Description
Go-Go’s – God Bless The Go-Go’s – Blue Vinyl Record
First Time On Vinyl
Limited Edition Blue Vinyl
A Triumphant Return from the Queens of New Wave
Released in May 2001 on Beyond Music, God Bless The Go-Go’s marked the first full-length studio album by The Go-Go’s in 17 years, following Talk Show (1984). Known as the first all-female band to write their own songs, play their own instruments, and achieve massive commercial success in the early 1980s, The Go-Go’s had long cemented their place in rock history with hits like Beauty and the Beat (1981) and Vacation (1982). With God Bless The Go-Go’s, they proved that their chemistry, energy, and knack for sharp songwriting remained intact decades later.
The album reunited the classic lineup:
Belinda Carlisle – lead vocals
Jane Wiedlin – rhythm guitar, vocals
Charlotte Caffey – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
Kathy Valentine – bass, vocals
Gina Schock – drums
While the early Go-Go’s records blended punky energy with sparkling pop hooks, God Bless The Go-Go’s leans more into power pop and straight-ahead rock, reflecting the maturity of a band revisiting their roots while acknowledging their growth. Produced by Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade (known for work with Radiohead, Hole, and Pixies), the album balances punchy guitars with polished, radio-friendly production.
Key tracks include:
“Unforgiven” – the lead single, co-written with Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, is a driving, defiant anthem that pairs jangling guitars with Carlisle’s commanding vocals. It charted modestly but earned strong radio play, introducing The Go-Go’s to a new generation.
“Apology” – sharp, biting, and catchy, it recalls the band’s early punk-influenced edge.
“Stuck in My Car” – a fun, propulsive rocker with classic Go-Go’s humor and swagger.
“Here You Are” – a slower, reflective ballad that showcases a more vulnerable side of the band’s songwriting.
“Throw Me a Curve” – cheeky and playful, capturing the band’s trademark mix of attitude and pop sensibility.
The album deals with themes of resilience, relationships, and navigating adulthood with the same wry, playful voice that defined their early work. While God Bless The Go-Go’s doesn’t chase ’80s nostalgia, it captures the band’s essence: fun, melodic, and unapologetically bold.
The album received mixed-to-positive reviews. Some critics praised its consistency and the band’s ability to sound fresh after such a long hiatus, while others compared it unfavorably to their groundbreaking early albums. Commercially, it didn’t reach the chart-topping heights of Beauty and the Beat, but it re-established The Go-Go’s as a touring powerhouse and reaffirmed their cultural legacy.
In the years following its release, the band leaned heavily on God Bless The Go-Go’s material in their live shows, proving that the new songs could stand alongside their classics. For fans, the album was more than just a comeback—it was a celebration of the band’s enduring chemistry and influence.
God Bless The Go-Go’s may not have reinvented the wheel, but it confirmed what fans already knew: The Go-Go’s were still a vital force in rock. By blending their punk-pop roots with polished 2000s production, the album bridged generations, reminding listeners why this band broke barriers in the first place. As the Go-Go’s were later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, God Bless The Go-Go’s stands as a testament to their lasting power and relevance.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
La La Land
Unforgiven
Apology
Stuck In My Car
Vision Of Nowness
Here You Are
Automatic Rainy Day
Kissing Asphalt
Insincere
Sonic Superslide
Throw Me A Curve
Talking Myself Down
Daisy Chain
