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Talking Heads

For David Byrne, Talking Heads was about making emotional sense — not literal sense

"I really enjoy writing the songs and performing and the other things that we do," David Byrne says of his work in Talking Heads. Jordan Cronenweth/Courtesy of A24 hide caption

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Jordan Cronenweth/Courtesy of A24

Music Interviews

For David Byrne, Talking Heads was about making emotional sense — not literal sense

Fresh Air

Byrne opens up about filming the 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense and says the band's hit song "Burning Down the House" is a compilation of "non-sequiturs that have a kind of emotional impact."

For David Byrne, Talking Heads was about making emotional sense — not literal sense

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Talking Heads' 'Stop Making Sense' is still burning down the house

David Byrne of the Talking Heads in Stop Making Sense. A24 hide caption

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A24

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Talking Heads' 'Stop Making Sense' is still burning down the house

Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense has been called the greatest concert film of all time. Directed by Jonathan Demme, the iconic 1984 film takes the audience onstage with the band and captures them at the height of their power. Now, a restored version of the film is back in theaters, featuring propulsive performances of early hits like "Psycho Killer," along with deeper and funkier cuts, too.

Talking Heads' 'Stop Making Sense' is still burning down the house

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Talking Heads on making sense, together

The members of Talking Heads — Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and David Byrne — today and as they appeared in 1983 with their live band, for the concerts that would become the film Stop Making Sense. Sire Records/Michael Ochs Archives/Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images/Illustration by Jackie Lay hide caption

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Sire Records/Michael Ochs Archives/Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images/Illustration by Jackie Lay

Music Interviews

Talking Heads on making sense, together

The New York icons whose songs pulled rock inside out (and whose breakup was nearly as legendary) gather for the first time in years to discuss their rereleased concert film, Stop Making Sense.

Talking Heads on making sense, together

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New Mix: Margo Price, Palehound, Talking Heads (Live), more

Top row, left to right: Margaret Glaspy, Hania Rani, Margo Price; Bottom row, left to right: Laufey, David Byrne of Talking Heads, Palehound Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

All Songs Considered

New Mix: Margo Price, Palehound, Talking Heads (Live), more

All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen shares his favorite new tracks of the week.

New Mix: Margo Price, Palehound, Talking Heads (Live), more

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Chris Frantz's Memoir Explores Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club From The Inside

Chris Frantz Tina Weymouth/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tina Weymouth/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Chris Frantz's Memoir Explores Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club From The Inside

WXPN

From Talking Heads' first gig opening for The Ramones at CBGB to their last at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Frantz's' book is filled with incredible stories.

Chris Frantz On World Cafe

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Guest DJ Week: Courtney Barnett
Mia Mala McDonald/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Guest DJ Week: Courtney Barnett

The Australian singer and guitarist talks about the music she heard growing up in Sydney, her love of the bands Talking Heads, Wilco and more in this interview, originally recorded in 2015.

Guest DJ Courtney Barnett

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Musicians Remember The Late Jonathan Demme

"[Jonathan Demme] was sensitive to the fact that each musician had as much excitement to bring to the screen as to the music," Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth write of the director's Stop Making Sense. Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty hide caption

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Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty

The Record

Musicians Remember The Late Jonathan Demme

Rick Springfield, Tunde Adebimpe, Kenny Chesney and members of Talking Heads and The Feelies share how music moved — and moved us — in Jonathan Demme's movies.

All Songs Rewind: The Best Opening Tracks

Prince & The Revolution's Purple Rain. Amazon.co.uk hide caption

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Amazon.co.uk

All Songs Considered

All Songs Rewind: The Best Opening Tracks

All Songs intern Julian Ring picks his all-time favorite episode of the show, one that asks: Can you judge an album by its first song? For a handful of classic records, absolutely.

All Songs Rewind: The Best Opening Tracks

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Love Songs You Love To Love

Clockwise from upper left: Bright Eyes, Ed Sheeran, Louis Armstrong, Etta James, Peter Gabriel Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

All Songs Considered

Love Songs You Love To Love

In honor of Valentine's Day, we asked for your ideal romantic songs. On this week's All Songs Considered, we count down the 10 most popular tunes that make you swoon.

Love Songs You Love To Love

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Latin Metal, Uruguayan Hip-Hop And New Ana Tijoux

Kryone injects this week's episode of Alt.Latino with some killer Brazilian beats. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Alt.Latino

Latin Metal, Uruguayan Hip-Hop And New Ana Tijoux

In Alt.Latino's eclectic and danceable mix, hear Chilean rappers, Argentine rockers and Mexican DJs.

Latin Metal, Uruguayan Hip-Hop And New Ana Tijoux

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When New York Was 'On Fire': A Mid-'70s Musical Revolution

Clockwise from top left: DJ Kool Herc, Patti Smith, the Fania All-Stars, Talking Heads at CBGB, Laurie Anderson and her viophonograph. From 'Love Goes to Buildings on Fire'/Courtesy of Cindy Campbell, Columbia Records, Fania Records, Robert Spencer, Laurie Anderson hide caption

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From 'Love Goes to Buildings on Fire'/Courtesy of Cindy Campbell, Columbia Records, Fania Records, Robert Spencer, Laurie Anderson

All Songs Considered

When New York Was 'On Fire': A Mid-'70s Musical Revolution

With author Will Hermes, All Songs explores the heady years that birthed new-wave, hip-hop, salsa, minimalism and more.

When New York Was 'On Fire': A Mid-'70s Musical Revolution

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Guest DJ: LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy

LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy stopped by The Current to play some of his favorite songs. Ruvan Wijesooriya hide caption

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Ruvan Wijesooriya

Music

Guest DJ: LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy

The Current

Before LCD Soundsystem's show in the Twin Cities last fall, The Current asked bandleader James Murphy if he would share some of his favorite songs. They set him up with two turntables, two CD players and a microphone, and this is what he chose.

Guest DJ: LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy

The '80s: Were They Really That Bad?
Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

The '80s: Were They Really That Bad?

Were the 1980s the worst years for music? NPR listeners seem to think so, according to the results of our poll. When asked to pick the best year for music, nearly everyone skipped the '80s entirely.

The '80s: Were They Really That Bad?

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Music Interviews

Talking Heads: 'Once in a Lifetime'

A distinctive mix of rock, funk and world beats put Talking Heads in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Who else could get people to dance to the dark "Psycho Killer" and the gospel "Take Me to the River"? NPR's Bob Edwards and band leader David Byrne look back at the band and the music. Hear an extended interview and songs from a new box set.

Talking Heads: 'Once in a Lifetime'

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