Stop Making Sense (album)

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Stop Making Sense
Live album by
Talking Heads
ReleasedSeptember 1984 (1984-09)
RecordedDecember 13–16, 1983[1]
VenueThe Pantages Theatre, Hollywood
Genre
Length39:37
Label
Producer
Talking Heads chronology
Speaking in Tongues
(1983) 		Stop Making Sense
(1984) 		Little Creatures
(1985)
Singles from Stop Making Sense
  1. "Once in a Lifetime"
    Released: October 1984
  2. "Slippery People"
    Released: October 1984
  3. "Girlfriend Is Better"
    Released: November 1984[2]

Stop Making Sense is a live album by the American rock band Talking Heads, also serving as the soundtrack to the concert film of the same name. It was released in September 1984 and features nine tracks from the film, albeit with treatment and editing. The album spent over two years on the Billboard 200 chart. It was their first album to be distributed by EMI outside North America.

Limited pressings of the original LP version featured a full-colour picture book wrapped around the album jacket; standard versions had many of the pictures (printed in black and white) and captions on the album's inner sleeve. The CD release of the album includes the full-colour book, but it rearranges the layout to conform to the dimensions of a square CD booklet (compared to the vertically oriented rectangular shape of the LP book). In 1999, a 16-track re-release—with content and sound closely matching those of the film—coincided with the 15th anniversary of the concert filming. An expanded 40th anniversary edition was released by Rhino Records in August 2023, marking the first official release of the complete concert recording,[3] alongside a theatrical re-release of the film by A24.[4][5] A tribute album, Everyone's Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense, was released by A24 Music on May 17, 2024, featuring artists such as Paramore, Miley Cyrus, Lorde, The National, Girl In Red, Blondshell and BadBadNotGood.[6]

The album was ranked number 345 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[7] In 2000, it was voted number 394 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.[8] In 2012, Slant Magazine listed the album at #61 on its list of "Best Albums of the 1980s".[9]

Background and recording

Frantz stated in the liner notes of Once in a Lifetime: The Best of Talking Heads, "When was originally recorded on Speaking in Tongues, it had a funky and compact sound. This Stop Making Sense version is funky and big as a house. (Or should I say church?)"

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
The Austin Chronicle[11]
Chicago Tribune[12]
Mojo[13]
Q[14]
Rolling Stone[15]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[16]
Spin Alternative Record Guide7/10[17]
Uncut9/10[18]
The Village VoiceB+[19]

"A bona fide classic," opined Neil Jeffries in a five-star review of the reissue for Empire, "a perfectly measured snapshot of a widely loved and respected band playing at the height of their powers ... No other band could do this. No other music movie soundtrack sounds this good."[20] "A timely reminder of the achievements of perhaps the most underrated band of the post-punk age," concurred Q. "From its stripped-down intro ... to the nine-piece finale, Stop Making Sense remains heady, stirring stuff."[21]

Track listing

All songs written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth except as noted.[22]

Side one

  1. "Psycho Killer" (Byrne, Frantz, Weymouth) – 4:28
  2. "Swamp" – 3:50 (LP) 4:28 (cassette, CD)
  3. "Slippery People" – 3:35 (LP) 4:13 (different mix; cassette, CD)
  4. "Burning Down the House" – 4:14
  5. "Girlfriend Is Better" (Byrne) – 3:32 (LP) 5:07 (cassette, CD)

Side two

  1. "Once in a Lifetime" (Byrne, Brian Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) – 4:34 (LP) 5:34 (cassette, CD)
  2. "What a Day That Was" (Byrne) – 5:08 (LP) 6:30 (cassette, CD)
  3. "Life During Wartime" – 4:52 (LP) 5:52 (cassette, CD)
  4. "Take Me to the River" (Al Green, Teenie Hodges) – 6:00

Film/Special New Edition Soundtrack

Bonus live tracks "Heaven" and "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" were available as B-sides on various US 7-inch and UK 12-inch singles during the album's original release. These versions were released on the Special Edition soundtrack.

  1. "Psycho Killer" (Byrne, Frantz, Weymouth) – 4:24
  2. "Heaven" (Byrne, Harrison) – 3:41
  3. "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel" (Byrne) – 2:09
  4. "Found a Job" (Byrne) – 3:15
  5. "Slippery People" – 4:00
  6. "Burning Down the House" – 4:06
  7. "Life During Wartime" – 5:51
  8. "Making Flippy Floppy" – 4:40
  9. "Swamp" – 4:30
  10. "What a Day That Was" (Byrne) – 6:00
  11. "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" – 4:57
  12. "Once in a Lifetime" (Byrne, Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) – 5:25
  13. "Genius of Love" (Weymouth, Frantz, Adrian Belew, Steven Stanley) (performed by Tom Tom Club) – 4:30
  14. "Girlfriend Is Better" – 5:06
  15. "Take Me to the River" (Green, Hodges) – 5:32
  16. "Crosseyed and Painless" (Byrne, Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) – 6:11

2023 Expanded Edition Remaster

Bonus live tracks include "Cities" and "Big Business/I Zimbra", both of which were cut from the original 1984 film and soundtrack. Produced by Jerry Harrison.

  1. "Psycho Killer" (Byrne, Frantz, Weymouth) – 4:24
  2. "Heaven" (Byrne, Harrison) – 3:41
  3. "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel" (Byrne) – 2:09
  4. "Found a Job" (Byrne) – 3:15
  5. "Slippery People" – 4:00
  6. “Cities” (Byrne) - 3:34
  7. "Burning Down the House" – 4:06
  8. "Life During Wartime" – 5:51
  9. "Making Flippy Floppy" – 4:40
  10. "Swamp" – 4:30
  11. "What a Day That Was" (Byrne) – 6:00
  12. "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" – 4:57
  13. "Once in a Lifetime" (Byrne, Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) – 5:25
  14. “Big Business/I Zimbra” (Byrne, Eno, Hugo Ball) - (7:24)
  15. "Genius of Love" (Weymouth, Frantz, Adrian Belew, Steven Stanley) (performed by Tom Tom Club) – 4:30
  16. "Girlfriend Is Better" – 5:06
  17. "Take Me to the River" (Green, Hodges) – 5:32
  18. "Crosseyed and Painless" (Byrne, Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) – 6:11

Personnel

Additional personnel

Production

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Stop Making Sense
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia — 150,000[46]
Germany (BVMI)[47] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] Platinum 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[49]
video 		Platinum 50,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[51] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ London, Michael (December 21, 1983). "Talking Heads: Demme's View of Their World". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. 103.
  2. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 809. ISBN 9780862415419.
  3. ^ "Talking Heads Celebrate STOP MAKING SENSE with Deluxe Edition and Theatrical Run". 16 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  4. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (16 March 2023). "A24 Releasing Remastered Version of Talking Heads Classic Concert Film 'Stop Making Sense'". Variety. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  5. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (16 March 2023). "A24 Acquires Talking Heads 1984 Concert Film 'Stop Making Sense', Will Restore In 4K For Theatrical Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  6. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (2024-01-31). "Lorde, The National, Girl In Red and more to feature on star-studded 'Stop Making Sense' tribute album 'Everyone's Getting Involved'". NME. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  7. ^ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time Rolling Stone's definitive list of the 500 greatest albums of all time". Rolling Stone. 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  8. ^ Colin Larkin (2000). All Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 149. ISBN 0-7535-0493-6.
  9. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of the 1980s". Slant Magazine. 5 March 2012.
  10. ^ Hastings, Michael. "Stop Making Sense – Talking Heads". AllMusic. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  11. ^ Moser, Margaret (December 31, 1999). "Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense (Sire/Warner Bros.)". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  12. ^ Kot, Greg (May 6, 1990). "Talking Heads On The Record". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  13. ^ Cameron, Keith (July 2020). "New Feelings". Mojo. No. 320. pp. 68–69.
  14. ^ Doyle, Tom (October 1999). "Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense". Q. No. 157. p. 144. Archived from the original on December 12, 2000. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  15. ^ Connelly, Christopher (November 8, 1984). "Stop Making Sense". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  16. ^ Sheffield, Rob (2004). "Talking Heads". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 802–803. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  17. ^ Salamon, Jeff (1995). "Talking Heads". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 394–395. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  18. ^ Gill, Andy (August 2015). "Buyers' Guide". Uncut. No. 219. pp. 40, 42.
  19. ^ Christgau, Robert (October 30, 1984). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  20. ^ Empire October 1999
  21. ^ Q January 2000
  22. ^ Talking Heads. Stop Making Sense (Sire Records, 1984).
  23. ^ Kent 1993, p. 304
  24. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  25. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 8715". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  26. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  27. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 9. March 4, 1985. p. 18. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  28. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  29. ^ "Charts.nz – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  30. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  31. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  32. ^ "Talking Heads Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  33. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  34. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  35. ^ "Ultratop.be – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  36. ^ "Ultratop.be – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  37. ^ "Lista prodaje 31. tjedan 2024" (in Croatian). HDU. July 22, 2024. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  38. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  39. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 31. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  40. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  41. ^ Kent 1993, p. 437
  42. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  43. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1985" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  44. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1985". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  45. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1986". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  46. ^ Barker, Glenn A. (November 9, 1985). "Majors". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 45. p. A-26. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  47. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Talking Heads; 'Stop Making Sense')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  48. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 2019-12-16. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  49. ^ "British video certifications – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  50. ^ "British album certifications – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  51. ^ "American album certifications – Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense". Recording Industry Association of America.

Bibliography