Every Talking Heads song ranked
Some rules:
- songs must appear on an official Talking Heads release
- they must be credited to the Heads (so no Tom Tom Club)
- tracks are their studio versions. A live version will be allowed if it’s the only officially available version of that song (e.g ‘A Clean Break’ and ‘What A Day That Was’)
- this is just my opinion. If you see your fave song in a spot you don’t like, don’t take it personal. We all have our own tastes |
| 97 |  | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
97: Stay Up Late - Little Creatures
An annoying song with an annoying rhythm and annoying lyrics and annoying vocals. It’s annoying |
| 96 |  | Talking Heads
Once in a Lifetime [Box Set]
96: In Asking Land - Once in a Lifetime
A completely one note and forgettable track that was wisely cut from ‘Naked’ and then harvested for parts by David for his first proper solo record ‘Rei Momo’. It’s only received a proper release on the career retrospective ‘Once in a Lifetime’ where its thankfully stayed since. |
| 95 |  | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
95: Dancing for Money - Fear of Music (Outtake)
A very unfinished outtake that first appeared as a bonus track on Fear of Music. David mumbles his way through a vaguely groovy rhythm with the occasional synth effect tossed on for good measure. It’s clearly unfinished but there’s clearly an idea there, waiting to be explored |
| 94 |  | Talking Heads
Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites
94: Gangster of Love - Sand in the Vaseline
One of the three “new” tracks that popped up on Greatest Hits release ‘Sand in the Vaseline’. Despite some nice vocals and some twangy bass, it’s too boring and one note to devote much attention too. |
| 93 |  | Talking Heads
True Stories
93: Papa Legba - True Stories
A bizarre… thing named after a spirit from Haitian Voodoo beliefs that closes off the first side of True Stories. Weird rhythms and disjointed drum parts give the whole thing a slapdash, awkward feel. That would be fine if it didn’t go on for 6 minutes. True Stories was originally intended to use the vocal performances of the cast of the movie instead of David’s own vocals. A version of this track sung by Pop Staples appears as a bonus track on the deluxe version, and he does a much more admirable job there, giving the song a rather creepy vibe that feels like it was almost meant to have instead of sounding ridiculous and silly like with David’s vocal. Still, it’s not that good either way. |
| 92 |  | Talking Heads
Naked
92: Mommy, Daddy, You and I - Naked
A deep cut from Naked that can’t make its mind up if it’s a dreary, slow burner or a jaunty accordion jam. The lyrics are pure trite too. |
| 91 |  | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
91: Fela’s Riff - Remain in Light (Outtake)
Instrumental jam named after famed Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, whose work was vital to the sound of Remain in Light. Despite some twitchy synths and drum work that make it sound like a weird Yes outtake, the piece meanders and hardly develops at all over its 5 minute runtime. |
| 90 | | Talking Heads
Naked
90: Bill - Naked
Another forgettable deep cut from Naked. Despite the rather pleasant (if a little moody) tropical groove it’s got going on, it isn’t really that interesting or engaging, which unfortunately holds true to a lot of Naked. |
| 89 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
89: Double Groove - Remain in Light (Outtake)
Another instrumental jam released as a bonus track on Remain in Light. The chaotic, complex guitar parts and the wordless nonsense vocals are fairly nice, but once again it’s a case of there not being much to offer |
| 88 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
88: Unison - Remain in Light (Outtake)
Hey, a RIL outtake with actual lyrics! Even so, it’s basically just the same line repeated over and over again with the odd deviation (which appear to have be reused for ‘And She Was’). Still, props for effort, and the hypnotic drum part isn’t too shabby. |
| 87 |  | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
87: I Wish You Wouldn’t Say That - B-Side
B-Side to the band’s second single ‘Uh Oh, Love Comes to Town’ (we’ll get to that much later). A decent piece of pop rock with a prominent organ part and some nice bass which sadly devolves into endless repetition near the end. It’s only two and a half minutes, come on, you can do better than that. |
| 86 | | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
86: Give Me Back My Name - Little Creatures
Average pop rock tune with a decent chorus and some nice icy guitar parts and chunky bass. Nothing too mind blowing but it gets the job done well enough |
| 85 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
85: Right Start - Remain in Light (Outtake)
A very early version of ‘Once in a Lifetime’, featuring the same iconic bassline but this time with a squeaky looping guitar part layered above it. While it’s clearly a rough concept, the fact that it’s an early version of one of the best songs ever made basically automatically makes it the best of the outtakes present on RIL. |
| 84 |  | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
84: Two Note Swivel - Speaking in Tongues (Outtake)
A fully finished outtake?! Gasp! Two Note Swivel is actually pretty nice and it definitely feels a lot more developed and worked out than all the other outtakes the group had allowed release. Unfortunately, the production makes it feel a little flat (likely the result of it lacking a finished mix), but if it were cleaned up a little, this could easily fit on the album. I have my suspicions that its melody and feel were recycled for ‘Moon Rocks’ and ‘Pull Up the Roots’ however. |
| 83 | | Talking Heads
Naked
83: Ruby Dear - Naked
A stomping Bo Diddley beat saves this Naked track from mediocrity. The groovy energy and David’s strong vocals help things too. |
| 82 | | Talking Heads
Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites
82: I Want to Live - Sand in the Vaseline
A very early pre-Jerry demo. Has a vaguely 60s vibe and a strong bassline from Tina. Nice and catchy and possibly an insight into a version of Talking Heads that exclusively made pop rock. |
| 81 | | Talking Heads
Naked
81: Big Daddy - Naked
Talking Heads if they made the theme song for a Blaxploitation film (with some Cha-Cha and blues thrown in for good measure). The excited horn parts and the searing harmonica are definite highlights, though the near 6 minute runtime is a bit excessive |
| 80 | | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
80: Walk It Down - Little Creatures
A stomping piece of funk with a weird synth part flomping over the track. The verses are a little shakey but the catchy and peppy chorus helps things along nicely |
| 79 | | Talking Heads
True Stories
79: Hey Now! - True Stories
A breezy slice of Hawaiian tinged pop that doesn’t offend or try to challenge you. And that’s okay, not everything has to be a thought provoking experiment. Lyrics are pretty ghastly but the nice, bright singalong chorus is a good touch |
| 78 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
78: Animals - Fear of Music
A supremely bizarre track which features David ranting about his hatred of animals because they “don’t help” and “shit on the ground”. About half way through he just starts growling like a madman. It’s unabashedly weird, and the tetchy, dissonant guitar backing him up and the pounding drum track make the whole thing seem like some maniac’s ramblings. I used to despise this track but I’ve come around to its weirdness in recent times. As it stands though, it’s still the weakest track on Fear of Music for me. |
| 77 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
77: Tentative Decisions - Talking Heads: 77
While the verses suggest you’re in for a tight, twitchy funny ride, the chorus paints a different picture, with a bizarre backing vocal and a marching drumbeat that kind of throws the whole thing off kilter. The lyrics are vaguely sexist too but I doubt that was the intention, knowing David. It’s kinda catchy and kinda not which really you can see for most of their catalogue. Still, you can ring some fun out of it and appreciate how goofy it sounds at times. A demo exists which is much faster and punkier, which therefore means it’s the superior cut. Apparently they were told to slow this one down and focus on the poppy aspects by the producers, which is funny really because the idea of this on top 40 radio seems alien. |
| 76 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
76: I Feel It In My Heart - Talking Heads: 77 (Outtake)
A homely, warm love song (I think) left off of their debut album. Cozy bass and electric piano make the song feel like a gentle hug before David starts vocalising like a nutter. Would’ve probably fit well on their debut |
| 75 | | Talking Heads
Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites
75: Lifetime Piling Up - Sand in the Vaseline
The second of the three “new” tracks on Sand in the Vaseline. Musically it sounds like something you’d hear in Sonic CD and it doesn’t seem like anything too interesting until the chorus kicks in and it becomes a big stadium sized singalong. It’s a very pleasant surprise, and it’s certainly a breath of fresh air compared to ‘Gangster of Love’ for example |
| 74 | | Talking Heads
True Stories
74: Radio Head - True Stories
A goofy little Tex-Mex/Zydeco kinda song with a strong accordion backing and a big dumb chorus. Radiohead clearly liked it, so they named themselves after the song (true story. Haha see what I did there?). Anyway it’s nice and catchy and fun, which sums up a lot of True Stories |
| 73 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
73: The Overload - Remain in Light
We finally arrive proper at the band’s most acclaimed album: 1980’s ‘Remain in Light’. It’s long been rumoured that this track was written as a pastiche of Joy Division, despite none of the band members having heard their music. Instead it was based off press descriptions of that group’s sound, and was made to what they THOUGHT Joy Division sounded like. While this has never been confirmed, it’s a common anecdote that’s brought up regarding the album and even if it’s not true, ‘The Overload’ sure as hell sounds like Joy Division at their bleakest. Droning dissonant synths, booming industrial styled percussions and dreary, cold vocals, it’s got it all and it certainly ends the album on a bleak note. I definitely appreciate the somber tone and aesthetic of the track a lot, though for my money, it’s a tad too long |
| 72 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
72: Sugar on My Tongue - Talking Heads: 77 (Outtake)
Probably the earliest track recorded by the band that’s seen an official release. Tight acoustic guitar work and another quality Weymouth bass line set the stage and David’s dry vocal work and the catchy melody showcase a band in the infant stages, still working at a high quality level. |
| 71 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
71: Paper - Fear of Music
A distinctive chiming guitar riff starts off this bouncy tune about… paper (or more accurately trying to fit things on a piece of paper). Some really great guitar and bass work on this one. |
| 70 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
70: Seen and Not Seen - Remain in Light
An odd spoke word excursion slapped in the middle of Side 2 of RIL. David delivers an unusual story about a man who forcefully changes his facial appearance by willing himself to do it. I’m sure there’s a meaning to it, but I sure don’t get it. The highlight is undoubtedly the icy instrumental and the wonderful harmonies provided by David himself that pop up from time to time. |
| 69 |  | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
69: Stay Hungry - More Songs About Buildings and Food
Paranoid, clattering new wave with a repetitive and weird ass chorus. The instrumental opening is great and ramshackle, though it stands as the weakest track on the sophomore release. |
| 68 | | Talking Heads
True Stories
68: Wild Wild Life - True Stories
One of the band’s more popular tracks, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a good slice of catchy pop rock with a good hook and a bouncy rhythm. As for me? I’d say there are 67 songs better than it |
| 67 | | Talking Heads
Naked
67: Facts of Life - Naked
Talking Heads go full industrial. Sure, they’d flirted with the genre on ‘Drugs’ and ‘The Overload’ but this one has full on steam noises and shit, that’s how you know it’s industrial. Oh, also it’s 2 minutes too long and David’s falsetto is weird but I love the melody and the clattering rhythm which still has traces of Caribbean music hiding behind the cold mechanical sound. Nice touch. |
| 66 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
66: Electric Guitar - Fear of Music
A song about guitars getting run over by cars and going on trial. I think I’ve only just realised now writing this how weird Fear of Music is. Half the lyrics are just about weird shit happening or bizarre observations about cities or paper. Anyway, Electric Guitar. It’s murky, mixed a little weirdly and pretty messy, but those synths are so good they more than make up for the rest. Shoutouts to Brian Eno |
| 65 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
65: No Compassion - Talking Heads: 77
Ever heard of ending fatigue? It’s when a song doesn’t no when to stop. This fucker has more fake out endings than a mid 60s Beach Boys song (looking at you, Heroes and Villains). It’s a track that switches things up a few times, mainly in that it feels like three different songs taped together that stop and start seemingly at random. Some really good guitar work on this one though. |
| 64 | | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
64: Creatures of Love - Little Creatures
Talking Heads go country on this jaunty little tune about sex (which David insists is overrated). The standout here is the lovely slide/steal/whatever guitar and the cheeky lyrics, as well as the solid vocal delivery. Not bad. Not bad at all. Get laid though. |
| 63 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
63: Drugs - Fear of Music
A slow mechanical dirge that ends Fear of Music. Check out that guitar part! Early versions were dubbed ‘Electricity’ and trotted along at a quicker pace, and in all honesty are better than the finished take, but this is still great stuff. |
| 62 | | Talking Heads
True Stories
62: City of Dreams - True Stories
True Stories closes with this catchy and pleasant ballad about the horrors of the Native American genocide, World War 1 & 2 and a hope for future of peace and love. Will we ever see that future ourselves? It’s all up to you at the end of the day. In the meantime, enjoy this song. It’s pretty damn good |
| 61 | | Talking Heads
Naked
61: The Democratic Circus - Naked
Arguably the most overtly political song the band made. Props especially to the lyrics, which paint a vivid picture of a carnival that devolves into the apocalypse (you ever heard ‘666’ by Aphrodite’s Child? Eh never mind). The jazzy backing which gradually gets more intense and tense as the track trudges along until David starts yelling is great stuff. Perfectly crafted and performed, my only complaint is that it’s probably a little too on the nose. |
| 60 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
60: Happy Day - Talking Heads: 77
A gloriously silly piece of twee. David is clearly straining his voice on the chorus trying to hit those notes, but that just makes it all the more charming. This is probably the most poppy song on their debut, not counting ‘Uh Oh!’. For all the flack the production on ‘77’ gets, it works wonders on some of the tracks, especially this one. |
| 59 | | Talking Heads
Naked
59: Sax and Violins - Single/Naked
The last proper song the band ever recorded and later placed onto reissues of Naked. A moody synth part backs up some vaguely tropical percussion while David croons about the dangers of love, which really just sums up their entire catalogue in all honesty. As a final song, it’s not their best by a long shot, but it ends their career on a solid and appropriately fitting note |
| 58 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
58: I Get Wild/Wild Gravity - Speaking In Tongues
You ever heard ‘Walking on the Moon’ by the Police? This is like that except with a heavy dose of funk and even more bizarre lyrics. The Heads do reggae, and they do it well. Perhaps in some alternate they made a whole dub/reggae record instead of simply flirting with it here and then. Though since this is the only track they made off the top of my head like this, we can only speculate. |
| 57 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
57: Who Is It? - Talking Heads: 77
Fun, short and spikey art punk with a stop and start vocal. Spoiler alert: It’s you! |
| 56 | | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
56: Perfect World - Little Creatures
A sunny piece of pop rock with a jaunty rhythm and a lovely little chorus with a great falsetto vocal and backing harmonies. |
| 55 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
55: Artists Only - More Songs About Buildings and Food
Probably the hardest track on ‘More Songs-‘ to digest on first listening. Truth be told this used to be one of my least favourite songs by them. It’s still nowhere near my fave on the album but as time goes by I’ve warmed to its crazy organ fills and deranged vocals. Also that opening part is top notch. |
| 54 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
54: Pull Up The Roots - Speaking In Tongues
Listen to those elastic synths! I love the jittery electric piano lines that bubble underneath the verses too and the big ol’ singalong chorus. Now that I think about it, the Heads were really good at hooks. |
| 53 | | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
53: The Lady Don’t Mind - Little Creatures
A solid chunk of steely new wave that gives way to a triumphant horn led chorus. I think this might’ve been a hit when it came out, though obviously it wasn’t ‘And She Was’ and ‘Road to Nowhere’ tier. Still, a very great song that deserved the MTV airplay it got |
| 52 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
52: Warning Sign - More Songs About Buildings and Food
Some rather peculiar drums on this one. There’s something about them that feels so futuristic and ahead of the time. They’re definitely the most notable part of the song, that and Tina’s tight bass line and the swirling, murky verses. It’s kind of tense and paranoid but a little playful and silly. The echoey, ghostly effects on David’s voice certainly help hammer home that feeling. |
| 51 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
51: First Week/Last Week… Carefree - Talking Heads: 77
What a title. I think someone is playing the Güiro, could be wrong though. Probably the tetchiest and most uptight track on their debut, yet there’s a strong pop edge to it with some strong David vocals. It’ll get stuck in your head, hardcore. |
| 50 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
50: The Girls Want to Be With the Girls - More Songs About Buildings and Food
THE GIRLS CAN DO IT TOO, Y’ALL. Despite what the title may suggest, this song isn’t about lesbians. More accurately, it’s a song just about girls spending time with each other. Maybe in some other bizarro world, this was a hit and ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ wasn’t. Either way, this is still a lot of fun. |
| 49 | | Talking Heads
Naked
49: Blind - Naked
Sounds like the Superfly title theme if it was composed by… well, Talking Heads. Strong horn stabs and a grooving bassline are the best features of the opening cut to ‘Naked’. David’s vocals sound a little strained and rough, which might’ve been the point, but still. The actual music itself is fucking great though |
| 48 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
48: Mind - Fear of Music
I swear the opening guitar part is quoting another piece of music. I’ve heard it before and it’s pissing me off that I can’t put my finger on it. Whatever, fantastic bass and an airy, fun chorus with some killer guitar work. |
| 47 | | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
47: Television Man - Little Creatures
Most of the song isn’t much to write home about, but the “NA NA NA NA NA NA” part instantly moves this up 30 spaces. It also foreshadows ‘Naked’ with its percussion. Funny how that works out. Sing along. |
| 46 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
46: Slippery People - Speaking In Tongues
The band brings in the backing vocalists given this funk stomper a slight gospel feel. It takes a little long to get going but once that chorus hits, you reach that squeaking synth break and David starts scatting like a madman, it all fits together perfectly. |
| 45 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
45: The Big Country - More Songs About Buildings and Food
Ending ‘More Songs-‘ on a slightly country feel, ‘The Big Country’ paints an idealic landscape of lush fields where people live in little houses and tend the farms against the beautiful scenery. David then then dryly tells us that he wouldn’t live there if you paid him. Brilliant. |
| 44 | | Talking Heads
Naked
44: (Nothing But) Flowers - Naked
Naked’s big hit single. The main draw is Tina’s excellent bassline, the funky guitar riff and the tongue in cheek lyrics. It’s basically a reverse ‘Big Yellow Taxi’. Instead of commercialisation destroying the beauty of the natural world, nature has reclaimed it all. What was once a Pizza Hut, is now a patch of daisies. David longs for a world of industrialisation and concrete, one that has been cruelly taken from him. How Talking Heads |
| 43 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
43: The Good Thing - More Songs About Buildings And Food
Only David Byrne could write a song that turns the act of falling in love and a relationship to chemical reactions and science experiments. It’s just so… him. Shoutouts to the backing vocalists too, they really help make this feel like a cozy love song. |
| 42 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
42: Air - Fear of Music
That’s Tina’s two sisters and her on backing vocals, who provide an appropriately airy and dreamy quality to the song. The UFO like synths also give it that kooky sci-fi feel. That leaves the ultimate question: do you have any experiences with AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIR? |
| 41 | | Talking Heads
Naked
41: Totally Nude - Naked
In which David sings about being naked on the beach to a charming Hawaiian groove. Supremely corny, supremely fun. |
| 40 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
40: Swamp - Speaking In Tongues
Fitting title. Watch out for Tina’s funky, deep bass and the ridiculous HAI AHYAIYAIYAIYAI chorus. Apparently this song was born from the discarding of the song ‘Popsicle’ (which we’ll get to later) which was taped during the same sessions. While I do prefer that track a lot more, this one is still fantastic and foreshadows the country sound they would gradually explore on ‘Little Creatures’ and ‘True Stories’. |
| 39 | | Talking Heads
Naked
39: Mr Jones - Naked
The band continue their Latin American dance worship with this stop and start gem about a man who dresses like a total tool (was this self-autobiographical?). The excited horn parts and the Caribbean percussion are the undeniable highlights. Mr Jones! |
| 38 | | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
38: And She Was - Little Creatures
If you had somehow missed ‘Road to Nowhere’ when it dominated MTV, then ‘And She Was’ would be your introduction to the band’s new sound as it serves as the opening track on Little Creatures. Gone were the complex polyrhythms of ‘Remain in Light’, the synth funk edge of ‘Speaking in Tongues’, hell, it barely even felt new wave. No, ‘And She Was’ and its parent album were unabashedly pop rock tunes. It was an experiment that brought them a lot of sales but didn’t pan out well in the long run. Still, ‘And She Was’ is a deliciously catchy pop tune with a lovely jangling guitar part |
| 37 |  | Talking Heads
Stop Making Sense
37: What A Day That Was - Stop Making Sense
Live performance of a David solo track from Stop Making Sense. While the original is a bouncy, jagged little tune, the live rendition turns up the BPM and adds screaming synth parts and a furious percussion line. To say it’s significantly better than the original is a massive understatement. |
| 36 | | Talking Heads
True Stories
36: Puzzlin’ Evidence - True Stories
A big clattery gospel backed singalong with screaming organ parts. It’s a hell of a lot of fun and it’s just so bouncy and catchy. Sounds like it was recorded in a wind tunnel though, so be weary. PUZZZLING EV-I-DENCE. |
| 35 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
35: Don’t Worry About the Government - Talking Heads: 77
Title’s a bit on the nose, eh? Funnily enough, this song is actually more about housing than anything to do with the government. It’s a cheery (if a little agitated sounding) love song dedicated to a building. I think one of the reasons I love 77 so much is because most of the songs just about trivial things. Reading books, living in a building, parental love, serial killers, all that jazz. |
| 34 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
34: Memories Can’t Wait - Fear of Music
Is this the heaviest TH ever got? Probably. The feedback drenched guitar and the crunching synth loops and effects make the whole thing feel like it’s about to burst into flames at any second. For a band that usually equated ‘heaviness’ with dense arrangements and the occasional noisy guitar solo, ‘Memories Can’t Wait’ sounds positively Black Sabbath-esq in that regard |
| 33 | | Talking Heads
Naked
33: Cool Water - Naked
Originally the final track on Naked before reissues added Sax and Violins, making it the penultimate song instead. Still, since this is technically the last song on the last TH album, it ends everything on a bleak note. Bleak guitar chords, detached vocals, a vaguely jazzy beat, all building up into an explosive rocking climax that sounds shockingly ahead of the time. And its rad. |
| 32 | | Talking Heads
True Stories
32: Love for Sale - True Stories
David does the Minecraft villager noise in the first couple of seconds. Once you hear it, you’ll never unhear it. Big dumb drums, a big dumb guitar riff, a big dumb hook. It’s just a dumb song but I’ll be damned if it isn’t absurdly catchy and enjoyable. |
| 31 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
31: I’m Not In Love - More Songs About Buildings and Food
First off, LOVE the guitar tone on this. Dare I say, it’s the best guitar tone in recorded music? That opening riff is just so fucking good. Anyway this is a song about not being in love, in case you couldn’t tell. No relation to the 10cc track of the same name though this is undoubtedly the superior song. |
| 30 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
30: Cities- Fear of Music
A song about cities, of course. David takes us on a guided tour of the west’s finest cities, including El Paso, London (which according to him is “small”) and Memphis. The propelling rhythm and Tina’s bass line, along with the chaotic synth parts that sound appropriately like a crowded highway keep things moving and grooving. Hard. |
| 29 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
29: New Feeling - Talking Heads: 77
In 1977, TH released their first single ‘Love -> Building On Fire’. While the A-Side was a poppy tune with a prominent horn part, the B-Side was an aggressive, twitchy new wave punk jam with fierce guitar work. Its placement as the B-side (and later as the second track on the debut, after the poppy ‘Uh Oh, Love Has Come to Town!) is important, as it showcases that the Heads weren’t your average band, and could showcase their pop sensibilities with their arty, preppy and biting new wave sound. It’s also just a really really good song. |
| 28 | | Talking Heads
True Stories
28: People Like Us - True Stories
The most country the Heads ever got. The stirring rhythm, violin, lovely slide guitar and David’s semi-autobiographical lyrics paint a strong nostalgic picture on this deep cut from True Stories. Wonderful stuff. |
| 27 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
27: Houses in Motion - Remain In Light
Featuring a supremely groovy and deep bass groove, ‘Houses in Motion’ is a squelchy funk jam with a striking horn part to go along with David’s borderline sultry vocals. Lyrics are about capitalism I think, who knows. |
| 26 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
26: The Book I Read - Talking Heads: 77
Another song off their debut which deals with a totally banal concept, in this case it’s about David writing about reading a book. The lyrics are what they are, the real attraction is the hypnotic guitar lines and David’s strong vocals. I think in a lot of ways it’s the archetypical Talking Heads song. Tight, anxious guitar lines, strong melodic bass and drum parts and lyrics about seemingly everyday topics that manage to be so captivating. |
| 25 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
25: I Zimbra - Fear of Music
The group’s first exploration of African rhythms which would become a vital part of their next record. The lyrics are an adaption of a Dadaist poem, with nonsense lyrics and a guest appearance by Robert Fripp (you can absolutely tell it’s him as well). Not only a vital song for TH but also King Crimson, as they themselves would soon begin exploring African rhythms and new wave on their next album ‘Discipline’, a record indebted to the sound of the Heads |
| 24 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
24: Found a Job - More Songs About Buildings and Food
DAMN. THAT. TELEVISION. A song about a couple who spice up their marriage by creating their own TV shows, effectively predicting the rise of YouTube and online content creators by nearly 30 years, how spooky. Spastic funk with some of David’s funniest lyrics and best vocals. |
| 23 | | Talking Heads
Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites
23: Popsicle - Sand in the Vaseline
A completely ridiculous track that popped up on ‘Sand in the Vaseline’. Featuring one of the stinkiest bass lines you’ll ever hear in all of music, David weaves a story of himself getting jerked off in an airport, along with other weird lines about STDs and Tootsie Rolls. I swear to god. It wouldn’t nearly be as funny, or bizarre if the backing music wasn’t insanely catchy and groovy either. What a band, eh? Also this is apparently one of Jerry’s favourite songs they did. |
| 22 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
22: With Our Love - More Songs About Buildings and Food
Damn, listen to that guitar riff! And that bass! And those drums! And those vocals! If there’s one thing Brian Eno brought to the band that was absolutely vital, it was his production work. The slightly sterile production on their debut sadly did a bit of disservice to some of their punkier tracks. By letting the guitars blare and the pushing the bass and drums high in the mix, he managed to bring out a much needed bite and intensity in these songs. And by god, does it work here. |
| 21 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
21: Take Me to the River - More Songs About Buildings and Food
A stomping, gospel tinged powerhouse that proved to be their first hit record, charting at #26 on the top #100 charts. The slinking bass line and massive drums are the absolute best parts about this one, maybe even the record as a whole. Check out the SMS version, which translates what is already an amazing song into a religious experience. |
| 20 | | Talking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
20: Thank You For Sending Me An Angel - More Songs About Buildings and Food
Kicking off their sophomore record with a bang, ‘Thank You-‘ charges through at a galloping pace with triumphant drums and a shuddering guitar part. Quick, energetic and a whole boatload of fun. |
| 19 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
19: Burning Down the House - Speaking In Tongues
The group’s sole US top 10 hit. It all starts with a guitar line before exploding into a thumping funk monster with an iconic chorus and a screeching, squelching synth solo. It was a hit for a reason, people. |
| 18 |  | Talking Heads
The Name of this Band Is Talking Heads
18: A Clean Break (Let’s Work) - The Name of This Band is Talking Heads
Bafflingly, this song only exists in a live form. Why? I’ve got no idea, it doesn’t even look like they even attempted a studio version. Hardly matters though, because the live take is so absurdly good. The band are positively on fire here as they blow through this searing new wave jam with David providing some of his finest vocals, period. |
| 17 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
17: Listening Wind - Remain in Light
RIL’s sole ballad, a vaguely soothing and dreamlike track with strong Arabic influences. The lyrics, which detail a young man who partakes in terrorist acts against the foreigners who live in his land and who corrupt his home. Despite the extremely touchy subject matter, the pictures David paints through his wonderful vocals give the matter at hand a strong level of emotion, and it becomes one of the band’s most heartbreaking songs |
| 16 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
16: Love -> Building On Fire - Single
Talking Heads’ first single! And boy, is it a good one. A first release is extremely important for a band, seeing as it’s likely the first thing a potential fan will ever hear. It’s good thing this song is fantastic then, otherwise they’d be fucked. As mentioned prior, the production on TH77 can either be a detriment to the song or a huge advantage. Some of the punkier tracks on their debut falter a bit because of it, while the poppier tracks excel. It’s the case here, as the production gives this wonderfully catchy and charming tune a real sense of warmth and joy. The amazing horn parts that triumphantly swoop in midway through are also just so lovely. |
| 15 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
15: Crosseyed and Painless - Remain in Light
I think Remain in Light is one of the few albums in this world where you can hum the bass lines. Indeed, Tina is the band’s secret weapon, especially on this album, and her twanging rhythms on ‘Crosseyed and Painless’ are a sight to behold. It’s a high energy, crazed funk tune which features a breakdown where David raps of all things. You know the drill, put it on and groove the fuck out. |
| 14 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
14: Moon Rocks - Speaking in Tongues
A dancefloor filler about eating rocks from the moon. It’s probably about cocaine. I haven’t much to say here other than it’s hellishly catchy and fun and there’s not a second wasted across its runtime. Also my dad’s favourite TH song. |
| 13 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
13: Pulled Up - Talking Heads: 77
The closing track on 77 and easily the most lively and energetic track on the album. David goes apeshit with his vocals, and his guitar fares the same with fast, aggressive strums laid over a pulsing rhythm section. It’s a nice little song about parents caring for their child, set to a high energy intense thrill ride of a closer. Killer. |
| 12 | | Talking Heads
True Stories
12: Dream Operator - True Stories
Probably the most overlooked song in the band’s catalogue in all honesty. True Stories gets a lot of rather undeserved flack for being a straightforward pop album with not much in the way of experimental structures or interesting lyrics, but that’s okay. Not everything has to be thought provoking and music can be simple. ‘Dream Operator’ is the perfect example of that. A simple, gentle song about… well, Dreams. Sung over gentle piano lines and a very straightforward drum pattern, David croons about dreaming of the future and what life has to offer. It’s wonderfully charming, appropriately dreamy and all around a beautiful and heartwarming piece of music. |
| 11 | | Talking Heads
Little Creatures
11: Road to Nowhere - Little Creatures
Another one of TH’s hits and arguably their most recognisable song after ‘Psycho Killer’. A marching beat, an army of backing singers and even an accordion push along this triumphant pop gem with a supermassive chorus that’s impossible to not sing along to. Also, David’s screaming near the end is iconic. |
| 10 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
10: Heaven - Fear of Music
Leave it to the Heads to write a song where Heaven is portrayed as a boring, mindnumbing place. While the SMS version is arguably better, David’s ghostly vocals and the tired, almost exhausted instrumental really do drive home the defeatist and bored theme of the lyrics. Still, it’s a beautiful little song and it’s almost nostalgic in a way. The kind of music that plays at the end of the night, where every gets their stuff and leaves single file out the door, already prepping themselves to do the same thing next week. Just like the song. |
| 9 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
9: Making Flippy Floppy - Speaking In Tongues
Honestly it gets harder and harder to write about these songs as we near the top. If it’s something you hate, you’ve got a lot to say. If it’s something you love, you can only say ‘this is amazing oh my god’ so many times. So I’ll leave it at this: IT’S AMAZING OH MY GOD |
| 8 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
8: Psycho Killer - Talking Heads: 77
A song about a serial killer. Everyone knows this one, everyone has that bass line burnt into their skulls. It’s a fucking all time classic for a reason. David’s vocals alone are enough to secure this monster a top 10 spot, it’s just everything else is just as good. Amazing stuff really, and this was their first album! |
| 7 | | Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
7: Uh Oh! Love Comes to Town! - Talking Heads: 77
Funny that a band known for their uptight lyrics, tense and preppy sound and often dense instrumental backings would start off their first album with a completely straightforward love song (well, kinda) with an easy going rhythm and even some calypso flourishes. Weird, isn’t it? Oh and the song is insanely catchy and it’s very cute and very fun and very TH. |
| 6 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
6: Girlfriend is Better - Speaking in Tongues
I feel like this is the song that’s permanently tied to the big suit. Whenever I think of it, or hear it, I instantly imagine the suit. Fitting because this is the song David sings when he introduces the suit in SMS. Anyway, Girlfriend is Better. Killer dance floor tune, love the backing vocals and just how jubilant it is. SMS might be better but at this point they’re both batting for 10s |
| 5 | | Talking Heads
Fear of Music
5: Life During Wartime - Fear of Music
A cheery song about urban warfare and underground terrorism. In all serious, this is shit hot. Everyone is firing on all cylinders here and this is an absolutely searing piece of red hot funk with enough energy to blow the roof off. Top tier. |
| 4 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
4: The Great Curve - Remain In Light
I’d argue this is the densest they ever got, musically. This is an absolute mixing pot of percussion, guitars, vocals, bass and synths. The overlapping vocals and the lighting fast guitar strums are some top tier shit too, and you can’t fault Belew’s fact melting solo. Sorry if I’m just spewing shit out here, it’s hard to write about songs you love a lot. So I’ll say I love it very very very much. WORLD MOVES ON A WOMAN’S HIPS |
| 3 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
3: Once in a Lifetime - Remain in Light
Not quite number one, but it’s still a perfect song. Everyone knows the words, the dance, the mesmerising bass riff. How these maniacs pumped out tunes off this caliber on a nearly yearly basis is anyone’s guess, but I’ll be damned if they aren’t some of the best songs ever recorded. ‘Once in a Lifetime’ is just the perfect accumulation of everything they had been recording up ‘til then, mixing the funk, afrobeat, new wave, punk and pop elements of their last 3 albums into one timeless 4 minute masterpiece. |
| 2 | | Talking Heads
Remain in Light
2: Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) - Remain in Light
HAH! I’m a little biased here because this was my first TH song that I properly heard outside of Psycho Killer, so the impact it had on me maybe pushed it into the top 5. Still, this is some high tier music. Shoutouts to absurd noise solo and the I’M CATCHING UP WITH MYSELF |
| 1 | | Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
1: This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) - Speaking in Tongues
Funny how a band so known for their anti love songs and uptight image could let their guard down and record one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Not much to say here except listen to it and experience the best thing ever. SMS version may be even better, dare I say it’s perfection incarnate |
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