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: 1

  • 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

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.