When The B-52’s released Love Shack in 1989, it was more than just another pop song — it was an invitation. The band described the “Love Shack” as a place out in the country where anyone could go: a ramshackle club where freedom, fun, sweat, and togetherness were the only rules.

In an exclusive Classic Countdown clip, the group recall how the song came to life in a jam session, looping riffs over and over until the pieces clicked. The now-famous chorus — “The Love Shack is a little old place where we can get together” — almost didn’t repeat as often as it does, until an argument between Fred Schneider and Cindy Wilson sealed its place as the song’s irresistible hook.

The track went on to become The B-52’s biggest hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing itself as a staple at parties, weddings, and dancefloors around the world. Rolling Stone has called it “one of the most joyful singles of the late ’80s,” praising its mix of camp, funk, and pure pop abandon. VH1 later ranked it among the “100 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time.”

Beyond its chart success, Love Shack also had a poignant undertone. It was the band’s first big single after the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson, and many fans and critics saw it as a rebirth — a joyful tribute to life, love, and community. The video, with its retro vibe and larger-than-life personalities, further pushed the band into MTV stardom.

More than three decades later, the shack is still open for business. Whenever those first beats kick in on HOT 1027, you can’t help but sing along — proof that sometimes the quirkiest jams make the most timeless anthems.

Catch the HOT 1027 Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop every Sunday from 12 noon to 3pm.

Listen to the actual Backstory here: