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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Uh-Oh Love Comes to Town
Talking Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand up, stand up and take my hand
Believe, believe in mystery
Love, love is simple as one, two, three
I'm a know-it-all, I'm smartest man around
That's right, you learn real fast through the smartest girl in town
So here come a riddle, here come a clue
When I say
Jump back, sit back, get back, relax
It's okay
I've called in sick I won't go to
Work today
I'd rather be with the
One I love
I neglect my duties, I'll be in trouble, but
I've been to college, I've been to school
I've met the people that you read about in books
Here come a riddle, here come a clue
If you were really smart you'd know what to do when I say
Jet pilot gone out of control, ship captain on the ground
Stock broker make a bad investment when love has come to town
Where, where is my common sense?
How did I get in a jam like this?
Believe, I believe in mystery
Love, love love love is simple as one-two-three
Here come a riddle, here come a clue
If you were really smart, you'd know what to do when I say
Why am I going out of my head, whenever you're around?
The answer is obvious, love has come to town, oh-oh, oh, oh
The lyrics of Talking Heads' song Uh-Oh Love Comes to Town contain a mix of clever wordplay and an exploration of the confusion and excitement that love can bring. The opening line, "Wait, wait for the moment to come," sets the stage for the idea that they're all anticipating something that will change their lives. This is reinforced with the line "Believe, believe in mystery," which acknowledges that no one can be certain what will happen next. Despite this uncertainty, the song portrays love as simple and straightforward: "Love, love is simple as one, two, three."
The song's narrator is introduced as a "know-it-all" who thinks he's the "smartest man around." He's quickly shown up by the "smartest girl in town." This character adds a sense of confidence and humor to the song. There is also a riddle with clues within the lyrics – "Jump back, sit back, get back, relax / It's okay" – which cleverly conveys the idea that sometimes you have to let go in order to hold on to what really matters.
Throughout the song, there's a sense of chaos that's introduced through references to various professions and situations where things have gone wrong. These lines – "Jet pilot gone out of control, ship captain on the ground / Stock broker make a bad investment when love has come to town" – add to the sense of anticipation and uncertainty created by the opening lyrics. The song's conclusion – "Why am I going out of my head, whenever you're around? / The answer is obvious, love has come to town" – confirms that the singer has fallen head over heels in love and that the situation is both exciting and confusing.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait, wait for the moment to come
Be patient and watch for the perfect timing.
Stand up, stand up and take my hand
Get ready to grab hold of life's opportunities and take action.
Believe, believe in mystery
Have faith in the unknown and inexplicable, it's what makes life interesting.
Love, love is simple as one, two, three
Love doesn't have to be complicated; it can be easy and straightforward.
I'm a know-it-all, I'm smartest man around
I think I know everything and I'm the most intelligent person out there.
That's right, you learn real fast through the smartest girl in town
However, the smartest person in the room is actually a woman, and I'm willing to learn from her.
So here come a riddle, here come a clue
Now, listen closely to what I'm saying because I'm about to give you a mystery to solve.
If you were really smart, you'd know what to do
If you were truly intelligent, you would understand the meaning behind my words and act accordingly.
Jump back, sit back, get back, relax
Take a step back and relax, don't stress too much.
It's okay
Everything is fine, there's no need to worry.
I've called in sick I won't go to
I decided not to go to work today, even though I told them I'm sick.
Work today
I have other priorities and I'm choosing to neglect my duties today.
I'd rather be with the
I'd prefer to spend my time with the person I love.
One I love
They are the most important person in my life right now.
I neglect my duties, I be in trouble but
I'm aware that I'm risking getting into trouble for not fulfilling my obligations, but I'm willing to take that chance.
I've been to college, I've been to school
I have an education, and I've learned things from books and teachers.
I've met the people that you read about in books
I've had the opportunity to meet famous and important individuals.
Jet pilot gone out of control, ship captain on the ground
Sometimes, even those who are in charge and responsible can lose control when love enters the picture.
Stock broker make a bad investment when love has come to town
Love can be all-consuming, leading individuals to make irrational decisions and mistakes.
Where, where is my common sense?
I'm wondering why I'm not thinking clearly or making wise decisions.
How did I get in a jam like this?
I'm unsure of how I ended up in this difficult or unpleasant situation.
Why am I going out of my head, whenever you're around?
I'm losing control of my thoughts and feelings whenever I'm near the person I love.
The answer is obvious, love has come to town
The reason for my erratic behavior and carelessness is due to the presence of love in my life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Byrne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind