The B-52’s, Rock Lobster | Wacky Wednesday

In the second edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique song, “Rock Lobster,” performed by the new wave band, The B-52’s.

Do you know what day it is? It is Wednesday, folks! Do you know what that means? Why, it is Wacky Wednesday! In the spirited column Wacky Wednesday, we analyze, break down, and explore songs from various musicians of various genres that can be considered unique, unusual, or ‘wacky.’  These songs can be new or old; the only requirement is that they ‘catch the ears’ because of their distinctiveness.  So, with the background established, in the second edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique song, “Rock Lobster” performed by The B-52’s. Wacky Wednesday vibes commence!

“Alright, alright.” One of my favorite Panic! At The Disco songs is “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time”.  Besides the brilliant vocals of the handsome and talented Brendon Urie, the opening riff kicks ass and takes names.  There is good reason for this ‘ass-kicking’ and ‘name-taking.’ Urie samples the 1979 ambitious, wacky, and weird The B-52’s classic, “Rock Lobster”.  The B-52’s – Fred Schneider (1951 – ), Ricky Wilson (1953 – 1985), Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, and Keith Strickland – are arguably best known for their top-10 hits that would arrive a decade after “Lobster”: “Love Shack” and “Roam”.  However,  As odd as their debut single is, it impacted the pop charts, peaking at number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1980.  The high-energy, infectious song is the fourth track from the band’s self-titled, five-star debut. All members of the band contributed to writing the song.

“(Sca-do-ba-da) We were at a party (Eww) / (Sca-do-ba-da) His earlobe fell in the deep (Eww) / (Sca-do-ba-da) Someone reached in and grabbed it (Eww) / (Sca-do-ba-da) Was a rock lobster (Eww).” Oh, my! So, according to Fred Schneider, because his earlobe fell, a rock lobster grabbed it… Word! Beyond the electrifying opening riff, what makes “Rock Lobster” the sugar honey iced tea is its unique sound and outlandish songwriting.  Approaching fifty years later, what other song sounds like this new wave, dance-rock track? None – it is in a league of its own.  Of course, how many bands were writing and performing songs about a beach party where a crustacean is front and center? “(Ah-ah-ah-ah) Rock lobster!” The tone of the vocals on the “Eww(s)” adds to the charm.  The B-52’s fully invests in the rock lobster, who, by the third verse, “Was in a jam (Hoorah) / He’s in a giant clam (Hoorah).” Oh, snap! The wackiness doesn’t stop there, either.  “Red snappers snapping /… Mussels flexing (Hoorah) / Flippers flipping (Hoorah),” Fred sings, in the fifth verse.  The final verse provides contrasts both lyrically and musically. Among the boldest lines not related to lobsters is “Boys in bikinis / Girls in surfboards,” which is quite progressive and unexpected for the time.  The lyrics continue to be interesting with dogfish being “chased by catfish,” and “Here comes a bikini whale.” Bikini whale?  What better wacky song to listen to than “Rock Lobster”? The B-52’s ate on this one!

The B-52’s // The B-52’s // Warner // 1979

The B-52’s, Rock Lobster: Wacky Wednesday No. 2 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Warner; Rich The Barber Font from Font Space; Wendel Natan from Pexels; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]