"Psycho Killer" was the only song from the album to appear on the Billboard charts, peaking at 92 among Billboard Pop Singles. It placed 32nd on the Triple J Hottest 100 in 1989. It almost made the top ten in the Netherlands, peaking at #11 in 1977.
Lyrics
According to the preliminary lyric sheets copied onto the 2006 remaster of Talking Heads: 77, the song started off as a semi-narrative of the killer actually committing murders. Byrne has said of the song:
When I started writing this (I got help later), I imagined Alice Cooper doing a Randy Newman-type ballad. Both the Joker and Hannibal Lecter were much more fascinating than the good guys. Everybody sort of roots for the bad guys in movies.
The bridge lyrics are in French and include the prominent chorus line, "Qu'est-ce que c'est ?", which translates in English to "What is it?". The rest of the French lyrics are:
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... OK
What I did, that evening
What she said, that evening
Fulfilling my hope
Headlong I go for glory... OK
An early demo version of the song, recorded at CBS Studios, and also performed at CBGB had different lyrics after the first chorus:
Listen to me, now I’ve passed the test
I think I’m cute, I think I’m the best
Skirt tight, don't like that style
Don’t criticize what I know is worthwhile
Later releases
A live version was released on The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads in 1982. Two years later, another live version was included on the soundtrack for Stop Making Sense, the band's 1984 concert movie. The film opens with Byrne alone onstage, announcing "'Hi. I've got tape I want to play'...[and] strumming maniacally like Richie Havens", playing an acoustic version of "Psycho Killer", backed only by a Roland TR-808 drum machine whose sound appears to be issuing from a boom box. The drum machine "fires" machine gun riffs that causes Byrne to stagger "like Jean Paul Belmondo in the final minutes of 'Breathless,' a hero succumbing, surprised, to violence that he'd thought he was prepared for."
The song also appears on their 1992 compilation album Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites and over a decade later on another compilation album, The Best of Talking Heads.
The game Rock Band 2 features "Psycho Killer".
The film "Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon" features "Psycho Killer" over its end credits. The Simpsons' "Treehouse of Horror XIX" features the song as Homer goes on a killing spree. "Psycho Killer" was playing in the background at the diner scene in the Spike Lee film Summer of Sam.
The song appeared in the "Building 26" episode of Heroes when Sylar turns on the radio. The character is in fact, a psycho killer.
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
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
@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.
@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
@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