| Psycho Killer | ||
| ||
| single by Talking Heads | ||
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1974 | |
| Released | September 1977 | |
| Recorded | 1974 (The Artistics) 1975 (CBS demo) 1976 (demo) 1977 (album version) | |
| Genre | New Wave, Funk | |
| Length | 4:19 | |
| Label | Sire | |
| Writer(s) | David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth | |
| Producer(s) | Tony Bongiovi, Lance Quinn | |
| cover song | ||
"Psycho Killer" is a song written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth and first played by their band The Artistics in 1974, and as new wave band Talking Heads in 1975.
The song was covered by Duran Duran in concert during 2014 as part of a medley featuring "Girls on Film". An updated cover version was included on Danse Macabre, and played live as a medley with Girls on Film from 2024.
About the song[]
Originally written and performed as a ballad, "Psycho Killer" became what Allmusic calls a "deceptively funky new wave/no wave song ... with an insistent rhythm, and one of the most memorable, driving basslines in rock & roll."
Band connections[]
After the break up of Talking Heads, band members Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison reunited for a one-off album called No Talking, Just Head under the name The Heads in 1996.
During this period The Heads recorded "And There Are Lots And Lots of Ants" with John Taylor, released on Radioactive Waste.
Duran Duran first played this song live 1st November 2014 in Texas, and the song remained in the encore section of the setlist until early 2015. The band also played this during their Halloween show, 31st October 2022, in Las Vegas.
Danse Macabre Version[]
| Psycho Killer | |
| |
| Single by Duran Duran | |
|---|---|
| Released | 23 Oct 2023 |
| Format | Download |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 4:25 |
| Writer(s) | Duran Duran |
| Producer(s) | Duran Duran |
| Duran Duran | |
Psycho Killer was released as a digital single on Monday 23rd October 2023; and the third single to be released from the bands 16th studio album, Danse Macabre. After the successful Halloween show of 31st October 2022, the band recorded most of those featured songs for Danse Macabre. In the official press release,
Nick Said: "John and Victoria are pals. They met somewhere and they definitely have a bass guitar in common. They really hit it off and apparently “Psycho Killer” is one of her favorite songs as well as one of ours so John asked her to come and play on it. She came over to London and brought a nice energy. That crazy middle section is nearly all Victoria. For me, I remember when that song came out and thought, “Wow! What’s that—I’ve never heard anything like it.” The lyric is so great and David Byrne’s delivery is spectacular. For me, they are the greatest American band of their time." [1]
Victoria De Angelis said:
“It's such a wild honour to get asked by John Taylor and the guys to play on their album. I met John at a party, and we immediately bonded talking about music and bass. I told him Tina Weymouth was my absolute pinnacle of cool, attitude and incredible musicianship all rolled into one, and he told me he also started playing bass inspired by her and she was one of his music idols.
I then got a call from John months later saying he was working on a cover of Psycho Killer, and he wanted to ask me first about playing on it. It was insane being asked by one of the greatest bass players ever to play one of my favourite songs with Duran Duran. Absolutely insane. I’m so grateful and honoured, it was so much fun recording together with John and he was so sweet to me and encouraged me to express myself and play it my own way. I’ll always remember that day.”
John said:
She’s such a dynamo! I was like “what inspired you?” and Vic said, “Tina Weymouth”. So when Psycho Killer made the cut for the album, I thought, “I’m gonna ask her if she’d like to have a bass-off!” [2]
Music Video[]
|
An animated music video was released on Youtube the day after the single release, on 24th October 2023. The producers of the sequence have yet to be identified.
The video starts with a couple linked in arms, walking beside a canal or river, with tall Romanised buildings (Paris?). A woman is stabbed, perhaps by another woman. The police drive to the scene with a couple of detectives. They find the bodies in the street, and a knife in an art museum. The scene ends with the lead detective pondering the killer. The video then loops several times.
- The police officer is meant to be Roger Taylor, but it looks more like Dominic Brown.
- Styling is meant to look like the ancient medieval Japanese art of paper folded Origami.
- This is another example of CGI (perhaps A.I?) created Duran Duran promotional material.
Lyrics (DM Version)[]
I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire Don't touch me I'm a real live wire Psycho killer Qu'est-ce que c'est? Fa-fa-fa FA! fa-fa fa-fa FA! far better Run-run-run, run-run, run away Ohh-ohh Psycho killer Qu'est-ce que c'est? Fa-fa-fa FA! fa-fa fa-fa FA! far better Run-run-run, run-run, run away Oh-oh-Oh-OHH! Ay-Ay-Ay-Aye! You start a conversation you can't even finish it You're talkin' a lot but you're not sayin' anything When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed Say something once, why say it again? (Chorus) Oh-oh-Oh-OHH! Ay-Ay-Ay-Ay-Aye! Ce que j'ai fait ce soir-l Ce qu'elle a dit ce soir-l Realisant mon espoir Je me lance vers la gloire, okay - Ay-Ay-Ay-Ay-Aye! Ay-Ay-Ay-Ay-Aye! We are vain and we are blind I hate people when they're not polite (Chorus) Oh-oh-Oh-OHH! Ay-Ay-Ay-Ay-AAAAYE!
Other appearances[]
Personnel[]
Duran Duran are:
- Simon Le Bon - vocals
- Nick Rhodes - keyboards
- John Taylor - bass guitar
- Roger Taylor - drums
Also credited:
- Andy Taylor - guitar
- Dominic Brown - guitar
- Victoria De Angelis - bass guitar
- Anna Ross - backing vocals
- Rachael O'Connor - backing vocals
Song Credits[]
Eligible Studio Producer: Duran Duran
Mixer: Bob Clearmountain
Sound Engineer: John Webber
Vocals: Simon Le Bon
Keyboards: Nick Rhodes
Guitar, Bass: John Taylor
Drums: Roger Taylor
Guitar, Sound Engineer: Andy Taylor
Guitar: Dom Brown
Producer, Strings, Sound Engineer, Percussion: Joshua Blair
Bass: Victoria De Angelis
Background Vocals: Anna Ross
Background Vocals: Rachael O’Connor
Sound Engineer: Richard Woodcraft
Sound Engineer: Billy Halliday
Sound Engineer: Ed Farrell
Instrument Technician: Kevin Bell
Instrument Technician: Phil Kemp
Bass, Drum Programmer, Programmer: Nate Merchant
Composer: David Byrne
Composer: Christopher Frantz
Composer: Tina Weymouth