Roam

"Roam" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, making it the only vocal track on the album without any vocal involvement from Fred Schneider. It is also the only track from the album in which 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 the Cleveland Music Hall, Cleveland, Ohio on December 2, 1989.

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 a total of 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

Cover versions

 * The Chipettes covered the song in the 1991 Alvin and the Chipmunks album The Chipmunks Rock the House.
 * A parody of the song and video, called "Comb," was a skit on Fast Forward in 1990 as the B-52's began the Australian leg of their Cosmic Tour. The video, which poked fun at Pierson's and Wilson's bouffant wigs, starred Gina Riley, Jane Turner, Michael Veitch and Peter Moon as Pierson, Wilson, Schneider, and Strickland, respectively.
 * The song was performed by the cast of the 2002 stage version of Earth Girls Are Easy.
 * The Yayhoos covered the song on their 2006 album Put The Hammer Down.
 * Argentine female singer Marcela Morelo covered the song on her 2009 album Otro Plan in a Spanish version.
 * Caroline Sunshine covered the song for the soundtrack to the 2012 film Treasure Buddies.

Marriott Bonvoy Version
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.