Speaking in Tongues

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Speaking in Tongues · After the departure of producer Brian Eno and a short break, during which the band members worked on their own projects, recording of this album began in 1982. It was released on 1 June 1983 and became the band's commercial breakthrough. Burning Down the House reached number nine in the American chart, the band's only song in the top ten. The record also reached number two in the dance charts. Singer David Byrne designed the cover himself, and he partly explained the title by saying that he first sang nonsense and then made words to fit it.

Critics noted that the extra musicians made the sound more spacious, with gospel influences in Slippery People and Swamp. The lyrics remained impressionistic, but the music sounded light and danceable. A Rolling Stone reviewer wrote that the album erases the dividing line between artistic white pop and black funk. The tour was captured in the concert film Stop Making Sense.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Burning Down the House4:03Apple Music ↗
2. 2Making Flippy Floppy5:55Apple Music ↗
3. 3Girlfriend Is Better5:45Apple Music ↗
4. 4Slippery People5:07Apple Music ↗
5. 5I Get Wild / Wild Gravity5:17Apple Music ↗
6. 6Swamp5:16Apple Music ↗
7. 7Moon Rocks5:45Apple Music ↗
8. 8Pull Up the Roots5:10Apple Music ↗
9. 9This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)4:55Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• Talking Heads