The Beachland Ballroom

Album: Crawler (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Named after a popular venue in Cleveland, Ohio, this song is about Idles' rise to an international act.
  • In 2018, Idles played Cleveland's Beachland Tavern to around 50 people. "When we were there, we looked in at the ballroom next to it and there was a guy polishing the floors, so we weren't allowed to step in, and it felt like there was this gap," guitarist Mark Morton recalled to Cleveland magazine. "Someone said, 'One day you guys will probably play in there.'"

    Less than a year after that performance, the hardcore punks returned to Cleveland and played a 75-minute set in the ballroom to a sold-out crowd.
  • Singer Joe Talbot doesn't mention either Cleveland venue in the lyrics, but the title of "The Beachland Ballroom," captures its message of growth. "There's so many bands that go through the small rooms and dream of making it into the big rooms. Being able to write a soul tune like this made me go, f--k - we're at a place where we're actually allowed to go to these big rooms and be creative and not just go through the motions and really appreciate what we've got," said Talbot.

    "The song is sort of an allegory of feeling lost and getting through it. It's one that I really love singing."
  • The iconic Ohio venue has played its part in music history. Bands like The Black Keys and The White Stripes served part of their apprenticeship in the Ballroom and Arcade Fire played a Barack Obama benefit rally there for his 2008 presidential campaign.
  • Idles released "The Beachland Ballroom" on September 28, 2021, as the first single from Crawler. Recorded with co-producers Kenny Beats and guitarist Mark Bowen, the album finds the Bristol band in an experimental mood. They described this track as an "honest-to-goodness soul song."

    "I didn't know Joe could sing like that," said Bowen. "He's been trying to write 'Be My Baby' since the very beginning, but he didn't want to be the punk guy wearing the Motown clothes. He wanted it to feel natural, and this song is."
  • Idles performed the song on the November 3, 2021 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. It was the English group's debut appearance on US television.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.