Yesterday, it was absolutely impossible to stop “Heaven” from playing over and over in that crazy jukebox I call a mind. And I have little control over what it decides to play as I don’t get to drop the quarters in. So, what the hell, I put Fear Of Music (actual LP) on and listened to it several times. That brings me to this:
“Heaven” by Talking Heads comes from one of the albums that I listen to perhaps more than any other by the band. Released in the summer of 1979, I bought my LP on the first day. I couldn’t even wait to get home to listen to it. I removed the plastic and played it on the turntable at Art’s Record Shop (God bless Jean!). Jean had always been an important part of my growing musical years. And she tolerated my eclectic selections in the shop, especially if I needed to hear it right away.
Talking Heads, as far as I’m concerned, do not have a bad album in their history. Every album was great first song to last. I’m not even sure I can call one a favorite over another. Still, if I have to pick one that I go to more than the rest, one that consistently plays back in my mind (whenever it feels like it), I’d have to mention Fear Of Music. And why not?
It’s home to one of Heads’ oft-repeated lines, “this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no foolin’ around” from “Life During Wartime”. It’s also home to the album’s World Music style explored more deeply on Remain In Light (1980) as heard on “I Zimbra”, Fear Of Music’s great opening track. Then there’s the mentioned “Heaven” (“Heaven, Heaven is a place, where nothing, nothing ever happens”), there’s “Air” (“what is happening to my skin? Where is that protection that I needed. Aiirrrrr! Some people say not to worry about the air. Some people never had experience with aiiiirrrrr”), and of course, “Electric Guitar” (“this is a crime against the state, this is the verdict they reach, never listen to electric guitar”). And that very psychedelic “Drugs” tune!
Yes, I actually L-U-V every Talking Heads album, including the much underrated final stage, Naked (1988).
And you’re going to say?
You’re going to say it’s cheating and it is but I’m going to have to go with Stop Making Sense. I have a soft spot for it since it was my introduction to the band and led me to everything else that came before and after.
Coincidentally, I had the song “The Overload” randomly stuck in my head last week. I think we can all agree that “The Overload” is nobody’s #1 pick for a song to get stuck on repeat in your head.
Adam, you’re right. It’s cheating. However, Stop Making Sense is a brilliant work, and would greatly point to Remain In Light as your go-to album.
Yeah, Remain In Light amp; Little Creatures are probably my most frequently listened to albums. However, I have found that there is no greater tool for converting someone to becoming a Talking Heads fan than showing them Stop Making Sense (the movie).
Remain in Light
Stop Making Sense (expanded)
Speaking in Tongues
I agree Fear is their best work in a fantastic catalogue. Light always gets the recognition but the songs on Fear are timeless. One of my top LP’s of all time and I’m more into prog amp; harder rock