Talking Heads - Don't Worry About The Government

Talking Heads live on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1978

[@evanadams9124]

my favorite band

[@Locksmithj0e]

Their '77 album is one of the most important albums ever.

[@davidwhite2002]

good year for music, animals dropped that year as well =)

[@TheGreenpig1]

And the best album A Farewell to Kings

[@sydbarret1973]

@@TheGreenpig1 you must be 🙃 joking

[@bretthall4510]

This argument could be made about a lot of their albums. You’re not wrong at all

[@sydbarret1973]

I think “remain in light” was undoubtedly their masterpiece….

[@curtandoscar]

Holy crap. Seriously, I could not take my eyes off this. This video and this song are the essence of what this band was: First, they were SO much about Tina's bass playing, secondly, David's crazy quirky high pitched voice and superdweeb persona (though he's oddly hot, here, despite the lemon yellow high buttoned shirt), and then a totally charming, ridiculously oddball little ditty, sung with the excitement of that person we all once were: young, giddy to no longer be living at home, now with our "own" buildings we can point to. Absolutely love this.

[@surfinmuso37]

r/whoosh!

[@jimmyt7233]

Yeah you missed the point of the song. Don't take the lyrics at face value. It will change your view of the song and make it much better imho

[@r.i.t95]

Jimmy T How do you view them?

[@mercurialpierrot7073]

I believe this an anti-establishment song critiquing the modern way of life at the time.

[@francisqchristopher8684]

Every so often I try again with them to try to grasp what some find so amazing...and every time I'm left completely unmoved and usually irritated. Then I read comments like this and I feel even more alien. I can't FATHOM what you're hearing here. It's like when I hear people rhapsodize over "This Must Be The Place" - supposedly it's some transcendently beautiful thing. I hear an utterly unremarkable trifle of a song.

[@jenmay3889]

This man is double cheeked up on a Thursday afternoon, the sun is still in the sky

[@MindFlowersDotNet]

After many times listening to this song, I am always surprised by how good it is. It is complex, smart, at once jolly and intimate.

[@BruceKaplan]

I saw Talking Heads about 7 times in the late 1970s, the first time being at the Keystone in Berkeley, elbows on the stage in front of Tina, who I had an instant cursh on! This was so different from the Led Zeppelin, ELP and even the Clash, totally original stuff. And David Byrne has proven to be a very enduring talent!

[@sarahcameronlerer4883]

Did you happen to be at their free concert at UC Berkeley, the day Mayor Moscone and Harvey Milk were murdered? I was, and the fact that they were singing "Psycho Killer" just across the Bay at around the same time? Still sends chills up my spine.

[@normanbaratelli4651]

Were you at The Boarding House show about '77 I guess? I got this cool pin they passed out of America and More Songs About buildings... Nice club environment before the frenzy. Lucky enough to catch four times including opening for Ramones in Boston '77. Those were heady days my friends!

[@theawkwards]

is it just me or is this unbelievably clever? it's like the lyric never once states what the song is about, and at the back of it all there's this...paranoia! but fun and sweet and moving at the same time. favourited.

[@calismith5777]

Yeah, it’s like he’s saying look at me, I work for the government. How could you possibly be afraid of it?

[@jenniferroberts]

This has always been my favorite Talking Heads song. Thank you for sharing this!

[@HiVizCamo]

Awesome but not enough camera for Tina.

[@the9-2-5outlawdoestech9]

True

[@mondomondo5916]

My all time favorite band! Love the uniqueness of the music and topics he sang about and the way he expressed them in the lyrics.

[@diegosuazodelarosa3256]

God that bass line. It’s so simple but she plays it so perfectly and beautifully

[@ThePrincej3rd]

It's so hard for a band to be truly original. They were and stand the test of time.

[@thomascatlett2506]

Simply brilliant! What a band is supposed to sound like.

[@DJDuStED1]

77 is my favorite album of all time. Every song is perfect.

[@Notecrusher]

god david byrne had an incredible vocal range. and what an amazing songwriter too, right from the get go. '77 is such a beautiful album, they never made another one with that same shiny pop innocent sound.

[@TwiliticHorizon]

david byrne looks so cute here im in heck

[@coolvirgin6951]

Amd why so t h i c c

[@hellhoundz8628]

I agree,, the little yelps he throws into songs are so cute

[@adventurerneil]

Heck yes

[@toniigx8]

i knowww omg

[@unperson5713]

What a great band. David's high, boxy tone allows Tina's bass lines breath.

[@verily64]

I never tire of this song... I love the pinecones reference, I think, most of all. Absolutely perfect.

[@Atma505]

I freaking love the section at 0:50 when Tina plays a half-step higher than the intended note and then drags it down... it's that sort of inventiveness that gives Talking Heads such a percussive sound and makes them awesome!

[@AngeliqueCatero-bz5em]

A shaman not artist mission dancer or any other limitation . David knows the power of what he's done . At 16 I found it was the only really worthy of my dance that is of course a sacred practice joining me to higher levels of my own divinity.😊

[@jackiewilliams810]

One of my favourites talking heads songs,loveit🌠💚🇮🇪🌼💜💖Ireland. Good results cannot be expressed Through words, regarding this band. Your one of a kind talking heads and david byrne. Love you Jackie🥰 Thank you so much!! TALKING HEADS🤗💖😉🌼🌠 Sending love to you all 💖 Only got too experience the joy and magic of your music when i was a teenager as i was born in mid eighties🤷‍♀️

[@mikaelsjoberg1894]

This is so amazingly fabulous! That album , that album...

[@tomq5180]

Heads were spot on in this performance..saw a 30 min live segment from this same yr..also spot on..heads in my top 10.. easily.

[@ShinkyB]

If I remember correctly, Tina did not know how to play and was taught the bass by the guys as she went along. I'm glad she got it. Her funky dancing/prancing came out more as she felt comfortable playing bass. She good! : ). See Tom Tom Club.

[@chrisdunmore9433]

STILL my favorite Heads tune......lucky enough to have seen them 3 times with this line-up...worked at local record shop in Cleveland Oh back then...they did in store...hung out...signed wall...i asked David if this tune was on set list for club show that night...he said..."i cant do it every night because of the smokey rooms and its at the top of my range"...they did play it that night...

[@tonybahama6817]

Never gets old!!! In HS during that period growing up in Biston area we had the best music then!!!

[@killbot_factory]

the very first word the host said was "Television." I'm here to rediscover some of my favorite old music, and had completely forgotten about the absolutely wonderful Television. Marquee Moon here I come!

[@pishauko]

Oh my God!! that woman makes me fall in love with her basslines... Love u Tina!!

[@om2216]

Growing up with two big older brothers, I always considered The Beatles, The Who The Stones and The Kinks to be great and most important. Then Television, Ramones, Blondie, and for me most importantly Talking Heads came along and we suddenly had new music that was all our generation's and so different than the 60s. Amazing time, going to see them at places like CBGB, Peppermint Lounge, and colleges around the State.

[@MsAlexiinyc]

This rules. Bryne rocks! This performance is just exceptional, this is also one of my favourites from the album. *applauds*

[@arkham2498]

It’s amazing to see the phases of David from the early cgbg’s shows where he’s shy and nervous to here where he’s coming but he’s not quite the legend we love then there’s stop making sense performance

[@jamespagounes3911]

I can listen to it over and over....now its time for one of my sons to move out and this song has it all!!!

[@LauraSeabrook]

I used to play this a lot after I finally moved out from home, and got a job 400km away! And I worked for the government. :-)

[@jelt110]

This changed a generation. Period.

[@krizalidstayaway]

What an awesomeee video. I just loooooove the Talking Heads. At first i was like, what crap is this? But the more i kept listening the catchy songs stayed in my head and forget about it. Now im a total fan. Love david byrne here, he is epic

[@StankusMaximus]

Boy, this brings back so many memories. I think I may be having a flashback. Appreciate that :)

[@leftyzappa231]

Feel the passion and skill. Brilliant :)

[@jackgrattan1447]

Maybe they should have called this 'Even Faceless Bureaucrats have Feelings'.

[@briansmith9455]

David Byrne isn't a big liar, so....

[@2wheels6strings]

@@briansmith9455, he's just wrong.

[@alfonsismcmullen1122]

My building has every convenience, it's gonna make life easy for me.

[@sarahcameronlerer4883]

"I'll be working, working, but if you come see me, I'll put down what I'm doing. My friends are important."

[@boboften9952]

Lyrics Don't Worry About The Government Talking Heads I see the clouds that move across the sky I see the wind that moves the clouds away It moves the clouds over by the building I pick the building that I want to live in I smell the pine trees and the peaches in the woods I see the pine cones that fall by the highway That's the highway that goes to the building I pick the building that I want to live in It's over there, it's over there My building has every convenience It's gonna make life easy for me It's gonna be easy to get things done I will relax alone with my loved ones Loved ones, loved ones visit the building, Take the highway, park and come up and see me I'll be working, working but if you come visit I'll put down what I'm doing, my friends are important Don't you worry 'bout me I wouldn't worry about me Don't you worry 'bout me Don't you worry 'bout me I see the states, across this big nation I see the laws made in Washington, D.C. I think of the ones I consider my favorites I think of the people that are working for me Some civil servants are just like my loved ones They work so hard and they try to be strong I'm a lucky guy to live in my building They own the buildings to help them along It's over there, it's over there My building has every convenience It's gonna make life easy for me It's gonna be easy to get things done I will relax along with my loved ones Loved ones, loved ones visit the building Take the highway, park and come up and see me I'll be working, working but if you come visit I'll put down what I'm doing, my friends are important I wouldn't worry 'bout I wouldn't worry about me Don't you worry 'bout me Don't you worry 'bout me... Songwriters: David Byrne Don't Worry About the Government lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

[@thomascatlett2506]

Brilliant performance.. period!

[@joaquinculbertmendoza8851]

byrne is looking stupid thicc here

[@fallingintime]

He's kinda swole

[@redaintbad5179]

dummy thicccccccc

[@Cocabear21]

Ratchet

[@ddk999]

Original and phenomenal.

[@chrisblue1515]

Awesome bass player.

[@thothharris]

One of the things that most impresses me is how the Talking Heads improved over time, from their demos/performances in '75 throught to '78 until we get the polished and very original sounding band we know and love from the 80's. It gives me hope that David Byrne, who, IMHO did not sound good at all as a singer in '75 improved so terrifically much. Perhaps some of us could improve like that at whatever we do?

[@beachmom62]

This is amazing!!!

[@SteveSmith-kc8rn]

I’m pretty sure David doesn’t blink for this entire song

[@gottwalt]

the tape starting sound (wuow) at the beginning is amazing.

[@clumpft]

great little bass chops. Charmed to death by Weymouth's playing.

[@ThePollmi01]

That high A he sings at the end is awesome.

[@ouchcubic]

David is an amazing guitar player.

[@jeffblack5024]

It's all about the Tina. Not just a WOMAN IN ROCK but a fucking great bass player.

[@andrewjohnstone963]

The best era ❤️

[@Alm0st999]

my building has every convenience

[@daphne-blue]

my favourite talking heads track! 💙

[@twirlyboggs]

One of my all time deserted favs! Up there with Moon's jole blon

[@lewisallrightsreserved7879]

Beyond bizzare, if Kurt Weill played rock, love it! :-)

[@hoodus61]

the birth of genius never gets old

[@thezenitsufan1249]

Honestly I think their first three albums are Talking Heads' best works. Their later stuff is good but it's not even close to their earlier works.

[@nancylowry2014]

I dreamed about this song last night. I was running around in a hotel with kids singing this song.

[@ejkpoet3461]

They dress nicer than the 80s hair bands

[@jbsrknu]

Talking Heads man---one of the death daggers to disco---and God bless them for that

[@MsLilWolfie]

awesome i was brought up on talking heads too now i have more understanding i appreciate it even more

[@Chasstful]

Paradigm is not a useless obfuscation word when used properly. I had no intention of making a political post, if you listen to the words of "Don't worry...", I think the satire is very clear. The history of the THs, spanned two very different political climates in America, the malaisse (percieved or real) of the Carter years, and the Reagan era, when American culture sucked. I think Byrne's music evolved to reflect these changes. I love the early albums better personally.

[@DanSheffieldMusic]

Just because it's simple doesn't mean it's not good. She is a good bass player, and does play mostly very simple lines because that's what the songs need. There is nothing wrong with a simple, well-executed bass part. In fact, they're usually the best.

[@psychedeliccarrie5921]

Yes, then there's Born Under Punches live, which is just godly.

[@lavenderandred_]

Less is more

[@edcarson3113]

Tom foundations are rarely seen. ..know what I mean,jelly bean

[@jordannease314]

is it just me or does the lead singer kind of look like clark kent? aka superman. just saying lol, looks like the dude from smallville.

[@meloland5649]

Amazing song...

[@Araclain]

This is what music SHOULD be =O

[@8verycalm4]

I love this song

[@kimberlyblood46]

American Utopia is a masterpiece.

[@retisonic]

CHRIS FRANTZ IS A GENIUS. A SELFLESS MUSICIAN AND AN INCREDIBLE FUNKY DRUMMER FOR THAT ERA OF PUNK. LOVE IT!!

[@gxtmfa]

@Atma505 That's a jazz technique. She walks a lot of bass lines similar to those common in jazz. I really love how she goes between obligato motifs and long, melodic lines.

[@steviebkhall]

History and great shit. Trippin. Thanks.Peace.

[@atrampinthehills.841]

Up there with the best

[@johnclark3697]

amazing MUSICIAN.

[@Jrhynie]

Not a bad old tune. Old Grey Whistle Test in 78, wonderful.

[@andrewhernandez1509]

The body gets the music before the head does.

[@bestsongevah5543]

best song ever

[@suebabesliva9129]

I have found my building that I want to live in. My building makes things easy for me. I have a different way of looking at the lyrics. Who would have thought when I saw the B52's open for TH in the early 80's at Central Park, they would be a classic band!

[@fortressone22rr]

great music

[@McadMcad]

"I'm very worried about him".

[@brettlundy4603]

Love this song, freak as normal as freak as normal

[@MyPiecrust1]

Love this song!

[@powerpopaholic876]

Very Conflicted ! :)

[@Stephanjnj]

Politically, David Byrne has a long history as an unabashed leftie. As for the "message" in this song, it's neither liberal or conservative, merely enigmatic.

[@AgujaAzulMD]

It's gonna make life easy for me.

[@snarfinigus]

Hmmm, sidebyrnes?

[@wayhighradio4197]

LEGENDARY

[@SirHatchporch]

@haleygayle That's because David Byrne is an incredibly shy person. "Organically shy," as Tina Weymouth once put it. It's also been theorized that he has Asperger's Syndrome.

[@jackhillty1]

my friends are important

[@brucemacmillan9581]

Don't worry about David. He'll be just fine.

[@マンテラス]

とても良い歌だわ

[@brianbieron4733]

A rock song using the words "pine cones", "civil servants", and "convenience". Genius. But we all knew that.

[@goback3spaces]

That last note broke my Orrefours Illusion wineglass...

[@Cl3moh]

There would be no Vampire Weekend without Talking Heads.

[@Chas4371]

This song is a satire of nanny-State big government, it astounds me how far ahead of its time this song was. Byrne is not only a genius, he is a visionary.

[@MauriceMossisitnot]

Too bad Byrne sold out it seems... When you get older you stop making sense.

[@aloisiocastilho8058]

Fui contemporâneo graças a Deus

[@alinegolart7613]

a minha banda favorita

[@rhoblidnen]

@Atma505 Actually, I think it's an open string and she's just plucking it so hard that it's going sharp and bending back down (think of the Beatles' Helter Skelter). Just as much of a reason to love it, though!

[@WOUTERJOYCOMPANYORG]

HALLO TALKING HEADS DONT YOU WORRY ABOUT THE COUVERME NT VAN HET ALBUM 77 77 VOND IK JULLIE BESTE ALBUM WAAR IKMET VEEL PLEZIEIER OP HEB GEDANST EN ME GEZONG GRAAG HOOR IK DIT ALBUM GEHEEL DANK JULLIE WEL TALKINGHEADS WOUTER JOANNES HENDRICK