9 Reasons Why “Love Shack” is the Perfect Song

“Love Shack” by the B-52’s is the perfect song. Before you dismiss this (or blindly accept it), allow me to make my case with 9 specific reasons to back up my claim. First, some data:

“Love Shack” was the first single from the Athens, GA based group’s 1989 release Cosmic Thing. It was their first single to sell over one million copies and peaked at # 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was produced by legendary rock producer Don Was. “Love Shack” is based on an actual cabin where singer Kate Pierson lived for a brief time in the 1970’s. As the song suggests, it was literally a small, tin-roofed shack that was “set way back in the middle of a field” just off Atlanta Highway just outside Athens near the Jackson and Clark County border. It burned down in 2004. 

And now, my reasons for naming “Love Shack” the perfect song:
 

1. “Love Shack” is about 133 beats per minute…an ideal speed for dancing. No dancing skills are necessary, either. Ever been to a wedding where the DJ didn’t play it? “Everybody’s movin’, everybody’s groovin’, baby.”

2. It tells a story and paints an extremely vivid picture. Whenever you hear it, you can picture the actual shack in your mind. Not many pop songs can do that.

3. The video! It received an MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video. Plus, it just looks like a kick-ass party. I mean, come on…who WOULDN’T want to be at this party?

4. “Love Shack” is also a great song to do at your favorite karaoke bar…especially if you’ve got a guy and a girl to sing together. The karaoke track shows Fred Schneider’s lyrics in blue, and Kate Pierson & Cindy Wilson’s lyrics in pink. Brilliant!

5. You know all the words to it. ALL the words. Don’t even pretend like you don’t.

6. “TIN ROOF……RUSTED!” — Musical folklore dictates that this phrase shouted near the end of the song is “southern slang” for being pregnant. While it kinda makes sense, it’s never been truly proven. Either way, you know EXACTLY what to do when this part comes: SCREAM IT!

7. As a DJ, I lean on this song a lot because it’s appropriate for just about ANY kind of event I do. Besides weddings, it’s also perfect for holiday parties, trivia night, proms, garage parties, backyard barbecues, etc. It’s also enjoyed by just about every age group (because of reason # 1).

8. Stephanie Tanner danced to it on an episode of Full House. It was also used in episodes of GleeCougar Town and The Simpsons. “Weird” Al Yankovic used it in one of his legendary polka medleys and it was also included on the soundtrack to the video game version of Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. Evidence that it spans all mediums. Not just popular music.

9. “Love Shack” puts you in a good mood. Period. 

You may or may not agree with me, and that’s fine. In my world, “Love Shack” is the perfect song.

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