^I LOVE TALKING HEADS!!!^

Gif of David Byrne in the big suit Gif of David Byrne in the big suit Gif of David Byrne in the big suit Gif of David Byrne in the big suit Gif of David Byrne in the big suit Gif of David Byrne in the big suit Gif of David Byrne in the big suit Gif of David Byrne in the big suit

You may know the band Talking Heads as the one with the guy in the big grey suit, the ones who did 'Psycho Killer', 'Once in a Lifetime', 'This Must Be the Place'. You may have heard their music, you may not. I don't know you.

I love Talking Heads, their music fills up the cracks in my brain like nothing else. I feel like I've learned a substantial amount about myself just through relating to Talking Heads lyric writing, reflecting why I connect so much. The band, and David Byrne specifically, does so much for the normalization and recognition of autism/the autistic experience for both the general public and (in my experience) autistic people themselves. It's very touching to me!

Here's a "quick" history:

Talking Heads are a band most recognizable by the height of their fame in the 80s, notably a part of the New Wave movement. New Wave emerged, like many genres, from punk-- more pop-ified with synth and groove, more radio-friendly yet still holding onto its spunky roots. Bands like Blondie and DEVO also fall into this genre.

Talking Heads formed in the 70s, first as 'The Artistics', a duo-band between two Rhode Island art students. They began to gain the attention of the public by opening for the Ramones at CBGB, finding themselves in the right place at the right time. They grew in popularity from there, releasing 8 studio albums and 2 live albums from 1977 through 1988.

The band was composed of David Byrne as lead vocals and songwriting, Chris Frantz on drums, Tina Weymouth on bass, and Jerry Harrison on keyboard and guitar. The band also collaborated with several other musicians-- most notably working with Brian Eno, and filling out the stage of their 'Stop Making Sense' live shows with musicians such as Bernie Worrell and Alex Weir.

In 1991, the band announced their official breakup. The tensions were between Byrne and the rest of the band, with interpersonal dramas that I don't really care to read about or write here. Frantz and Weymouth formed the 'Tom Tom Club' as a husband-and-wife duo band, as well as Frantz, Weymouth, and Harrison forming 'The Heads'-- putting out an album with various guest singers standing in for Byrne. David Byrne has put out multiple solo projects, and while I do quite love his dryness and lyrics on Talking Heads songs, I've never really liked much of his solo music. Maybe I just need to let it grow on me :P



Now is the part where I go through the albums and give my thinkings!

Talking Heads '77 (1977)

    While 'Psycho Killer' is undeniably the most famous song off this record, my personal favorites include 'Don't Worry About the Government', 'Love -> Building on Fire', and 'Sugar on My Tongue'. This album, as their first, is noticeably more bare-bones than their later works. More rough and acoustic, seen even in David Byrne's squawking, exaggerated vocals. I love the personality, the rawness of the craft.

More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)

    My favorite songs on this album include 'I'm Not in Love', 'Found a Job', and 'Warning Sign'. It also contains such popular tracks as 'Take Me to the River' and 'Artists Only'. My friend has a shirt with this album cover on it and I'm so jealous....

Fear of Music (1979)

    Favorite tracks include 'Memories Can't Wait', 'Cities', 'Heaven' (though I like the 'Stop Making Sense' version a little better), and of course, 'Life During Wartime'. This album is underappreciated in my opinion!

Remain In Light (1980)

    Usually regarded as Talking Heads' best album, 'Remain in Light' is a testament to the band's musical genius. I love all the tracks on here, but 'Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)', 'Crosseyed and Painless', 'Houses in Motion', and 'Listening Wind' are all faves. 'Once in a Lifetime' is obviously iconic forever.

Speaking in Tongues (1983)

    If asked, I'd probably say this is my favorite Talking Heads album, but that's not really honest. It definitely has my personal favorite cover of their discography, but I love all the songs just as much as the ones on 'Remain in Light'. Undeniably, though, 'This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)' is my favorite Talking Heads song. Not a particularly niche pick, no, but it just means the most to me personally. No one gets it like I do. All the other songs I love a lot as well, so it feels redundant to list them.

Stop Making Sense (1984/2023)

    Originally released in 1984, this live album, and connected concert film, was remastered and rereleased in 2023. They have another live album called 'The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads' which I don't list here simply because I don't have much unique to say about it. As for this one, it's often referenced as the best concert film ever, and for very good reason. The versions of the songs featured firmly rival the originals in terms of quality, and the stage choreography is mesmerizing. I mentioned loving this version of 'Heaven' earlier, but I'm also so obsessed with the performance of 'Crosseyed and Painless', as well as 'What a Day That Was'.

Little Creatures (1985)

    Favorite tracks on this one one: 'And She Was' and 'Television Man'. Not much else to say!

True Stories (1986)

    Linked to the David Byrne film by the same name, we've gotten to the point within the discography where I'm not too familiar with these albums. I do like 'Wild Wild Life', though to be honest it sounds like it would've come much earlier within the lifetime of Talking Heads.

Naked (1988)

    I honestly have barely listened to any of the songs off this album. Pretty commonly cited as their worst record, this was the last album that the band released before their breakup.