am I.

[Kattelinka]

What year is this from?

[roddy76to86]

Well I've still got the vinyl LP copy would you believe, and it says 1981, which must be about when I bought it a long, long time ago.

But this version was uploaded from a CD re-release. However I now own a USB turntable, so I might scrap this one, and replace the song with glorious analogue from the vinyl album. If it's not too scratched...

[Kattelinka]

Oh wow, is it that old? Thank you so much for your reply:) And it would be great if u uploaded the vinyl version;)

[roddy76to86]

Well I've uploaded the vinyl version of "Loveland" from the same album, if your interested. With a disparaging comment about them "stealing" 2-3 minutes on the CD version !

[stretchmonster2]

God...I'm in HEAVEN whenever I hear Kate's singing voice.

[simonretyl]

i literally started dancing in my living room

[kvtar]

The used to rock this in the D back in the day.

[wlh1us]

still rocks in space, sound waves go on forever and ever

[potorico1]

HELL Yea this bumps in the D...lol....boss skaggs,cybertron,TomTomClub,Av­erageWhiteBand....thats right NO color barriers on good music

[wlh1us]

i am a student of foreign culture........

[rblwoaclu]

Six or eight thousand years ago

They laid down the law. Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haa

Six or eight thousand years ago

They laid down the law. Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haa

[rblwoaclu]

before i talk i should read a book.

[roddy76to86]

Judging by your profile you've already written one !

[rblwoaclu]

lol I cant take credit. Its not my work ;}

[wlh1us]

a different book this time, lol

[rblwoaclu]

ah but you see it has already been written this song lol

[wlh1us]

hehe

[mhap00]

Good one Roddy. I always liked this album, even though the rest of the world didn't (or was told not to...). My favouite track was Cake.

[zoot1944]

Man, this tune was like my theme song in college. My roommate and I wore down the grooves on this LP (remember LPs??)

[roddy76to86]

I've still got the LP ! Somewhere...

[rblwoaclu]

Ill meet you by the third pyramid :D

[roddy76to86]

Well I was going to say you nicked my owl, but I had another look and your one's fluffier with ears !

[PAPATRIC7788]

ty for digital audio

[flaming0moe]

sry i have notice of this vid but i have nothing to say about it...except 5* friend bonus :P

[roddy76to86]

Er...thank you my friend !!