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.
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The Girls Want to Be With the Girls
Talking Heads Lyrics
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Just want to talk to the boys
Just want to do what is in their hearts
And the girls want to be with the girls
And the boys say, "What do you mean?"
Yes, the boys say, "What do you mean?"
Well, there's just no love
And the girls want to be with the girls
Yes, the girls want to be with the girls
Girls want things that make common sense
The best for all concerned
Don't want to have to go out of their way
And the girls want to be with the girls
And the boys say, "What do you mean?"
Yes, the boys say, "What do you mean?"
Well, there's just no love
When there's boys and girls
And the girls want to be with the girls
Yes, the girls want to be with the girls
Girls are getting into abstract analysis
Wouldn't like to make that intuitive leap
They're making plans that have far reaching effects
And the girls want to be with the girls
And the boys say, "What do you mean?"
Yes, the boys say, "What do you mean?"
Well, there's just no love
When there's boys and girls
And the girls want to be with the girls
Yes, the girls want to be with the girls
The lyrics to "The Girls Want to Be with the Girls" by Talking Heads describe a sense of belonging and sisterhood among women, who simply want to be with each other without the interference or attention of men. This idea is explored through a series of verses where the lyrics elaborate on what girls want, such as things that make sense, support for all, and plans that have far-reaching effects. The song repeatedly comes back to the idea that when there are boys and girls present, love is lacking, and it is only by being with other women that the girls can find the connection and understanding they seek.
Throughout the song, it's clear that the boys do not understand what the girls mean when they say they want to be with each other. The repetition of this question reveals a gap in communication and empathy between the genders, and highlights the importance of sisterhood as a source of empowerment and fulfillment for women. It's also interesting to note the use of abstract analysis, which is a nod to the growing feminist movement at the time that sought to challenge societal norms and expectations placed on women.
Overall, "The Girls Want to Be with the Girls" is a poignant song that celebrates the bonds between women, while also shining a light on how men and women can misunderstand and miscommunicate with each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Girls don't want to play like that
Girls are not interested in playing games, they prefer sincerity
Just want to talk to the boys
Girls just want to communicate with boys openly
Just want to do what is in their hearts
Girls want to act according to what they feel is right
And the girls want to be with the girls
Girls prefer to spend time with other girls, without the presence of boys
And the boys say, "What do you mean?"
Confused boys ask why girls want to exclude them from their group
Yes, the boys say, "What do you mean?"
Boys repeat their question as they cannot understand the girls' behavior
Well, there's just no love
Feeling of dissatisfaction, arisen from gender exclusivity
When there's boys and girls
When there is an attempt to mix boys and girls
Girls want things that make common sense
Girls prefer things that are practical and rational
The best for all concerned
Their preference is for options that benefit everyone involved
Don't want to have to go out of their way
Girls desire that things happen naturally and without much effort
Girls are getting into abstract analysis
Girls are showing an increased interest in complex ideas and issues
Wouldn't like to make that intuitive leap
Girls are cautious and hence unlikely to make hasty decisions
They're making plans that have far reaching effects
Girls are making plans which will have long-term consequences
And the girls want to be with the girls
Girls feel more comfortable and understood when they spend time with same-gender peers
Yes, the girls want to be with the girls
Girls assert their desire to socialize exclusively with girls
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind