Vacation (The Go-Go's album)

Vacation is the second studio album by American rock band the Go-Go's, released on July 20, 1982, by I.R.S. Records. The album reached number eight on the Billboard 200, and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The title track reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.

Despite the album's success, the recording period was hampered by several issues. Most of the band's lineup was struggling with drug addiction and were starting to argue more over creative differences. There was also growing discord between songwriter and lead guitarist Charlotte Caffey, lead singer Belinda Carlisle, and guitarist Jane Wiedlin, who had begun to take more of an interest in songwriting. These problems were never resolved and would result in the band's dissolution following the disappointing sales of their third album, Talk Show.

The single "Vacation" was also issued in what may possibly have been the first cassette single. In addition to the title track, two more singles were pulled from the album at the time: "Get Up and Go" and "This Old Feeling", the former of which peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song "Speeding", which is not included on the album, is a Caffey/Wiedlin composition used as B-side of the single for "Get Up and Go".

In 2016, Edsel Records reissued remastered deluxe editions, all with bonus tracks, of the Go-Go's original three releases.

Critical reception
Cash Box called "Get Up and Go" a "rousing pop/rocker", saying that "the rhythm is as peppy as the title would indicate." Billboard called it a "spirited pop/rock anthem" that is "invigorating" despite not being as "seamless" or having as much "mass appeal" as the preceding hit single "Vacation". Detroit Free Press critic Gary Graff called it a "beach party pop tune."

Rolling Stone critic Ken Tucker called "This Old Feeling" a "perfect pop song: an ethereal melody is anchored by Kathy Valentine's bass as Carlisle's voice skims the surface of a pleasant memory just beyond reach" and said that "Rarely has the woozy pleasure of a good daydream been rendered more movingly in rock music."

The Go-Go's

 * Charlotte Caffey – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
 * Belinda Carlisle – lead vocals
 * Gina Schock – drums, percussion, backing vocals
 * Kathy Valentine – bass guitar, backing vocals
 * Jane Wiedlin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Additional musicians

 * Steve Berlin – saxophone on "This Old Feeling"

Technical

 * Richard Gottehrer – production
 * Thom Panunzio – recording, mixing
 * James Ball, Stuart Furusho, David Leonard, Neil Pedinoff – recording assistance
 * Greg Calbi – mastering

Artwork

 * Mick Haggerty – art direction, design, photography
 * Ginger Canzoneri – art direction