Classic & Current Contemporary Non-Schlock-Rock Metropolitan Music

Wild Moose Party: New Wave Pom Pom Girls Gone Go-Go NYC 1980-1981 (Apr. 11, 2006) - The Cosmopolitans

The Cosmopolitans | Checklist for Keeping Your Husband Happy

One of my favorite singles to come out during my time hosting vintage Deaconlight at WFDD was "(How to Keep Your) Husband Happy" by The Cosmopolitans. The flip side included a song called "Wild Moose Party" that I played a lot as well on Deaconlight and its commercial version on WKZL, the "New Generation Show."

In the summer of 2005, I was looking to raise some cash and clear out some clutter. Since I had two copies of this rare 45, I decided to put one up for sale on eBay. I made a scan of both sides of the record and cover so the potential buyer could get a good look at what I would be selling. But as I got ready to post the auction listing, something didn't feel right. Even though I probably could have shepherded the transfer of my record to someone who would love it as much as me, I couldn't let either copy go. So the auction of my Cosmpolitans 45 never happened.

Fast forward to April 8, 2006. I woke up that Sunday morning, went to my computer, and downloaded my email. One message was an inquiry sent through Deaconight's Buzz Us page. I opened it and read:

Hi friends,

FYI - There's a new Cosmopolitans enhanced CD coming out on April 11th! On Dionysus Records (Bacchus Archives label) - It's got the songs from the single "(How to Keep Your) Husband Happy," "Wild Moose Party," and "Dancin' Lesson." AND it's got unreleased stuff from 1981 and 2 live tracks from Max's Kansas City. Features Mitch Easter, Chris Stamey, Will Rigby AND there's a video from back then that has Mitch acting as The Husband in Husband Happy! A fun disk with great photos, etc.

It will be at BB's in Greensboro, and is online at Amazon, Best Buy, CD Universe, Half.com, etc.

I noticed that there were a couple fans from a while ago, just thought I'd let y'all know about this -

Jamie K. Sims (I started the group and am from Asheville.)

Cover to Debbie Drake's exercise record
"How to Keep Your Husband Happy,"
which inspired The Cosmopolitans' song.

The fan girl in me got all giddy. Jamie K. Sims from The Cosmopolitans had sent Deaconlight an email! I immediately sent Jamie a reply, gushing about how much I loved the record and so on. Although we had many mutual friends, including Mitch Easter, who owned the "Drive-In" studio where the record was recorded, we had never met.

Over the next few months Jamie and I got to know each other very well, and we realized at one point way back when I was supposed to interview her on the "New Generation Show" in the early 80s, but something came up and she couldn't make it. We've managed to make up for lost time. Jamie is one of the coolest people I have ever met. We sometimes joke we were separated at birth. A few years ago I set up a little website for The Cosmopolitans - WildMooseParty.com.

With the release of the compilation CD, there was a lot of buzz about The Cosmopolitans. This led up to a reunion of the band in August 2009 at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, NC (near Chapel Hill). The show was a fun night of musical energy, fringe, and rock and roll doctors.

Every now and then I hear talk of another reunion show. I'd love to see it happen. If it does and you're anywhere near the venue, don't miss it!

The Cosmopolitans - Wild Moose Party: New Wave Pom Pom Girls Gone Go-Go NYC 1980-1981 Track List

The CD includes the original video of "(How to Keep Your) Husband Happy" starring Let's Active's Mitch Easter and Faye Hunter as well as clips of The Cosmpolitans from The Uncle Floyd Show. It used to be available on YouTube, but it kept getting pulled off. It seems the "Uncle Floyd" folks don't want it there.

(How To Keep Your) Husband Happy Wild Moose Party Chevy Baby Psychic Joan Party Boy Talkin' About You Siam Dancin' Lesson Doug PH Factor Sophisticated Boom Boom

Buy this record:

Mitch Easter's Comments About The Cosmopolitans 1980 Record

Mitch Easter is co-producer of The Cosmopolitans' 1980 7-inch record and co-star of "(How to Keep Your) Husband Happy" video.

I have nothing but fond memories of the Cosmopolitans session. It was a very early one for the Drive-in Studio, and we recorded everything and then went out to water slides, etc. Now that is the way to do a session!

Hearing the disk again the other night, it sounded great! Sort of better than I remembered, because I had messed up my back right before they came into the studio, and I was worried about playing drums, not that I really could anyway.

So I always remember trying to play but not being able to turn my head without pain. There are sort of "oops" drum moments which I attribute to this, but it doesn't really matter because the whole thing moves along really well.

More Cosmopolitans at Deaconlight

Vintage Playlists With Songs by The Cosmopolitans