Complete List Of Talking Heads Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: Ron Pownall; Distributed by Sire Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Formed in 1975 in New York City, Talking Heads emerged from the city’s vibrant punk scene to become pioneers of new wave music. The band consisted of David Byrne (lead vocals and guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass), and Jerry Harrison (keyboards and guitar). Byrne, Frantz, and Weymouth initially met as students at the Rhode Island School of Design before relocating to New York, where they recruited Harrison to complete the lineup. Their debut performance as Talking Heads took place at the renowned CBGB club, a hub for the burgeoning punk movement.

Over their active years, Talking Heads released eight studio albums, each showcasing their evolving musical style and innovative approach. Their discography includes Talking Heads: 77 (1977), More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978), Fear of Music (1979), Remain in Light (1980), Speaking in Tongues (1983), Little Creatures (1985), True Stories (1986), and Naked (1988). These albums highlight the band’s fusion of punk, art rock, funk, and world music influences, contributing to their distinctive sound.

Among their most notable singles, “Psycho Killer” from their debut album introduced audiences to their unique style. “Once in a Lifetime” from Remain in Light became a defining track, blending African polyrhythms with introspective lyrics. “Burning Down the House,” featured on Speaking in Tongues, stands as their highest-charting U.S. hit, reaching the Top 10. Other significant songs include “And She Was” and “Road to Nowhere” from Little Creatures, each contributing to the band’s legacy in the 1980s music scene.

Throughout their career, Talking Heads received critical acclaim and several accolades. In 2002, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their influence on the music industry. Four of their albums were featured in Rolling Stone‘s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” underscoring their enduring impact. Additionally, three of their songs—”Psycho Killer,” “Life During Wartime,” and “Once in a Lifetime”—were included among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.”

The band’s appeal lies in their innovative fusion of diverse musical genres and their willingness to experiment with unconventional sounds and themes. Their collaboration with producer Brian Eno on several albums led to groundbreaking work that blended electronic music with traditional rock structures. Their music videos, particularly for “Once in a Lifetime,” were also noted for their creativity and have been celebrated as some of the greatest of all time.

Beyond their work as a band, the members of Talking Heads have engaged in various projects. David Byrne pursued a solo career, releasing albums and working on film soundtracks. He also collaborated with Brian Eno on the influential album My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, which incorporated world music and found sounds. Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth formed the side project Tom Tom Club, achieving success with hits like “Genius of Love.” Jerry Harrison released solo albums and became a respected producer, working with bands such as the Violent Femmes and Live.

(A -D)

Air – Fear of Music (1979)
And She Was – Little Creatures (1985)
Animals – Fear of Music (1979)
Artists Only – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
The Big Country – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
Big Daddy – Naked (1988)
Bill – Naked (1988)
Blind – Naked (1988)
The Book I Read – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) – Remain in Light (1980)
Burning Down the House – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
Cities – Fear of Music (1979)
City of Dreams – True Stories (1986)
A Clean Break (Let’s Work) (live) – The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads (1982)
Cool Water – Naked (1988)
Creatures of Love – Little Creatures (1985)
Crosseyed and Painless – Remain in Light (1980)
Dancing for Money – Fear of Music (CD reissue, 2006)
The Democratic Circus – Naked (1988)
Don’t Worry About the Government – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Double Groove – Remain in Light (CD reissue, 2006)
Dream Operator – True Stories (1986)
Drugs – Fear of Music (1979)

(E -H)

Electric Guitar – Fear of Music (1979)
The Facts of Life – Naked (1988)
Fela’s Riff – Remain in Light (CD reissue, 2006)
First Week/Last Week… Carefree – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Found a Job – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
Gangster of Love – Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites (1992)
Girlfriend Is Better – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
The Girls Want to Be with the Girls – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
Give Me Back My Name – Little Creatures (1985)
The Good Thing – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
The Great Curve – Remain in Light (1980)
Happy Day – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Heaven – Fear of Music (1979)
Hey Now – True Stories (1986)
Houses in Motion – Remain in Light (1980)

(I-L)

I Feel It in My Heart – Talking Heads: 77 (reissue, 2005)
I Get Wild/Wild Gravity – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
I Want to Live (demo) – Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites (1992)
I Wish You Wouldn’t Say That – Non-album single, B-side to Psycho Killer (1977)
I Zimbra – Fear of Music (1979)
I’m Not in Love – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
In Asking Land – Once in a Lifetime (box set, 2003)
The Lady Don’t Mind – Little Creatures (1985)
Life During Wartime – Fear of Music (1979)
Lifetime Piling Up – Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites (1992)
Listening Wind – Remain in Light (1980)
Love for Sale – True Stories (1986)
Love → Building on Fire – Non-album single (1977)

(M-P)

Making Flippy Floppy – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
Memories Can’t Wait – Fear of Music (1979)
Mind – Fear of Music (1979)
Mommy Daddy You and I – Naked (1988)
Moon Rocks – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
Mr. Jones – Naked (1988)
New Feeling – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
No Compassion – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
(Nothing But) Flowers – Naked (1988)
Once in a Lifetime – Remain in Light (1980)
The Overload – Remain in Light (1980)
Papa Legba – True Stories (1986)
Paper – Fear of Music (1979)
People Like Us – True Stories (1986)
Perfect World – Little Creatures (1985)
Popsicle – Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites (1992)
Psycho Killer – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Pull Up the Roots – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
Pulled Up – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Puzzlin’ Evidence – True Stories (1986)

(Q -S)

Radio Head – True Stories (1986)
Right Start – Remain in Light (CD reissue, 2006)
Road to Nowhere – Little Creatures (1985)
Ruby Dear – Naked (1988)
Sax and Violins – Until the End of the World: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack (1991)
Seen and Not Seen – Remain in Light (1980)
Slippery People – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
Stay Hungry – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
Stay Up Late – Little Creatures (1985)
Sugar on My Tongue (demo) – Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites (1992)
Swamp – Speaking in Tongues (1983)

(W -Z)

Take Me to the River – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
Television Man – Little Creatures (1985)
Tentative Decisions – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Thank You for Sending Me an Angel – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
Totally Nude – Naked (1988)
Two Note Swivel – Speaking in Tongues (CD reissue, 2006)
Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Unison – Remain in Light (CD reissue, 2006)
Walk It Down – Little Creatures (1985)
Warning Sign – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
What a Day That Was (live) – Stop Making Sense (1984)
Who Is It? – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Wild Wild Life – True Stories (1986)
With Our Love – More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)

Check out our fantastic and entertaining Talking Heads articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com