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Psycho Killer
Talking Heads Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't seem to face up to the facts
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

Overall Meaning

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
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@radiohead18832

[Verse 1]
I can't seem to face up to the facts
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

[Chorus]
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
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
Oh, oh, oh, oh, aye-ya-ya-ya-ya

[Verse 2]
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?

[Chorus]
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
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, aye-ya-ya-ya-ya

[Bridge]
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
Aye-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-yeah
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite

[Chorus]
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
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
Oh, oh, oh, oh, aye-ya-ya-ya-ya

[Guitar Solo]

[Outro]
Hey, hey, hey, hey



@Gerwald_Lanzer

I can't seem to face up through the facts
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, far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
Oh, oh
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
Oh, oh, oh, oh, aye-ya-ya-ya-ya
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, far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
Oh, oh
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
Oh, oh, oh, oh, aye-ya-ya-ya-ya
Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir là
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir là
Realisant mon espoir
Je me lance, vers la gloire, okay
Aye-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-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, far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
Oh, oh
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
Oh, oh, oh, oh, aye-ya-ya-ya-ya
Hey, hey, hey, hey



@Gweem13

@@bisquitting2604 in the chorus, yes. I'm talking about the actual verse in French.
"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?"
Or, in english:
"What I did(/what did I do) that night,
What she said(/what did she say) that night,
Realizing my hope,
I'm going for glory, okay?"

I just thought it was interesting lmao.



All comments from YouTube:

@user-vh1nc8uk8x

if i see one more jeffrey dahmer comment i am going to commit toaster bath

@webspyder

fr

@user-vh1nc8uk8x

@@webspyder those people are so fucking annoying man

@worms_0

Ong like this song to fire for that

@shannonnonnahs6943

It ain't worth it man.This song will last long after the story of that fool.

@gomezcat1

Yeah. Some people just can't face up to the facts

273 More Replies...

@Dr_Weirdoo

Imagine if life had music for every moment depending on the Situation and suddenly this started playing

@dannyrasjido

it looks lile we are having a bruh moment here

@bl4ckn01r7

RUN, NIGGA RUN

@benjaminravanal2899

Someone is gonna get murdered. You better run

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