Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.
He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.
His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.
In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.
In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.
He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.
Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).
Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.
Talkin' 'bout a Home
Chris Isaak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't even give a glance.
Since I met you I changed everything.
I don't wanna take a chance.
It's like a shadow's lifted off of me.
I'm a brand new kinda of man.
I keep looking at these wedding rings.
I'm Talkin bout a home.
Talkin bout me and you and the things we'll do.
I said a home.
I'm not talkin bout a one night stand,
I wanna be your man.
I said a home.
I'm Talkin bout a home.
Suzanne, you could please any man. Sorry what a friend you've been.
It pains me now to take pen in hand and let you know.
Those care free days are through, for every dream must have it's end.
Yang, Miss Jennifer, Tyrenne too, what a team we could've made.
But now I'm pledged to someone new.
And I hope you'll understand.
She changed everything today.
Talkin bout a home.
Talkin bout me and you and the things we'll do.
I said a home.
I'm not talkin bout a one night stand,
I wanna be your man.
I said a home.
Talkin bout a home.
Talkin bout a home.
Talkin bout a home.
I see a flower pedal is drifting down.
Young girls giggle as they pass.
I'm so happy I could laugh out loud.
And I know it's gonna last.
Talkin bout a home.
Talkin bout me and you and the things we'll do.
I said a home.
Not talkin bout a one night stand,
I wanna be your man.
I said a home.
Yeah I'm talking bout a wedding ring and the whole damn thing.
I said a home.
Talkin bout a home.
Talkin bout a home.
Talkin bout a home.
Oh baby
Talkin bout a home.
Yeah yeah.
Talkin bout a home.
In Chris Isaak's song "Talkin' 'bout a Home," the singer is expressing his devotion to the woman he loves and his desire for a committed relationship with her. He's no longer interested in the fleeting attention of pretty girls who walk by because he has found someone who has changed everything for him. He sees a future with her that includes a home and the things they will do together. He acknowledges the pain it may cause his past flings, but he hopes they will understand that he is moving on.
The line "It's like a shadow's lifted off of me" suggests that the singer has been liberated from a previous state of mind or circumstance, perhaps one of loneliness or aimlessness. He feels like a brand new kind of man because of this newfound love. He is serious about his intentions with her, even looking at wedding rings. The phrase "I wanna be your man" emphasizes his commitment and desire to be with her long-term.
The reference to a flower petal drifting down and young girls giggling is a romantic image that highlights the joy the singer feels in this new relationship. He knows it's going to last and is excited about the future they will build together. Through his lyrics, Chris Isaak portrays a romantic and committed love, emphasizing the importance of finding a true home with someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty girls they go walking by.
I am no longer interested in other women since I met you.
I don't even give a glance.
I choose not to check out other pretty girls because I only have eyes for you
Since I met you I changed everything.
You have transformed my whole life from my perspective on relationships to my dreams and aspirations.
I don't wanna take a chance.
I do not want to miss out on the chance for us to be together.
It's like a shadow's lifted off of me.
I feel so unburdened by anything since I met you.
I'm a brand new kind of man.
You have changed me to a degree that I feel like I am a new person.
I keep looking at these wedding rings.
I can't help but contemplate buying a wedding band for us.
Now I hope you'll understand.
I hope you can appreciate the extent of my feelings for you.
Suzanne, you could please any man.
Though you are a desirable woman, my affection for you extends beyond mere sex appeal.
Sorry what a friend you've been.
I apologize for the friends-only treatment I have previously shown you.
It pains me now to take pen in hand and let you know.
It is excruciating to find a way to tell you about my newfound admiration for you.
Those carefree days are through, for every dream must have its end.
My careless attitude about relationships has changed since I discovered my true romantic ideal.
Yang, Miss Jennifer, Tyrenne too, what a team we could've made.
My thoughts drift to other women but now that I have met you, I have left those dreams behind.
But now I'm pledged to someone new.
I have made a commitment to you and only you.
And I hope you'll understand.
I hope you can accept the change I have gone through and take your place by my side.
She changed everything today.
You have had such an impact on my life that my life has taken a drastic shift today.
I see a flower pedal is drifting down.
The beauty of the moment is emphasized by the peaceful sight of a flower petal blowing through the air.
Young girls giggle as they pass.
I am now so happy all the time that even the taunting of young girls who would never give me a chance does not diminish my joy.
I'm so happy I could laugh out loud.
My life has now become very fulfilled and joyful that I am compelled to be extra happy.
And I know it's gonna last.
My happiness in this new state will become permanent because of you.
Yeah I'm talking bout a wedding ring and the whole damn thing.
I am serious about spending my life with you including creating a family with you.
Oh baby
I care so deeply about you that it feels right to refer to you affectionately.
Contributed by Nicholas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.