Keep Your Hands To Yourself

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" by The Georgia Satellites, from their 1986 self-titled album, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this Southern rock anthem. This song, written by lead singer Dan Baird, was inspired by the romantic troubles of their drummer, as Baird shared in a 2016 Rolling Stone interview. He penned it in one sitting on a tour bus, capturing its raw energy. The track’s demo, recorded on an 8-track, was so good that Elektra Records used it for the album after multiple studio attempts failed to match its vibe, according to Songfacts. Its iconic line about "a little change in my pocket" sparked rumors of suggestive undertones, but the band firmly denied this, insisting it’s about a guy navigating a woman’s demand for commitment.

The music video, directed by Bill Fishman, added a humorous twist with a shotgun wedding theme, complete with a visibly pregnant bride, which amplified its MTV appeal in the '80s. Baird noted in the same Rolling Stone piece that the song’s crunchy guitars influenced country music, with artists like Hank Williams Jr. and John Anderson covering it. A fun tidbit from a 2020 Power Pop blog post recalls a high school band playing a bootleg of the song a year before its release, fooling listeners into thinking it was their own. The song’s bar-band energy makes it a dance-floor staple, as one fan on Reddit called it "one of the best" for its unique '80s sound.

The Georgia Satellites formed in Atlanta in 1980, blending Chuck Berry’s rock 'n' roll with Southern grit. Dan Baird, Rick Richards, Rick Price, and Mauro Magellan came together after playing in local bands like The Nasty Bucks. Their big break came when their demo, released as the 1985 EP Keep the Faith by a small London label, Making Waves, got rave reviews, prompting a reunion after a brief breakup, per Wikipedia. Signing with Elektra, they recorded their debut album with producer Jeff Glixman, hitting gold with "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite lineup changes, Richards remains the constant, still rocking live shows with the current roster.

For more on The Georgia Satellites, check out their official presence on Facebook and explore fan communities like the Georgia Satellites Fans group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect over their love for the band’s raw sound. While no official website or dedicated X and Instagram accounts are active for the band, fans share updates and memories across these platforms. Dive into the Southern rock vibe and keep those hands to yourself, Zoo Crew style!