The Very Best of the Talking Heads

 

By Mark Pukalo

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band was formed in 1975 and put out eight albums in just over 10 years, creating a new wave sound that mixed several forms of music. They were certainly one of a kind while lead singer David Byrne's Broadway show and the movie version "David Byrne's American Utopia" features some of their best songs. Here's my list, although I have to say after the top 12 many tunes are about even.

1. Once in a Lifetime - Same as it ever was. A great tune. The lyrics and vocals were said to be inspired by preachers doing sermons.

2. This Must be the Place - Byrne said this was rare love song he wrote and it sounded great in the movie "Wall Street." It is one of the highlights "American Utopia" as well.

3. Burning Down the House - The Heads' only top 10 single on the US Billboard chart. Inspired by Parliament Funkadelic. 

4. Road to Nowhere - The group's lone top 10 hit in the UK. Byrne wrote it as a "joyful look at doom."

5. And She Was - The brilliant tune is said to be basically about a woman with the power to levitate above everyone and the man who loves her, wanting her to be normal. 

6. Life During Wartime - A song written apparently about "a post-apocalyptic landscape" with a punk/funk feel.

7. Take Me to the River - The Heads' cover of a song written and performed by the Reverend Al Green. The version by Green was ranked 117th by Rolling Stone magazine among the top 500 songs of all time.

8. Wild Wild Life - Ranked second among its singles on the Billboard chart, making it to No. 25. It won Best Group Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1987.

9. Stay Up Late - Bouncy song about a cute little baby from the 1985 album "Little Creatures."

10. (Nothing but) Flowers - From the band's final album "Naked." Johnny Marr from The Smiths plays guitar on the song. Used to open Kevin Smith's film "Clerks 2."

11. The Lady Don't Mind

12. Psycho Killer

13. Slippery People

14. I Zimbra

15. Making Flippy Floppy

16. Blind

17. Girlfriend is Better

18. Don't Worry About the Government

19. Pulled Up

20. No Compassion

Others Considered

Cross-eyed and Painless

The Big Country

Houses in Motion

Born Under Punches

Found a Job

Television Man

Radio Head

Love > Building on Fire

Heaven

Uh Oh, Love Comes to Town

Mr. Jones

The Good Thing

Cities

The Book I Read

The Great Curve