Roam

"Roam"
Single by the B-52's
from the album Cosmic Thing
B-side"Bushfire"
Released1989
StudioSkyline (New York City)
GenrePop
Length
  • 4:54 (album version)
  • 4:05 (single edit)
LabelReprise
ComposerThe B-52's
LyricistRobert Waldrop
ProducerNile Rodgers
The B-52's singles chronology
"Love Shack"
(1989)		 "Roam"
(1989)		 "Deadbeat Club"
(1990)
Music video
"Roam" on YouTube

"Roam" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's released as the third single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. The B-52's worked with a co-writer, Robert Waldrop, who penned the lyrics. 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 remixes as well as live tracks recorded at Cleveland Music Hall.

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 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".

Music video

The music video for "Roam" was directed by Adam Bernstein and produced by Jonna Mattingly, with Zack Winestine serving as the director of photography. Filmed in New York City, the video contains plentiful animations and stock footage.

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Cosmic Thing album booklet.

Studios

Personnel

  • The B-52's – music
  • Robert Waldrop – lyrics
  • Sara Lee – bass guitar
  • Richard Hilton – keyboard, programming
  • Leroy Clouden – drums
  • Nile Rodgers – production, mixing
  • Budd Tunick – production management
  • Tom Durack – mixing, engineering
  • Ed Brooks – second engineering
  • Keith Freedman – second engineering
  • Paul Angelli – second engineering
  • Patrick Dillett – second engineering
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) Gold 35,000^
United States (RIAA) Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States 1989
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Reprise
Australia February 5, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
March 26, 1990 CD
Japan April 25, 1990 Mini-album (with "Love Shack")

Cover versions

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.

References

  1. ↑ Melchior, Al (April 6, 2024). "Remember When: The B-52s Improbably Became Bigger than Ever with 'Cosmic Thing'". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 7, 2024. Roam" was not typical B-52s fare. It's a straightforward pop song that relies more on its melodicism...
  2. ↑ Naftule, Ashley (August 13, 2019). "Seven Songs to Get You Into The B-52s". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Cosmic Thing (US CD album booklet). Reprise Records. 1989. W2 25854.
  4. 1 2 Roam (UK CD single liner notes). Reprise Records. 1990. W9827CD, 7599-21542-2.
  5. ↑ "Annual Grammy Nominations". United Press International. February 19, 1991. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Video Track". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 48. December 2, 1989. p. 48.
  7. ↑ Roam (US maxi-CD single disc notes). Reprise Records. 1989. 9 21441-2.
  8. ↑ Roam (US & Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Reprise Records. 1989. 0-21441, 9 21441-0.
  9. 1 2 "The B-52's – Roam". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  10. ↑ Roam (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Reprise Records. 1989. 7-22667.
  11. ↑ Roam (US cassette single cassette notes). Reprise Records. 1989. 9 22667-4, 4-22667.
  12. ↑ Roam (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Reprise Records. 1990. W 9827.
  13. ↑ Roam (UK cassette single sleeve). Reprise Records. 1990. W9827C.
  14. ↑ Roam (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Reprise Records. 1990. W9827T, 7599-21480-0.
  15. ↑ "Top Singles. Volume 51, Issue 20 (1990-03-31)". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Dance/Urban. Volume 51, Issue 20 (1990-03-31)". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 22. June 2, 1990. p. IV. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Roam | IRMA". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ Radio Luxembourg Singles. May 27, 1990.
  21. ↑ "The B-52's – Roam". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 2/6/1990 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  23. ↑ "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  24. ↑ "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  25. ↑ "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  26. ↑ "The B-52s 2 Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LIII, no. 34. March 17, 1990. p. 22. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  28. 1 2 "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart 1990 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report No. 50)". ARIA. Retrieved October 10, 2016 – via Imgur.
  29. ↑ "Top 100 Tracks of 1990". RPM. Retrieved May 14, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  30. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  31. ↑ "The Year in Music 1990: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-14.
  32. ↑ "The Year in Music 1990: Top Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-47.
  33. ↑ "Awards – Top 50 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LIV, no. 22. December 29, 1990. p. 9. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  34. ↑ "American single certifications – B-52 – Roam". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  35. ↑ "New Release Summary: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 4. February 4, 1990. p. 20.
  36. ↑ "New Release Summary: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 11. March 25, 1990. p. 19.
  37. ↑ "ラブ・シャック | The B-52's" [Love Shack | The B-52's] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Marriott Bonvoy Inspires Travelers to Discover the Unexpected as They Roam Around the World" (Press release). Bethesda, MD. 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  39. ↑ "Roam Around the World | Marriott Bonvoy" (video). youtube.com. Marriott Bonvoy. Apr 17, 2023. Cited information in the video's description
  40. ↑ "A Conversation with W Hotels Global Music Director, LP Giobbi | Marriott Bonvoy" (video). youtube.com. Marriott Bonvoy. Jul 31, 2023.Interview with LP Giobbi