[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
The B-52's — Private Idaho
Album: Wild Planet
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1732









Released: 1980
Length: 3:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo
You're living in your own Private Idaho
Living in your own Private Idaho
Underground like a wild potato.
Don't go on the patio.
Beware of the pool,
blue bottomless pool.
It leads you straight
right throught the gate
that opens on the pool.

You're living in your own Private Idaho.
You're living in your own Private Idaho.

Keep off the path, beware of the gate,
watch out for signs that say "hidden driveways".
Don't let the chlorine in your eyes
blind you to the awful surprise
that's waitin' for you at
the bottom of the bottomless blue blue blue pool.

You're livin in your own Private Idaho. Idaho.
You're out of control, the rivers that roll,
you fell into the water and down to Idaho.
Get out of that state,
get out of that state you're in.
You better beware.

You're living in your own Private Idaho.
You're living in your own Private Idaho.

Keep off the patio,
keep off the path.
The lawn may be green
but you better not be seen
walkin' through the gate that leads you down,
down to a pool fraught with danger
is a pool full of strangers.

You're living in your own Private Idaho,
where do I go from here to a better state than this.
Well, don't be blind to the big surprise
swimming round and round like the deadly hand
of a radium clock, at the bottom of the pool.

I-I-I-daho
I-I-I-daho
Woah oh oh woah oh oh woah oh oh
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Get out of that state
Get out of that state
You're living in your own Private Idaho,
livin in your own Private.... Idaho
Comments (272)add comment
Don't go on the patio! Beware of the POOL.. GET OUTTA THAT STATE you're in! So fun to blurt out with the exuberance and verve it deserves! Loved it madly then, love it madly now. Any time with this stuff, RP!
 Proclivities wrote:

Loosen up, it's not supposed to be Kierkegaard.  Also, they were playing around Athens for quite a while before "Stipe and friends" even showed up.


love this comment!
 coloradojohn wrote:


I can just see and hear Napoleon (and Fred!) shouting,

Tina, YOU FAT LARD, eat the FOOD!

me too!!!! 
 treid000 wrote:

They should create a new genre for the B-52's. Fun-rock!
I remember they was always the most fun songs on the dance floor. Some very creative dancing, because everyone just went wild with movement.



I saw them once at DAR. There was a guy dancing up front with a 3 foot lobster on his head.  Great times.
Ah yes, the B-52's, the sound track for my high school thespian club...


Memories of the "Black Pack" 


Maybe it's better for privacy to be 53 miles from Venus ;)

 NoisyMiner wrote:


Get outta that state!



.....of mind?
 Derecho wrote:
You too can enjoy living in your own private Idaho..




I can just see and hear Napoleon (and Fred!) shouting,

Tina, YOU FAT LARD, eat the FOOD!
They should create a new genre for the B-52's. Fun-rock!
I remember they was always the most fun songs on the dance floor. Some very creative dancing, because everyone just went wild with movement.
Definitely my favorite b52s dance song…
this day was shitty so far ..but now it´s way better :-)
 PhoenixArtDj wrote:


It got worse. But this song still rocks.


Hopefully, they can turn the state from red to blue!
 icuski2 wrote:

Being no one has commented on this song in the last 6 years, figured I better leave one. 
There's no privacy in Idaho anymore. All the west coasters moved in. 52s need to make a new rendition-- Jam Packed Idaho



It got worse. But this song still rocks.
Wow...that scratchy guitar...and Schneider's flat singing on the words "pool" and "beware." I wanna go back to The Channel in Boston, circa 1985 when this was an anthem.
 icuski2 wrote:
Being no one has commented on this song in the last 6 years, figured I better leave one. 
There's no privacy in Idaho anymore. All the west coasters moved in. 52s need to make a new rendition-- Jam Packed Idaho
 

Get outta that state!
Regards from Patagonia
Loving RP Rockin, outdoors at the Old Orchard Ball Park with my wife and 2 daughters. Ziggy Marley opened I believe.

Much Dancing! Today again.
Hello from  -actual Idaho- RP junkies. 
Wrong song? This isn’t Private Idaho playing?
Being no one has commented on this song in the last 6 years, figured I better leave one. 
There's no privacy in Idaho anymore. All the west coasters moved in. 52s need to make a new rendition-- Jam Packed Idaho
 Cynaera wrote:
Wow. Thanks, romeotuma - I didn't know much about the band... only that I love their fun, whimsical music. My all-time favorite song is still "Roam," but now I'm widening my borders because of what I've learned.

Love RP....
 

miss you so much, Cynaera...

everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song soooo much...
 
Nothing wrong here.  Love them, love them, love them.
You too can enjoy living in your own private Idaho..


This tune COOKS!
Two crazy pure fune songs in a row, Hey Bulldog and Private Idaho.
 Jelani wrote:
Was just about to quit working. Guess I'll have to stay on a few minutes more.
 
MAN!  You hit the nail on the head with this comment......!!!!   

Was just about to quit working. Guess I'll have to stay on a few minutes more.
 claya wrote:
Same vocal formula for EVERY SONG! repetition to near frenzy..... EVERY SONG?  I am really trying, but this band drives me nuts, perhaps I'm not drunk enough at work to appreciate these guys?   .... or maybe they're an overrated Athens bar band? (Just throwing it out there.) Not even in the same class as Stipe and friends....
 
Loosen up, it's not supposed to be Kierkegaard.  Also, they were playing around Athens for quite a while before "Stipe and friends" even showed up.
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
Noisy and quirky, like a nightmare neighbor. Ugh.
 
You must live next door to romeotuma, cuase he be dancing!!!


RP is the best.  Love this song!



Noisy and quirky, like a nightmare neighbor. Ugh.
Great movie...


I am not listening to nearly enough B-52s.  
Nice.
 romeotuma wrote:


Soooo profound...  and danceable...  we be profoundly dancing...  love it...
 
Yeah, these guys F'ing ROCKED!!!!!!
 claya wrote:
Same vocal formula for EVERY SONG! repetition to near frenzy..... EVERY SONG?  I am really trying, but this band drives me nuts, perhaps I'm not drunk enough at work to appreciate these guys?   .... or maybe they're an overrated Athens bar band? (Just throwing it out there.) Not even in the same class as Stipe and friends....
 
I definitely got laid more to the B52s than REM.


wooohooo!!!

Yikes! Playing B-52's right after the Beatles is a shock to the system. Could you have at least warned us? {#Arghhh}


Same vocal formula for EVERY SONG! repetition to near frenzy..... EVERY SONG?  I am really trying, but this band drives me nuts, perhaps I'm not drunk enough at work to appreciate these guys?   .... or maybe they're an overrated Athens bar band? (Just throwing it out there.) Not even in the same class as Stipe and friends....
 romeotuma wrote:


This is such a fantastic classic...  we miss you, Ricky...

Ricky Wilson's grave

 
 
Wow. Thanks, romeotuma - I didn't know much about the band... only that I love their fun, whimsical music. My all-time favorite song is still "Roam," but now I'm widening my borders because of what I've learned.

Love RP....

 WonderLizard wrote:

"Sweet Virginia" - The Rembrandts

 
"Sweet Virginia" - the Stones (is that a cover by the Rembrandts?)

Out In New Mexico—Heather Nova
 
Zep wrote:
 nate917 wrote:
Sweet Home Alabama
Georgia on My Mind
Carolina in My Mind
New York State of Mind
California Girls
Yellow Rose of Texas
Ohio (Neil Young)
Indiana Wants Me
Illinois (Fogelberg)
Oklahoma
Kentucky Woman
Mississippi Queen 

Maine - Leon Redbone
New Hampshire - Sonic Youth
Moonlight in Vermont - many artists
Feelin' Massachusetts - Juliana Hatfield
Holiday in Rhode Island - Softies
New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
Jersey Shore - Promise Ring
Delaware Slide - George Thorogood
Sweet Virginia - Rolling Stones
Almost Heaven (West Virginia) - John Denver
Carolina Moon - Connie Francis (North or South?)
South Carolina - Gil Scott-Heron
Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight
Mainline Florida - Eric Clapton
Alabama Getaway - Grateful Dead
Handcuffed to a Fence in Mississippi - Jim White
Louisiana - Muddy Waters (dozens of songs about Louisiana)
Texas and Pacific - Louis Jordan
Stomping tonight on the Pennsylvania-Alabama border - John Fahey
Beautiful Ohio - Fritz Kreisler (30s)
Back Home Again in Indiana - Lester Young and others
Say Yes! To Michigan - Sufjan Stevens
Concerning the UFO sighting near Highland, Illinois - Sufjan Stevens
Blue Moon of Kentucky - Patsy Cline and many others
Memphis Tennessee - Johnny Rivers
Minnesota Man Claims Monkey Bowled Perfect Game - Yo La Tengo
Iowa - Dar Williams
Cold Missouri Waters - Cry Cry Cry
The Last of the Arkansas Greyhounds - Leo Kottke
Oklahoma Hills - Bob Wills
Kansas City - Fats Domino
Nebraska - Springsteen
Dakota - Stereophonics (sorry, don't have a North or South)
Montana - Frank Zappa
The Emperor of Wyoming - Neil Young
Colorado Song - Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Arizona - Mark Lindsay
Idaho - Bodeans
South California Purples - Chicago (double geo reference)
Oregon Hill - Cowboy Junkies
Seattle - Perry Como (or Andy Williams?) (nothing on Wash state)
Hawai'i Blues - Commander Cody

Nothing on Connecticut, Maryland ("Oh Maryland, My Maryland"?), New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, or Wisconsin ("On Wisconsin"?).
 


 WonderLizard wrote:

"Sweet Virginia" - The Rembrandts

 
Oh, I forgot "Saginaw, Michigan" by Lefty Frizzell
 Proclivities wrote:


"New York Mining Disaster 1941" and "Massachusetts" are two different songs, on two different albums by The Bee Gees.
Let's see, other state-named songs: 
"Jersey Girl" - Tom Waits
"North To Alaska" - Johnny Horton
"Pennsylvania 6-5000" - Glenn Miller

This is a great song, by the way.
 
"Sweet Virginia" - The Rembrandts

....reaches for volume switch.   Fab.
the judge from East Idaho gives this effort an 8
You guys have the state songs covered pretty well {#Arrowd}. Gregory Alan Isakov has a song called Idaho on his latest album. It's pretty laid back but it's good.

MORE B52s!!!
 gutboy wrote:
Is this a States theme going?

I'm cool with that as long as they don't play that Massachusetts song by the Beegees. Not that I don't like Massa-two-shits. Born and raised there actually.
 

 nate917 wrote:

Which song is actually called "New York Mining Disaster 1941." I'm sure every state has a candidate. Let's see.....
Sweet Home Alabama
Georgia on My Mind
Carolina in My Mind
New York State of Mind
California Girls
Yellow Rose of Texas
Ohio (Neil Young)
Indiana Wants Me
Illinois (Fogelberg)
Oklahoma
Kentucky Woman
Mississippi Queen

um...C'mon, help me out here....(fight songs don't count)
 

"New York Mining Disaster 1941" and "Massachusetts" are two different songs, on two different albums by The Bee Gees.
Let's see, other state-named songs: 
"Jersey Girl" - Tom Waits
"North To Alaska" - Johnny Horton
"Pennsylvania 6-5000" - Glenn Miller

This is a great song, by the way.


nate917 wrote:

Which song is actually called "New York Mining Disaster 1941." I'm sure every state has a candidate. Let's see.....
Sweet Home Alabama
Georgia on My Mind
Carolina in My Mind
New York State of Mind
California Girls
Yellow Rose of Texas
Ohio (Neil Young)
Indiana Wants Me
Illinois (Fogelberg)
Oklahoma
Kentucky Woman
Mississippi Queen um...C'mon, help me out here....(fight songs don't count)

Going to Montana soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon - Frank Zappa{#Devil_pimp}
Any song that coins a new term for a societal condition deserves an 8.

Only reason I didn't go 9 is because it's from my own generation, and I don't want to show any bias. OTOH, it's been dang near 30yrs since "Wild Planet" was released, and I still hear people much younger than that say that a clueless person is "..living in their own Private Idaho.." {#Roflol}
Gotta love that hair.
 gekkosan wrote:
*sigh*  I SO very much wish I'd liked these folks when I had the chance to see them...  {#Neutral}
 
They are still touring and can be seen this Summer:  https://www.b52s.com/

 romeotuma wrote:


"In the ground like a wild potato..."   this song is so incredibly profound... 
 
{#Lol}

{#Notworthy}
Hometown band makes it big....
Well i saw them in boston at SPIT in about 1979.  They were a jolt of of high voltage energy and the place turned into a steam bath.  I'lll always have a sft spot for the B52's.
OMG make it stop! {#Beat}
 My Own Private Idaho was a weird movie...
{#Puke}{#Frustrated}

 gekkosan wrote:
*sigh*  I SO very much wish I'd liked these folks when I had the chance to see them...  {#Neutral}
 
We just caught them here in Peru, probably not the energy they once had, but lots of fun, and who knew that Limeños would know the words to "Love Shack" by heart? Hopefully they're touring near you soon. 
Ah, cheap tequila and midnight Willis rides...{#Dancingbanana}
westslope wrote:

So tell me, is this what they called 'New Wave' music back in the day?


Not sure, but I think it came from a music critic who called bands like The Cars, the B-52s and Devo the "new wave of punk..." where is a rock historian when you need one?

Takes me back to middle school. One of the few good parts!

 marcucho wrote:
any one knos whats the story behind private idaho and if there's a relation between the song and the moovie by GUs Van Sant?
 
I'm guessing not. The B-52's songwriting process, apparently, is based pretty much on passing a piece of paper around a table and everyone adding a line. Which explains a lot, I think.

 gekkosan wrote:
*sigh*  I SO very much wish I'd liked these folks when I had the chance to see them...  {#Neutral}
 
I saw them in SF in like 1980 - one of the best shows I've ever seen. Crazy wild fun.

{#Bananajam}

Interesting.  It was one of the best art films I watched in the 1990s.  Helped lauch a few actors' careers if I am not mistaken.  Bleak but beautiful.

So tell me, is this what they called 'New Wave' music back in the day?


 marcucho wrote:
any one knos whats the story behind private idaho and if there's a relation between the song and the moovie by GUs Van Sant?
 
Gus stated it inspired the title to the film.

any one knos whats the story behind private idaho and if there's a relation between the song and the moovie by GUs Van Sant?
gekkosan wrote:
*sigh* I SO very much wish I'd liked these folks when I had the chance to see them... {#Neutral}

They just put out a new record this past year. I'm guessing they'll tour to support it...

*sigh*  I SO very much wish I'd liked these folks when I had the chance to see them...  {#Neutral}
F**K, I wish I had a dollar for every sh*tty mug of keg beer I drank while dancing to this song! I damned sure wouldn't be sittin' here! Ahhh, Hell! Yeah I would. {#Dancingbanana_2}

B-52's are my wife's music era so I know she'd give this song at least a nine.  I don't think I'll let her try, I'd hate to screw up the rating average!  (It's ok, I'm not that old to appreciate B-52's.
gutboy wrote:
Is this a States theme going? I'm cool with that as long as they don't play that Massachusetts song by the Beegees. Not that I don't like Massa-two-shits. Born and raised there actually.
Which song is actually called "New York Mining Disaster 1941." I'm sure every state has a candidate. Let's see..... Sweet Home Alabama Georgia on My Mind Carolina in My Mind New York State of Mind California Girls Yellow Rose of Texas Ohio (Neil Young) Indiana Wants Me Illinois (Fogelberg) Oklahoma Kentucky Woman Mississippi Queen um...C'mon, help me out here....(fight songs don't count)
oh man! on a conference call, can't listen, one of my favorite songs! Bummer
9 -> 10 just because I can and will and should
LOVE IT!!!
9:22 pm - B-52's - Private Idaho 9:19 pm - Beatles - Hey Bulldog 9:15 pm - Bob Schneider - The Californian 9:11 pm - Red Guitar - California Is this a States theme going? I'm cool with that as long as they don't play that Massachusetts song by the Beegees. Not that I don't like Massa-two-shits. Born and raised there actually.
Just watched the B-52's live last week..one of the best shows I have seen in along time... voices are still spot on...wonderful...fun...
dionysius wrote:
totally
hanssachs wrote:
Gleah - this hasn't gotten any better, has it?
How do you get better than Godlike?
67nj wrote:
"yes" (just to keep the image current!)
Gleah - this hasn't gotten any better, has it?
FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Cavity man?
"Flouride Free" reference. Comprendes?
underground like a wild potato That's just how I like RP! DIG IT!
FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Cavity man?
Maybe these guys?
siandbeth wrote:
You mean you weren't questioning mankind before? Time to wake up, cavity man.
Cavity man?
Pogo dance!
Tagish_girl wrote:
Two potatoes are standing on the street corner. How can you tell which one is the prostitute? .... It's the one with "IDAHO" stamped on its ass.
Now THAT was a GREAT comment!
This takes me back...
horstman wrote:
Yeah, and I might be movin' to Montana soon Just to raise me up a crop of Dental Floss.
OH man that should totally get uploaded!!
nothing to ruin a beautiful state but with a song like this. It makes me want to move.
Two potatoes are standing on the street corner. How can you tell which one is the prostitute? .... It's the one with "IDAHO" stamped on its ass.
B52s anytime is fine with me.
ruthless wrote:
Just watch out for the yellow snow.....
Watch where the huskies go...
horstman wrote:
Yeah, and I might be movin' to Montana soon Just to raise me up a crop of Dental Floss.
Just watch out for the yellow snow.....
Hello, crushedvelvet wrote:
Where's the zero on the rating scale?
In the same place where the '11' is? Neil
Deadwing wrote:
Will you be bringing your pygmy pony? I always wanted to meet a mental toss flycoon (if you are not familiar with Frank Zappa please disregard this post) hehehehe
hahahaha "mental toss flycoon"? ya mean dental floss tycoon?
Where's the zero on the rating scale?
Will you be bringing your pygmy pony? I always wanted to meet a mental toss flycoon (if you are not familiar with Frank Zappa please disregard this post) hehehehe
steeler wrote:
Always loved this concept. My own private Idaho. A definite groove.
Yeah, and I might be movin' to Montana soon Just to raise me up a crop of Dental Floss.
I used to dance like a wild man to these guys. I saw them live at Magic Mountain (Six Flags) way back
Um B-52's have the most fun. They win, every time.
Always loved this concept. My own private Idaho. A definite groove.
celadonstone wrote:
If you're engrossed in a plate of freezer fries, is it your own private Ore-Idaho?
you are evil. pure evil. c.
yay...seeing b-52's next Wednesday at Wolf Trap in sunny Vienna, VA. Can't wait!
Its all about that Hollow body guitar. oh so nice.... :)
This first appeared on Wild Planet, what's with the Nude On The Moon listing?
FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Groups like this make me question mankind. At least the radio part of it.
You mean you weren't questioning mankind before? Time to wake up, cavity man.
FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Groups like this make me question mankind.
Then they're doing their job well! Time to rock.
I LOVE how these gals sound together...give me goosebumps!
Awesome tune!
Love the voices, love the playing, love the chicks, digg the music.
LOVE this Bill and you be rockin at the bottom of the bottomless pool!
can't think of many singers with such a distinctive voice.
Groups like this make me question mankind. At least the radio part of it.
bokey wrote:
Hate the voices.Love the music.
Love the voices. Dig the music.