Image provided by John M. Morris/Phi Mu Alpha
By Tyler Brown, Contributing Writer
“This ain’t no party! This ain’t no disco! This ain’t no fooling around!”
This line from “Life During Wartime” by Talking Heads is probably one of their most recognized lyrics, and one of the most recognizable song lyrics from the New Wave Era of the 1980s.
“New Wave” can be classified by the merging of American genres like punk rock, disco and funk with elements of world music in Africa and Asia. The Talking Heads were the premiere New Wave outfit among others like Blondie, Devo and even bands like The Police and Depeche Mode.
While all very memorable groups, Talking Heads truly stands out among the crowd as one of the most innovative bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s, influencing countless bands after them like Vampire Weekend, St. Vincent, and Radiohead, whose band is named after a Talking Heads song of the same name!
If you’re looking to dive into the world of New Wave, then Talking Heads is the perfect place to start. Here are the top five songs to get you into Talking Heads:
1.“Pulled Up” from Talking Heads ‘77
I know everyone was expecting Psycho Killer as the song from this album(and yes you should definitely listen to that song if you haven’t already), but this song has one of the best Talking Heads choruses and features front-man David Byrne’s signature vocal eccentricities in full figure. It’s a punk song at its finest.
2. “Life During Wartime” from Fear of Music
If there’s a quintessential Talking Heads song, this is it. This song also has an extremely memorable chorus, with the live version in “Stop Making Sense,” the 1984 distinguished concert film, being one of the most memorable live performances of all time.
3. “The Great Curve” from Remain in Light
This song may come as a shock to include on the top 5 songs for Talking Heads, but hear me out. Along with this album in general being their most expertly produced and widely acclaimed, this song has all the elements that Talking Heads sought after when incorporating their world music influences into it. Layered choruses, intense afrobeat and percussion, as well as biting guitar solos and swelling instrumental tracks: this song truly has it all.
4. “Making Flippy Floppy” from Speaking in Tongues
No, this isn’t “Burning Down the House”, but I chose this song for a reason, Speaking in Tongues was Talking Heads and their most “dancy,” and this song has everything you need to get up and dance. 80s dance elements along with the sweet bass line of Tina Weymouth will get you moving in no time.
5.“And She Was” from Little Creatures
This song begins the Talking Heads’ later catalog, and it sounds like wrapping up the 1980s into a nice little bow. A quintessential classic that makes you want to hop in an old car and take a drive into the sunset, this song should be on anyone’s throwback playlist.
Now here are some bonus songs that are some of my favorites that didn’t make the final cut:
- “The Book I Read”- Talking Heads ‘77 (I highly recommend this entire album anyway)
- “Take Me to the River”- More Songs About Buildings and Food
- Once in a Lifetime- Remain in Light. Fun Fact- there’s a video of Kermit the Frog singing this.
- “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)”- Speaking in Tongues
- “Radiohead”- True Stories