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
Pull up the Roots
Talking Heads Lyrics
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Yes indeed my friend
I can tell
Goin' get together again
I could be right
I could be wrong
I feel nice when I sing this song
And I don't mind
Baby likes to keep on playing...
What do I know, what do I know?
Wilder than the place we live in...
I'll take you there, I'll take you there
I don't mind some slight disorder...
Pull up the roots pull up the roots
And I know ev'ry living creature...
Pull up the roots, pull up the roots
And I know you
I understand what you do
Yes, indeed
I put the hat on my head
Come outta your mess
Bring yourself in
I feel nice when I start to sing
And I can see
Ev'ryone else is like me
Towns that disappeared completely...
Pull up the roost, pull up the roots
Miles and miles of endless highway...
Pull up the roost, pull up the roots
Colored lights and shiny curtains...
I'll take you there, I'll take you there
Ev'rything has been forgiven...
Pull up the roost, pull up the roots
Well I have a good time...when I go out of my mind
And it's a wonderful place...and I can't wait to be there
And I hear beautiful sounds...coming outta the ground
Gonna take us a while...but we'll go hundreds of times
Baby likes to keep on playing...
What d'you know? what d'you I know?
Wilder than the place we live in...
I'll take you there, I'll take you there
And I don't mind some slight disorder...
Pull up the roots pull up the roots
And no more time for talkin' it over...
Pull up the roots, pull up the roots
Well I have a good time...when I go out of my mind
And it's a wonderful place...and I can't wait to be there
And I hear beautiful sounds...coming outta the ground
Someone musta been high...but I guess it's alright
The song "Pull Up the Roots" by Talking Heads is an upbeat and energetic anthem about shaking things up and embracing chaos. The lyrics speak to a desire to break free from the mundane and embrace a wilder, more adventurous attitude towards life. The singer acknowledges that they don't always know what's happening, but they don't let that stop them from enjoying the moment and getting lost in the music.
The repeated refrain of "pull up the roots" seems to be a call to action, urging listeners to uproot themselves from their usual routines and patterns in order to explore new territory. The song touches on themes of forgiveness and acceptance, suggesting that even if things seem strange or out of place, it's all part of the journey.
One interesting interpretation of the lyrics is that they may be about the punk rock movement, which sought to upend conventional norms and question authority. The line "wilder than the place we live in" could be seen as a nod to the chaotic and rebellious spirit of punk, while the emphasis on accepting disorder suggests that even if things get chaotic, there is still value in pushing boundaries and exploring new territory.
Overall, "Pull Up the Roots" is an upbeat and infectious rock song that encourages listeners to embrace change, take risks, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello again
Starting a new conversation with someone previously known
Yes indeed my friend
Agreeing with the person being addressed and establishing friendliness
I can tell
Expressing confidence in one's perception or intuition
Goin' get together again
Making plans to meet again
I could be right
Acknowledging the possibility of being correct
I could be wrong
Acknowledging the possibility of being incorrect
I feel nice when I sing this song
Enjoying the act of singing and finding it pleasurable
And I don't mind
Being open to whatever outcome may arise
Whatever happens is fine
Accepting any result that occurs
Baby likes to keep on playing...
Referring to someone who enjoys engaging in playful activities
What do I know, what do I know?
Doubting one's own knowledge or understanding
Wilder than the place we live in...
Referring to a place or situation that is more intense, chaotic, or exciting than the current one
I'll take you there, I'll take you there
Assuming responsibility for bringing someone to the wild place described
I don't mind some slight disorder...
Being okay with a small amount of chaos or disorganization
Pull up the roots pull up the roots
Removing the foundations or roots of a situation or problem
And I know ev'ry living creature...
Trusting one's knowledge of all living things and how they behave
And I know you
Being familiar with and understanding the person being addressed
I understand what you do
Comprehending the actions of the person being addressed
Yes, indeed
Affirming the truth or accuracy of what was just said
I put the hat on my head
Wearing a hat as a fashion accessory
Come outta your mess
Encouraging someone to leave behind their problems or troubles
Bring yourself in
Inviting someone to join in on the fun or excitement
And I can see
Being perceptive or observant of one's surroundings
Ev'ryone else is like me
Feeling a sense of kinship or commonality with others
Towns that disappeared completely...
Referring to places that no longer exist or are forgotten
Miles and miles of endless highway...
Describing a long and seemingly never-ending road trip
Colored lights and shiny curtains...
Describing an entertaining or visually stimulating environment
Ev'rything has been forgiven...
Letting go of past mistakes or transgressions
Well I have a good time...when I go out of my mind
Enjoying oneself in a way that may be considered wild or unconventional
And it's a wonderful place...and I can't wait to be there
Describing a desirable or exciting destination
And I hear beautiful sounds...coming outta the ground
Experiencing the natural or musical elements of a location
Gonna take us a while...but we'll go hundreds of times
Looking forward to many future experiences or adventures
And no more time for talkin' it over...
Deciding to take action rather than discussing the situation further
Someone musta been high...but I guess it's alright
Excusing or accepting someone's behavior, despite the possibility of them being under the influence of drugs
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS FRANTZ, CHRISTOPHER FRANTZ, DAVID BYRNE, JERRY HARRISON, TINA WEYMOUTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind