Roam

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title: "Roam" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1989-songs", "1989-singles", "1990-singles", "the-b-52's-songs", "reprise-records-singles", "song-recordings-produced-by-nile-rodgers", "songs-written-by-cindy-wilson", "songs-written-by-fred-schneider", "songs-written-by-kate-pierson", "songs-written-by-keith-strickland", "music-videos-directed-by-adam-bernstein"] description: "1989 single by the B-52's" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roam" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 1989 single by the B-52's ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

Field	Value
name	Roam
cover	Roam.jpg
type	single
artist	the B-52's
album	Cosmic Thing
B-side	Bushfire
released	1989
studio	Skyline (New York City)
genre	Pop
label	Reprise
composer	The B-52's
lyricist	Robert Waldrop
producer	Nile Rodgers
prev_title	Love Shack
prev_year	1989
next_title	Deadbeat Club
next_year	1990
misc
::

| name = Roam | cover = Roam.jpg | alt = | caption = | type = single | artist = the B-52's | album = Cosmic Thing | B-side = Bushfire | released = 1989 | recorded = | studio = Skyline (New York City) | genre = Pop | length =

• 4:54 (album version)
• 4:05 (single edit) | label = Reprise | composer = The B-52's | lyricist = Robert Waldrop | producer = Nile Rodgers | prev_title = Love Shack | prev_year = 1989 | next_title = Deadbeat Club | next_year = 1990 | misc = "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 song's 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

US maxi-CD single

1. "Roam" (7-inch remix) – 5:11
2. "Roam" (radio mix) – 4:13
3. "Roam" (12-inch remix) – 8:17
4. "Bushfire" (LP version) – 4:56
5. "Roam" (extended remix) – 5:25
6. "Roam" (instrumental) – 5:27

US and Australian 12-inch single :A1. "Roam" (extended remix) – 5:27 :A2. "Roam" (instrumental) – 5:25 :B1. "Roam" (12-inch remix) – 8:17 :B2. "Bushfire" (LP version) – 4:56 US 7-inch and cassette single :A. "Roam" (edit) – 4:05 :B. "Bushfire" (LP version) – 4:56

UK 7-inch, CD, and cassette single

1. "Roam" (edit)
2. "Whammy Kiss" (live)
3. "Dance This Mess Around" (live)

UK 12-inch single :A1. "Roam" (radio mix) – 4:13 :A2. "Roam" (12-inch remix) – 8:17 :B1. "Roam" (12-inch extended mix) – 5:25

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Cosmic Thing album booklet.

Studios

• Recorded digitally and mixed analog at Skyline Studios (New York City)
• Mastered at Masterdisk (New York City)

Personnel

• The B-52's – music
  • Fred Schneider
  • Cindy Wilson – vocals
  • Kate Pierson – vocals
  • Keith Strickland – guitar
• 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

Weekly charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1989–1990) | Peak position | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg) | US Cash Box Top 100 | |---|---|---|---|---| | 40 | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (1990)	Position	Australia (ARIA)	Canada Top Singles (RPM)	New Zealand (RIANZ)	US Billboard Hot 100	US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)	US Cash Box Top 100
68
45
45
40
25
36
::

Certifications

Release history

::data[format=table]

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.	United States	Australia	Japan
1989		Reprise
February 5, 1990
March 26, 1990	CD
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

References

1. Melchior, Al. (April 6, 2024). "Remember When: The B-52s Improbably Became Bigger than Ever with 'Cosmic Thing'".
2. Naftule, Ashley. (August 13, 2019). "Seven Songs to Get You Into The B-52s".
3. (1990). "Roam". Reprise Records.
4. (February 19, 1991). "Annual Grammy Nominations". [[United Press International]].
5. (December 2, 1989). "Video Track".
6. (1989). "Roam". Reprise Records.
7. (1989). "Roam". Reprise Records.
8. (1989). "Roam". Reprise Records.
9. (1989). "Roam". Reprise Records.
10. (1990). "Roam". Reprise Records.
11. (1990). "Roam". Reprise Records.
12. (1990). "Roam". Reprise Records.
13. (1989). "Cosmic Thing". [[Reprise Records]].
14. (June 2, 1990). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
15. [http://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=F&ChDate=19900520&ChMode=N Radio Luxembourg Singles. May 27, 1990.]
16. (March 17, 1990). "Top 100 Singles".
17. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart 1990 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report No. 50)". [[Australian Recording Industry Association.
18. "Top 100 Tracks of 1990".
19. "Top Selling Singles of 1990". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
20. (December 22, 1990). "The Year in Music 1990: Top Pop Singles".
21. (December 22, 1990). "The Year in Music 1990: Top Modern Rock Tracks".
22. (December 29, 1990). "Awards – Top 50 Pop Singles".
23. (February 4, 1990). "New Release Summary: Singles".
24. (March 25, 1990). "New Release Summary: Singles".
25. "ラブ・シャック {{!}} The B-52's". [[Oricon]].
26. . (2023-04-17). ["Marriott Bonvoy Inspires Travelers to Discover the Unexpected as They Roam Around the World"](https://news.marriott.com/news/2023/04/17/marriott-bonvoy-inspires-travelers-to-discover-the-unexpected-as-they-roam-around-the-world).
27. (Apr 17, 2023). "Roam Around the World {{!}} Marriott Bonvoy". [[Marriott_International#Loyalty_program.
28. (Jul 31, 2023). "A Conversation with W Hotels Global Music Director, LP Giobbi {{!}} Marriott Bonvoy". [[Marriott_International#Loyalty_program.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::