“I think Devo may be the most misunderstood band ever to show up on the planet.” – Gerald Casale, in a 1984 interview with Charlie Rose.
Devo was one of the most important art-rock bands to emerge in the Seventies. By the time they released their first album, Q: Are We Not Men?, the band’s strange theory of de-evolution was already in mid-mutation. Of course, de-evolution was really just the next phase of the rock & roll revolution, which both cannibalized its founders and replaced the laws and mores of the past with new beliefs. Fortunately for us, the band used flower pots and potatoes to get their point across, rather than tanks and prisons.
Devo’s first four albums are absolutely essential. Oh No! It’s Devo began to show signs that the machines had taken over (the videos were far more interesting than the music), and everything from Shout onward suggested a band going through the mechanical motions. In the 1990s, Mark Mothersbaugh made the transition to film and television scores, including Rugrats and The LEGO Movie.
It is admittedly difficult to draw a line between “Uncontrollable Urge” and Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs without introducing the idea of a commercial sellout or softening with age. Yet revolution is a transitional state, not one of permanence, and Devo had brought the revolution full circle from chaos to mind control within their first four or five records. As with Kraftwerk, their clearest precedent, Devo’s unrevolutionary stance in later years isn’t a sign of defeat, but rather that the war had already been won with remarkable efficiency.
The Discography
Mongoloid (1976)
b/w Jocko Homo. Released on 7-inch single in December 1976 in the US (Booji Boy). Re-issued on 7-inch single on February 17, 1978 in the UK (Booji Boy/Stiff, DEV-1) with A and B sides flipped; reached #62 on the UK charts.
(I Can’t Get Me No) Satisfaction (1977)
b/w Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Getting). Released on 7-inch single in July 1977 in the US (Booji Boy/Bomp, 72843-1) with picture sleeve and in April 1978 in the UK (Booji Boy, BOY-1); reached #41 on the UK charts. Re-packaged with different B side (“Uncontrollable Urge (edit)”) on 7-inch single and colored vinyl 7-inch single on September 20, 1978 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS-8675), Canada (Warner Bros., WBS-8675) and Japan (Warner Bros., P-343W) with picture sleeve.
Q: ARE WE NOT MEN? A: WE ARE DEVO! (1978)
Uncontrollable Urge / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Praying Hands / Space Junk / Mongoloid / Jocko Homo / Too Much Paranoias / Gut Feeling/(Slap Your Mammy) / Come Back Jonee / Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin’) / Shrivel-Up. Released on elpee, colored-vinyl elpee and picture elpee in July 1978 in the US (Warner Bros., 3239), the UK (Virgin, V/VP-2106), Canada (Warner Bros., BSK-3239), Japan (Warner Bros., P-10591W), the Netherlands (Virgin, 26369-XOT) and Portugal (Virgin, VV-33.05V) with innersleeve; reached #78 on the US charts (RIAA-certified gold record) and #12 on the UK charts. Some versions featured a bonus 7-inch flexi disc featuring “Flimsy Wrap.” Re-issued on compact disc in 1988 in the US (Warner Bros., 3239). Re-packaged with Dev-O Live in June 1993 in the US (Virgin, 2106).
Come Back Jonee (1978)
b/w Social Fools, Praying Hands (US). Released on colored vinyl 7-inch single in August 1978 in the UK (Virgin, VS-223) and on January 17, 1979 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS 8745) with picture sleeve.
Be Stiff (1978)
b/w Social Fools. Released on 7-inch single and clear vinyl 7-inch single on August 4, 1978 in the UK (Stiff, BOY-2) with picture sleeve; reached #71 on the UK charts.
BE STIFF (EP) (1979)
Jocko Homo / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Be Stiff / Mongoloid / Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin’) / Social Fools. Released on EP in January 1979 in the UK (Stiff, ODD-1) and Japan (Stiff, VIP-5087).
The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprize (1979)
b/w Penetration In The Centrefold. Released on 7-inch single on June 1, 1979 in the UK (Virgin, VS-265) with picture sleeve.
DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE (1979)
Devo Corporate Anthem / Clockout / Timing X / Wiggly World / Blockhead / Strange Pursuit / S.I.B. (Swelling Itching Brain) // Triumph of the Will / The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprize / Pink Pussycat / Secret Agent Man / Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA / Red Eye. Released on elpee, cassette and 8-track on June 1, 1979 in the US and Canada (Warner Bros., BSK/M5/M8-3337), the UK (Virgin, V2125), Australia (Warner Bros., M5W 3337), Germany and the Netherlands (Virgin, 200 637), Greece (Virgin, 2933 782), Japan (Warner Bros., P-10670W) and Portugal (Virgin, VV-33013V) with picture innersleeve; reached #73 on the US charts and #49 on the UK charts. European elpees feature different cover artwork. Re-issued on elpee in 1981 in Japan (Warner/Pioneer, P-6440W). Re-issued on compact disc in 1991 in Japan (Warner Bros., WPCP-4170). Re-packaged with New Traditionalists on 2-for-1 compact disc in 1993 in the US (Virgin, CDV-2125). Re-released on expanded, remastered compact disc in 1994 in the US (Infinite Zero, 9 14501-2) with 2 bonus tracks. Re-released on remastered compact disc in 2008 in Japan (Warner, WPCR-12949). Re-released on remastered elpee in 2010 in the US (Warner Bros.).
Secret Agent Man (1979)
b/w Red Eye (US), The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprize (JPN). Released on 7-inch single on July 18, 1979 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS 49028) and Japan (Warner Bros.,P-430W) with picture sleeve.
Girl U Want (1980)
b/w Mr. B’s Ballroom (US), Turn Around. Released on 7-inch single on July 9, 1980 in the US (Warner Bros.,49524), the UK (Virgin, VS-350) and Japan (Warner Bros.,P-589W) with picture sleeve. Re-packaged with “Whip It” on 7-inch single in the US (Warner Bros.,GWB-0400). Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1980 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS-49524) feat. A stereo and mono.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE (1980)
Girl U Want / It’s Not Right / Whip It / Snowball / Ton O’ Luv / Freedom of Choice / Gates of Steel / Cold War / Don’t You Know / That’s Pep! / Mr. B’s Ballroom / Planet Earth. Released on elpee and cassette in July 1980 in the US (Warner Bros., BSK/M5-3435), the UK (Virgin, V-2162), Canada (Warner Bros., XBS-3435), France, Germany and the Netherlands (Virgin, 202 283), Italy (Virgin, VIL-12155), Japan (Warner Bros., P-10803W) and Mexico (Warner Bros.,LWB-5439) with poster, insert; reached #22 on the US charts (RIAA-certified platinum record) and #47 on the UK charts. Re-issued on elpee in the UK (Virgin, OVED-39). Re-issued on compact disc in the US (Warner Bros.,3435) and Europe (EMI/Virgin, 786997). Re-packaged with Oh No! It’s Devo on 2-for-1 compact disc on May 20, 1993 in the US (Virgin, CDV-2241).
Whip It (1980)
b/w Turn Around (US), Freedom of Choice (CAN), Snowball + Gates of Steel. Released on 7-inch and three-track 12-inch single on August 6, 1980 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS-49550), in November 1980 in the UK (Virgin, VS-383/-12) and in 1980 in Canada (Warner Bros., FWB-0282) and Germany (Virgin, 102 603) with picture sleeve; reached #14 on the US charts (charted on August 30, 1980 for 25 weeks) (RIAA-certified gold record) and #51 on the UK charts.
Freedom of Choice (1981)
b/w Snowball. Released on 7-inch single on November 12, 1980 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS 49621). Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1980 in Canada (Warner Bros., DEVO-1981) feat. A stereo and mono.
Gates of Steel (1981)
b/w Mr. B’s Ballroom + Whip It. Released as promotional 12-inch single on March 25, 1981 in the US (Warner Bros.,PRO-A-881).
DEVO LIVE (EP) (1981)
Freedom of Choice (Theme Song) / Whip It / Girl U Want / Gates of Steel / Be Stiff / Planet Earth. Released on EP in April 1981 in the US (Warner Bros., MINI-3548), the UK (Virgin, OVED-1) and Venezuela (Warner Bros., LPS200.2828); reached #49 on the US charts.
NEW TRADITIONALISTS (1981)
Through Being Cool / Jerkin’ Back And Forth / Pity You / Soft Things / Going Under / Race of Doom / Love Without Anger / The Super Thing / Beautiful World / Enough Said. Released on elpee in August 1981 in the US (Warner Bros., BSK-3595), the UK (Virgin, V-2191), Brazil (Warner Bros., 26128), Canada (Warner Bros., XBS-3595), Colombia (Warner/Sonolux, 23(1031)00271), France and Germany (Virgin, 203.985.320), Japan (Warner Bros., P-11065W), Sweden (Virgin, V-2191) and Yugoslavia (Jugoton, SVIRG-70956) with picture sleeve and poster; reached #24 on the US charts and #50 on the UK charts. Elpee versions included a bonus 7-inch single featuring “Working In A Coal Mine.” Re-released on expanded compact disc in 1997 in the US (Infinite Zero/American, 43111) with 3 bonus tracks.
Working In The Coal Mine (1981)
b/w Race of Doom, Planet Earth (US). Released on 7-inch single on August 17, 1981 in the US (Warner Bros.), Canada (Warner Bros., FWB-0526) and Japan (Warner Bros., P-1577W) with picture sleeve; reached #43 on the US charts (charted on September 5, 1981 for 12 weeks).
Beautiful World (1981)
b/w The Super Thing, Enough Said (US), Planet Earth (AUSL). Released on 7-inch single on October 14, 1981 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS-49834), the UK (Virgin, VS-470), Australia (Warner Bros., WB-0537) and Germany (Virgin, 104021) with picture sleeve. Also released on 7-inch shaped picture disc in 1981 in the US (Warner Bros., WBSP-49826) with “Nu-Tra Speaks (New Traditional Man)” on the B side. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1981 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS-49834) feat. A stereo and mono.
Jerkin’ Back ‘N’ Forth (1982)
b/w Mecha Mania Boy. Released on 7-inch single on January 13, 1982 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS50010).
Through Being Cool (Dance Velocity) (1982)
b/w Going Under (Dance Velocity). Released on 7-inch single on March 17, 1982 in the US (Warner Bros., WBS50048).
Peek-A-Boo! (1982)
b/w Find Out + Peek-A-Boo! (Dance Velocity), Peek-A-Boo! (Devo Dub). Released on 7-inch single and three-track 12-inch single on September 22, 1982 in the US (Warner Bros., 7-29931/0-29906), the UK (Virgin, VS536-12), Brazil (Warner Bros., 16230) and Japan (Warner Bros., P-1724) with picture sleeve.
OH, NO! IT’S DEVO (1982)
Time Out For Fun / Peek-A-Boo! / Out of Sync / Explosions / That’s Good // Patterns / Big Mess / Speed Racer / What I Must Do / I Desire / Deep Sleep. Released on elpee in October 1982 in the US (Warner Bros., 23741), Germany (Virgin, 205 135 320) and Japan (Warner Bros., P-11273) with insert; reached #47 on the US charts.
That’s Good (1983)
b/w Speed Racer (long edit), Big Mess. Released as two-track promotional 12-inch picture disc and three-track promotional 12-inch single on November 24, 1982 in the US (Warner Bros., PRO-A-2006/1-23741).
4 TRACK EP (EP) (1983)
Come Back Jonee / Working In A Coalmine // (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Jocko Homo. Released as EP in May 1983 in the UK (Virgin, VS-194).
Theme From “Doctor Detroit” (1983)
b/w King of Soul + Theme From Doctor Detroit (dance mix), Luv-Luv. Released on 7-inch and three-track 12-inch single in April 1983 in the US (Backstreet, BSR-13968) and Mexico (MCA, SL-7101); reached #59 on the US charts (charted on May 21, 1983 for 6 weeks).
Are You Experienced? (1984)
b/w Growing Pains. Released on 7-inch single on November 14, 1984 in the US (Warner Bros., 7-29133) with picture sleeve. Also released as promotional 12-inch single in 1984 in the US (Warner Bros., 2217) with “Please Please” on the B side.
SHOUT (1984)
Shout / The Satisfied Mind / Don’t Rescue Me / The 4th Dimension / C’Mon // Here To Go / Jurisdiction of Love / Puppet Boy / Please Please / Are You Experienced? Released on elpee and cassette in October 1984 in the US (Warner Bros., 25097-1/4), Brazil (Warner Bros., 36202), Canada (Warner Bros., 92 50971), Germany (Warner Bros., 925 097-1), Japan (Warner Bros., P-13030) and Mexico (Warner Bros., LWB-6311) with innersleeve; reached #83 on the US charts.
Here To Go (Go Mix Version) (1985)
b/w Here To Go (Here To Dub Version), Shout, Shout (E-Z Listening Version). Released on 12-inch single in 1985 in the US (Warner Bros., 20316-0).
Shout (1985)
b/w C’mon + Mongoloid, Jocko Homo. Released on 7-inch and double 7-inch single in March 1985 in the UK (Warner Bros., W9119/F) with picture sleeve.
E-Z LISTENING DISC (1987)
Gates of Steel / Girl U Want / Come Back Jonee / Whip It / That’s Good / Jerkin’ Back And Forth / 4th Dimension / Shout (Hello Kitty) / Mongoloid / Pity You / Going Under / Swelling Itching Brain / Jurisdiction of Luv / Peek A Boo. Released on compact disc in August 1987 in Japan (Rykodisc, RCD-20031).
TOTAL DEVO (1988)
Baby Doll / Disco Dancer / Some Things Never Change / Plain Truth / Happy Guy / Don’t Be Cruel / Shadow / I’d Cry If You Died / Agitated / Man Turned Inside Out / Sexi Luv / Blow Up / Some Things Never Change. Released on compact disc in June 1988 in the US (Enigma, 73303) and Japan (Alfa, 32XB-279).
Disco Dancer (7-inch version) (1988)
b/w Karioke (TV version) + Disco Dancer (various versions). Released on 7-inch, three-track 12-inch and four-track CD single in July 1988 in the US (Enigma, D3-75511) and Australia (Liberations, LS-2013) with picture sleeve.
Baby Doll (single mix) (1988)
b/w Baby Doll (various mixes), Agitated (hyperextended mix). Released as six-track 12-inch and CD single in October 1988 in the US (Enigma, 75515-2). Released as promotional 7-inch single in 1988 in the US (Enigma, EPRO-139) with picture sleeve feat. A side only.
NOW IT CAN BE TOLD (1988)
Jocko Homo / It Doesn’t Matter To Me / Going Under / Working In A Coal Mine / Happy Guy / That’s Good / Jerkin’ Back And Forth / Girl U Want / Whip It / Baby Doll / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Uncontrollable Urge / Gut Feelings / Gates of Steel / Somewhere With Devo: Shout/Disco Dancer. Released on compact disc in 1988 in the US (Enigma, 73514). Re-issued on compact disc on July 1989 in the UK (Virgin, 532) and Japan (Enigma, 29B2-51).
SMOOTH NOODLE MAPS (1990)
Stuck In A Loop / Post Post-Modern Man / When We Do It / Spin The Wheel / Morning Dew / A Change Is Gonna Cum / The Big Picture / Pink Jazz Trancers / Jimmy / Devo Has Feelings Too / Danghaus. Released on elpee and compact disc in June 1990 in the US (Enigma, EPRO-326/73526) and Japan (Enigma/Capitol, TOCP-6263).
HARDCORE DEVO VOL. 1 74-77 (1990)
Mechanical Man / Auto Modown / Space Girl Blues / Social Fools / Soo Bawls / Satisfaction / Jocko Homo / Golden Energy / Buttered Beauties / Midget / I’m A Potato / Uglatto / Stop Look And Listen / Ono / Mongoloid. Released on compact disc in August 1990 in the US (Rykodisc, RCD-10188). Also released as promotional compact disc in 1990 in the US (Rykodisc, RCD-90188).
Post Post-Modern Man (If I Had A Hammer) (LP version)
b/w Whip It (live) + Post Post-Modern Man (various mixes), Baby Doll (Devo Single Mix). Released on 7-inch single, four-track CD single and seven-track CD single in October 1990 in the US (Enigma, 775551-2) and the UK (Enigma, ENV/CDENV-23).
GREATEST HITS (1990)
Here To Go / Through Being Cool / Big Mess / That’s Good / Jerkin’ Back ‘n’ Forth / Peek-a-Boo! / Beautiful World / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Whip It / Girl U Want / Freedom of Choice / Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA / Gut Feeling / Gates of Steel / Working In The Coalmine / Jocko Homo. Released on compact disc on December 11, 1990 in the US (Warner Bros., 26449). Re-issued on compact disc in 1992 in Japan (Warner, WPCP-4979).
GREATEST MISSES (1990)
Devo Corporate Anthem / Clockout / The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprize / Shrivel-Up / Blockhead / Pink Pussycat / Mongoloid / Be Stiff (Booji Boy Version) / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (Booji Boy Version) / Penetration In The Centrefold / Too Much Paranoias / S.I.B. (Swelling Itching Brain) / Mechanical Man (Booji Boy Version) / Speed Racer / Timing X/Space Junk / Jocko Homo (Booji Boy Version). Released on compact disc on December 11, 1990 in the US (Warner Bros., W2-26450).
HARDCORE DEVO VOL. 2 1974-1977 (1991)
Booji Boy’s Funeral / Can U Take It? / Bamboo Bimbo / Plan For Us / Rope Song / Go Goo Itch / Be Stiff / All of Us / Baby Talkin’ Bitches / I Need A Chick / U Got Me Bugged / Chango / Fraulein / Dogs of Democracy / 37 / Bottled Up / Working In The Coal Mine / I Been Refused / Fountain of Filth / Clockout / Let’s Go. Released on compact disc and cassette in August 1991 in the US (Rykodisc, RCD/RAC-20208).
DEVO: LIVE – THE MONGOLOID YEARS (1992)
Live tracks: (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Too Much Paranoias / Praying Hands / Uncontrollable Urge / Mongoloid / Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA / Gut Feeling Slap Your Mammy / Sloppy / Come Back Jonee / Clockout / Soo Bawls / Space Junk / Blockhead / Subhuman Woman / Bamboo Bimbo / Beulah / Jocko Homo/I Need A Chick. Released on compact disc on September 25, 1992 in the US (Rykodisc, RCD 20209).
HOT POTATOES: THE BEST OF DEVO (1993)
Jocko Homo / Mongoloid / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Whip It / Girl U Want / Freedom of Choice / Peek A Boo / Through Being Cool / That’s Good / Working In A Coalmine / Devo Corporate Anthem / Be Stiff / Gates of Steel / Come Back Jonee / Secret Agent Man / The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprize / Beautiful World / Big Mess / Whip It (HMS&M Mix). Released on compact disc on September 7, 1993 in the UK (Virgin, CDVM-9016). Re-released on 180g vinyl 2LP in the UK (Simply Vinyl, SVLP-320).
ADVENTURES OF THE SMART PATROL (1996)
Theme From Adventures of the Smart Patrol / That’s What He Said / Mechanical Man / U Got Me Bugged / 34C / Spirit of JFK / Peek-A-Boo! / Beautiful World / Whip It / Freedom of Choice / Jocko Homo. Released on compact disc on August 27, 1996 in the US (Discovery, 77034).
GREATEST HITS (1998)
Whip It / Working In The Coal Mine / Going Under / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Jocko Homo / Disco Dancer / Spin The Wheel / Post Post-Modern Man / Don’t Be Cruel / Morning Dew. Released on compact disc in November 1998 in the US (BMG Special Products, 44842).
PIONEERS WHO GOT SCALPED: THE ANTHOLOGY (2000)
We’re All Devo! / Jocko Homo (Booji Boy Version) / Mongoloid (Booji Boy Version) / Be Stiff (Stiff Version) / Uncontrollable Urge / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Too Much Paranoias / Come Back Jonee / Triumph of the Will / Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA / Secret Agent Man / The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprise / Soo-Bawlz / It Takes A Worried Man / Girl U Want / Freedom of Choice / Gates of Steel / Whip It / Snowball (single remix) / Mr. B’s Ballroom / Working In The Coal Mine / Love Without Anger / Through Being Cool / Jerkin’ Back ‘N’ Forth / Beautiful World / Nu-Tra Speaks (New Traditionalist Man) // General Boy Visits Apocalypse Now / Peek-A-Boo! / That’s Good / Big Mess / One Dumb Thing / Theme From Doctor Detroit (dance mix) / Shout / Her To Go (Go Mix Version) / Are You Experienced? / I Wouldn’t Do That To You / Bread And Butter / Let’s Talk / Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini / Baby Doll (Devo Single Mix) / Disco Dancer (7-inch version) / Some Things Never Change / It Doesn’t Matter To Me (live 1988) / Stuck In A Loop / Post Post-Modern Man / Head Like A Hole / Thanks To You / Communication Break-Up / Duty Now For The Future! / The Words Get Stuck In My Throat. Released on 2CD on May 9, 2000 in the US (Warner Archives, R2-75967).
RECOMBO DNA (2000)
Recombo DNA (demo) / The Words Get Stuck In My Throat (live) / Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin’) (live) / Be Stiff (alternate mix) / Pink Pussycat (demo) / Goo Goo Itch (alternate version) / Strange Pursuit (demo) / The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprise (demo) / Bushwhacked (prosthetic version) / Girl U Want (demo alternate version) / Turn Around (demo alternate version) / Snowball (demo alternate version) / Luv & Such / Gates of Steel (demo alternate version) / Planet Earth (demo alternate version) / Whip It (demo alternate version) / Cold War (demo alternate version) / Time Bomb / That’s Pep (demo alternate version) / Make Me Dance / Gotta Serve Somebody (live) / I Saw Jesus / Psychology of Desire (demo) / Pity You (demo) // Beautiful World (demo) / Race of Doom (demo) / I Desire (demo) / Big Mess (demo) / The 4th Dimension (alternate version rough mix) / Here To Go (alternate version rough mix) / Some Things Don’t Change (rough mix) / Big Adventure (rough mix) / No Noise (rough mix) / Love Is Stronger Than Dirt / Faster And Faster / Modern Life / The Only One (demo) / Baby Doll (demo) / Some Things Never Change (demo) / Plain Truth (demo) / Happy Guy (demo) / Somewhere With Demo (studio version demo). Released on limited edition 4LP and 2CD in 2002 in the US (Rhino Handmade).
THE ESSENTIALS (2002)
Jocko Homo / Mongoloid / Come Back Jonee / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Secret Agent Man / Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA / Freedom of Choice / Whip It / Girl U Want / Jerkin’ Back ‘N’ Forth / Working In The Coal Mine / Peek-A-Boo!. Compilation released on compact disc on April 2, 2002 in the US (Warner Bros., 76037-2).
WHIP IT AND OTHER HITS (2003)
Whip It / Beautiful World / Snowball / Freedom of Choice / Gates of Steel / Peek-A-Boo! / Mongoloid / Uncontrollable Urge / Through Being Cool / Girl U Want. Compilation released on compact disc on October 10, 2003 in the US (Rhino, 73804).
