Bouncing Off the Satellites

by The B-52's

Released: September 08, 1986

New wave, synth-pop

The Album

"Bouncing off the Satellites" is the fourth studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released on September 8, 1986, by Warner Bros. The B-52's had gone on hiatus by the time of the album's release, and it took three years for the band to recover from Wilson's death and release their next album, Cosmic Thing. The band had long had the title in mind and developed the song during a jam session.

Inside the Recording

Recorded in July 1985 and produced by Tony Mansfield, the album was completed after the death of founding member and guitarist Ricky Wilson from AIDS. Bouncing off the Satellites was recorded in July 1985.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The song "Wig" was created after Warner Bros

The song "Wig" was created after Warner Bros.

asked the B-52's to write a hit for…

asked the B-52's to write a hit for the album.

Additionally, a backward message in "Detour Thru Your…

Additionally, a backward message in "Detour Thru Your Mind" features Fred Schneider saying, "I buried my parakeet in the backyard.

Oh no, you're playing the record backwards

Oh no, you're playing the record backwards.

Watch out, you might ruin your needle," which…

Watch out, you might ruin your needle," which plays during the last 30 seconds of the track.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

Detour Thru Your Mind

Additionally, a backward message in "Detour Thru Your Mind" features Fred Schneider saying, "I buried my parakeet in the backyard.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

The B-52's - Bouncing Off the Satellites

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The Complete Album Story

"Bouncing off the Satellites" is the fourth studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released on September 8, 1986, by Warner Bros. Records. Recorded in July 1985 and produced by Tony Mansfield, the album was completed after the death of founding member and guitarist Ricky Wilson from AIDS. The B-52's had gone on hiatus by the time of the album's release, and it took three years for the band to recover from Wilson's death and release their next album, Cosmic Thing.

Bouncing off the Satellites was recorded in July 1985. The song "Wig" was created after Warner Bros. asked the B-52's to write a hit for the album. The band had long had the title in mind and developed the song during a jam session. Additionally, a backward message in "Detour Thru Your Mind" features Fred Schneider saying, "I buried my parakeet in the backyard. Oh no, you're playing the record backwards. Watch out, you might ruin your needle," which plays during the last 30 seconds of the track.