January 20, 2025

1985 - December: Talking Heads “Little Creatures”

44 minutes

The Talking Heads is known as one of the more quirky bands of the 70's and 80's, and terribly innovative in their approach to both music and performance. Consisting of Tina Weymouth on bass, Chris Frantz on drums, Jerry Harrison on keyboards and guitar, and fronted by David Byrne on vocals and guitar, the Talking Heads helped to shape the landscape of alternative and new wave rock through the 80's and 90's. They really hit mainstream consciousness with their fifth album called "Speaking in Tongues" in 1983. They followed this up with the live album "Stop Making Sense," which showcased the elaborate stage setups and their visual presence, complete with Byrne's iconic "big suit" fashion wear.

Little Creatures was their sixth studio album and the best selling album of the group's career. The Talking Heads toned down their experimental tendencies on this one in favor of a more stripped-down, accessible approach. While there are still elements of art music and new wave present in the tracks, they play a more whimsical role. The songs blend in pop, folk, and country influences as well, giving the album a bright, catchy feel in addition to the wit and quirkiness for which the group was known.

The album cover was created by artist Howard Finster, and incorporates themes of Americana and everyday life. This complemented the songs well, and was selected by Rolling Sone magazine as the album cover of the year.

The group would go on to produce two more studio albums before disbanding in 1991. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

Show co-founder Brian Dickhute is back to present this album in Bruce's absence for today's podcast.

The Lady Don't Mind

There's a certain amount of weirdness that is difficult to explain in the lyrics of just about every Talking Heads song, and this is no exception. This reggae-tinged song talks about a lady who is hard to pin down or figure out. "Last time she jumped out the window, well, she only turned and smiled. You might think she would say something, but you'd have to wait a while."

Perfect World

While most songs were written by David Byrne, this one features lyrics composed years earlier by drummer Chris Frantz. It is a deeper cut, and a mini-love story.

Stay Up Late

This track was the fourth single released from the album. It is a song about Byrne's sister's baby, and describes an adult keeping the baby up late despite the consequences, just to have fun and enjoy this new life.

Road to Nowhere

This song was released as a single, and went to number 25 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Byrne describes it as "a song that presented a resigned, even joyful look at doom." The gospel choir that leads off the track was added after the song was concluded to complete what is essentially a two-chord song.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Soul Finger by the Bar-Kays (from the motion picture Spies Like Us)

Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd star in this spy comedy where novice spies are sent into the Soviet Union.

STAFF PICKS:

West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys

Lynch starts the staff picks with a song about class and pressures of city life in London, inspired by a T.S. Eliot poem. It was released twice as a single, once in April 1984 when it became a club hit, and this version as a re-recorded single in October 1985. It went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It's Not Love by Dokken

Wayne takes us in a more hair metal direction with a head banger tune from Dokken's third album, "Under Lock and Key." This was the third single released from the album. The video contains scenes where the band is playing from a flat bed truck, and was actually recorded on the road. They received several tickets during the process, despite having permission to film.

Magic Power by Triumph

Rob features a Canadian power trio from their live double album, “Stages.” Originally recorded on their studio album, “Allied Forces,” the song describes the healing power of music. It is one of the group's signature songs, and the live format gives a good sense of the band's chemistry on stage.

Tonight She Comes by The Cars

Brian closes out the staff picks with a previously unreleased song from the Cars' Greatest Hits album, released in October 1985. Ric Ocasek wrote the song, and originally intended it for his solo album, but brought it to the group instead. It was their fourth and last single to be a top 10 hit.

NOVELTY TRACK:

Strokin' by Clarence Carter

We find out how Clarence Carter makes love in this concluding track from this week's podcast.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings