If you’re a fan of the Talking Heads, then you know that their music is a great way to get your fingers strumming on the guitar.
This band was formed in 1975 in New York City and is considered one of the most influential bands of the post-punk era.
Their music is a unique blend of punk, funk, and world music, and their lyrics often explore themes of anxiety, urban life, and consumerism.
For guitar players, the Talking Heads offer a great opportunity to practice their skills and learn some new chords.
Here are 10 easy Talking Heads songs to play on guitar, along with tabs to help you get started.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these songs will help you hone your skills and get you playing like a pro in no time.
Table of Contents
10. “Stay Up Late”
The Talking Heads’ song “Stay Up Late” is a classic from their 1985 album Little Creatures.
It’s a lighthearted, upbeat tune with a catchy chorus and a playful vibe.
The song was written by frontman David Byrne and bassist Tina Weymouth, and it was one of the first songs the band wrote together.
The track features a simple, repetitive guitar riff, a steady drum beat, and a bouncy bass line.
The lyrics are about the joys of staying up late, and the song has a fun, carefree energy that makes it an enjoyable listen.
The Talking Heads were a hugely influential band in the new wave and punk rock scenes of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
They were known for their unique sound, which blended elements of punk, funk, and world music.
The band was led by David Byrne, who wrote most of their songs and sang lead vocals.
Their other members included Chris Frantz on drums, Jerry Harrison on keyboards, and Tina Weymouth on bass.
“Stay Up Late” is a great example of the Talking Heads’ signature sound, and it’s a timeless classic that remains popular to this day.
9. “Life During Wartime”
“Life During Wartime” by Talking Heads is an iconic song from the band’s 1979 album Fear of Music.
Written by frontman David Byrne, the song is an exploration of the anxieties and paranoia of the Cold War era.
The song’s lyrics are filled with references to the Vietnam War and the nuclear arms race, as well as the fear of a potential nuclear holocaust.
Musically, the song is driven by an infectious bass line and Byrne’s signature vocal delivery.
The song also features a memorable saxophone solo from band member Jerry Harrison, which provides a sense of urgency and tension to the track.
“Life During Wartime” has become one of the band’s most beloved songs and has been covered by numerous artists, including Patti Smith, R.E.M., and The Pixies.
8. “Wild Wild Life”
“Wild Wild Life” by Talking Heads is a classic song from the band’s 1986 album, True Stories.
This song is an upbeat and playful track that features an infectious bass line and a catchy chorus.
It was the first single released from the album and was the band’s most successful single in the United States.
The song was written by David Byrne and was inspired by the country and western music of the 1950s.
The lyrics are a humorous take on the idea of living life to the fullest, with Byrne singing about the joys of living a wild and carefree life.
The song features a unique blend of funk, country, and rock and roll, and has become an iconic example of the band’s signature sound.
The song was a critical and commercial success, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
7. “And She Was”
“And She Was” by Talking Heads is a classic from their 1985 album Little Creatures.
This song stands out from the rest of the album with its dreamy, psychedelic sound.
The song was written by frontman David Byrne and was inspired by a story he heard about a homeless woman who was living in a box.
The song is about a man who meets this woman and is amazed by her beauty and intelligence.
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The song has a unique sound, with its jangly guitars, mellow synths, and Byrne’s signature vocals.
The song was a huge success and was featured in many films and television shows.
It is one of the best-known songs by the band and is often cited as one of the greatest songs of the 1980s.
The song has been covered by many artists, ranging from the likes of Phish to the Goo Goo Dolls.
The song has also been sampled by a variety of artists, including the Beastie Boys and Kanye West.
6. “Road To Nowhere”
“Road To Nowhere” by Talking Heads is a classic song from their 1985 album Little Creatures.
It was written by the band’s frontman David Byrne, and it’s a great example of the band’s unique blend of post-punk, new wave, and funk.
The song has a catchy, upbeat rhythm and a memorable chorus, and it’s been covered by many artists over the years.
The lyrics are about the frustration of feeling stuck in a cycle of life, and the chorus of “We’re on a road to nowhere” reflects the idea of being stuck in a rut.
The song is seen as a commentary on the state of society at the time, and it’s become an anthem for those who feel like they’re stuck in a dead-end job or a meaningless life.
The song was a hit in the US, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was also a big success in the UK, reaching #7 on the UK Singles Chart.
It’s still one of Talking Heads’ most popular songs, and it’s become a classic of the 1980s.
5. “Take Me To The River”
“Take Me To The River” by Talking Heads is a classic song from the band’s 1978 album, More Songs About Buildings and Food.
It was written by lead singer and guitarist David Byrne, and the song has since become one of the band’s most popular tracks.
The song is an upbeat, funk-influenced tune that features a catchy chorus and a memorable guitar riff.
The lyrics of the song are about a young man’s desire to escape his mundane life and find a new place to start over.
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Al Green, Mavis Staples, and the Grateful Dead.
It has also been featured in many movies and television shows, including The Big Lebowski, The Sopranos, and Thelma & Louise.
The Talking Heads were an influential American new wave band that formed in 1975 in New York City.
The band was composed of David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison.
They released eight studio albums and achieved international success with their unique blend of funk, punk, and new wave.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
4. “Once In A Lifetime”
The Talking Heads’ song “Once In A Lifetime” is a classic that has been enjoyed by fans for decades.
The song was released in 1981 on the band’s fourth studio album, Remain in Light.
It was written by the band’s frontman, David Byrne, and produced by Brian Eno.
The song is characterized by its unique combination of funk and African rhythms, as well as Byrne’s distinctive vocal delivery.
The lyrics are thought to be a commentary on the monotony of everyday life, with Byrne repeating the phrase “same as it ever was” throughout the song.
The song has been covered by many artists, including Beyoncé, and has been featured in various films and television shows.
It is also one of the most sampled songs in history, with artists such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Nas having used it in their own music.
“Once In A Lifetime” is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time and continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.
3. “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)”
“This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” by Talking Heads is a classic hit that has been around since 1983.
It was released as a single from the album Speaking in Tongues, and has since become one of the most popular songs from the band.
The song has a dreamy, almost hypnotic feel to it, with a simple, repetitive melody that is easy to remember.
The lyrics are full of imagery and emotion, and the chorus is particularly memorable.
The song was written by lead singer David Byrne, and the instrumentation includes bass, drums, and keyboards.
The song was also featured in the movie Stop Making Sense, which was a concert film of the band’s performance in 1984.
It has been covered by a number of other artists, including the Foo Fighters and Neil Young, and continues to be a favorite among Talking Heads fans.
2. “Burning Down The House”
“Burning Down The House” by Talking Heads is a classic hit from the early 1980s.
It was released on the band’s fifth album Speaking In Tongues in 1983 and quickly became one of their most popular songs.
The song is a perfect blend of funk, punk, and new wave, and was one of the first songs to bring together elements of rock, pop, and dance music.
The lyrics are simple yet powerful, and the song has been covered by many artists over the years.
Talking Heads was an American rock band formed in 1975 in New York City.
The band was composed of David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison.
They were one of the most influential bands of the new wave era and are known for their eclectic mix of styles, from punk to funk to new wave.
“Burning Down The House” is a perfect example of the band’s unique sound and is a great example of how Talking Heads blended different genres of music to create something truly unique.
1. “Psycho Killer”
“Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads is one of the most iconic songs of the late 70s.
The track was released in 1977 and was the first single from the band’s debut album, “77.”
The song was written by frontman David Byrne and bassist Tina Weymouth and was inspired by the French New Wave film “Les Vampires.”
The lyrics tell the story of a serial killer and the song’s dark and eerie tone was a stark contrast to the more upbeat songs of the era.
The song’s success helped launch the band’s career and it has since become one of their most recognizable songs.
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years and has been featured in numerous films and television shows.
The Talking Heads were an American rock band formed in 1975 in New York City and were one of the most influential bands of the post-punk era.
The band was known for their experimental and eclectic sound and their use of unconventional instruments.
The band released eight studio albums and had several hit singles including “Burning Down the House” and “Once in a Lifetime.”
The band disbanded in 1991 after the release of their final album, “Naked.”
More than 10 years of experience playing and writing about guitars! When not writing, I can be found strumming away some Johnny Cash tunes. Favorite all time guitar is the Gibson Les Paul. #TeamGibson
