It was first recorded by the Go-Go's as the opening track on their album Beauty and the Beat (1981) and was their debut American single in June 1981. The single eventually reached the top 5 in Australia and Canada, and the top 20 in the United States. Originally written and performed with three verses,[2] the song appears in an abbreviated version on Beauty and the Beat. Most of the song's vocals are performed by lead singer Belinda Carlisle, with co-writer Wiedlin singing the bridge.
In 1983, Hall's band Fun Boy Three released their version of "Our Lips Are Sealed". Issued as a single, the track became a top-ten hit in the United Kingdom, besting the recording by the Go-Go's which only made it to No. 47 in the UK.
Record World described the song as being as "innocent and infectious as pop music can be," with a "steady, pulsating dance beat" and "candy-coated keyboard riffs."[3]
In 2000, Rolling Stone & MTV put the Go-Go's' original version of "Our Lips Are Sealed" at No. 57 on a list of 100 Greatest Pop Songs.[4] In 2021, their version was also listed at No. 477 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[5] The Go-Go's performed the song, along with "Vacation" and "We Got the Beat", during the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.[6]
The Go-Go's supported the Specials on the latter's 1980 Seaside tour of England. According to Jane Wiedlin, she and Terry Hall had a brief affair despite his being in a relationship with another woman at the time. After Wiedlin returned to the United States, Hall mailed her some lyrics, and this led to their co-writing the song. The Go-Go's version is significantly more upbeat than Fun Boy Three's, which Wiedlin describes as "great" but also "gloomier".[7]
Music video
The official music video for the song features sequences of the band members in carefree tableaux (riding around LA in a 1960 Buick convertible, stopping at a lingerie shop, and splashing around in a fountain) interspersed with footage of the band playing at a club.
Jane Wiedlin says the band was initially unenthusiastic when Miles Copeland, president of their label, I.R.S. Records, told them they would be doing the video. "We were totally bratty," she recalls. The video was financed with unused funds from the Police's video budget.[8]
The group wanted an older-style convertible, and found a red 1960 Buick LeSabre at Rent-a-Wreck.[citation needed] After riding around Beverly Hills, at some point, they stop at the famous Trashy Lingerie store located at La Cienega Blvd. The girls go into the shop, but Jane Wiedlin remains in the car to sing the bridge of the song (although Carlisle can be seen in the driver's seat trying to hide). The day of shooting was very hot so it was the band's idea to end the video by jumping into the fountain on the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica. Wiedlin later said "I thought, at any minute the cops are gonna come. This is gonna be so cool."[8]
Wiedlin looks back on the video experience fondly. "I have horrible '80s poodle hair in it," she recalled in a 2011 history of MTV. "But there's a simplicity and innocence to the video that appeals to me."[9]
The music video received heavy airplay on the fledgling MTV.
Chart performance
The original version peaked at number 20 on the BillboardHot 100 chart, and 15 on the BillboardTop Rock Tracks chart. On the dance chart, the song peaked at number 10.[10] A song of unusual longevity as a hit, it remained on the Billboard charts until March 1982, long after its peak, ultimately charting for 30 weeks.[11]
The following year, co-writer Terry Hall re-recorded the song with his own band, Fun Boy Three. It was included on their second album Waiting and reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart, and was the last single to chart in the UK before their split later in 1983. Backing vocals were provided by Mo-dettes drummer June Miles-Kingston, who also played drums on the single and the Waiting LP.
Sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff covered the song for the soundtrack of the 2004 film A Cinderella Story, in which Hilary starred. The cover, which was released on June 5, 2004, was produced by Charlie Midnight and Spider. The Duff sisters said in an interview that they had wanted to record together, and Hilary chose "Our Lips Are Sealed" because the "secretive" theme of the song relates to the film A Cinderella Story.[22] As of July 27, 2014, the song had sold 161,000 copies in the United States.[23] It was released on June 3 and received medium airplay on MuchMusic in Canada and MTV in the U.S. Though the video was popular on the MTV video chart show Total Request Live, the single failed to chart on the US Hot 100. In Australia it was released on August 30, 2004 and reached number eight.
The single's music video was directed by Chris Applebaum and filmed in Toronto, Canada, in May 2004.[22] Similar to the video for the Go-Go's single, it depicts the Duff sisters driving around town in a car and goofing about, and is interspersed with footage from A Cinderella Story. A second version of the video, which had new scenes and is not interspersed with scenes from A Cinderella Story, was included on the Dignity deluxe edition DVD. The song was included on Duff's compilation album, Most Wanted (2005) and the Japanese and Australian editions of Hilary Duff's second compilation album Best of Hilary Duff.
^See video "Totally Go-Go's" recorded live on December 4, 1981, at Palos Verdes High School
^"Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. July 4, 1981. p. 20. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
^"Rock On The Net: Rolling Stone & MTV: 100 Greatest Pop Songs: 51-100". Rock On The Net. 2009-03-30. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
^"The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
^Zaleski, Annie (October 30, 2021). "The Go-Go's Break Out Hits, 'Rock Star' Poses for Long Overdue Rock Hall Induction". Rolling Stone.
^"Jane Wiedlin from the Go-Go's: Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts.com. 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
^ abMarks, Craig; Tannenbaum, Rob (2011). I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. New York, NY: Dutton. pp. 92–93. ISBN978-0-525-95230-5.
lips, sealed, mary, kate, ashley, olsen, film, film, song, written, jane, wiedlin, guitarist, terry, hall, singer, specials, three, single, sfrom, album, beauty, beatb, side, surfing, spying, releasedjune, 1981recorded1981genrepower, wavelength2, 44labeli, son. For the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen film see Our Lips Are Sealed film Our Lips Are Sealed is a song co written by Jane Wiedlin guitarist of the Go Go s and Terry Hall singer of the Specials and Fun Boy Three Our Lips Are Sealed Single by the Go Go sfrom the album Beauty and the BeatB side Surfing and Spying ReleasedJune 12 1981Recorded1981GenrePower pop 1 new waveLength2 44LabelI R S Songwriter s Jane WiedlinTerry HallProducer s Richard GottehrerRob FreemanThe Go Go s singles chronology Our Lips Are Sealed 1981 We Got the Beat 1982 It was first recorded by the Go Go s as the opening track on their album Beauty and the Beat 1981 and was their debut American single in June 1981 The single eventually reached the top 5 in Australia and Canada and the top 20 in the United States Originally written and performed with three verses 2 the song appears in an abbreviated version on Beauty and the Beat Most of the song s vocals are performed by lead singer Belinda Carlisle with co writer Wiedlin singing the bridge In 1983 Hall s band Fun Boy Three released their version of Our Lips Are Sealed Issued as a single the track became a top ten hit in the United Kingdom besting the recording by the Go Go s which only made it to No 47 in the UK Record World described the song as being as innocent and infectious as pop music can be with a steady pulsating dance beat and candy coated keyboard riffs 3 In 2000 Rolling Stone amp MTV put the Go Go s original version of Our Lips Are Sealed at No 57 on a list of 100 Greatest Pop Songs 4 In 2021 their version was also listed at No 477 on Rolling Stone s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 5 The Go Go s performed the song along with Vacation and We Got the Beat during the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 6 Contents 1 Origins 2 Music video 3 Chart performance 3 1 Weekly charts 4 Certifications and sales 4 1 Year end charts 5 Fun Boy Three version 6 Hilary and Haylie Duff version 6 1 Track listing 6 2 Charts 6 3 Release history 7 References 8 External linksOrigins EditThe Go Go s supported the Specials on the latter s 1980 Seaside tour of England According to Jane Wiedlin she and Terry Hall had a brief affair despite his being in a relationship with another woman at the time After Wiedlin returned to the United States Hall mailed her some lyrics and this led to their co writing the song The Go Go s version is significantly more upbeat than Fun Boy Three s which Wiedlin describes as great but also gloomier 7 Music video EditThe official music video for the song features sequences of the band members in carefree tableaux riding around LA in a 1960 Buick convertible stopping at a lingerie shop and splashing around in a fountain interspersed with footage of the band playing at a club Jane Wiedlin says the band was initially unenthusiastic when Miles Copeland president of their label I R S Records told them they would be doing the video We were totally bratty she recalls The video was financed with unused funds from the Police s video budget 8 The group wanted an older style convertible and found a red 1960 Buick LeSabre at Rent a Wreck citation needed After riding around Beverly Hills at some point they stop at the famous Trashy Lingerie store located at La Cienega Blvd The girls go into the shop but Jane Wiedlin remains in the car to sing the bridge of the song although Carlisle can be seen in the driver s seat trying to hide The day of shooting was very hot so it was the band s idea to end the video by jumping into the fountain on the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Wiedlin later said I thought at any minute the cops are gonna come This is gonna be so cool 8 Wiedlin looks back on the video experience fondly I have horrible 80s poodle hair in it she recalled in a 2011 history of MTV But there s a simplicity and innocence to the video that appeals to me 9 The music video received heavy airplay on the fledgling MTV Chart performance EditThe original version peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 15 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart On the dance chart the song peaked at number 10 10 A song of unusual longevity as a hit it remained on the Billboard charts until March 1982 long after its peak ultimately charting for 30 weeks 11 Weekly charts Edit Chart 1981 1982 PeakpositionAustralia Kent Music Report 12 2Canada CBC 13 4Canada Canada RPM Top 100 14 3New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 15 23Sweden Sverigetopplistan 16 14UK Singles Official Charts Company 47US Billboard Hot 100 20US Billboard Disco Top 80 10US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks 15 Certifications and sales Edit Region Certification Certified units salesAustralia ARIA 17 Gold 50 000 Shipments figures based on certification alone Year end charts Edit Chart 1982 RankAustralia Kent Music Report 18 19 17Canada RPM 100 20 12U S Billboard Hot 100 21 63Fun Boy Three version Edit Our Lips Are Sealed Single by Fun Boy Threefrom the album WaitingReleased29 April 1983GenreNew waveLength3 36LabelChrysalisSongwriter s Jane Wiedlin Terry HallProducer s David ByrneFun Boy Three singles chronology Tunnel of Love 1983 Our Lips Are Sealed 1983 The Farm Yard Connection 1983 The following year co writer Terry Hall re recorded the song with his own band Fun Boy Three It was included on their second album Waiting and reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and was the last single to chart in the UK before their split later in 1983 Backing vocals were provided by Mo dettes drummer June Miles Kingston who also played drums on the single and the Waiting LP 2x7 single Chrysalis FUNB 1 FBFRE 1 No TitleWriter s Length1 Our Lips Are Sealed Single Version Terry Hall Jane Wiedlin2 512 Our Lips Are Sealed Urdu Version 3 503 Going Home Specially recorded by The Old Grey Whistle Test 4 We re Having All the Fun Specially recorded by The Old Grey Whistle Test The Fun Boy Three 12 single Chrysalis 4V9 42689 No TitleWriter s Length1 Our Lips Are Sealed Special Club Remix Terry Hall Jane Wiedlin6 072 Our Lips Are Sealed Single Version Hall Wiedlin2 513 Our Lips Are Sealed Urdu Version Hall Wiedlin3 50 12 UK single Chrysalis FUNBX 1 No TitleWriter s Length1 Our Lips Are Sealed Remixed Version Terry Hall Jane Wiedlin6 002 Our Lips Are Sealed Single Version Hall Wiedlin2 513 Our Lips Are Sealed Urdu Version Hall Wiedlin3 50 Chart 1983 PeakpositionIreland IRMA 13UK Singles The Official Charts Company 7Hilary and Haylie Duff version Edit Our Lips Are Sealed Single by Hilary Duff and Haylie Dufffrom the album A Cinderella StoryReleasedJune 5 2004 2004 06 05 Length2 40LabelHollywoodSongwriter s Jane WiedlinTerry HallProducer s Charlie Midnight SpiderHilary Duff singles chronology Little Voice 2004 Our Lips Are Sealed 2004 Fly 2004 A Cinderella Story singles chronology Our Lips Are Sealed 2004 Tell Me Something I Don t Know 2008 Sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff covered the song for the soundtrack of the 2004 film A Cinderella Story in which Hilary starred The cover which was released on June 5 2004 was produced by Charlie Midnight and Spider The Duff sisters said in an interview that they had wanted to record together and Hilary chose Our Lips Are Sealed because the secretive theme of the song relates to the film A Cinderella Story 22 As of July 27 2014 the song had sold 161 000 copies in the United States 23 It was released on June 3 and received medium airplay on MuchMusic in Canada and MTV in the U S Though the video was popular on the MTV video chart show Total Request Live the single failed to chart on the US Hot 100 In Australia it was released on August 30 2004 and reached number eight The single s music video was directed by Chris Applebaum and filmed in Toronto Canada in May 2004 22 Similar to the video for the Go Go s single it depicts the Duff sisters driving around town in a car and goofing about and is interspersed with footage from A Cinderella Story A second version of the video which had new scenes and is not interspersed with scenes from A Cinderella Story was included on the Dignity deluxe edition DVD The song was included on Duff s compilation album Most Wanted 2005 and the Japanese and Australian editions of Hilary Duff s second compilation album Best of Hilary Duff Track listing Edit Our Lips Are Sealed 2 40 Our Lips Are Sealed music video 2 50 A Cinderella Story movie trailer 1 44Charts Edit Chart 2004 PeakpositionAustralia ARIA 24 8Canada Nielsen SoundScan 25 47Release history Edit Release dates and formats for Our Lips Are Sealed Region Date Format Label Ref United States June 5 2004 Contemporary hit radio Hollywood 26 Australia August 30 2004 CD single Festival Mushroom 27 References Edit Cateforis Theo 2011 Are We Not New Wave Modern Pop at the Turn of the 1980s University of Michigan Press p 139 ISBN 978 0 472 03470 3 See video Totally Go Go s recorded live on December 4 1981 at Palos Verdes High School Single Picks PDF Record World July 4 1981 p 20 Retrieved 2023 02 28 Rock On The Net Rolling Stone amp MTV 100 Greatest Pop Songs 51 100 Rock On The Net 2009 03 30 Retrieved 2022 12 20 The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Rolling Stone 2021 09 15 Retrieved 2022 07 03 Zaleski Annie October 30 2021 The Go Go s Break Out Hits Rock Star Poses for Long Overdue Rock Hall Induction Rolling Stone Jane Wiedlin from the Go Go s Songwriter Interviews Songfacts com 2007 10 22 Retrieved 2016 10 23 a b Marks Craig Tannenbaum Rob 2011 I Want My MTV The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution New York NY Dutton pp 92 93 ISBN 978 0 525 95230 5 I Want My MTV 104 Whitburn Joel 2004 Hot Dance Disco 1974 2003 Record Research p 111 Top Pop Singles 1955 1999 by Joel Whitburn Kent David 1993 Australian Chart Book 1970 1992 St Ives NSW Australian Chart Book ISBN 0 646 11917 6 Nanda Lwin 1999 Top 40 Hits The Essential Chart Guide Music Data Canada ISBN 1 896594 13 1 Image RPM Weekly Library and Archives Canada PDF Bac lac gc ca Retrieved 2016 10 23 Go Go s Our Lips Are Sealed Top 40 Singles Go Go s Our Lips Are Sealed Singles Top 100 Platinum and Gold Singles 1982 Kent Music Report 28 February 1983 Retrieved 10 November 2021 via Imgur National Top 100 Singles for 1982 Kent Music Report January 3 1983 Retrieved January 22 2023 via Imgur Forum ARIA Charts Special Occasion Charts 1982 Australian charts com Hung Medien Retrieved 17 April 2017 Item Display RPM Library and Archives Canada Collectionscanada gc ca Archived from the original on 2016 08 11 Retrieved 2016 10 23 Top 100 Hits of 1982 Top 100 Songs of 1982 Musicoutfitters com Retrieved 2016 10 23 a b Moss Corey Hilary And Haylie Give The Go Go s A Double Duff Treatment MTV News May 20 2004 Ask Billboard How Has Enrique Iglesias Bailando Become Such A Big Hit Billboard July 27 2014 Retrieved July 27 2014 Hilary Duff amp Haylie Duff Our Lips Are Sealed ARIA Top 50 Singles Retrieved November 24 2013 Singles Top 50 Jam October 7 2004 Archived from the original on October 11 2004 Retrieved January 23 2023 Music Billboard Picks PDF American Radio History Billboard June 5 2004 p 32 Retrieved June 16 2020 The ARIA Report Issue 757 PDF Archived from the original PDF on 2008 02 22 External links Edit The Go Go s Our Lips Are Sealed Official Music Video on YouTube Our Lips Are Sealed on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Our Lips Are Sealed amp oldid 1145862642, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
