The Go-Go’s Belinda Carlisle: She’s Still Got the Beat

Rock stars may come and go, but certain artists truly stand the test of time.

In an ever-changing landscape of shifting musical trends, Grammy-nominated Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Belinda Carlisle is a rare talent who continues to remain relevant after nearly four decades in the business. From performing with the Go-Go’s to having a successful career as a solo artist, Carlisle has delivered a string of classic pop hits that have become the soundtrack of a generation.

Additionally, she has indelibly touched the hearts of fans around the world with her unique blend of gutsy vocals, emotively charged melodies, and picturesque lyrics. Lucky for us, she has no plans to slow down.

Earlier this year, Carlisle announced the U.S. string of her critically acclaimed Decades tour, which will showcase her vast catalog of more than 20 top-charting singles, and in May, she released a brand-new five-track EP titled Kismet, the pop icon’s first English-language studio recording since 1997.

OFM had the opportunity to sit down with Carlisle and talk more about the EP and tour, as well as her venture into music, gaining fame with the Go-Go’s, and being a loving and supportive LGBTQ ally.

Belinda, can you begin by telling us what audiences can expect from your upcoming Decades tour?

Songs from most of my solo albums. Not the chanting album or the French album, but the other ones, as well as a few Go-Go’s songs and probably a couple songs from my new EP, Kismet. I have a lot of material to draw from.

You did the European leg of the tour earlier this year. How was it received?

It was all sold out! I mean, you couldn’t get a ticket, which is amazing. Right before I got sober, I remember doing a show in Nottingham, and maybe 20 people showed up. I was going through a lot of tough times in my personal life, and then with my career, I was like, OK. This is where it ends. Then 20 years later, 3,000 seats are totally sold out. It’s weird because I wasn’t really expecting that, but I think there’s a real hunger for uplifting pop music right now. It was amazing. I haven’t had that for a very long time.

What have you been enjoying the most about this tour?

I just love performing. I don’t like the traveling part, but I like the performing part. I get to do what I love, be in the moment and sing these amazing songs. That’s been my experience throughout this tour so far.

Do you feel a sense of nostalgia when you play songs from your back catalog?

It seems like yesterday for me (laughs). So, it doesn’t really feel that nostalgic, but I know it is for a lot of people because it represents a time when things in the world were less complicated, and I think that’s part of the beauty of my music. It does represent that, and it’s uplifting. I know I like to escape when I go to shows, and it’s been great to provide an escape for people from the daily stresses of their lives.

Your first venture into music was in 1977 as a drummer for the punk rock band the Germs. Has music, singing, and performing always been your passion?

To be honest, I kind of fell into the punk scene accidentally because all the kids and all my friends were in bands, and the Germs was formed because my friend Lorna Doom, who was the bass player, we went to the Beverly Hilton to get Freddie Mercury’s autograph. We were all dressed up with glitter, berets, and stage-like makeup, and then we saw two kids that looked like freaks across the lobby.

One of them happened to be Pat Smear, who’s in the Foo Fighters, and the other was Darby Crash. Coincidentally, they put out a flier saying, “looking for two untalented girls.” We thought, that’s us! So, we called the number, and it was them, so that’s how I kind of fell into it. After that, I was in Black Randy and the Metrosquad, and then ended up forming the Go-Go’s with Jane Wiedlin and Margot Olavarria.

With the Go-Go’s, you put out some major hits like “We Got the Beat” and “Vacation,” but one of your most iconic tracks is from when you went solo—“Heaven Is a Place on Earth.” Do you remember how that song came to fruition?

I remember the first time it was played. Rick Nowels was playing it on piano, and Ellen Shipley was singing it, and I just thought, “Oh my God! It sounds like a hit,” but a lot of things come into play besides a song just being good. It’s also about what’s going on with the charts, what’s going on in music, and what’s going on in the world. I thought, if the stars aligned, then I have a good chance with this song because it really did sound like a hit. In my career, I’ve been doing this for over 40 years; there’s only been a few songs that have come along where I got that feeling from. A lot of factors play in, so I never get my hopes up, but it certainly did sound like a hit.

And it definitely was because it even earned you a Grammy nomination. I can’t imagine what an incredible experience that must have been for you. What do you recall the most from that evening?

It was so surreal! Coming from the Go-Go’s, it was really uncomfortable for the first couple years because I didn’t have my security blanket of four other girls onstage with me. It took a while to really find my way, and luckily, I met Rick Nowels. I was almost sort of his muse in a way, and he is such an amazing songwriter. He wrote the kind of lyrics that I would sing, so I was always coddled in that kind of way. When “Heaven” did as well as it did, and I ended up at the Grammys, it was like, I was just in the Go-Go’s yesterday. It was such a whirlwind experience.

What do you always hope audiences take away from your music?

A lot of people write off pop music as being sort of frivolous and silly, and I don’t think it is. I think it’s very hard to write a great pop song, and that kind of music, like I said earlier, can bring about some form of escape. I would hope that people are really uplifted by my music. I know how I feel when I’m uplifted by music that I hear, and I would love to be able to give that to people too. I think my music does do that.

Earlier this year, you were featured in 80 for Brady’s “Gonna Be You,” alongside Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan, and Debbie Harry. How did you get pegged for that, and how much fun was it?

I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was recording vocals for my EP, and Diane Warren came in and said, “Do you want to sing with Debbie, Cyndi, Gloria, and Dolly?” Of course, I said yes! Everybody did their parts separately, and we recorded our parts of the video in different places since we live all over the world, but I hope something comes up where we’re able to all sing in the same room. I think that would be amazing.

Speaking of your EP, is there an overall story Kismet is telling?

No, there’s no overall story. It’s basically all about different types of love. Pleading love, insane love. They’re all love songs, but no, there’s no overall message of any sort. They’re just good, solid pop songs.

When you released the EP’s first single, “Big Big Love,” that was your first pop single in 27 years. How did that feel?

It felt great because it wasn’t contrived or planned. My son ran into Diane at a coffee shop, and she said, “What is your mom doing? Let’s call her.” So, they called me, and to be perfectly honest, I was on my way out. I was going to slow down and just have a quiet life in Mexico, but she’s like, “Get down to the studio! I have some hits for you.” I thought, do I really want to open that door? Because it’s a big commitment to do something like that and do it properly.

I went to the studio as a courtesy, and I was expecting to say no, but when I heard the songs, I was like, “Oh my God, these are amazing. Yes, I’ll sing them!” So, that’s how it all happened. It’s been fun because it’s great not to have any expectations, and I’m so happy that it’s doing so well. Not having any expectations is the best. During Heaven on Earth, Runaway Horses, and all those other projects, there was big pressure to come up with the goods. It was so stressful, but this album has been super fun.

In what ways does Kismet show the evolution of Belinda Carlisle?

I think my vocals are stronger than they used to be. In fact, I know they are. I do a lot of work on them, so they better. I’m pretty much doing the same kind of unmistakable sound that I have, but it does show a little bit of growth, especially vocal growth. That’s the most important thing.

Outside of music, you are a very big advocate and supporter of the LGBTQ community, especially after your son came out at the age of 14. Do you have any comment about the anti-LGBTQ and drag bills that are currently sweeping across the country?

I don’t understand it. It’s always been 10 steps forward, five back. I don’t understand what the problem is here, and hopefully, we’ll take another 10 steps forward sooner or later because this is crazy. The news horrifies me, and I hear things from other people, and it’s just so toxic. I don’t get it.

Do you think there’s a special way of showing love between a straight parent and a queer child?

I think support is the most important thing. It was funny when my son came out because I always kind of knew anyway. It wasn’t like a big surprise, but coming out can still be a really intense experience for both parent and child. I instantly thought, what kind of world is this going to be for my gay child? He was coached by PFLAG, which I’m a big supporter of. A lot of kids don’t get that support from their parents when they come out, and I don’t understand that either. I really don’t.

When he came out, he said something to me along the lines of, “I like boys.” I was driving and had to pull over, and I was like, “OK.” But then he said, “my sexuality doesn’t define me.” I said, “That’s absolutely true.” My son is way smarter than me and way more evolved than me, but I think the most important things for a relationship between a parent and queer child is support, acceptance, and love. The world is going to be more difficult for them now, no matter what. It’s important to support them.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?

I don’t have any, to be honest (laughs). The only thing I want to do now is have a donkey sanctuary, so that’s the next big project. I know that has nothing to do with music, but I’ve learned, once again, you can never say never. I was like, I’m never going to do English-speaking pop again, and then this came along. With the Go-Go’s, I said never again many times, and then I’d do it again. So, I just don’t know. Career-wise, I’m very, very happy at where I’m at. I don’t have any grand schemes as far as my career goes. My only scheme is my donkey sanctuary. That’s what I’m working and cheering on now.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?

Just keep an eye out for my tour dates. I’ve got the East Coast in July and the West Coast in August, and then I have Australia at the end of the year. That’s pretty much it for me, and then we’ll see what happens after that!

Stay up-to-date and connect with Carlisle by following her on Facebook @belindacarlisleofficial and Instagram @travels_with_mrs_mason. Kismet is available on CD and all digital streaming platforms.

Photos courtesy of Nick Spanos, Christie Goodwin, and Joe Poindexter