And We Danced

The music of Talking Heads transcends easy categorization. Their early music clearly owes a debt to the ‘Do-It-Yourself’ attitude of 70’s Punk, but as the band’s 11-year recording career continued they drew influence from across the map including African Rhythms, Funk, Pop, and Performance Art to name a few. The band split up acrimoniously in 1991, but have maintained contact and reunited to perform together for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2002. Along the way, Talking Heads helped bring the spirit of New Wave and the sound of African tribal rhythms to Dance clubs around the world.

David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth all attended the Rhode Island School of Design in the early 70’s. David Byrne had already performed in a group called Revelation and a duo called Bizadi before forming a band called the Artistics with Chris Frantz. The Artistics performed mostly covers but also occasionally performed original songs written by Byrne including Psycho Killer. Tina Weymouth was one of the bands’ greatest fans and when the Artistics broke up in 1974, Byrne, Frantz and Weymouth decided to move to New York City and hone their musical talents.

By May of 1975 the three had adopted the name Talking Heads and in June made their live debut as the opening act for the Ramones at CBGB’s in Manhattan. Talking Heads soon became an important component of the vibrant New York City Punk scene that also included Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, Television, and Patti Smith. The band signed with Sire Records in the fall of 1976. In the summer of 1977, with the addition of Jerry Harrison, originally a member of the Modern Lovers, on guitar, Talking Heads recorded their first album Talking Heads ‘77. The first album drew positive attention from critics and showcased the band’s intellectual lyrics, quirky pop melodies, and rhythmic drive.

The next album, 1978’s More Songs About Buildings and Food, scored a Pop hit with a remake of Al Green’s R&B classic Take Me To the River. Talking Heads landed in the Top 30 of the LP chart and even appeared on American Bandstand in March of 1979. The album was recorded at the Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas with former member of Roxy Music Brian Eno performing production duties. Fear Of Music, again produced by Brian Eno, was released in late 1979. As Disco was fading, clubs began to look at the New Wave scene for possible alternative danceable musical styles. Talking Heads fiercely rhythmic Life During Wartime and African-influenced rhythms on I Zimbra were played widely in Dance clubs.

1980’s Remain In Light is the peak of Talking Heads’ rhythmic exploration. It is the final album with production work from Brian Eno. The album is seen by many critics as a landmark of Pop/Rock music. Strongly influenced by David Byrne’s personal travels and research on African music as well as the addition of guest musicians including guitarist Adrian Belew, Talking Heads’ funky aesthetic was popular with club audiences. Once In a Lifetime, Crosseyed and Painless, and Houses In Motion all received extensve club play. The band embarked on an extensive tour followed by group members working on solo and outside projects including the formation of Tom Tom Club by Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. The next Talking Heads album would not appear for 3 years.

After 3 years with no new studio material Talking Heads released 1983’s Speaking In Tongues, the biggest hit album of the band’s history. Tight song structures formed a radio and club friendly album. Speaking In Tongues spent 6 weeks at no. 2 on the Dance chart while Burning Down the House reached the Pop Top 10 in the U.S. Other club favorites included Slippery People, Making Flippy Floppy, and This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody). The followup tour was turned into the film Stop Making Sense, one of the top concert films of all time.

Little Creatures, released in 1985, is possibly the warmest and most straightforward Pop album of all Talking Heads albums. It featured And She Was, a minor Dance hit. The following year David Byrne directed the film True Stories and the group released an album by the same title featuring their versions of songs from the film. In 1988 the album Naked, recorded with producer Steve Lillywhite, included the band’s latest explorations of the incorporation of World Music elements into their songs. Shortly after its release Talking Heads announced they were going on ‘hiatus.’ Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth continued their work with Tom Tom Club. Finally, in 1991, the group announced they were breaking up. Various compilations have been released since and an album by Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth under the name The Heads, but the full band has reunited only for their performance at their 2002 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.