52 Girls

Album: The B-52's (1979)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "52 Girls" is the second track on the band's debut album. The lyrics are simply a list of women's first names with the question, "Can you name 'em today?" And while the words won't send anyone to the mountaintop, the song is a great example of the unique sound the B-52s created, with a surf-rock rhythm generated by guitarist Ricky Wilson, and harmony lead vocals between Cindy Wilson (Ricky's younger sister) and Kate Pierson.
  • Only 25 names are listed in the lyric; the 52 relates to the band name, with the "52 girls" being Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. If you're looking for a song that really does mention the number of girls promised in the title, check out "88 Lines About 44 Women" by The Nails.
  • The B52s were five musically inclined friends from Athens, Georgia, a very artistic community. The group was very communal when they started, accepting contributions from many of their friends in the area. The lyric to "52 Girls" was written by one such friend: Jeremy Ayers, an artist who was a fixture in the Athens community. Ayers also helped out another burgeoning Athens band, R.E.M., contributing lyrics for their tracks "Windout" (1984) "Old Man Kensey" (1985).
  • Early on, this was a staple at B-52s concerts. Kate Pierson remembers playing it at the 1979 Valentine's Day party that was their first-ever show.

Comments: 3

  • AnonymousI read Tina Louise as one girl as that is the name of an actress from the 60s, famous for Gilligan’s Island.
  • Mark from EnglandThey are the names of some of the first ladies of America. Can you remember their names? No-one here did!!
  • Glen Veinot from Hammonds Plainsactually there are only 24 names, Kate is listed twice to make the correct beat.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.