Released 1988 What Up, Dog?
(1988) Are You Okay?
(1990) Release date 1988 | Length 57:07
52:17 (UK) Artist Was (Not Was) Label Chrysalis Records | |
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Recorded 1984-88; The Institute of Social Disorder Producers David Was, Don Was, Paul Staveley O'Duffy Genres Pop music, Rock music, Funk, Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Pop rock, Dance music Similar Was (Not Was) albums, Rock music albums | ||
Was not was somewhere in america theres a street named after my dad
What Up, Dog? is a 1988 album by Was (Not Was). It became the US group's breakthrough album worldwide and was ranked #99 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Best Albums of the 1980s. The cover illustration was credited to Christoph Simon and Karen Kelly.
Contents
- Was not was somewhere in america theres a street named after my dad
- Overview
- Release
- Reception
- US and Japan CD and Cassette Chrysalis
- International CD and Cassette Fontana
- US LP Chrysalis
- International LP Fontana
- Personnel
- Songs
- References
Overview
Success of What Up, Dog? was propelled by the group's two biggest hits: "Walk the Dinosaur" and "Spy in the House of Love" and four other singles. The former was promoted by a popular music video in which the band performed while a group of girls in campy cave girl costumes danced. The video received heavy rotation on MTV and MuchMusic and led the single into the top ten of the US singles chart in 1989. Artist/animator Christoph Simon created videos to accompany the tracks "What Up, Dog?", "Dad I'm in Jail" and the Tom Waits-style "Earth to Doris". These appeared on MTV's Liquid Television and in various film festivals, including the Spike & Mike festival.
The album had fewer guests than their previous album and instead was focused around the group's two lead singers: Sweet Pea Atkinson and Sir Harry Bowens. However, a typically long list of collaborators and guest musicians worked on the album including Elvis Costello (co-writer of "Shadow & Jimmy"), and Frank Sinatra, Jr. on "Wedding Vows in Vegas". It also included the second re-recording of the group's signature song: "Out Come the Freaks".
Release
What Up, Dog? became the group's breakthrough album in the US and worldwide. It reached #43 on the Billboard 200 album chart, #41 in New Zealand, and #47 in the UK. The album also spawned six singles (seven if the re-release of "Spy in the House of Love" is counted). The biggest hit was "Walk the Dinosaur" which charted worldwide and hit the top ten in the US and UK. "Spy in the House of Love" was very popular too, hitting the top 20 in the US, #21 in the UK and peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. "Anything Can Happen" was the third and final single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 chart reaching #75. In the UK, "Robot Girl", "Boy's Gone Crazy" and "Out Come the Freaks" (alternately re-titled "Out Come the Freaks (Again)" and "(Stuck Inside Of Detroit With The) Out Come The Freaks (Again)") reached modest positions on the charts. In 1992, "Somewhere in America There's a Street Named After My Dad" was released as a single to promote the group's compilation Hello Dad...I'm in Jail.
US and International versions of the album featured different running orders and varying versions of the songs. Notably, "11 MPH" on the US edition was remixed and "Robot Girl" was a slightly different and shorter mix. The International CDs and LPs did not include David Was's jazzy monologue "Earth to Doris". LP versions in both countries do not include "Robot Girl", "Wedding Vows in Vegas" and "I Can't Turn You Loose", but have differing running orders.
Reception
In 1989, it was ranked #99 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the '80s.
US and Japan CD and Cassette (Chrysalis)
The Chrysalis edition of the album features the largest number of tracks, but includes a shorter mix of "Robot Girl" and the Abe Zapp Ruder Version of "11 MPH" instead of the original recording.
All tracks written by David Was and Don Was; except where indicated.
International CD and Cassette (Fontana)
Fontana Records' international editions do not feature "Earth to Doris", which was previously released as the b-side of "Robot Girl". The original mix of "11 Miles An Hour" appears.
US LP (Chrysalis)
The US LP is a condensed version of the CD.
International LP (Fontana)
The International LP features the same tracks as the US LP, with the exception of the original mix of "11 Miles An Hour" appearing instead and "Earth to Doris" not appearing at all.
Personnel
Songs
1Somewhere In America There's A Street Named After My Dad3:42
2Spy in the House of Love
3Out Come the Freaks4:36