BURNING IT DOWN?!.. | FIRST TIME HEARING Talking Heads - Burning Down The House REACTION

[@pauljansen1137]

"Road to Nowhere" and "Once in a Lifetime" are also amazing songs...

[@W4TB]

You are correct

[@Yumm...]

Road to Nowhere goes off! The adlibs are the best

[@rossmacintosh5652]

@@W4TB Rob Squad - When Buddha likes "Road to Nowhere" and "Once in a Lifetime" you have to trust they are great!

[@futurereflections4097]

Once you realize Brian Eno is the producer you can’t forget it. Same with U2, Coldplay, and everything else he has done. Dude can turn yo fart into a masterpiece. (Massive respect for Talking Heads btw but you can’t forget Eno there)

[@nebelungpixie9373]

YES !!!!!!!

[@vincentp149]

"Watch out, you might get what you're after," is one of best opening lines in popular music. What you may not appreciate is how experimental Talking Heads were by blending musical genres and rhythms in a way that was unique for the late 1970's/early 1980's. They came out of the highly experimental group of bands (Blondie, The Ramones, Patti Smith Group, Television, etc.) that honed their craft at CBGB's; a groundbreaking club in NY.

[@carmensandiego7749]

Another good opening line is from Psycho Killer. "I can't seem to face up to the facts. I'm tense and nervous, can't relax."

[@TheRiconegro]

Talking Heads songs: No two are alike. Each one lovingly crafted by Eccentric Artisan Musicians ;D

[@lonnyjohnson2061]

Yes, yes. Well said. Exactly.

[@patricialiedel5659]

Yep, what you said. Funkified, de-sexualized (when most other bands were still doing videos with scantily clad women draping themselves over cars and band members). Sexy anyway, just on the deep cool factor. They explored things like image manipulation, non-linear imagistic storytelling. To figure out what they were giving, it helps to know what was happening in the art scene at the time. They were doing performance art.

[@shawnsnow2655]

Well, punk bands were always about expiremental music. Try Blondie's "Parallel Lines" and The Police's "Synchronicity ll" . All songs on those albums explored musical styles.

[@terrylandess6072]

Eccentric. Yes. Thank you.

[@PeteLX]

They literally wrote this song after going to a Funkadelic concert! The crowd were chanting 'burn down the house' at the show, and they reworked it into this song

[@dcallaway1]

Tina Weymouth's Bassline is clearly influenced by that

[@rogerharris825]

Talking Heads. Their music is art. In every sense.

[@christianmarler2253]

Their audio and visual projects seem like a form of Abstract Expressionism.

[@ManicSalamander]

David Byrne performs a miracle- he owns his own nerdiness so completely and masterfully, works it so hard, that when he does Funk, it turns into its own thing. I am not even tempted to compare him to James Brown. It's Talking Heads, and that's that.

[@MichaelJones-sh7nu]

In my opinion, Byrne ranks right up there with David Bowie.

[@AnthonyWilliams-ot1yk]

Speaking in Tongues was a groundbreaking album. Like nothing else released in the 80s. Surprisingly funky with David Byrnes charismatic vocals, Bernie Worrell of Parliament Funkadelic, appearing on keyboards, break beats found commonly in today’s Hip Hop. Young people discovering the band more than ever!

[@surlechapeau]

You'll love their "Life During Wartime", "Take Me To The River", "Once In A Lifetime", "Crosseyed And Painless" and many more.

[@andreaschmall5560]

And "Stay Up Late"

[@lizetteolsen3218]

All excellent tunes.

[@surlechapeau]

@@lizetteolsen3218 thank you!

[@chrischapin6830]

I totally agree!

[@surlechapeau]

@@chrischapin6830 thank you!

[@NativeNYerChicHK]

Talking Heads were one of the most unique groups of the 80’s! David Byrne’s voice is unmistakable. This was a very popular MTV song, the video being as odd as the sound and lyrics really drew everyone’s attention, and maybe curiosity? You new with pretty decent certainty that their next song would probably sound nothing like their last, and that really added to the appeal and anticipation. They’re quirky, unique and interesting; a good kinda strange. Big on creativity!

[@AZambri1]

"‘Burning Down the House’ wasn’t a song about arson,” Byrne said. “When I wrote the lyrics in 1982, the title phrase was a metaphor for destroying something safe that entrapped you. I envisioned the song as an expression of liberation, to break free from whatever was holding you back. As for the rest of the lyrics, there are no hidden meanings. There’s no logical, linear connection. They aren’t telling a story or signifying anything. I simply combined aphorisms and non sequiturs that had an emotional connection.” In other words, they are weird. But who doesn't like weird?

[@scapito]

Thank you! David Byrne is a genius.

[@TT-js4jn]

I do I do!

[@scapito]

@@Jameson_Visual_Arts_Studios Agree!

[@lowracer1]

Exactly. I just posted yesterday that they should have watched the version from the stop making sense concert video. The 1983 version you posted is one in the same. I dont understand why people are posting these great songs but at the same time pointing them to the lamest videos.

[@akashicvizion]

"Something safe that entrapped you"--- **NAHHH!** It's 'head' [pot-smoker, hence "Talking Heads", as a double-entendre for the news anchors we see on mass(ively stupid) media] jargon for "smoking all the weed you have hidden away for 'emergencies'!! "Burning Down The House" is both about wiping out your stash as it is about 'purging' or 'cleansing' your situation of negativity... Blessed Be, & Peace!!

[@Yumm...]

David Byrne (the lead singer) says he believes he has a form of autism but was never diagnosed. He’s such a unique and entertaining performer. Definitely really worth checking out “Road to Nowhere” and “Once in a Lifetime”

[@JohnJTMack]

He probably has Aspergers. Most that do are very creative people.

[@hookstomper7322]

I didn't know he said he had it.

[@trendydelquendy]

He's not a good poster boy for autism when you find out the weird stuff he's done (including the way he's treated his band).

[@allisterfiend_2112]

@@trendydelquendy hmmmm...I was not aware people who had autism were supposed to be saints.

[@Dan-C-71]

The live version from “Stop Making Sense” is a textbook example of a band firing on all cylinders and just having a blast on stage!

[@astrotter]

I think it's a better performance, honestly. The tempo is up just a notch, and the energy is up several notches.

[@astrotter]

(frankly, pretty much every performance in Stop Making Sense was superior to the album version)

[@Sabrina79]

I just requested that DVD from the library and I can't wait to watch it!

[@scapito]

For a song that isn't quite as quirky try *And She Was.* Love when Dave Matthews Band covers this song too.

[@jennifermorris6848]

Dave Matthews is an excellent rabbit hole.

[@johnathandavis3693]

@@jennifermorris6848 Meh...

[@adgato75]

And She Was would still be a somewhat strange song if it were a different band. It is only a non-weird one cause it's Talking Heads lol

[@scapito]

@@jennifermorris6848 I think they would love DMB because of the instruments (horns and violin) and their lyrics are mostly Carpe Diem style.

[@nancysmith38]

They were avant-garde art school kids that put a band together- their songs were very different but came along in the new wave era - perfect timing- love them

[@talon7132]

Thomas Dolby - Blinded Me With Science Hyperactive Howard Jones - life in one day No one is to blame Jay , since you like hearing keyboards so much you will love Howard Jones Information Society - pure energy All 3 are fantastic acts from the 80's

[@bookman7409]

The 80s, when almost every song that mattered had a video, as well as the mass of other videos from bands who couldn't quite cut it. Also some spectacular 1-hit wonders, though some could stretch it to two. That's not counting the bands that flashed, but otherwise got overlooked while still cranking out good music. Unfortunately, it also heralded the end of an era, as corporations proceeded to get the music industry locked down tight. Managers, lawyers, and accountants are not artistically creative, so giving them total control kills creativity. That trio wants numbers and results, not a creative swamp with genius artists here and there that they'd have to wade through to find. I love efficiency, but it's a bad thing in creative contexts, which is something that the aforementioned trio can't quite grasp. There's a lot of people there who never really leaned how to grip a stick of butter.

[@carltonbakerii8274]

For Thomas Dolby, I'd also suggest "Dissidents" and "Europa And The Pirate Twins". Howard Jones' "What Is Love" is great.

[@Monica-sw9ld]

That reminds me... Depeche Mode!

[@kelliedee]

Gary Numan - Cars, We Are Glass, and Are Friends Electric. All have great synth.

[@xoxxobob61]

@@carltonbakerii8274 Let's add "One of our Submarines" for Thomas Dolby please?

[@lesrolon40]

It was the weirdness or awkwardness that was captivating back then, of course after their unique sound and great music playing. The bass player is such a great musician.

[@Shrykespeare]

Two Talking Heads songs in a week! I love it! I really hope you do "This Must Be the Place". It's much different from this one and "Psycho Killer". I guarantee you'll love it. David Byrne is the lead singer. Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth play guitar, and Chris Frantz plays drums. You might be interested to know that Tina and Chris are married (47 years now!), and also had a side-group called The Tom Tom Club. Their song "Genius of Love" is a wonderful 80s classic!

[@campbellbr]

You may recognize "Genius of Love" because Mariah Carey sampled it for her song "Fantasy"

[@davewildermuth7519]

"Genius of Love" is a must for Female Friday!

[@bosgaurus1]

Not to get too picky, but Tina is the bassist. David played guitar along with his lead singer duties. Jerry played guitar as well, while being the group's keyboard player. Chris was busy enough playing the drums.🙂

[@daniellegoldsmith9782]

YES! Listen to this version of it, though! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJTGiGCjgcmBm5I

[@jonathangeraldrobinson720]

"Genius of Love" has been sampled by many artists.

[@landrmonty]

Amazing drum work goes unrecognised

[@VidiotSavante]

Yes, they are quirky and unique, which is one of the reasons they're so great! I love Amber's comment, "Who doesn't love weird!" ✌😎

[@thomasbrown2390]

For those of us who weren't especially fond of disco, the Talking Heads were a godsend! They debuted in 1977 as the New Wave was just getting started (along with Elvis Costello who began that same year) as a 4-piece band with a very robotic sound - Psycho Killer and Life During Wartime are from this period, their 1st 3 albums. Then began their more lasting funk era. They're always rewarding. Thanks for playing this one!

[@jkbezo1]

Also those who weren't fond of progressive rock.

[@randallpetersen9164]

Yes, Talking Heads and Elvis Costello - two of my very favorite recording artists from the late 70s! :)

[@lorijohnston4311]

Definitely check out "And She Was," my fave Talking Heads song. And "Once in a Lifetime," definitely an 80s tune. Honestly, we had the BEST music in the 80s!

[@mattwhite2328]

Same!

[@marcbolinger3648]

Genius of love by the bass player will be instantly recognizable

[@Blisteryn]

"Wild wild life" is a must! Oh, and "Nothing but flowers" is beautiful!

[@HelynnHeels]

the clip of the talent show from Byrne's movie, TRUE STORIES has all the various people performing lines from WILD WILD LIFE. It's really great.

[@jkbezo1]

Talking Heads were a funky and punky new wave group. Jaja! We loved them. Unique, quirky and cool. Especially their videos. Need to see video for Once in Lifetime! Very funny and catchy song.

[@marcmcfinn7470]

Amber nailed it! The "Funkadelic" sound she noticed was provided by Parliament-Funkadelic (a.k.a P-Funk) keyboardist Bernie Worrell.

[@stewpot6998]

One of the greatest.

[@scapito]

Love Bernie!

[@TahoeNevada]

R.I.P. Bernie!

[@marcmcfinn7470]

@@TahoeNevada Bernie is the m.v.p on that track. Not to mention his magnum opus Flashlight.

[@marcmcfinn7470]

@@stewpot6998 Truly.

[@mikawulf1268]

Talking heads you need to listen to. Take me to the river. Such a good song and has a cool blues vibe to it it is thier best song ever!

[@remohio]

Half the band had a side project call Tom Tom Club. You must listen to Genius of Love by them. Try the extended version if you can find it

[@cometogether999]

They would definitely love it!

[@Out_of_My_Head]

Great song❣️

[@ortho_normal]

They might be like "Wait, this is Mariah Carey!"

[@richardbazile2062]

completely unafraid, never the same, so glad you guys dig it!!!

[@richardbazile2062]

you guys need to see the Broadway show, happening right now.!!! true artist

[@louisef1861]

Burning Down the House has never been my favourite Talking Heads either. If you love Psycho Killer, I would suggest also trying Take Me to the River.

[@neilphelan145]

Talking Heads is definately a one of a kind band!! Nothing and nobody else like them!

[@vandergod]

This is definitely 80’s! This was a staple at so many college parties that I kinda remember (bits and pieces). As mentioned before, you have to watch the live concert “Stop Making Sense”. That is a serious experience.

[@no2all]

This song is when most of America came to realize how great the whole Talking Heads experience was about. But they were artists in the visual as well as the aural arenas. Just unique, original and outstanding. And MTV was the perfect medium for them at the time.

[@pachena]

Please do Talking Heads “Life During Wartime” live version!! It’s a bomb.

[@billdurfy2110]

Yes! I was hoping someone would mention that song!

[@chrischapin6830]

Absolutely!!! You two will enjoy it; (Live version}

[@JeffMartinEquinox]

can't thumbs up this enough

[@alltruenews]

“Life During War Times” and “Take Me to the River” are two great ones.

[@JoKeR93007]

I agree with some of the other commenters, "once in a lifetime" and "and she was" and "road to nowhere" are all great. Quirky and danceable the perfect 80's combo.

[@glsdaisy]

"Once In a Lifetime" is great, and I LOVE "And She Was", both for the song itself and because the video is so fun!

[@bryanCJC2105]

"Life During Wartime" Live 1983 is amazing!! And it will redeem Talking Heads for you and you'll see why it is such an iconic band from the late 70s and 80s.

[@chrischapin6830]

So awesome! Definitely Live version!!!

[@Ellen.G]

Love this! I've danced to this a bazillion times over the years! Awesome!

[@johnplaysgames3120]

If there's still time to add another '80s song to your Halloween weekend (or whenever in the future), y'all should check out some DEVO. Either "Whip It" or "Girl U Want" would be my suggestions. Very '80s (early '80s!), very weird, and very awesome. Speaking of DEVO, I would love, love, LOVE for you guys to react to "Dare To Be Stupid" by Weird Al Yankovic. You may or may not have heard of Weird Al because of his song parodies but "Dare To Be Stupid" (released in 1985) is a "style parody" of DEVO rather than a parody of their actual song. I.e. He wrote a song in their style but not based on any specific DEVO song and, for a lot of Al fans, it's one of his best songs ever. Definitely a classic. Plus it's got a LOT of '80s visuals and is fun, funny, super catchy, and weird in all the right ways.

[@matthewdrake4385]

If you're suggesting the Weird One and 80s, they got to do Eat it and Fat. They know Michael jackson. That would be two key songs to get them to react to AL. They could go from there.

[@mustangdebbie56]

Or Weird Al's Talking Heads style parody "Dog Eat Dog".

[@patricialiedel5659]

We Are Devo.

[@rtd7066]

Gosh but this takes me back to when I was out dancing at clubs having the time of my life. Love the 80s and the MTV generation

[@davidbagno]

Awesome song!!! Definitely a unique band. You should also listen to Depeche Mode (de pesh) mode, so many songs...huge in the 80's and beyond and are still making music today Song suggestions: Just Can't Get Enough People Are People Never Let Me Down Again Strangelove Enjoy The Silence Personal Jesus Policy Of Truth

[@pauljansen1137]

Yes...absolutely...i've been suggesting this too.."Violator" is worthy of a full Album review!!!

[@MustardSeedish]

I would love a reaction to Oingo Boingo's Only a Lad, Dead Man's Party (Perfect for Halloween), and No One Lives Forever.

[@ellefitzpatrick6339]

Oh yay you’re listening to TH ! I love them! Psycho Killer, And She Was, Once In A Lifetime, Take Me To The River, Wild Wild Life…. All fantastic songs and so many more!

[@pamelaforray4318]

You gotta do “Take me to the River” by them. And the heads were talking heads. Just like the news… nothing of substance just talking.

[@margaretmarks6685]

The members of the Talking Heads met when they were in art school. Byrne went out on his own later. I would call them kind of a concept band. Byrne approaches his songs as concept or performance art. At on concert he wore a huge white suit that created some great visuals. At another point later in his career he put together an participatory work that invited people to play a house. He gathered tech musicians who hooked technology up to the pipes and the walls and plumbing etc.and used the house to explore sounds. In other words he invited everyone to play the house. Not a bad concept when you realize that the pipes can become a wind instrument or a vibrating percussion instrument. The walls and floors are percussion instruments. Like a piano sustains sound or likedrums. The wiring can conduct electricity for computerized sound or act as strings like a guitar. Art rock. Performance art. ❤

[@leslapins7617]

Let’s say that Talking Heads where among the bands that dare and experimented the most in the 80’s. David Byrne in solo career mix American with music from everywhere in the world and made some great feats that are unique. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@nancyhallatr]

And the rest of the T Heads formed a different band, Tom Tom Club, which was all abouut dance and party music.

[@drea4195]

@@nancyhallatr Reggae, to be precise.

[@LearnToRefine]

Legendary keyboard player Bernie Worrell from Parliament / Funkadelic was a guest player on this track. He also toured with them in the band for their "Stop Making Sense" tour.

[@christamarch947]

If you like this song you might also enjoy 'She Blinded Me with Science' by Thomas Dolby, and 'Rock Me Amadeus' by Falco also from the 80s.

[@robindavisduckworth8992]

Rock me Amadeus

[@ak5659]

Der Kommisar also by Falco The German version is a must.

[@kadielouhoo]

Love you guys! Talking Heads introduced me to one of the funkiest female bass players ever! She's fierce! Gave me the courage to start playing!!!!! Keep on it - David Byrne's a genius.

[@richardmartin9565]

What you miss is the experimental and innovative visual effects. Back then it was new, today we take it for granted.

[@robertmiller374]

“Stay up Late” and Once in a lifetime…greatness

[@stevefriery9086]

80's? You've got to see The Traveling Wilburys. It's a supergroup with Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison (Beatles), and Jeff Lynne. For rock, this is without a doubt the greatest group of talent ever assembled.

[@matthewdrake4385]

Every member a Hall of Famer.

[@kittymulkey1701]

Good suggestion!

[@MsAppassionata]

You should have said Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra fame. They may not know that.

[@matthewdrake4385]

I’d have to double check and see if they reacted to ELO. I’m pretty sure they reacted to the R&RHOF version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps with Prince, so they may be familiar with Jeff’s voice more than his name.

[@ZVA3B]

David Byrne (/bɜːrn/; born 14 May 1952) is a Scottish-American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, writer, music theorist, and filmmaker, who was a founding member and the principal songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist of the American new wave band Talking Heads. Byrne has released solo recordings and worked with various media including film, photography, opera, fiction, and non-fiction. He has received Academy, Grammy, Tony, and Golden Globe Awards, and he is an inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Talking Heads.

[@timmarkley9309]

This song was a party staple when I was in college. Always a crowd pleaser. Talking Heads is a very unique band.

[@sputnikalgrim]

Instant smile on my face. Takes me back to being a kid in the 80s

[@DC_Prox]

This was the song that broke Talking Heads into the 80s scene. It was just the right combination of weirdness and BIG drum sounds, at just the right time. "Road to Nowhere" is my favourite Talking Heads song, I hope you get to that one eventually.

[@mikeharvey3551]

I can remember this video coming out in the early days of MTV and it was so unique I was mesmerized by the video and the music

[@itsmedino]

Jay and Amber are dressed up as the totally perfect couple everyone wanted to be friends with in High School. Amber looks like a Heather.

[@skinnybuddha74]

Heathers... Another movie to add to their 80's watch list!

[@SnappingTurtle801]

It's ok to not like every song you listen to, nobody does. It's cool beans! I don't even like everything you listen to.....lol. You do like many of them and I greatly appreciate that you can appreciate the music this old head grew up listening too. It was a great era of music, movies and new inventions. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside....lol. Off the top of my head worth listening to also Thomas Dolby "She Blinded me with Science", Living Color "Cult of Personality", Rick Springfield "Jesse's Girl", Run DMC/Aerosmith "Walk This Way", Cameo "Word Up", Men Without Hats, "Safety Dance", Lionel Richie "All Night Long", The Clash "Rock the Casbah" just to name a few.

[@bengilbert7655]

I always think of Byrne as performing in his big suit. For a more gospely rock sound check out their cover of Al Green's Take Me To The River, a big hit for them too.

[@Jillyconjem]

I saw them before the big suit times, and I brought my Dad (who’d been a piano player/big band leader back in the day). At the end of the show my Dad’s opinion was that they were good, but boring. They just stood there and played. If only he’d seen them a few years later. 🤣

[@steveneardley7541]

One of the best things about the Talking Heads is that they are really good to dance to.

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

Rob looks like he's getting ready to cut the rug at a caveman disco party.

[@lauriesandt5371]

🤣

[@vickeyadkins1481]

You should watch their movie, Stop Making Sense. It begins with just David on the stage, they add musicians and instruments until the whole band is there. So much energy!

[@MattSmith-il4tc]

NO!!! I was really hoping you would do the "Stop Making Sense" live version of this song.

[@peccatumDei]

When MTV was still a channel that played music videos, some bands chose to make "artsy" videos that actually had NOTHING or almost nothing to do with the lyrical content of the song, but were captivating to watch in their own right. The Talking Heads and The Cars did that routinely.

[@TheJohnnywbred]

Fun Fact. These guys met at RISD. Rhode Island School of Design. I bring it up cause I live in Rhode Island and we don’t have much to brag about 😂

[@teresadavidson3706]

Burning Down the House is my favorite Talking Heads song! I loved dancing to it at the club in the '80s. Good times!

[@anniesnyder3745]

David Byrne is a genius & multi-layered. He currently has a play on Broadway, “American Utopia.”

[@snakelite61]

My daughter took me last year for my birthday! David is as energetic as ever and the show is amazing! It's on HBO, but much better in person.

[@foxandscout]

Byrne’s play is Talking Heads music . But without Tina and Chris and Jerry. Band didn’t break up, David just picked up and left. Chris didn’t know until he read it in the news. Decades ago. Reunion for induction in rock n roll hall of fame 20 years ago. I love the TH; saw them often very early in their career. And yes Byrne is quite a talent. But that he left the band and how he left the band is disappointing.

[@europe7249]

When this song was released MTV was just 3 years old, and was actually watchable as they focused almost entirely on music videos. Shocking, I know. Talking Heads embraced the platform and released several innovative and mesmerizing videos. In 1980 they began working with legendary producer Brian Eno. The inclusion funk and afro-beat to their sound semi transitioned the band away from their punk roots, allowing them to become, one of, if not the main influences for the '80's New Wave sound. Talking Head's catalogue is deep and chock full of ear candy.

[@teknikel]

You must do "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo. It's 80s and Halloween all in one song.

[@HoosierData]

The beauty of the Talking Heads. They were a bunch of weird, artsy folk that did whatever they were into at the moment. But they were so good that they would often mine gold. A lot of misses, but so many hits too.

[@robb9395]

I grew up down the street from Jerry Harrison (guitar). Love these guys!

[@jaydMANifistation]

How can you not love the drums? And the scratching!

[@chriso6719]

A staple song at most parties of the day David Byrne is the lead singer.

[@joshsmith302]

Don't forget Rock Master Scott and The Dynamic Three,-(The Roof is on Fire). The roof... the roof... the roof is on fire! 😉

[@elettewheeler7893]

As far as I know, Talking Heads were NY art students together, like the Rolling Stones. It's that arty, conceptual, NY sound, similar to some of Bowie's influences. I love 'And She Was'.

[@davidspalten1304]

Actually RISD.

[@patricialiedel5659]

Yes! They were giving words, music and images that together evoked a feeling or even a story, but when you tried to understand or analyze it, it would Stop Making Sense.

[@donmeltz]

Rhode Island, believe it or not :-) And the first time I saw them live was at Brown University.

[@patricialiedel5659]

And She Was. Love it, too.

[@beatlesfantoo]

This video was from the MTV era when they actually played videos. Burning Down The House is one of my favorite and I think will like it more after you listen to them more. David Byrne Is a quirky guy and that is what makes The Talking Heads. The more you listen to them the more you will appreciate David. He is performing on Broadway these days. Keep up the great reactions !!!

[@futurereflections4097]

Love how you guys went right into another talking heads song after psycho killer. Great band. David Byrne is very worldly and like the Beatles went to India and were inspired, he took a trip to Africa to learn their music and you can hear some of that influence in his afterwards.

[@futurereflections4097]

@@Jameson_Visual_Arts_Studios I see how people could find this song dull. It’s really all in the style and details but there really isn’t that much going on in this song in terms of melody

[@ScottGiorgini]

Gotta love the Talking Heads, and the bizarreness of frontman David Byrne. Psycho Killer is definitely an iconic track, and it comes from the earlier days of the band in the late 70s, when they were playing CBGB in New York. Imagine the scene back then. One night, you'd go to CBGB and see the Talking Heads. The next time you went, you'd see Blondie. Then you'd see the Ramones, all before they hit it big. If you really want to see the Talking Heads in their prime, I highly recommend checking out the concert movie "Stop Making Sense." It was recorded during the tour for their "Speaking in Tongues" album (one of their biggest commercial successes, and it's the record from which "Burning Down The House" came). To this day, it was one of the most amazing live shows I've ever seen, and the film does a great job capturing it. Bonus: You can also check out Talking Heads Bassist Tina Weymouth and Drummer Chris Frantz's side project, the Tom Tom Club. Their biggest hit is "Genius of Love," the main riff of which I'm sure you're familiar because it's been sampled a thousand times.

[@markmaioli4]

Early Talking Heads are more interesting than the later "popular" songs. The great thing about TH is that every album has a different sonic feel. They are not a normal band and don't write songs about normal things. Try "Life During Wartime", "Crosseyed and Painless", "Memories Can't Wait", "The Girls Want to Be with the Girls", "Heaven", "Once In a Lifetime"

[@benoitrenaud519]

Amber hits it right on the nose once again. Talking Heads is about embracing the weird. Their live movie is even called Stop Making Sense!

[@paulb4604]

Talking Heads were inescapable back then and you just had to love them. And my memory was never that I thought they were weird, I remember thinking how unique they were. Definitely on that whole New Wave train, they were one of the pioneers of the genre. I know you guys are having trouble getting into Talking Heads, but like most of us who were around back then, I suspect the more you listen to them the more you'll like them. They didn't break molds because they didn't fit into any molds and that's what made them great.

[@josephpowell3949]

The Talking heads got real big there for a while and put out a few big hits! Their name is too cool!

[@rarelycares8416]

Time to introduce you to some Alan Parsons Project. "Time" is probably my favorite, but "Sirius/Eye in the Sky" is probably a good first choice. Sirius is the musical intro to Eye in the Sky. Bonus points to Jay if he recognizes Sirius, if not he is not a real sports fan. Also really like "Don't answer me" and "Wouldn't want to be like you".

[@taragreenetarotastro]

yes Alan Parson's project is great too, very underrecognized

[@C.Church]

This is "full surround, bass and treble all the way up" in the car song. It is astounding, those drums.

[@lisemzarate4029]

Phyco killer, is still more of a 70's , early U.S punk sound, alot of bands from the 70's had to really switch thier styles up to stay relevant some bands did this well, like Talking Heads, other didn't fare as well, like Jefferson Starship, Heart squeaked by ok, Rod Stewart did also, Elton John for example, took the evolution by storm. Interesting era between 77 and 83 for music.

[@Cosmoproto]

You guys need to watch the concert movie, Stop Making Sense, even if it's on your free time. It'll blow you away.

[@robinfry4408]

Bonnie Raitt does her own awesome version of Burning Down The House with her great raspy voice & stellar slide guitar playing

[@jeffpawlinski3210]

My friend Angie Swan playes lead guitar for David Bryne, on his worldwide tour, on Broadway and on TV like SNL among other places. She's a brilliant Milwaukee-born and raised musician and now a Tony Award Winner. Watch his most recent AU videos and you'll see her front and center. When they toured Milwaukee she took David and the band out to dinner at a local eatery, nothing fancy and they spent the night enjoying all that Milwaukee has to offer. David Bryne is a cool dude!

[@TheStefan6969]

So, in many 80's movies if there's a party often you'd here this song! And if it wasn't Talking Heads it would be Oingo Boingo, specifically Dead Man's Party, but they also made the title song to Weird Science too!!! Worth a check out!!! 😉❤✌🏼

[@bertcopeland]

Really need to see this in the live version. I think its the Stop Making Sense tour. So much more energy

[@willynilly2545]

David Byrne is a huge fan of Brazilian music and you can hear it’s influence, especially in their later work and live performances

[@ugadawgs1990]

Their movie, Stop Making Sense, is amazing and one of the greatest musical achievements of the 80s.

[@danielswood]

I think sometimes it's useful to think about pioneering artists in different genres as exactly that. Think, for example, of red carpet fashion show styles, that seem very weird but a season or so later, elements of what they showcased are 'normal' in high street styles. I personally rate David Byrne as a musical pioneer. A bit of a genius really. 😊

[@kathyrams]

Nothing but flowers. !!

[@Monica-sw9ld]

Back when this came out, new wave and punk were just hitting Oklahoma. This was cranked up at many a house party. 😁 And played at a lot of underground clubs. It's edgy and rebellious and cheeky. Crank it up sometime and just dance - no video. Trust me, it's a blast to dance to!

[@markclaypool5414]

I ate this band up when I was a teenager. Their best albums came out when I was 12-18. Had to be there. You should watch something...or really the whole concert film Stop Making Sense...it’s truly one of the best, joyous, funky and weird concert experiences ever!

[@davidmolling5685]

Hi Amber and Jay, Talking Heads are a great band. I mentioned a couple of times to do a reaction to this song , before with Tom Jones and The Cardigans. They also do it awesome. Keep up the good work 👍 from Dave in Australia.

[@ceebee9195]

Agreed, I love that cover of the songs, I’m actually more familiar with it than this version, Tom’s voice is just so strong. You’d love it.

[@escapingreality3306]

Cardigans are an amazing band in their own right where Nina Perrson is so charasmatic. I believe she writes the songs. Start with Erase & rewind and Losing my favourite game.

[@davidmolling5685]

Hi everyone the first time I have heard of the Cardigans, loosing my Favourite Game Was when I bought my first PlayStation 1 game Gran Turismo.👍

[@escapingreality3306]

@@davidmolling5685 Gran Turismo 1 & 2 had amazing soundtracks. It went downhill a bit after Gran Turismo 4 though.

[@goldenchild4835]

David Byrne & and the ineffable Tina Weymouth the heart and the soul of Talking Heads. Byrne, born in Scotland, raised in Canada inspired by African pop music rhythms. These guys are always moving on!

[@willcool713]

They're weird, sure, but they're highly creative and high energy as well. Watch the live vid for Life During Wartime. Their stage presence shows much more of who they are as a band. (Imagine an entire concert of that. Saw them on their Stop Making Sense tour, REM opened. I remembered how to dance after years.)

[@Jonni1027]

Oh yeah? Great! I saw the Stop Making Sense tour in Berkeley and there was no opener.

[@willcool713]

@@Jonni1027 I may have the theater version of Stop Making Sense confused with the concert. My memory of REM is very clear, and my memory of the big suit and the extended, Take Me to the River. But I maybe conflating the two occasions. I definitely did not see them after Little Creatures came out, but if there was a tour between those albums, I may be misremembering. It was REM's first tour, Radio Free Europe, was on the radio, so Murmur was out. Lemme look that up. Okay, 1983. So, '83 or '84, must've been. According to their tour dates they were here in Portland, Dec 1, '83, definitely Stop Making Sense, and their last big tour. Must just be confusing the concert and the movie. But REM definitely opened. I totally remember the futility of the ushers and security trying to make everybody sit down and stop dancing. Not as good as Dylan with the Dead, but still a damned good show.

[@Jonni1027]

@@willcool713 Sounds like a great show! And yeah I’ve mixed up things myself like that. One thing that was so cool about the Stop Making Sense tour was that everyone were on their feet for the whole show. So good! And then of course was so surprised there was a film, AND by Jonathan Demme, so saw it in the theater too.

[@bigs1546]

David Byrne said that this song was all about a metaphor for destroying something safe that entrapped you. It isn't literally burning something down,but the pain of growing and leaving what had been safe behind.

[@joshsmith302]

You guys are giving me so many flashbacks it is unreal. Thank You.🤗 Consider Tennessee Ernie Ford-(Sixteen Tons) Amber will love his voice. Jordan I didn't forget about you. Try Night Ranger,-(Sister Christian) piano for you.