Talking Heads were an American band formed in 1975 in New York City. It consisted of vocalist-
guitarist David Byrne, drummer Chris Frantz, bassist Tina Weymouth and guitarist-keyboardist Jerry Harrison. Described as "one of the most critically acclaimed groups of the '80s," Talking Heads helped to pioneer new wave music by combining elements of punk, art rock, funk, and world music with "an anxious yet clean-cut image"; they have been called "a properly postmodernist band".
At the start of their career, Talking Heads were all nervous energy, detached emotion, and subdued minimalism. When they released their last album about 12 years later, the band had recorded everything
from art-funk to polyrhythmic worldbeat explorations and simple, melodic guitar pop. Between their first album in 1977 and their last in 1988, Talking Heads became one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the '80s, while managing to earn several pop hits. While some of their music can seem too self-consciously experimental, clever, and intellectual for its own good, at their best Talking Heads represent everything good about art-school punks.
The band played their first gig as Talking Heads—opening for the Ramones at the CBGB club—on June 5, 1975. According to Weymouth, the name Talking Heads came from an issue of TV Guide,
which "explained the term used by TV studios to describe a head-and-shoulder shot of a person talking as 'all content, no action'. It fit." Later that year, the band recorded a series of demos for CBS, but did not receive a record contract. However, they drew a following and signed to Sire Records in November 1976. They released their first single in February the following year, "Love → Building on Fire". In March 1977, they added Jerry Harrison, formerly of Jonathan Richman's band the Modern Lovers, on keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals. Gary Kurfirst started managing Talking Heads in 1977.
By 1977, the band had signed to Sire Records and released its first album, Talking Heads: 77. It
received a considerable amount of acclaim for its stripped-down rock & roll, particularly Byrne's geeky, overly intellectual lyrics and uncomfortable, jerky vocals. For their next album, 1978's More Songs About Buildings and Food, the band worked with producer Brian Eno, recording a set of carefully constructed, arty pop songs, distinguished by extensive experimenting with combined acoustic and electronic instruments, as well as touches of surprisingly credible funk.
The collaboration with Brian Eno continued with Fear of Music (1979), which mixed the darker stylings of post-punk rock with white funkadelia and subliminal references to the geopolitical instability of the late 1970s. Music journalist Simon Reynolds cited Fear of Music as representing the
Eno–Talking Heads collaboration "at its most mutually fruitful and equitable". The single "Life During Wartime" produced the catchphrase "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco". The song refers to the Mudd Club and CBGB, two popular New York nightclubs of the time. Remain in Light (1980) was heavily influenced by the Afrobeat of Nigerian bandleader Fela Kuti, whose music had been introduced to the band by Eno. It explored West African polyrhythms, weaving these together with Arabic music from North Africa, disco funk, and "found" voices.
The band toured with an expanded group, including Adrian Belew and Bernie Worrell, among others, first at the Heatwave festival in August, and later in their concert film Stop Making Sense. 1983 saw the release of Speaking in Tongues, a commercial breakthrough that produced the band's only American
Top 10 hit, "Burning Down the House". Once again, a striking video was inescapable, owing to its heavy rotation on MTV. The following tour was documented in Jonathan Demme's Stop Making Sense, which generated another live album of the same name. The tour in support of Speaking in Tongues was their last. Three more albums followed: 1985's Little Creatures (which featured the hit singles "And She Was" and "Road to Nowhere"), 1986's True Stories (Talking Heads covering all the soundtrack songs of Byrne's musical comedy film, in which the band also appeared), and 1988's Naked. Little Creatures offered a much more American pop-rock sound as opposed to previous efforts.
Similar in genre, True Stories hatched one of the group's most successful hits, "Wild Wild Life", and the accordion-driven track "Radio Head". Naked explored politics, sex, and death, and showed heavy
African influence with polyrhythmic styles like those seen on Remain in Light. During that time, the group was falling increasingly under David Byrne's control, and after Naked, the band went on "hiatus". In December 1991, Talking Heads announced that they had disbanded. Frantz said he learned that Byrne had left from an article in the Los Angeles Times, and said: "As far as we're concerned, the band never really broke up. In 1999, all four worked together to promote a 15th-anniversary edition of Stop Making Sense, and they also performed at the 2002 induction ceremony for their entrance into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
LINE - UP
David Byrne – lead vocals, guitars (1975–1991, 2002)
Chris Frantz – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1975–1991, 2002)
Tina Weymouth – bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1975–1991, 2002)
Jerry Harrison – keyboards, guitars, backing vocals (1977–1991, 2002)
DISCOGRAPHY
01. Talking Heads' 77 (1977)
02. More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
03. Fear Of Music (1979)
04. Remain in Light (1980)
05. Speaking in Tongues (1983)
06. Little Creatures (1985)
07. True Stories (1986)
08. Naked (1988)
TALKING HEADS - BRICK 2005
Label: Rhino Records – R2 74722, Warner Bros. Records – R2 74722, Sire – R2 74722
Format: 8 CD, Album, Box Set, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
Country: US
Released: Oct 4, 2005
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave, Art Rock
01. TALKING HEADS' 77 1977
Though they were the most highly touted new wave band to emerge from the CBGB's scene in New
York, it was not clear at first whether Talking Heads' Lower East Side art rock approach could make the subway ride to the midtown pop mainstream successfully. The leadoff track of the debut album, Talking Heads: 77, "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town," was a pop song that emphasized the group's unlikely roots in late-'60s bubblegum, Motown, and Caribbean music. But the "Uh-Oh" gave away the group's game early, with its nervous, disconnected lyrics and David Byrne's strained voice.
TRACKS
01. Uh-Oh, Love Comes To Town 2:48
02. New Feeling 3:09
03. Tentative Decisions 3:04
04. Happy Day 3:55
05. Who Is It? 1:41
06. No Compassion 4:47
07. The Book I Read 4:06
08. Don't Worry About The Government 3:00
09. First Week / Last Week... Carefree 3:19
10. Psycho Killer 4:19
11. Pulled Up 4:29
BONUS TRACKS
12. Love → Building On Fire 2:57
13. I Wish You Wouldn't Say That 2:36
14. Psycho Killer (Acoustic) 4:30
15. I Feel It In My Heart 3:19
16. Sugar On My Tongue 2:36
Flac Size: 418 MB
02. MORE SONGS ABOUT BUILDINGS AND FOOD 1978
song structures, staccato rhythms, strained vocals, and impressionistic lyrics once before. Another was that new co-producer Brian Eno brought a musical unity that tied the album together, especially in terms of the rhythm section, the sequencing, the pacing, and the mixing. It was the first of three albums produced by collaborator Brian Eno, and saw the band move toward an increasingly danceable style, crossing singer David Byrne's unusual delivery with new emphasis on the rhythm section composed of bassist Tina Weymouth and her husband, drummer Chris Frantz.
TRACKS
01. Thank You For Sending Me An Angel 2:11
02. With Our Love 3:30
03. The Good Thing 3:03
04. Warning Sign 3:54
05. The Girls Want To Be With The Girls 2:38
06. Found A Job 5:01
07. Artists Only 3:34
08. I'm Not In Love 4:34
09. Stay Hungry 2:39
10. Take Me To The River 5:02
11. The Big Country 5:39
BONUS TRACKS
12. Stay Hungry (1977 Version) 3:47
13. I'm Not In Love (Alternate Version) 5:17
14. The Big Country (Alternate Version) 5:03
15. Thank You For Sending Me An Angel ("Country Angel" Version) 2:11
Flac Size: 452 MB
03. FEAR OF MUSIC 1979
Fear of Music is the third studio album by the American new wave band Talking Heads, released on August 3, 1979, by Sire Records. It was recorded at locations in New York City during April and May
1979 and was produced by Brian Eno and Talking Heads. The album reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 and number 33 on the UK Albums Chart. It spawned the singles "Life During Wartime", "I Zimbra", and "Cities". Previously, David Byrne's offbeat observations had been set off by an overtly humorous tone; on Fear of Music, he is still odd, but no longer so funny. At the same time, however, the music has become even more compelling.
TRACKS
01. I Zimbra 3:08
02. Mind 4:13
03. Paper 2:38
04. Cities 4:17
05. Life During Wartime 3:41
06. Memories Can't Wait 3:30
07. Air 3:34
08. Heaven 4:01
09. Animals 3:30
10. Electric Guitar 3:01
11. Drugs 5:20
BONUS TRACKS
12. Dancing For Money (Unfinished Outtake) 2:41
13. Life During Wartime (Alternate Version) 4:07
14. Cities (Alternate Version) 5:03
15. Mind (Alternate Version) 4:26
Flac Size: 457 MB
04. REMAIN IN LIGHT 1980
Remain in Light is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads, released on
October 8, 1980, by Sire Records. After the release of Fear of Music in 1979, Talking Heads and Eno sought to dispel notions of the band as a mere vehicle for frontman and songwriter David Byrne. Drawing influence from Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, they blended African polyrhythms and funk with electronics, recording instrumental tracks as a series of looping grooves. Session musicians included the guitarist Adrian Belew, the singer Nona Hendryx, and the trumpeter Jon Hassell.
TRACKS
01. Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) 5:46
02. Crosseyed And Painless 4:45
03. The Great Curve 6:26
04. Once In A Lifetime 4:19
05. Houses In Motion 4:30
06. Seen And Not Seen 3:20
07. Listening Wind 4:42
08. The Overload 6:00
BONUS TRACKS
09. Fela's Riff (Unfinished Outtake) 5:19
10. Unison (Unfinished Outtake) 4:49
11. Double Groove (Unfinished Outtake) 4:27
12. Right Start (Unfinished Outtake) 4:07
ONCE IN A LIFETIME LYRICS
Living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself
In another part of the world
And you may find yourself
Behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house
With a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself
"Well ... how did I get here?"
[Chorus 1]
Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground
[Verse 2]
And you may ask yourself
"How do I work this?"
And you may ask yourself
"Where is that large automobile?"
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful house!"
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful wife!"
[Chorus 1]
Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground
[Bridge]
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Water dissolving, and water removing
There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Under the water, carry the water
Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean
Water dissolving, and water removing
[Chorus 2]
Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
Into the silent water
Under the rocks and stones
There is water underground
Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground
[Verse 4]
You may ask yourself
"What is that beautiful house?"
You may ask yourself
"Where does that highway go to?"
And you may ask yourself
"Am I right? Am I wrong?"
And you may say to yourself
"My God! What have I done?!"
Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
Into the silent water
Under the rocks and stones
There is water underground
Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground
[Outro]
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it, ever was
And look where my hand was
Time isn't holding up
Time isn't after us
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
And here, a twister comes, here comes the twister
Same as it ever was (Letting the days go by)
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was (Letting the days go by)
Same as it ever was
Once in a lifetime
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
Flac Size: 426 MB
05. SPEAKING IN TONGUES 1983
Speaking in Tongues is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads, released on June 1, 1983, by Sire Records. After their split with producer Brian Eno and a short hiatus, which
allowed the individual members to pursue side projects, recording began in 1982. The album's tour was documented in the 1984 Jonathan Demme-directed film Stop Making Sense, which generated a live album of the same name. The album also crossed over to the dance charts, where it peaked at number two for six weeks. It is the group's highest-charting album on the US Billboard 200, peaking at number 15. It was also their biggest-selling album in Canada, where it was certified platinum in 1983.
TRACKS
01. Burning Down The House 4:01
02. Making Flippy Floppy 5:54
03. Girlfriend Is Better 5:43
04. Slippery People 5:06
05. I Get Wild/Wild Gravity 5:16
06. Swamp 5:13
07. Moon Rocks 5:45
08. Pull Up The Roots 5:09
09. This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) 5:04
BONUS TRACKS
10. Two Note Swivel (Unfinished Outtake) 5:51
11. Burning Down The House (Alternate Version) 5:09
Flac Size: 433 MB
06. LITTLE CREATURES 1985
Little Creatures is the sixth studio album by American rock band Talking Heads, released June 10,
1985, by Sire Records. The album examines themes of Americana and incorporates elements of country music, with many songs featuring steel guitar. It was voted album of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll, and is the band's best-selling studio album, with more than two million copies sold in the United States. The cover art was created by outsider artist Howard Finster, and was selected as album cover of the year by Rolling Stone.
TRACKS
01. And She Was 3:36
02. Give Me Back My Name 3:20
03. Creatures Of Love 4:12
04. The Lady Don't Mind 4:03
05. Perfect World 4:26
06. Stay Up Late 3:51
07. Walk It Down 4:42
08. Television Man 6:10
09. Road To Nowhere 4:19
BONUS TRACKS
10. Road To Nowhere (Early Version) 4:51
11. And She Was (Early Version) 3:56
12. Television Man (Extended Mix) 8:02
Flac Size: 435 MB
07. TRUE STORIES 1986
True Stories is the seventh studio album by American rock band Talking Heads. It was released on
September 15, 1986, by Sire Records, preceding lead singer David Byrne's related film True Stories. The album includes only Talking Heads studio recordings of songs from the film; an original cast recording from the film was planned, but was not released at the time, although some actors' performances were featured on singles of songs drawn from the album.
TRACKS
01. Love For Sale 4:31
02. Puzzlin' Evidence 5:23
03. Hey Now 3:42
04. Papa Legba 5:55
05. Wild Wild Life 3:39
06. Radio Head 3:31
07. Dream Operator 4:38
08. People Like Us 4:28
09. City Of Dreams 5:07
BONUS TRACKS
10. Wild Wild Life (Extended Mix) 5:30
11. Papa Legba (Pops Staples Vocal Version) 6:19
12. Radio Head (Tito Larriva Vocal Version) 4:11
Flac Size: 454 MB
08. NAKED 1988
Naked is the eighth and final studio album by American rock band Talking Heads, released on March 15, 1988, by Sire Records. Following the more straightforward new wave and pop rock sound on Little Creatures (1985) and True Stories (1986), Naked marked a return to the worldbeat stylings of both
Remain in Light (1980) and Speaking in Tongues (1983), blending elements of Afrobeat, Latin funk, and art pop. The album's songs were formed from improvisational jam sessions recorded in Paris, which featured the participation of numerous guest musicians such as former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and singer Kirsty MacColl. Lyrics and vocals were then added in New York City following the Paris recordings. It's closest in spirit to Remain in Light — arguably too close: The first side is a collection of funky, syncopated, almost danceable tunes; the second, a murky, darkly philosophical rumination on identity and human nature.
TRACKS
01. Blind 4:58
02. Mr. Jones 4:18
03. Totally Nude 4:03
04. Ruby Dear 3:48
05. (Nothing But) Flowers 5:14
06. The Democratic Circus 5:01
07. The Facts Of Life 6:26
08. Mommy Daddy You And I 3:58
09. Big Daddy 4:01
10. Bill 3:21
11. Cool Water 5:08
BONUS TRACK
12. Sax And Violins 5:18
BLIND LYRICS
Signs disappeared
Turn invisible
Got no sign
Somebody got busted
Got a face of stone and a
Ghostwritten biography
Dogs started rushin' in
Hungry for some food
Dogs started twitching
And they're looking at you
It was light by five
Torn all apart
All in the name of democracy
He's hurt, he's dying
Claimed he was a terrorist
Claimed to avert a catastrophe
Someone should've told him
That the buck stops here
No one ever said
They're blind, blind
Blind, blind, blind, blind, blind
Blind, blind
Blind, blind, blind, blind, blind
No sense of harmony, no sense of time
Don't mention harmony, say
"What is it? What is it? What is it?"
Give a little shock, and he raises his hand
Somebody shouts out, says
"What is it? What is it? What is it?"
He was shot down in the night!
People ride by but his body's still alive
The girl in the window, what has she done?
She looks down at me and says
"I don't wanna die!"
And I'm blind, blind
Blind, blind, blind, blind, blind
Blind, blind
Blind, blind, blind, blind, blind
Crawling all around looking for foot, foot, footprints
Now tell me what the hell have we become?
Some dirty little bastards, what the hell is going on?
No sense of harmony, no sense of time
Don't mention harmony, say
"What is it? What is it? What is it?"
Give a little shock, and he raises his hand
Somebody shouts out, says
"What is it? What is it? What is it?"
He was shot down in the night
People ride by but his body's still alive
Girl in the window what has she done?
She looks down at me and says
"I don't want to die!"
An' it's blind and they're blind
Blind, blind, blind, blind, blind
Blind, blind
Blind, blind, blind, blind, blind
