Byrne's intention was not to make a traditional soundtrack album, but to have it be a separate experience. Limited pressings of the original LP version featured a full color picture book wrapped around the album jacket. Regular versions had many of the pictures and captions on the album's inner sleeve. In 1999, to correspond with the theatrical re-release of the movie, the album was extended and remastered, restoring all of the songs from the movie with only very minor edits. The newly included tracks feature Frantz's original drumming from the concert recordings. In 2003, the album was ranked number 345 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Track listing
All songs written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth except as noted.
Side one
"Psycho Killer" (Byrne, Frantz, Weymouth) – 4:28
"Swamp" – 3:50 (LP) 4:28 (cassette, CD)
"Slippery People" – 3:35 (LP) 4:13 (different mix; cassette, CD)
"Burning Down the House" – 4:14
"Girlfriend Is Better" – 3:32 (LP) 5:07 (cassette, CD)
Side two
"Once in a Lifetime" (Byrne, Brian Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) – 4:34 (LP) 5:34 (cassette, CD)
"What a Day That Was" (Byrne) – 5:08 (LP) 6:30 (cassette, CD)
"Life During Wartime" – 4:52 (LP) 5:52 (cassette, CD)
"Take Me to the River" (Al Green, Teenie Hodges) – 5:59
Film/Special New Edition Soundtrack
Bonus live tracks "Heaven" and "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" were available as B-sides on various US 7" and UK 12" singles during the album's original release. These versions were released on the Special Edition soundtrack.
"Psycho Killer" (Byrne, Frantz, Weymouth) – 4:24
"Heaven" (Byrne, Harrison) – 3:41
"Thank You for Sending Me an Angel" (Byrne) – 2:09
"Found a Job" (Byrne) – 3:15
"Slippery People" – 4:00
"Burning Down the House" – 4:06
"Life During Wartime" – 5:51
"Making Flippy Floppy" – 4:40
"Blind"- 5:13
"Swamp" – 4:30
"What a Day That Was" (Byrne) – 6:00
"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" – 4:57
"Once in a Lifetime" (Byrne, Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) – 5:25
"Genius of Love" (Weymouth, Frantz, Adrian Belew, Steven Stanley) (performed by Tom Tom Club) – 4:30
"Girlfriend Is Better" – 5:06
"Take Me to the River" (Green, Hodges) – 5:32
"Crosseyed and Painless" (Byrne, Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) – 6:11
Personnel
David Byrne – guitar, vocals
Chris Frantz – drums, vocals
Jerry Harrison – guitar, keyboards, vocals
Tina Weymouth – bass, keyboards, vocals
Additional personnel
Bernie Worrell – keyboards
Alex Weir – guitar, vocals
Steve Scales – percussion
Ednah Holt – backing vocals
Lynn Mabry – backing vocals
Charts
Album
Year Chart Position
1984 The Billboard 200 41/53
1984 UK albums 37/24
Certifications
Organization Level Date
RIAA – U.S. Gold March 1, 1985
BPI – UK Gold November 26, 1985
RIAA – U.S. Platinum July 2, 1986
RIAA – U.S. Double Platinum August 17, 1994
Psycho Killer
Talking Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
Don't touch me, I'm a real live wire
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh
You start a conversation, you can't even finish it
You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
Say something once, why say it again?
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là
Réalisant mon espoir
Je me lance vers la gloire, okay
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ai-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh
The lyrics of Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" reveal the inner turmoil of someone suffering from a severe anxiety disorder. The singer is experiencing significant psychological distress and feels tense, nervous, and uncomfortable in their own skin. Unable to sleep, they describe their bed as being "on fire," indicating that they feel trapped and overwhelmed by their own anxiety.
The chorus features the phrase, "Psycho Killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?", which translates to "Psycho Killer, what is it?" This phrase is designed to provoke a sense of unease in the listener and makes them question the actions of the singer. The singer is struggling to communicate effectively, falling back on phrases like "fa-fa-fa-fa" and "run away" to get their point across.
In the final verse, the singer reflects on their own behavior and the futility of their quest for validation. They describe their attempts to achieve fame and glory ("Je me lance vers la gloire") and touch on the themes of vanity and blindness. The repeated refrain of "I hate people when they're not polite" highlights the singer's frustration with the social expectations that contribute to their anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't seem to face up to the facts
I am trying to avoid or deny the truth about something
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I am feeling anxious and unable to calm down
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
I am experiencing intense emotions, like fear or anger, that are disrupting my ability to rest
Don't touch me, I'm a real live wire
I am overwhelmed and on edge, so please don't aggravate me further
You start a conversation, you can't even finish it
You initiate a discussion, but then fail to see it through to completion
You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything
You are being verbose without providing any meaningful information
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
I prefer to remain silent when I have nothing of substance to contribute
Say something once, why say it again?
Why repeat something that has already been said?
Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là
What I did that evening
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là
What she said that evening
Réalisant mon espoir
Realizing my hope
Je me lance vers la gloire, okay
I am pursuing glory for myself
We are vain and we are blind
As humans, we are self-centered and often oblivious to our shortcomings
I hate people when they're not polite
I become hostile toward others who are impolite or discourteous
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh
I am a dangerous individual, so you'd better flee from me as fast as you can
Ai-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh
Expressing emotions or stress through vocalization
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind