We Got The Beat
We Got the Beat is a children’s picture book based on the hit song by the 1980s new wave group the Go-Go’s. Consisting of five members, the all-female band rocked the nation with their charisma and musical genius. Their hit song “We Got the Beat” spent three weeks at #2 on the Billboard 100 and became their signature song. Says the New York Times: the Go-Go’s “taught a new generation the power of the girl gang.”
Client
Akashic Books
Art Direction
Aaron Petrovich
Song Lyrics By
Charlotte Caffey
Creative freedom
The only requirement was to include the song lyrics; beyond that, it was a totally blank canvas. Since the song was performed by the Go-Go’s, I created four Flamingo-go’s to dance throughout the pages, and created two kids to join in on the fun. I wanted the illustrations to match the joy and funkiness of the song and to take readers on a bright, bold, colorful adventure.