- The chart-topping debut that redefined New Wave in the early 80s
"Beauty and the Beat" is the groundbreaking debut album by Californian all-female band The Go-Go’s, released in 1981. With infectious singles like “We Got the Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed,” the album rocketed to number one on the Billboard 200, where it stayed for six weeks. Produced by Richard Gottehrer with Rob Freeman as co-producer and engineer, it became the first—and only—album entirely written and performed by an all-female band to top the charts. Today it remains a cornerstone of 80s New Wave, blending punk roots with irresistible pop energy.
The Go-Go's are an American all-female rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1978. The band's debut album, "Beauty and the Beat," was released in 1981 on 12" vinyl LP and quickly became a commercial success.
The Go-Go's began playing music in the Los Angeles punk scene in the late 1970s. They quickly gained a following and signed with I.R.S. Records in 1980. Their debut album, "Beauty and the Beat" was recorded in New York City and produced by Richard Gottehrer. The album was released in July 1981 and peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It remained on the chart for 38 weeks and became one of the most successful albums of the year.
"Beauty and the Beat" had a significant impact on the music industry, particularly for female musicians. The album was the first by an all-female band to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It also helped to establish the Go-Go's as one of the most popular and influential bands of the 1980s.
The album's success inspired many other female musicians to form bands and pursue careers in the music industry. It also helped to break down barriers for women in the male-dominated world of rock music. The Go-Go's continue to be an important part of music history, and "Beauty and the Beat" remains a beloved and influential album to this day.
Americans 80s Rock / Pop
Illegal Records - Cat#: ILP 85332
This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs and artwork/photos.
Record Format: 12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Weight: 230g
July 1981 - Netherlands
Note: Track durations are approximate and may not be 100% correct.
The album cover of GO-GO's - Beauty and the Beat presents a bold and playful image of the five band members. They are posed as if in a beauty salon or spa, each wrapped in powder-blue towels with matching head wraps. Their bodies appear sun-kissed in orange tones, while their faces are painted in flat white makeup that accentuates dark, dramatic eyes and crimson lips.
The background fades from soft lavender on the left to warm peach on the right, creating a surreal, dreamlike color gradient. At the top left, the band name GO·GO’s is written in tall white lettering. On the right, in small lowercase text, the album title beauty and the beat runs vertically downwards.
The overall design juxtaposes glamour with satire, giving the impression of both pop exuberance and ironic commentary on beauty rituals. The composition is symmetrical yet casual, with each member striking a different pose: leaning, sitting cross-legged, or resting on an elbow, all gazing directly outward at the viewer.
The back cover of GO-GO's - Beauty and the Beat is arranged in a playful checkerboard grid of six squares. Three of these are filled with bright pink and blue speckled patterns, which double as the backdrop for the printed track listing.
The alternating squares feature black-and-white photographs of the band members in bathtubs filled with frothy bubbles. Each musician strikes a different pose: one holds a telephone to her ear with a playful expression, another blows bubbles from her hands, one pours champagne into a tower of glasses, while another reads a magazine while applying makeup. Another photo shows a member leaning toward the faucet with a mischievous smile.
This combination of colorful abstract design and humorous bath-time portraits conveys both the band’s lighthearted attitude and their tongue-in-cheek approach to glamour. At the top right, the catalog number and label markings are printed clearly, reinforcing its identity as a collectible vinyl release.
This inner sleeve from GO-GO's - Beauty and the Beat presents a grid of six panels alternating between textured pink speckle patterns and blue-tinted portraits of the band members. Each photograph captures a head-and-shoulders view, with every musician styled in a casual, approachable way, smiling or striking lighthearted expressions.
At the top left is Belinda Carlisle, identified with the credit lead vocals, her hair tied back with a ribbon and her eyes looking sideways in a playful manner. At the top right, Jane Wiedlin smiles brightly, credited for rhythm guitar & vocals. Centered at the bottom, Gina Schock appears with a surprised expression, labeled as drums & percussion. Bottom left shows Kathy Valentine, noted for bass & guitars, with tousled hair and a relaxed grin. At the bottom right is Charlotte Caffey, captioned lead guitar, vocals, & keyboards, looking directly at the viewer with a light smile.
The central pink panels provide the album’s production credits, highlighting Richard Gottehrer and Rob Freeman. The combination of stark speckled texture with monochrome portraits creates a striking design that feels both playful and stylish, consistent with the band’s energetic identity.
This second inner sleeve of GO-GO's - Beauty and the Beat is dedicated entirely to the printed lyrics of the album. Set against a solid pink background, the text is neatly arranged in multiple columns for readability.
Each section begins with the title of a track, capitalized or bolded, followed by the complete lyrics. The iconic singles Our Lips Are Sealed and We Got the Beat are prominently included, alongside the rest of the tracklist such as This Town, Skidmarks on My Heart, and Can't Stop the World.
This functional yet colorful design not only provides fans with the ability to sing along but also reflects the band’s commitment to presenting their work in full detail. It combines aesthetic simplicity with practical content, making the sleeve both collectible and useful.
This close-up of Side One’s record label for GO-GO's - Beauty and the Beat shows a cream background decorated with scattered blue speckles, a design element consistent with the album’s inner sleeve motifs. Bold black lettering displays the band’s name across the center.
Above the name sits the album title and the producer credits: Produced by Richard Gottehrer & Rob Freeman. The song list for Side One is printed below, featuring tracks such as Our Lips Are Sealed, How Much More, Tonite, Lust to Love, and This Town.
To the right of the spindle hole, the Illegal Records logo is clearly visible, accompanied by catalog number ILP 85332 and licensing identifiers, including the BIEM/STEMRA rights society stamp and LC code 7014. The crisp layout blends practical cataloging with a vibrant, collectible visual design.