Talking Heads' Signature Song

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Oatsdad, Jul 13, 2018.

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  1. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    If you had to pick one Talking Heads song as their "signature", what would it be?

    To clarify, "signature song" means the song most closely identified with the artist.

    It's not your personal favorite or what you view as her best song.

    Feel free to discuss your rationale as well as "runner up" choices or other thoughts.

    Also feel free to mention any songs you think I left out of the poll that should've been included!
     
    Psychedelic Good Trip likes this.
  2. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product

    i voted burning down the house
    but it would be burning down the house or the stop making sense psycho killer, i reckon

    rationale - in my part of the world they would be the two most widely recognised heads songs from the general populace
     
    kendo, Zoot Marimba and Hermes like this.
  3. Parachute Woman

    Parachute Woman Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    I voted for "Burning Down the House," but I wouldn't argue with anyone who picked "Once in a Lifetime" or "Psycho Killer." I'd say those are this band's three most famous tracks. They do all kind of represent different eras of Talking Heads, as well.

    (As for favorite, that will always be "This Must Be the Place" for me. Absolutely beautiful song.)
     
    kendo, SG47, nick99nack and 8 others like this.
  4. Squealy

    Squealy Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Vancouver
    I know this is a cop out but I would really have to say it’s a three way tie between “Psycho Killer,” “Once in a Lifetime” and “Burning Down the House.” Maybe in that case one should go with the oldest song? But then “House” was the biggest hit so...

    I’m amazed to read on Wikipedia that “Once in a Lifetime” didn’t even make the top 100 as a single....:confused:
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2018
    kendo, SG47, ralph7109 and 5 others like this.
  5. jmxw

    jmxw Fab Forum Fan

    I voted for Once In A Lifetime. Burning Down The House would be a close runner up, but I think it is slightly less representative of TH classic sound, which is more closely associated with Once In A Lifetime.

    Although, from that list my favorites would be:
    Girlfriend Is Better
    Life During Wartime
    Slippery People
    I Zimbra
    Take Me To The River
    Burning Down The House

    Missing from the list:
    Crosseyed And Painless
    The Great Curve [!!!]
     
    BeauZooka likes this.
  6. NaturalD

    NaturalD The King of Pop

    Location:
    Boston, Mass., USA
    My favorite band in that era and still an all-time favorite. I'm pretty sure that music fans who know almost nothing about Talking Heads know the "how did I get here?" song. :)

     
  7. Scott S.

    Scott S. lead singer for the best indie band on earth

    Location:
    Walmartville PA
    I voted for Life During Wartime, Psycho Killer would be runner up.
     
    sunspot42, KUJayhawk and Erik Tracy like this.
  8. micksmuse

    micksmuse Forum Resident

    Location:
    san diego
    when you lay them all out like that you realize how unique and great they really were. what a canon.
     
    Retro Hound likes this.
  9. mBen989

    mBen989 Senior Member

    Location:
    Scranton, PA
    I voted "Once in a Lifetime" but it could also be "Psycho Killer" or "Burning Down the House".
     
  10. Chris DeVoe

    Chris DeVoe RIP Vickie Mapes Williams (aka Equipoise)

    This Must Be The Place is so iconic that it became the title and centerpiece of a movie:

     
    audiotom likes this.
  11. Anthology123

    Anthology123 Senior Member

    I think the consummate signature sound of the Talking Heads was created in the
    Weird Al song, "Dog Eat Dog".
     
  12. Mirror Image

    Mirror Image 200 Years Of Anton Bruckner

    Location:
    United States
    None of the above. My votes goes to this gem from their last album, Naked:

     
  13. Squealy

    Squealy Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Vancouver
    Chart hit or not, I feel “Once” is probably the most frequently quoted set of David Byrne lyrics.
     
  14. jmxw

    jmxw Fab Forum Fan

    Yeah, but where's the lamp dance? :nyah:
     
    eyeCalypso likes this.
  15. Once in a Lifetime but i voted for This must be the place cos it always makes me smile:wave:
     
    jojopuppyfish and Willowman like this.
  16. Squealy

    Squealy Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Vancouver
     
  17. LandHorses

    LandHorses I contain multitudes

    Location:
    New Joisey
    As others have said..........it really comes down to "Psycho Killer," "Once In A Lifetime," or "Burning Down The House." I voted "Lifetime" because of the famous video.
     
    applejam101 likes this.
  18. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    I believe "Once..." was the first Heads song I ever heard. They showed the video on "SCTV" circa 1981! :)
     
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  19. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    Why do you think those belong on the list? Would they have gotten any votes at all?
     
  20. rancher

    rancher Unmade Bed

    Location:
    Ohio
    Psycho Killer to me, but yes it is a great catalog!
     
  21. majorlance

    majorlance Forum Resident

    Location:
    PATCO Speedline
    Tossup between Psycho, Wartime and Lifetime.

    No TH fanboy here, but that ain't a bad top 3 to be remembered by!
     
    vinnie likes this.
  22. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    I think the Heads have a good half a dozen songs "know nothings" would still recognize.

    "Girlfriend Is Better" gets play due to the "big suit" from "SMS".

    "Life During Wartime" gets run due to the "this ain't no party..." line.

    Etc.! :)
     
  23. setlistthief

    setlistthief Forum Resident

    Location:
    Key West, Florida
    Just saw The Handmaid's Tale finale last night. Talking Heads signature song closed it out: Burning Down the House.

    Favorite, of course: This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)
     
  24. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    I actually started the thread because of the current discussion of acts whose "signature song" is a cover.

    Someone picked Heads' "Take Me to the River".

    I didn't agree but I thought this poll would settle the debate! :)

    (And one person so far has voted for "River" - wonder if it's the person from the other thread? :D)
     
  25. Chemguy

    Chemguy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Western Canada
    Judging by the crowd reaction on David Byrne’s latest tour, Once in a Lifetime is the one!
     
    Frosst and walrus like this.
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