Joe Walsh – Space Age Whiz Kids

I was a sophomore in high school when this was released.  I was surprised because it was a big departure from what we were accustomed to from Joe Walsh. To my surprise this was the last song of Joe Walsh to chart in the Billboard 100. It peaked at #52 and #21 in the Mainstream Rock Charts.

Space Age Whiz Kids was released in 1983 as a lead single from his sixth studio solo album, You Bought It – You Name It. Something about Joe Walsh, he had some of the best names for albums ever.

Space Age Whiz Kids by Joe Walsh on Amazon Music - Amazon.com

The video is classic as Walsh jumps from the pinball era to the video game era with his mocking of the stereotypical kids who played games featured in the video like Donkey Kong and Pac Man at the time.

The album peaked at #48 in the Billboard Album Charts.  The album contains rock songs such as “I Can Play That Rock & Roll” and a cover of the Dick Haymes track, “Love Letters”.

Space Age Whiz Kids

I used to play that pinball, I used to go outside
I had to spend my money, get on your bus and ride
I used to go out dancing, put on my high-heeled shoes
Get in my short black chevy, go on a downtown cruise
I feel a little bit mixed up, maybe I’m obsolete
All us pinball pool sharks, we just can’t compete

Space age whiz kids kids
Leaders in the field
Pioneers of research
Space age whiz kids

Arcade mothership monsters, laserbeam blastshield eyes
Full on space age madness, make-believe satellite skies
Alien ships approaching, there’s trouble in sector five
Left hand on the joystick, right hand hyperspace drive

Space age whiz kids kids, Space age whiz kids

Space age whiz kids kids, Space age whiz kids
Space age whiz kids
Space age whiz kids
Space age whiz kids
Space age whiz kids

They got nothing to do, put another quarter in
Pay those space age dues
Donkey Kong high score, Pac Man’s on a roll
Klingons on the warpath, whiz kids on patrol

Space age whiz kids, Space age whiz kids
Space age whiz kids, Space age whiz kids
Space age whiz kids, Space age whiz kids
Space age whiz kids, Space age whiz kids
I like space age whiz kids
I like…I need…I need quarters…quarters!
Give me quarters! I like quarters!

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball fan, old movie and tv show fan... and a songwriter, bass and guitar player.

32 thoughts on “Joe Walsh – Space Age Whiz Kids”

  2. I don’t remember this one at all. Kind of fun though and i can relate somewhat to the lyrics! But Joe better be careful or he’ll take that “ol Grumpy” title from Don Henley, LOL

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      5. Thanks pal. Its a 2.5 hour drive from home so I will be streaming that Metallica Black album esp the demos and live stuff. Safe to say I will drive Sue bonkers listening to that stuff. lol

        Liked by 1 person

  5. badfinger

    I can relate to the song verses message and in my opinion is even worse or more profound if we compare watching kinds now obsessed with their I phones.

    I was sitting on a bench waiting o rimy wife to come out of the library.. On a bench nearby sat three teenage girls wailing for a ride home. Not on word was spoken between them as a three sat side by side tinkering with there phones all the time I was there which was at least 20 minutes.

    I never saw three girls ever sit next to each other manage silence for 20 minutes before.

    Wiz kids or Dix kids today?

    Sad.

    Regards and goodwill blogging.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thank you…yes I agree.
      My son is 21 years old and he has had his friends over before and I’ve actually seen them message each other on their phones… while in the same room. I then made fun of them and some conversation started.

      I totally agree with what you said. Thanks for commenting.

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  7. I forgot about this one. Haven’t heard it in years…I knew it from the video. Our local rock station didn’t play it. I like it–because it’s Joe Walsh. I love his sense of humor. And I know he’s doing a kind of satire of the 80s “sound” and culture, so I like that to, but musically it’s so different from Joe Walsh the rock musician.

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    2. P.S. Pam…because of a work emergency that started two weeks ago (old email server went down) I haven’t been around…relief is in sight…but I’ll get to your site soon.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Oh good. Not about your work emergency, of course. I wanted you to check out my latest post because I think you and your son would really enjoy this film and it’s sequel that I’ve written about. I would love for you to watch it and tell me what you think of it.

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    1. I never heard that story before…that is interesting. I do remember this song because it was so un-Walsh like…He was trying different things also with The Confessor a little later.

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      2. Yes he is…one of the best rock guitarist… he has a good touch…
        Yea he used to hang out with Keith Moon…so yea very interesting lol.

        Liked by 2 people

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