Give Me Back My Man

Infobox Single
Name = Give Me Back My Man


Artist = The B-52's
from Album = Wild Planet
Format = 7" single
Genre = Rock New Wave
Length = 3:52
Label = Island
Released = 1980
Writer = Fred Schneider Ricky Wilson Keith Strickland Cindy Wilson
Producer = Rhett Davies The B-52's
Last single = "Party out of Bounds" (1980)
This single = "Give Me Back My Man" (1980)
Next single = "Legal Tender" (1983)

"Give Me Back My Man" is a song written and recorded by the American rock band The B-52's. It was released as the second single from their 1980 album "Wild Planet".

One of many solo vocal performances from Cindy Wilson in the band's earlier years, "Give Me Back My Man" is undoubtedly a firm fan favourite. The song combines a catchy guitar riff played by Ricky Wilson, tight drums by Keith Strickland and synth bass by Kate Pierson with a synthesised rolling thunder-clap in the backing track. Despite what could be referred to as a surreal or bizarre lyrical content (penned by Fred Schneider), Wilson gives one of her most emotional performances and conveys a deep sense of melancholy and longing which fits well into the ominous and menacing atmosphere created by the music.

"Give Me Back My Man" was a staple in The B-52's concerts in the 80s and was usually one of the first few songs played. Early on, it was played just as it was on the record, with Schneider playing extra synth and glockenspiel. After the release of the "Party Mix!" album in 1981, the band performed "Give Me Back My Man" and others in the extended style in which they were presented on that album.

"Give Me Back My Man" has been re-integrated into the set of the B-52's 2008 "Funplex" tour.

Track Listing

A Side

* "Give me Back my Man" — 3:52

B Side

* "Give me Back my Man" — 3:42 (instrumental)

Charts rating

The song charted on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart along with album track "Party out of Bounds" and prior single "Private Idaho", reaching number five (chart rules at the time allowed multiple album tracks to occupy the same position together). Released as a single in the UK, it hit number sixty-one on the UK Singles Chart.