Psycho Killer
the 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
[Chorus:]
Psycho Killer
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better
Run run run run run run run away
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
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]
Ce que j'ai fais, ce soir la
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir la
Realisant mon espoir
Je me lance, vers la gloire, OK
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite
[Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
The lyrics to the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" are deeply introspective and convey a sense of inner turmoil and anxiety. The singer is describing their inability to face up to reality, feeling tense and nervous, and unable to relax. The line "I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire" is a metaphor for the singer's intense inner turmoil, which is causing them to feel anxious and overwhelmed. They don't want to be touched because they are a "real live wire" - meaning that they are highly sensitive and easily agitated.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the phrase "Psycho Killer, Qu'est-ce que c'est," which is French for "Psycho Killer, what is this?" The chorus also includes the line "Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better, run run run run run run run away," which suggests that the singer is terrified of their own inner turmoil and wants to escape it - but can't.
In the second verse, the singer describes a conversation that they can't finish, because the other person is "talking a lot, but [they're] not saying anything." This frustration with idle conversation is underscored by the line "Say something once, why say it again?" which suggests that the singer values directness and honesty in communication. The final verse includes a few lines in French, which translate to "What I did that night, what she said that night / Realizing my hopes, I launch myself towards glory, OK." This seems to suggest that the singer is trying to gain clarity and perspective on a particular experience, and is using their internal struggles to fuel their drive towards success.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't seem to face up to the facts
I am having trouble accepting the truth
I'm tense and nervous and I
I am feeling stressed and anxious
Can't relax
I am unable to calm down
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
I am experiencing extreme restlessness
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire
I am highly strung and easily agitated
Psycho Killer
I am a violent individual
Qu'est-ce que c'est
What is it?
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better
It is far better to take action
Run run run run run run run away
Escape is the best option
You start a conversation you can't even finish it.
You are unable to maintain a coherent conversation
You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything.
You are speaking without purpose
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.
I only speak when I have something to say
Say something once, why say it again?
Repeating oneself is unnecessary
Ce que j'ai fais, ce soir la
What I did that evening
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir la
What she said that evening
Realisant mon espoir
Realizing my hope
Je me lance, vers la gloire, OK
I am pursuing fame
We are vain and we are blind
We are self-centered and unaware
I hate people when they're not polite
I dislike those who are impolite
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Implies a non-verbal reaction such as a sigh
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS FRANTZ, DAVID BYRNE, 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
@whizzer_irl
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
@felicityandrews718
If you aren’t here from TikTok, your a real one.
@DKlebs
Ty.
@oddkill3539
Am I still a real one if Reddit reminded me of this song…? It’s not tic tok, but yeah
@mimichanlgucci3754
Bro im here bc of my french teacher