Talking Heads first appeared on the New York music scene as a trio in 1974. At the time, the band consisted only of Byrne and Frantz, and was initially called The Artistics. By 1975, the band had recorded a demo album for CBS Records and landed a gig opening for the Ramones at CBGB in June 1975, which was the first time the band used the name Talking Heads. The band was signed to Sire Records in late 1976 and the group released their first single, "Love → Building on Fire" in February 1977. In March 1977, the band added Jerry Harrison, formerly of Jonathan Richman's band The Modern Lovers.
Their first album, Talking Heads: 77 was released soon afterward and did not contain the earlier single, although it did include the underground singles Psycho Killer and Uh-Oh, Love Comes To Town. Despite being regulars at New York's legendary CBGB, the band only began to break through further with the landmark Brian Eno-produced, 1978 album More Songs About Buildings And Food, an album which continued in the same vein, but with a more accessible style, wittier lyrics, and ultimately better songs. It was a great critical hit with subject matter ranging from home movies to the art world. It also included their cover of Take Me To The River. On the following year's Fear Of Music the band started to dabble in African rhythms, notably on I Zimbra, and more straightforward pop styles, on Life During Wartime and Cities.
1980 brought the band's fourth and most innovative effort Remain In Light. Notable for the single Once In A Lifetime, which became an early MTV staple, Remain In Light saw the band experiment with ambient sounds, fugal structures, polyrhythms, and about everything under the sun to make the body groove. Following this, the group split with Brian Eno, enjoying greater commercial success with 1983's Speaking In Tongues. It took the musical innovations of its predecessor and refined them into pop songs, most notably Burning Down The House, Girlfriend Is Better and This Must Be The Place. This period was topped off with a live album, from Jonathan Demme's documentary, Stop Making Sense. The documentary, with its name taken from a line in Girlfriend Is Better, was a great success, and took their inimitable style to a wider audience.
1985's Little Creatures was an even bigger hit, and exhibited another stylistic shift for the band. It saw the punk styles of '77 almost completely abandoned for simple, three or four chord pop songs. The album produced the singles And She Was, and Road To Nowhere. The following two albums, True Stories and Naked, were both moderate successes, the former producing their biggest radio hits, Love For Sale and Wild Wild Life, and the latter focusing more on Latin influences with hits like (Nothing But) Flowers. After this, a long quiet period followed, with the band eventually officially announcing their break up in 1991. Since the split, Byrne continued his solo career and Weymoth and Frantz continued to record and tour as Tom Tom Club. Weymouth, Harrison and Frantz reunited for an album, "No Talking, Just Head", recorded under the name The Heads in 1996.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. The band reunited for a three song performance at the ceremony. Due to personality conflicts between Byrne and the other members, further reunions are unlikely.
www.talking-heads.net
No Compassion
Talking Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where people have problems
In this world
Where decisions are a way of life
Other people's problems they overwhelm my mind
They say compassion is a virtue, but I don't have the time
So many people...have their problems
I guess I've...experienced some problems
But now I've...made some decisions
Takes a lot of time to push away the nonsense
Take my compassion...Push it as far as it goes
My interest level's dropping, my interest level is dropping
I've heard all I want to, I don't want to hear any more
What are you, in love with your problems?
I think you take it...a little too far
It's...not so cool to have so many problems
But don't expect me to explain your indecisions
Go...talk to your analyst, isn't that what they're paid for
You walk, you talk...You still function like you used to
It's not a question...Of your personality or style
Be a little more selfish, it might do you some good
In a world where people have problems
In this world where decisions are a way of life
Other people's problems, they overwhelm my mind
They say compassion is a virtue, but I don't have the time
(Here we go again)
The lyrics to Talking Heads' song "No Compassion" depict the attitude of a person who is overwhelmed by the problems of others. The opening lines set the scene of a world where problems are abundant and decisions are a necessary part of life. The singer goes on to explain that the problems of others consume their mind and that they have heard enough of other people's issues. The message of the song is clear: the singer values their time and energy, and they feel as though they cannot be held responsible for the problems of others.
The song goes on to imply that the singer has experienced their own setbacks in life and had to make their own decisions. This circumstance has made them more eager to push aside the "nonsense" of other people's problems and to prioritize their own well-being. The final chorus repeats the assertion that the singer simply does not have the time or desire to take on the problems of others.
One possible interpretation of the song is that it critiques the idea of forced empathy. The singer implies that it is not possible or even desirable to be compassionate in all situations. Rather, people should be allowed to prioritize their own needs and concerns. The song has a clear message of individualism, but it is up to the listener to interpret whether that message is positive, negative, or morally ambiguous.
Line by Line Meaning
In a world
In this complex world full of challenges and distress
Where people have problems
Where individuals are grappling with their unique issues and challenges
In this world
In this place where everyone around are troubled and suffering
Where decisions are a way of life
Where making choices is the norm of daily life
Other people's problems they overwhelm my mind
I am often consumed by the problems and worries of others around me
They say compassion is a virtue, but I don't have the time
While empathy and understanding are valuable traits, I cannot afford to invest too much time into others' issues
So many people...have their problems
Numerous individuals are experiencing various types of difficulties
I'm not interested...in their problems
Their issues do not concern me or capture my attention
I guess I've...experienced some problems
Although I may have had my own challenges, they do not compare or relate to others' struggles
But now I've...made some decisions
I have decided to focus on my own goals and choices
Takes a lot of time to push away the nonsense
It can be challenging to ignore and distance oneself from trivial or irrelevant matters
Take my compassion...Push it as far as it goes
I have expressed empathy and understanding to the extent that I am capable
My interest level's dropping, my interest level is dropping
I am gradually becoming less invested and concerned about others' problems
I've heard all I want to, I don't want to hear any more
I have listened enough and do not wish to hear further about others' issues
What are you, in love with your problems?
Do you have an emotional attachment or obsession with your issues?
I think you take it...a little too far
I believe that you may be exaggerating or overreacting to your problems
It's...not so cool to have so many problems
Having a large number of problems or issues is not admirable or desirable
But don't expect me to explain your indecisions
I am not obliged to clarify or justify your lack of action or decision-making
Go...talk to your analyst, isn't that what they're paid for
Consider seeking guidance and support from a mental health professional, as that is their area of expertise
You walk, you talk...You still function like you used to
Despite your problems, you are still able to go about your daily life as usual
It's not a question...Of your personality or style
Your problems are not a reflection of your character or behavior
Be a little more selfish, it might do you some good
Perhaps focusing more on oneself and prioritizing personal needs and goals could be beneficial
(Here we go again)
Returning to the recurring theme of the overwhelming nature of others' problems in this world
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind