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This sentiment was reflected in the music video, which featured the band performing frenetically in front of a backdrop of flames and explosions. Today, “Burning Down The House” is considered a classic of the 1980s and an enduring part of the Talking Heads’ legacy. It has been covered and sampled by numerous artists, from Tom Jones to Bon Iver, and its place in popular culture has endured. Some people have interpreted the song as a commentary on societal upheaval and rebellion. Others have seen it as a metaphor for sexual desire, with lines like “Hold tight, we’re in for nasty weather” suggesting an impending storm. Still, others have connected the song to the experience of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with the line “Watch out, you might get what you’re after” alluding to temptation and loss of control.
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In Australia it peaked at a modest No. 94, while in the UK, where Talking Heads would release 14 charting singles, it failed to chart. "Burning Down the House" is a song by new wave band Talking Heads, released in July 1983 as the first single from their fifth studio album Speaking in Tongues. The song’s appeal to a wide range of people, regardless of their political or cultural background, speaks to the universal themes it touches upon. By tapping into the visceral emotions of rebellion, lust, and joy, the Talking Heads created a song that remains relevant today. “Burning Down The House” came at a time when many people were feeling disillusioned and frustrated. It spoke to a desire to break free from constraints and embrace a sense of spontaneity and abandon.
Music video
“Burning Down the House,” with lyrics by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, was the best-selling single the band ever had, and was proof that a great lyric is in the ear of the listener. The song purportedly evolved from a jam by the husband-and-wife rhythm section of Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz, with Byrne coming up with syllables and phrases that fit the rhythm of the song, finally deciding on something resembling verses. A bunch of verses, sung to two different rhythms and two slightly different sets of chord changes.
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The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie. Then there are writers whose songs become classics in spite of the fact that the words, unless maybe taken a line at a time, sometimes say almost next to nothing. Old Time Music is proud to have such a passionate and talented team of writers who share their love for music with our readers. Sign up for InsideHook to get our best content delivered to your inbox every weekday. Steve Perry wrote "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" with the opening lyrics, "You make me weep, I wanna die," after seeing his girlfriend kissing another man.
Listeners who like their words to convey more easily-understood thoughts might hear this and say, “Uh, what does that mean? ” in the same way that one might try to analyze a piece of abstract art by Kandinski or Pollock. But then, maybe that’s the point – to a lot of folks, this type of writing is art. To be fair, there are some lines here that are relevant to everyone, like the opening “Watch out you might get what you’re after.” Byrne wasn’t exactly the first person to give that warning, but it doesn’t turn up in a lot of songs.
Malachowski: Paramore's cover of “Burning Down the House” sets a high bar for Talking Heads Tribute Album - Standard Online
Malachowski: Paramore's cover of “Burning Down the House” sets a high bar for Talking Heads Tribute Album.
Posted: Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
This infusion of funk and R&B into a rock format was not typical at the time, but it helped the Talking Heads stand out from their peers. The band’s fusion of different genres appealed to a wide range of listeners, and it helped them become one of the most popular and influential bands of the 1980s. “Burning Down The House” is notable for its use of funk and R&B elements, including a driving bassline, punchy horns, and syncopated rhythms. David Byrne has said that he was inspired by the work of funk legends James Brown and George Clinton, and the song reflects his fascination with the genre. The addition of horns, played by funk musician Wayne Shorter, gives the track an irresistible energy that complements the powerful vocals and intricate percussion.
While the chorus (“Burning down the house!”) is clear, the verses are more mysterious and open to interpretation. Lead singer David Byrne has said that he intentionally left the lyrics vague in order to create a feeling of warmth and excitement rather than frustration or anger. One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.
Music, Songs & Lyrics
“Burning Down The House” by Talking Heads is a song that speaks to the complexity and richness of the human experience. Its fusion of different musical genres, its use of deliberate ambiguity in the lyrics, and its reflection of the historical and cultural context of its time all combine to create a piece of music that is both meaningful and enjoyable. As we continue to revisit the music of the past, “Burning Down The House” remains one of the most beloved and significant songs of its era. “Burning Down the House” has been covered by popular and respected acts like Bonnie Raitt and John Legend. So obviously what some might consider gibberish is also considered a serious piece of music that’s worthy of recognition.
Welsh singer Tom Jones recorded a version of "Burning Down the House" with Swedish pop band the Cardigans for his 1999 collaborations album, Reload. In common with the other tracks on the album, the recording was made with the collaborators' choice of producer and studio, in this case Tore Johansson and Tambourine Studios in Malmö, Sweden. A year later, an extended live version of the song is a highlight of the band's landmark concert film Stop Making Sense. In September of 2023, commemorating the film's 40th anniversary, a remastered version was released across America in IMAX theaters, and later in conventional theaters worldwide.
The early 1980s were a time of great change in American society, with the rise of Ronald Reagan and conservative politics leading to a backlash against progressive values. The music of the era reflected this shift, with many artists struggling to find their place in a rapidly changing landscape. One of the most interesting aspects of “Burning Down The House” is its use of deliberate ambiguity in the lyrics.
In doing so, it has become a beloved piece of music that continues to resonate with listeners around the world. Songwriters strive to create lyrics that will have a lasting impact for generations, such as the words to songs like Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” or Paul Simon’s “Bridge over Troubled Water” for instance. How a melody complements those lyrics has a lot to do with a song’s success, of course. But the true songwriting greats know how to come up with an emotional and universal lyric that can make listeners want to hear a song over and over again.
There really is a China Grove (in Texas), but Tom Johnston didn't know about it when he wrote the Doobie Brothers song. As one of the major hits of Jones' later career, it appears on numerous compilations of Jones' work. Max Illidge (credited as Max Loving), vocalist of the band 40 Below Summer, and Rockets Redglare appear as the younger selves of Byrne and Jerry Harrison, respectively.
It’s a song that’s been around for over 33 years, and shows no signs of going away. A young boy resembling Byrne takes his place from time to time; eventually, younger counterparts start moving the arms of all four band members to play the music. After the screen goes blank, both young and adult Byrne leave the stage, and the video ends with an extended close-up of Byrne's face projected on a highway at night. As music critic Chris Molanphy has noted, “Burning Down The House” is a song that manages to be both catchy and meaningful. It reflects the cultural and political context of its time while also tapping into universal and timeless themes.
And he was consistent with the subject of fire throughout, with lines like “fightin’ fire with fire” and“gonna burst into flame” that tie into the title. “Burning Down the House” became Talking Heads' highest charting single in North America. It didn’t appear in the UK Singles Chart at all until Tom Jones and The Cardigans covered it and made it a Top 10 hit in 1999. The single was backed with Jones' live recordings of the EMF song "Unbelievable" and the Beatles' "Come Together", as well as remixes of "Burning Down the House" by Delakota, Pepe Deluxé and DJ Scissorkicks.
