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
Totally Nude
Talking Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I want you to know
I hand around
Where the grass is greener
Totally naked, baby
Totally nude
'Cause if I want to
Who's gonna stop me?
Living in the trees
The birdies and the bees
'Cause I'm a nature boy
Locked up inside
You can't tell me where it's at
Open up, open up, open the door
Rocks and trees and physical culture
Some days you hide
I guess you wonder where you are
Nature boy, nature man, take me along
We got a life that's undiscovered
We threw it all away
Throw it all away
Rolling every way
It's irresponsible
So civilized
I guess you wonder where you are
Nature boy, nature man, take me along
Deep in the woods we're undiscovered
I'm a little fish and you're the river
Living in a boat that's underwater
We can tip, tip, tip it over
You can push, push, make it better now
Wake your daddy up
It's a quarter to five
Our little boat
Has lost it's rudder
Dive to the bottom
And we never come up
A polka party
For Bob and Martha
I'm absolutely free
Living in the trees
The birdies and the bees
'Cause I'm a nature boy
Think what you like
This is really where it's at
Open up, open up, open the door
We don't need clothes and we don't need money
So civilized
I guess you wonder where you are
Nature boy, nature man, take me along
Deep in the woods we're undiscovered
The Talking Heads' song "Totally Nude" speaks about being disconnected from society and living freely in nature. The song starts with the persona bragging about being big, bad, and walking around where the grass is greener totally naked. The persona feels absolutely free, living in their natural habitat, surrounded by birds and bees, and no one can stop them from doing so. The freedom of being naked, living in nature is fulfilling and satisfying for the persona. They feel undiscovered and happier in the woods than they would be locked up inside.
The second verse is about a different subject, and the persona speaks about being in a boat. The persona is a small fish, and the river is their home. They are living in a boat that's underwater and are suggesting that they could tip it over. The chorus continues to speak about freedom, and the persona says they don't need clothes or money to live in nature. They believe this is the right place to be, open, free, and living alongside nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Big and I'm bad
I am confident and assertive.
And I want you to know
I want to make my intentions clear.
I hand around
I often spend time in a particular place.
Where the grass is greener
Where things seem better than where you currently are.
Totally naked, baby
Completely exposed and vulnerable.
Totally nude
Completely naked.
'Cause if I want to
Because I have the right to do as I please.
Who's gonna stop me?
No one can prevent me from doing what I desire.
I'm absolutely free
I have complete freedom.
Living in the trees
Existing in a natural environment.
The birdies and the bees
Nature and its inhabitants.
'Cause I'm a nature boy
Because I have a deep appreciation for nature and its wonders.
Locked up inside
Feeling trapped and confined.
You can't tell me where it's at
You don't know what you're talking about.
Open up, open up, open the door
Allow me to experience new things and perspectives.
Rocks and trees and physical culture
Elements of nature and outdoor activities.
Some days you hide
Some days you feel invisible or unnoticed.
I guess you wonder where you are
You may feel lost or unsure of your location or purpose.
Nature boy, nature man, take me along
Someone who appreciates nature and its beauty should show me the way.
We got a life that's undiscovered
We have yet to fully explore and experience the world around us.
We threw it all away
We disregarded everything we once held important.
Throw it all away
Abandon everything and start anew.
Rolling every way
Changing direction or decision frequently.
It's irresponsible
It is not a responsible or practical decision.
So civilized
The behavior is refined and sophisticated.
Deep in the woods we're undiscovered
In a secluded location, away from civilization.
I'm a little fish and you're the river
I am small and insignificant in comparison to you/your impact.
Living in a boat that's underwater
Living in a situation that is impractical or illogical.
We can tip, tip, tip it over
We can cause this situation to worsen or fail.
You can push, push, make it better now
You have the ability to change things for the better.
Wake your daddy up
Become more aware and proactive.
It's a quarter to five
The time is ticking away, and we need to act soon.
Our little boat
Our current situation or plan.
Has lost it's rudder
Has lost its direction or guidance.
Dive to the bottom
Completely immerse yourself in something.
And we never come up
There may be no hope or return from this decision.
A polka party
A lighthearted, festive gathering.
For Bob and Martha
A specific group of people or individuals celebrating together.
Think what you like
You are entitled to your opinion, but it does not affect my actions or beliefs.
This is really where it's at
This is the true essence of life and where I find meaning.
We don't need clothes and we don't need money
We can survive and be happy with just the essentials.
Deep in the woods we're undiscovered
Hidden in nature, away from civilization.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS FRANTZ, DAVID BYRNE, JERRY HARRISON, TINA WEYMOUTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind