New cities by the sea- Skyscrapers are winking- Some hills are never seen- The universe expanding- We're gazing out to sea- Blue dolphins are singing- Minds swim in ecstasy- Clear planet, ever free Topaz- Our hearts are traveling faster- Faster than the speed of love- Straight through a tear in the clouds- Up to the heavens above Bright ships will sail the seas- Starfishes are spinning- Some hills are never seen- Our universe is expanding- Moonrise upon the sea- Starships are blinking- We'll walk in ecstasy- Clear planet blue and green Topaz- Our thoughts are traveling faster- Moving beyond the heavens above
I imagine the song to be the anthem of a distant world, colonized by people who learned from our mistakes & made something better, promising and optimistic. Thanks, Keith!
NASA should broadcast 'Topaz' into the far reaches of outer space. Its forever mission: *To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no song has gone before!* 🌌🪐🎶
Another good candidate by the B-52's would be Revolution Earth. But Song for a Future Generation shows us why humans are currently not the best species to speak on behalf of the whole planet. Other species and the planet itself would have to be onboard. That could happen, though. :)
I love to play music and have already composed some. However, sometimes it is hard to imagine a person created a song like this one. It's easier to believe that it was brought by angels for humans to play it. Congratulations and thank you for writing such a beautiful song! It really brings me peace.
Don´t know, how they used to compose (perhaps Mr. Strickland can tell us - I´d love to hear!), but I think it´s most about the group, creating together: Somebody brings in the main idea, some fragments and all the others contribute their own. The blend of the girls voices is really something special - it always sounds odd, but in their case it holds true: it`s a glimpse of heaven!!
This song makes me feel so happy and so sad at the same time. It is obviously celebrating the incredible joy and beauty and importance of our Planet Earth, yet at the same time, it feels to me as if it is also mourning all that we are about to lose (and are losing now, even as we speak), due to humanity's selfish and careless destruction of our environment (even if the lyrics don't make mention of the latter issue out loud). Mass pollution of the air and waters, aggressive mining of minerals and fossil fuels, destroying wild habitats and hunting animals to endangerment and extinction, the mass proliferation of weapons and warfare... It is no wonder that all these terrible human-made activities are either directly or indirectly responsible for causing our current struggles with the alarming and rapidly intensifying climate changes and global warming. The song's chorus and outro, with the alternating major and minor chords, and angelic intertwining vocal harmonies, give me this sense of grief of all that we are on the verge of losing, and an intense pleading to all humanity to change our ways before it is too late... but simultaneously, the voices are also pointing to and guiding us to a spark of hope for a Better World in the distant future, if only we would _really_ try. All these feels wash over me, it almost makes me cry...! *+Jeffrey Cunningham* made an interesting interpretation as well, in his comment: _I imagine the song to be the anthem of a distant world, colonized by people who learned from our mistakes & made something better, promising and optimistic. Thanks, Keith!_
Thank you Keith for all you did with not only Cosmic Thing, but all your work with The B-52s. Many of these songs have helped me with PTSD in addition to songs that just emphasize being yourself. Thanks again, I can't thank you guys enough for your work in finding the best in all of us.
This whole album is great .. I really like the part in the song that goes : "planets pulsating .. Constellations creating .... Voices are guiding me .. To the cities by the sea" ..
Thank you so much Keith for making this video! This is one of my favorite B-52s songs. The video makes the song perfect. Thank you for all the great and positive music over the years!
I remember being 20 years old, driving through the mountains in New Mexico outside of Taos, listening to this song and loving every minute. Great song and even better in New Mexico! LOL!
Hello, McAllister Cunningham. Great song for a Castaneda connection. I was just revisiting him a bit via videos here. I have certain lifelong favorite songs that are indelibly associated with reading Castaneda's books in the 80s --- things like the album Phantoms by the Fixx, the album Mr. Heartbreak by Laurie Anderson (especially the song "Excellent Birds"), and Peter Gabriel's album Security.
One of the best song of the B52 ever. And the video mash up by Keith is a pure gem in my own humble opinion as I always got those kind visions by listening to it. What a wonderful song !!
it's just something this Mr. Cranky-Pants needs to hear on occasion. I've never heard it said, but have a hunch it was written as a tribute to Ricky Wilson.
thank you Kieth ,,, R.I.P. Ricky Mr . Strickland you are loved and your music will go on ,, as a fellow musician i appreciate your work greatly thank you
I don't hear any astrology in the lyrics... You mean astronomy? But why would references to stars and planets bar this song from being released as a single? I'm not sure what you mean.
The first album I ever bought was your B-52s album when I was in junior high back in 1982! Great memories... you guys are wonderful entertainers. Love this song! I'm learning it on my tenor ukulele though my vocals simply don't do the girls (or Fred) justice!
After nearly 30 years I just rediscovered “Cosmic Thing” this week and it reminded me of what a magical time 1989-90 was for me. And then I got to “Topaz” and remembered why I wore out this cassette back then!
I feel this song was the closest B-52's ever got to classical beauty. And one of the best 'fillers' ever. Btw the funky guitar parts are by you or Niles?
@@spacelf I absolutely love the guitar work on Topaz, I think it's brilliant, made me say to myself: "Damn the guy's good for a drummer". Seriously that riff's solid meaningfulness is half the song. The other half was of course Cindy and Kate, let's not get stupid.
Thank you so much for sharing Keith. I love The B-52's. I love this song Topaz! I love the creation of the video, it's brilliantly made. It just makes everyday shine for me and reminds me to stay uplifted.
Have listened to the B-52s since 1989 they have always been a brilliant unique band.Fave songs are Revolution earth,Channel z,Topaz,Deadbeat club,Rock Lobster,cosmic thing...and about a hundred more.
I'm mexican,and I have some audio cassettes tapes, all the CD's albums and 1 Record. I think I own all the CD's/ Album's, except the Singles with 2-4 different versions.
TOPAZ IS INCREDIBLY BRILLIANT COMPOSITION. PERFECT VOCALS
One of my all time favorites
You'd be tax exempt.
And just think of all those pretty boys.
New cities by the sea- Skyscrapers are winking- Some hills are never seen- The universe expanding- We're gazing out to sea- Blue dolphins are singing- Minds swim in ecstasy- Clear planet, ever free
Topaz- Our hearts are traveling faster- Faster than the speed of love- Straight through a tear in the clouds- Up to the heavens above
Bright ships will sail the seas- Starfishes are spinning- Some hills are never seen- Our universe is expanding- Moonrise upon the sea- Starships are blinking- We'll walk in ecstasy- Clear planet blue and green
Topaz- Our thoughts are traveling faster- Moving beyond the heavens above
I imagine the song to be the anthem of a distant world, colonized by people who learned from our mistakes & made something better, promising and optimistic. Thanks, Keith!
People who had learned?.hmm...where can they be....?
@@ralfralf3117 in a distant galaxy
@@PRdeSO i hope we'll never reach/find this calmful place
Far out. But it might not be far off.
One of me very fave tracks. I heart it a lot !
FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chanson géniale.
I petition to make Topaz the Anthem of Earth! Who's with me on that?
NASA should broadcast 'Topaz' into the far reaches of outer space. Its forever mission: *To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no song has gone before!* 🌌🪐🎶
777
I’m with you!
Another good candidate by the B-52's would be Revolution Earth. But Song for a Future Generation shows us why humans are currently not the best species to speak on behalf of the whole planet. Other species and the planet itself would have to be onboard. That could happen, though. :)
Yes!
LOVE B52s but this song does something to me that can't be explained. In my opinion it is perfect
dewey daugherty, I agree it’s a beautiful song. Kate and Cindy’s harmonizing is fantastic...
One of my most adorable songs
i get this completely. like it moves my spirit in such a positive way. i FEEL this song
Earth, such a nice planet. Well worth the time to go Visit.
I would def call this a perfect song
One of my all time favorite songs!!
This isn't THAT Keith Strickland, is it????
Their voices are absolutely angelic!
I love to play music and have already composed some. However, sometimes it is hard to imagine a person created a song like this one. It's easier to believe that it was brought by angels for humans to play it. Congratulations and thank you for writing such a beautiful song! It really brings me peace.
Don´t know, how they used to compose (perhaps Mr. Strickland can tell us - I´d love to hear!), but I think it´s most about the group, creating together: Somebody brings in the main idea, some fragments and all the others contribute their own. The blend of the girls voices is really something special - it always sounds odd, but in their case it holds true: it`s a glimpse of heaven!!
Dear Keith..... thank you for helping to bring joy to the world.
btw, everyone knows who keith strickland is, right?
I love the B-52s. Topaz is an under appreciated gem.
Thanks Keith.
Michael Barnes I agree. Don't know why it didn't become a hit. Maybe because it talks about astrology?
*+Augustin* - I think you meant astronomy, right? Astrology is about zodiac horoscope stuff.
*+Michael Barnes* - Lol, Topaz is an under-appreciated *_gem_* !
The song is too real.
They never marketed it as a hit
one of my very favorite b52 tracks. absolutely transcendent.
thanks keith. this album was the soundtrack for a very special year in my life. the B's and Don Was masterpiece!
Best song from Cosmic Thing.
This song makes me feel so happy and so sad at the same time. It is obviously celebrating the incredible joy and beauty and importance of our Planet Earth, yet at the same time, it feels to me as if it is also mourning all that we are about to lose (and are losing now, even as we speak), due to humanity's selfish and careless destruction of our environment (even if the lyrics don't make mention of the latter issue out loud). Mass pollution of the air and waters, aggressive mining of minerals and fossil fuels, destroying wild habitats and hunting animals to endangerment and extinction, the mass proliferation of weapons and warfare... It is no wonder that all these terrible human-made activities are either directly or indirectly responsible for causing our current struggles with the alarming and rapidly intensifying climate changes and global warming. The song's chorus and outro, with the alternating major and minor chords, and angelic intertwining vocal harmonies, give me this sense of grief of all that we are on the verge of losing, and an intense pleading to all humanity to change our ways before it is too late... but simultaneously, the voices are also pointing to and guiding us to a spark of hope for a Better World in the distant future, if only we would _really_ try. All these feels wash over me, it almost makes me cry...!
*+Jeffrey Cunningham* made an interesting interpretation as well, in his comment:
_I imagine the song to be the anthem of a distant world, colonized by people who learned from our mistakes & made something better, promising and optimistic. Thanks, Keith!_
Thank you..... I've been close to this song since high school.... Nice to have a video to it.... Since I am a product of the 80's. Great job.
Thank you for this Keith it really is the most beautiful song
and still ... one of the best songs I've ever heard
I automatically expect Follow Your Bliss to play next, lol.
Incredible, perfect music, vocal's , Thank you for your's song!!!
Unbelievable song, when I have issues I watch Topaz, the melody is gut wrenching 😢love it!!
Oh how wonderful Keith, thank you.
Thank you Keith! And thank you Kate, Cindy, and Fred! Topaz is the best.
I love this song and this video as well
Thank you Keith for all you did with not only Cosmic Thing, but all your work with The B-52s. Many of these songs have helped me with PTSD in addition to songs that just emphasize being yourself. Thanks again, I can't thank you guys enough for your work in finding the best in all of us.
Most welcome and thank you for listening and your kind words... peace be with you
Thank you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU BEAUTIFUL SWEET MAN!
I love this! Kate and Cindy sound like angels. I never get tired of this song. Perfect imagery from Contact!
This whole album is great .. I really like the part in the song that goes : "planets pulsating .. Constellations creating .... Voices are guiding me .. To the cities by the sea" ..
The most beautiful song I have ever heard. It's perfection. Terrific video too. Kudos Keith!
xo paul
A wonderful song - I’m in a hotel room in Hong Kong at 3am listing to this on my Sony Walkman and it’s 1990 . Just a flashback !
Thank you for this brilliant video. The song still makes me tingle.
Nile Rodgers’s contribution to this album has been unnoticed for sure. Cindy and Kate harmonizing is superb.
I sure as hell heard it right away !!!
Beautiful! Right on!
Thank you so much Keith for making this video! This is one of my favorite B-52s songs. The video makes the song perfect. Thank you for all the great and positive music over the years!
Love this song. Best of B52
Maybe -roam...
NICE. excellent experience of love and light and beauty! thank you
This is one ofmy very favorite B-52 songs & I have many. This one though always makes me happy.Great job on the video! I love it!
I remember being 20 years old, driving through the mountains in New Mexico outside of Taos, listening to this song and loving every minute. Great song and even better in New Mexico! LOL!
Lol I discovered Good Stuff trucking through these same mountains lol
Carlos Castaneda. Baby... winging across the desert ... ♡
Hello, McAllister Cunningham. Great song for a Castaneda connection. I was just revisiting him a bit via videos here. I have certain lifelong favorite songs that are indelibly associated with reading Castaneda's books in the 80s --- things like the album Phantoms by the Fixx, the album Mr. Heartbreak by Laurie Anderson (especially the song "Excellent Birds"), and Peter Gabriel's album Security.
Amen
Insanely gorgeous. thank you
One of the best song of the B52 ever.
And the video mash up by Keith is a pure gem in my own humble opinion as I always got those kind visions by listening to it.
What a wonderful song !!
it's just something this Mr. Cranky-Pants needs to hear on occasion.
I've never heard it said, but have a hunch it was written as a tribute to Ricky Wilson.
The world needs the B-52s now more than ever.
My favorite song from Cosmic Thing.
thank you Kieth ,,, R.I.P. Ricky Mr . Strickland you are loved and your music will go on ,, as a fellow musician i appreciate your work greatly thank you
I also think it has to be an elegy/tribute for Ricky
@@richardwilliams9977 are you THE Richard Williams?
@@PRdeSO Which Richard Williams?
This song should have been a single with a video. I'm pretty sure it would have been as big a hit as Roam.
Amazing harmonies
😃
How was this song not a single? Pop perfection.
Jhensy2012 I think the same. Maybe because of the astrological lyrics
I don't hear any astrology in the lyrics... You mean astronomy? But why would references to stars and planets bar this song from being released as a single? I'm not sure what you mean.
I wish it was more acceptable for humans to feel. Sadly, it is not. Emotion is the only thing that will keep us alive!
@@chelseajonezzz exactly what emotions?hatred,maybe.
It's a question you'd need to ask to their agent. Marketing songs as a radio hit is up to the record companies, not the public. Harsh but true.
While I always thought if I had a dog I would name it Quiche, my first puppy ended up being named Topaz. She is as beautiful as this song.
It was also the name of Eunice's dog on Carol Burnette show.
Harmony at its best.
Absolutely stunning and so uplifting. I have loved this song since I first heard it, aged 16, when it was released.
The first album I ever bought was your B-52s album when I was in junior high back in 1982! Great memories... you guys are wonderful entertainers. Love this song! I'm learning it on my tenor ukulele though my vocals simply don't do the girls (or Fred) justice!
Thank you for making this, Mr. Strickland. I feel Topaz is one of the most beautiful songs the B-52s ever put together. =)
I love this song and this video. I think it didn't become a hot because of the lyrics? Something against astrology?
*astronomy... Wait, why would anyone be against astronomy, though?
Right?! Astronomy 🪐 is controversial how? I guess you could also argue against stuff like “gravity” and “air” 🤦♀️
Not for me but some people consider it evil. Hollywood censors thousands of topics and that’s why contemporary music talks about nothing.
After nearly 30 years I just rediscovered “Cosmic Thing” this week and it reminded me of what a magical time 1989-90 was for me. And then I got to “Topaz” and remembered why I wore out this cassette back then!
Exactly same here. Magical song to a magical time. The best years of my life...so far 🤞🏽
Thank you for this, Keith. Did you guys ever do an official video for this song?
BEAUTIFUL
Breath taken away somewhere else ma, fitting song !
Gorgeousness
Great song!
This song reminds me of the fact it actually rains diamonds on Jupiter and Saturn....
David Chavez omg right!
@@maxiapalucci2511 Whaaaat?? How did I never hear about this!!
This is what it's all about!!!! xoxoxo
Produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, you can here him on guitar
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for finding the essence within this too, Keith! Love u guys!
Barely 19000.shame on you,.Just. PERFECT. song
Great Tune!!! Would love to hear any new B52's
maravilloso tema!!! aquí en 2019
I feel this song was the closest B-52's ever got to classical beauty. And one of the best 'fillers' ever. Btw the funky guitar parts are by you or Niles?
Moi
Merci !
@@spacelf I absolutely love the guitar work on Topaz, I think it's brilliant, made me say to myself: "Damn the guy's good for a drummer". Seriously that riff's solid meaningfulness is half the song. The other half was of course Cindy and Kate, let's not get stupid.
@@spacelf brilliant playing. Congratulations on making this. I've loved it since I first heard it.
Yes, that is Mr. Rodgers!!
Always makes my heart happy...thank you! 💙💚💙💚💙
Excellent video! I've had this in my head for years, and someone did it! Perfect editing. Thanks.
muwah : _)
One of my favorite songs in the entire catalogue.
Beautiful!
Saw them this week in Nottingham !Wonderful doesn’t even come close! ❤️
WOW. This is such a perfect visual accompaniment to my favorite B52s song.
Well done.
So enjoyed this montage Keith.
Thank you so much for sharing Keith. I love The B-52's. I love this song Topaz! I love the creation of the video, it's brilliantly made. It just makes everyday shine for me and reminds me to stay uplifted.
Thanx Keith. Miss this time. Loved your imagery.
Have listened to the B-52s since 1989 they have always been a brilliant unique band.Fave songs are Revolution earth,Channel z,Topaz,Deadbeat club,Rock Lobster,cosmic thing...and about a hundred more.
Thanks Keith, for this and everything you guys have given us.
Thanks!
J' écoutait ça pendant la guerre du golfe en 91.....
.
Gracias 👏
Por las imágenes, sonidos, sentimientos .. ¡Absolutamente todo precioso!
.
my fav 52s song
I always find this so soothing.
Favourite B52s track I think - thanks for the video
What a groovy song and video!
I'm mexican,and I have some audio cassettes tapes, all the CD's albums and 1 Record.
I think I own all the CD's/ Album's, except the Singles with 2-4 different versions.
Basic training 1989 🙂 Wonderful harmonies
très belle illustration! :-)
Thank You Keith
.
No me canso, ni me cansaré de escucharla una y otra vez .. 😍🎶
My favorite B-52's song by a mile (not because Fred doesn't "sing" in it - it's just a beautiful song)