The Eccentrically Outstanding "Talking Heads"
The Eccentrically Outstanding “Talking Heads.” Scotland is an amazing fountain of talent when it comes to musical artists. I could write down a long list of them and still miss out on many. Among these greats is the eccentrically brilliant and artistic David Byrne (American but Scottish born).
Thapson
Sheer genius as his music keeps evolving and maturing (much like Scotch Whiskey I guess). I specifically like his work as part of the ‘Talking Heads’ over the incredible musically innovative 80s – and they’re the artists I’m pulling out and dusting off from the Music Vault this time.
“I’ve heard of some crazy painters who’ve displayed similar ‘egostistic’ behavior”
I first heard the Talking Heads in ’82 and was absolutely won over. Fantastic stuff; but wait! As the years rolled by, I kept re-discovering their music and the sheer genius of it. Such is what genuine artists are. He was definitely an eccentric as, right at the peak of their success, he decided to walk away and the band split up. Apparently, the ex-band members biggest complaint is that he never turned around and remembered them. Other brilliant artists have also displayed similar ‘egotistic’ behavior. And they seem all the more endearing for it.
Anyway, let’s check out some of their songs which I had a hard time narrowing down. With so many hits. Initially I was torn on whether or not to select this band. Every time I listen to these songs, they awaken strange emotions. These range from fun, laughter, nostalgia, and fear. Some get downright philosophical with questions that hit closer home than they did when younger. Let’s get back to the music. As usual, I’m doing this in my own personal order.
“Once in a Lifetime”
Their first song I heard and saw simultaneously. I couldn’t decide what to make of it: Funny then, it sounds more serous now. The production is so 80s – a time when music went through this change and rock/pop, was never the same again. The current music is a result of what happened then as the phenomena of new wave music altered the music landscape forever. I suspect David’s Buddy Holly resemblance is intentional. No talk about the Talking Heads is complete without referring to this song. If people found this dancing crazy, more was yet to come.
YouTube / Talking Heads
“Girlfriend Is Better”
I was pleasantly surprised to see the Talking Heads were a very big staple in the College environment when I moved over then. Their incredible ‘Stop Making Sense’ video had a whole bunch of cool songs. And from this, I decided to pick this one because of the oversized suit and that dancing. Love one of the YouTube comments describing his dance as” questionable and awesome at the same time”! People try to give various interpretations to this song. And the song generates as much interpretations as this one.
YouTube / Lucaas
“And She Was”
Not a musically intellectual person, but I like this song primary for the beat, the catchy tune, and quirky lyrics. And of course, the video accompanying the song is the icing on the cake. Various interpretations have been given for the lyrics. To me, it’s like a fine painting where you can draw your own meanings. Just enjoy the song for itself and you’ll be fine. The next song by them had a big following in North America, but missed about abroad altogether.
YouTube / Talking Heads
“Burning Down the House”
A song with unusual lyrics that seem to make no sense. There’s a reason for this though. Apparently, the lyrics were created to adapt to the music which had already been created by Tina Weymouth (bass guitar) and Chris Frantz (drummer) independent of the band. The result was a song which was a hit in North America but fared badly around much of the world. I guess that is representative of the cultural disparities between the two spheres. Regarding the video where David Byrne’s face is projected on the road: rumor has it that the painted lines represented cocaine going up David’s nose.
YouTube / Talking Heads
“Road to Nowhere”
Another classic hit with symbolism that leaves you thinking. As you get older, this song gets more significant as it questions our life. That part in the video where the child is a teenager and leaves is so true. My younger son is off in University now and has started another phase of his life. The video was a hit and was nominated for “Best Video of the Year” on MTV in 1986. I love the road scene as hot desolate scenarios fascinate me on a scary level. The next song was used on another critically acclaimed production by them.
YouTube / Talking Heads
“Wild Wild Life” (Fierce Creatures)
Big, and likely the last hit, on the Top 4 for the Talking Heads as a band. Love this video with the band members parodying other big stars of that period. John Goodman is likely the only original artist here from his pre-Roseanne days. This is taken from the comedy/satire “True Stories” by David Byrne which takes a look at idiosyncrasies of contemporary American culture.
YouTube / Talking Heads
Talking Heads was indeed a phenomenon when around and their breakup probably adds to the aura. David Byrne went on to other critically acclaimed projects, but his time with Talking Heads was to me the coolest.
Bonus Stuff
Bonus clips below attest to David’s eccentricity/brilliance:
YouTube / talkinglegs
So there you are. Just a short sampling of and tribute to the fabulous Talking Heads and David Byrne rolled in one. The other members of this band, including Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, also had lives outside of and after Talking Heads too. I’ll probably touch on them some other time. For now, I’m closing the Music Vault and will pull something out again soon and we’ll check out what comes up in my hand.
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