Private Idaho
The B-52's · Time Capsule: Songs For A Future Generation [1998]
You're living in your own Private Idaho
Living in your own Private Idaho
Underground like a wild potato.
Don't go on the patio.
Beware of the pool,
blue bottomless pool.
It leads you straight
right throught the gate
that opens on the pool.
You're living in your own Private Idaho.
You're living in your own Private Idaho.
Keep off the path, beware the gate,
watch out for signs that say "hidden driveways".
Don't let the chlorine in your eyes
blind you to the awful surprise
that's waitin' for you at
the bottom of the bottomless blue blue blue pool.
You're livin in your own Private Idaho. Idaho.
You're out of control, the rivers that roll,
you fell into the water and down to Idaho.
Get out of that state,
get out of that state you're in.
You better beware.
You're living in your own Private Idaho.
You're living in your own Private Idaho.
Keep off the patio,
keep off the path.
The lawn may be green
but you better not be seen
walkin' through the gate that leads you down,
down to a pool fraught with danger
is a pool full of strangers.
You're living in your own Private Idaho,
where do I go from here to a better state than this.
Well, don't be blind to the big surprise
swimming round and round like the deadly hand
of a radium clock, at the bottom, of the pool.
I-I-I-daho
I-I-I-daho
Woah oh oh woah oh oh woah oh oh
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Get out of that state
Get out of that state
You're living in your own Private Idaho,
livin in your own Private.... Idaho
Private Idaho
Private Idaho stands as a vibrant example of The B-52's enduring commitment to eccentric new wave pop. Released on the 1998 compilation Time Capsule: Songs For A Future Generation, the track captures the band's signature blend of surf-rock guitar lines, playful vocals, and theatrical energy. While the group is often celebrated for their early 1980s hits, this recording demonstrates their ability to maintain a distinct sonic identity years into their career. The song reflects the band's knack for creating catchy, danceable anthems that balance whimsical subject matter with tight, energetic arrangements. As part of their extensive discography, it offers listeners a concise snapshot of their unique approach to synthesizing retro influences with modern production techniques.

