A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads in (just over) twenty minutes.

Stop Making Sense is a ground-breaking concert film featuring a live performance by Talking Heads. Released in 1984, it was directed by Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, The Manchurian Candidate), it was shot over four nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre in December 1983, when the band were touring to promote their Speaking in Tongues album. Stop Making Sense includes a memorable performance of the first Talking Heads single, Psycho Killer, through to Burning Down the House, their most recent single at that time. It also includes some of David Byrne's solo material as well as material by Tom Tom Club, the side project of Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. Talking Heads are joined by backing singers Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt, guitarist Alex Weir, keyboardist Bernie Worrell and percussionist Steve Scales.

The film's title is derived from a lyric in Girlfriend Is Better, from the Speaking in Tongues album:
'As we get older and stop making sense.'

A newly restored Stop Making Sense was released on 22 September 2023 in Imax cinemas and on 29 September in regular cinemas across the UK and US.

Rhino Entertainment also released a new remaster of the soundtrack which, for the first time includes the complete concert, rather than selected tracks as was previously the case.

In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.

I hope you enjoy the podcast and do leave feedback if you like what you you have heard.

Mathew Woodall