Radio Waves (Roger Waters song)
"Radio Waves" is the opening track from Roger Waters' second solo studio album, Radio K.A.O.S. It was chosen as the lead single for the album, released worldwide in May 1987.
"Radio Waves" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Roger Waters | ||||
from the album Radio K.A.O.S. | ||||
B-side | "Going to Live in L.A." | |||
Released | 11 May 1987 | |||
Recorded | 1986 | |||
Length | 4:59 (album version) 3:47 (single version) 6:58 (extended version) | |||
Label | Columbia/CBS Records (US) EMI (UK) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Roger Waters | |||
Producer(s) | Roger Waters Nick Griffiths Ian Ritchie | |||
Roger Waters singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Radio Waves" on YouTube |
Background
"Radio Waves" introduces the main character, Billy, a disabled man who finds a way to talk and become friends with a radio DJ. Billy is gifted and has the miracle of hearing and interpreting radio waves in his head. He explores a cordless phone which was hidden in his wheelchair by his brother Benny, after destroying and robbing a store. Recognising its similarity to a radio, he experiments with the phone and is able to access computers and speech synthesizers, he learns to speak through them. He calls a radio station in L.A. named Radio KAOS, a completely fictitious radio station based in Los Angeles and tells them of his abilities and his life story throughout the album.
Track listings
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Radio Waves (Edit)" | 4:13 |
2. | "Going to Live in L.A." | 5:50 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Radio Waves" | 3:47 |
2. | "Going to Live in L.A." | 5:50 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Radio Waves (Extended Remix)" | 6:58 |
2. | "Going to Live in L.A." | 5:50 |
3. | "Radio Waves (7" Version)" | 3:47 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Radio Waves (Edit)" | 4:13 |
2. | "Radio Waves (Single Version)" | 3:47 |
Charts
Chart (1987) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[1] | 43 |
UK Singles (OCC)[2] | 74 |
US Mainstream Rock Songs (Billboard)[3] | 12 |
References
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 334. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Roger Waters - Radio Waves". Billboard. Retrieved 12 May 2012.