"Channel Z" is a song by American band the B-52's from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The song was the first single from Cosmic Thing but did not achieve as much success as the follow-ups "Love Shack" and "Roam". In 1990, the single was reissued with a new 12-inch mix after these two singles. 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.[1]
"Channel Z" | ||||
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Single by the B-52's | ||||
from the album Cosmic Thing | ||||
Released | 1989 | |||
Studio | Bearsville (Woodstock, New York) | |||
Length | 4:49 | |||
Label | Reprise | |||
Songwriter(s) | The B-52's | |||
Producer(s) | Don Was | |||
The B-52's singles chronology | ||||
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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?"[2]
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."[1]
In the United States, "Channel Z" topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in August 1989.[3] In Belgium, it reached the top 50, peaking at number 43 on the Ultratop chart.[4] The song peaked at number 61 on the UK Singles Chart following the 12-inch release in 1990.[5]
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]
Chart (1989–1990) | Peak position |
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Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] | 43 |
UK Singles (OCC)[5] | 61 |
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[3] | 1 |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United States | 1989 | 12-inch vinyl | Reprise | |
United Kingdom | August 6, 1990 |
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