Complete List Of Jane Wiedlin Songs From A to Z

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Jane Wiedlin’s story begins in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where she was born in 1958, before her family eventually moved to California where she grew up. By the late 1970s she had immersed herself in the Los Angeles punk scene, attending shows and absorbing the raw energy that would soon fuel her own creative output. It was here that she helped form the Go-Go’s in 1978, initially as a guitarist and songwriter, quickly becoming a key figure in the band’s rise from clubs to international stardom. The Go-Go’s became one of the most successful all-female rock bands of all time, breaking barriers with their chart-topping debut album Beauty and the Beat in 1981. Wiedlin’s sharp songwriting instincts and distinctive rhythm guitar style were instrumental in shaping their sound.

During her years with the Go-Go’s, Wiedlin was part of the band’s major accomplishments, including top ten singles like “We Got the Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed.” The group’s blend of punk, pop, and new wave gave them a unique identity and placed them at the heart of the early 1980s rock landscape. Their success was unprecedented for an all-female band writing and playing their own material, and Wiedlin’s contributions as both musician and co-writer were central to their achievement. The Go-Go’s success brought them Grammy nominations and worldwide recognition, but like many bands, internal pressures led to their split in 1985.

Following the breakup, Wiedlin began her solo career, releasing her debut solo album Jane Wiedlin in 1985. The record introduced her as more than just a member of the Go-Go’s, showing a darker and more personal side of her artistry. Two years later, she released Fur, which contained her most successful solo single “Rush Hour,” a top ten hit in the United States that also charted internationally. Fur reached the top 100 on the Billboard album chart and remains her most commercially recognized solo effort. Wiedlin continued her solo career with Tangled in 1990, featuring the single “World on Fire,” and later Kissproof World in 2000, which further reflected her versatility as both a singer and songwriter.

Wiedlin’s songwriting ability also extended well beyond her own recordings. She co-wrote “Our Lips Are Sealed” with Terry Hall of The Specials and Fun Boy Three, a song that not only became a signature hit for the Go-Go’s but also found success in Hall’s own band. Her knack for memorable hooks and lyrical honesty solidified her reputation as a songwriter whose impact reached beyond her own performances. Wiedlin also collaborated with other artists throughout her career, further showing her skill as a composer and contributor to pop and rock music of the era.

Outside of music, Jane Wiedlin explored a variety of creative outlets that reflected her personality and artistic drive. She pursued acting, appearing in films such as Clue (1985) and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), where she played Joan of Arc. She also made guest appearances on television, expanding her reach beyond the stage and studio. Her creativity was not limited to performing either, as she also developed interests in comic book writing and voice acting, demonstrating an ability to adapt her talents to different media.

The Go-Go’s eventually reunited in the 1990s and beyond, releasing new material and touring to both commercial and critical acclaim. Their legacy was cemented when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, a long overdue recognition of their cultural and musical impact. Wiedlin’s role as a founding member was central to that legacy, her work on guitar and as a songwriter essential to the group’s enduring popularity. Even with her solo career and outside projects, she never abandoned her connection to the Go-Go’s, rejoining the band for multiple tours and recordings across decades.