Talking Heads’ David Byrne Explains How He Came Up With The Giant Suit | Letterman
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- čas přidán 3. 03. 2022
- The Talking Heads frontman demonstrates how he fakes his concert moves, tells the giant suit origin story and talks about "Stop Making Sense." (Air date: 11/23/84)
#DavidByrne #TalkingHeads #Letterman
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He's so shy and awkward when interviewed but such a powerhouse of charisma when he performs, it's a striking contrast!
Jump to the post covid appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show, what a difference! 😉
Back in the day David Byrne said his performances were “ anonymous “
@@Tamar-sz8ox Hahahahaha........I'm still unsure exactly what that means?
Maybe it means he wasn't responsible for the strange and silly body movements? The music took over control of him????
He's a very interesting artist.
@@garynewton1263 David Byrne said when he performed he felt like he was performing under an anonymous name and person .
His body movements and words are definitely unique , it’s really an art form , he also is on the Autism spectrum so he expresses himself in a very different way
@@Tamar-sz8ox Yes.
Admittedly when I was a teenager in the 1980s I never liked Talking Heads much as a band. I liked 'The lady don't mind' but apart from that I thought they were very strange.
Now I am more openminded and can understand David and the group better.
I've seen interviews of David in the 80s and in recent times, its changed my views.
That big suit David said was to make his head look smaller.
Hilarious! 🤣
Hands down, the absolute best concert film ever made. Spellbinding. What a band. What an album.
Fully agree. It is the best concert film ever.
100% agree. The way it starts with Byrne alone and the rest of the band gradually join in.
I could watch the performance of Life During Wartime every day and never get tired of it.
By the
It is dance music that makes you think. Kind of like aerobics on acid.
@@remopiccioni9456 That is a very interesting interpretation. I'll need to reflect on this but intiguing.
Totally agree
David Byrne puts the AWESOME in Aspergers. Brilliant guy, and impossible not to love.
He certainly does.😮
@@sking3492 Didn't know he had that until now. Good to see more people like me out there.
@@JoeVideoed he’s never been formally diagnosed-he just happened to read something about it and realized a lot of his attitudes and behaviors matched the criteria, but he’s pretty content with how his life turned out and doesn’t see how labeling himself would change anything.
".....Rich texture of rhythms you don't normally hear in music....."
I think DB genuinely appreciated that comment.
Can see letterman enjoying the act of enjoying an interview of a person that he genuinely has respect for.
Rather than just another industry paid for ad.
I think this is the nicest I've ever seen letterman. He genuinely respects David Byrne.
Well, maybe all except for the part about "needing a checkup." lol
@@Itelkner I work with many people just like David. It's cool to be part of that world.
@@dadsongs Cool. What is it you do?
@@Itelkner I should have been more specific, and maybe more sensitive. 🙂 A couple years ago, he admitted that he deals with Asperger's Syndrome, which most believe is a very high-functioning form of Autism. Since then, a couple other artists revealed that they did as well. Thanks for asking.
@@dadsongs Yeah. I had learned at some point David had Asperger's Syndrome. I don't think much was known about it when this interview happened. DL's "checkup" comment would have been taken as playful at the time but would never be said now knowing of someone's condition. I was, perhaps, a tad bit flip with 'lol' but it seemed to me DB took DL's attitude in good humor and Letterman's attitude toward David was generally respectful.
David Byrne is a pretty deep guy. You can tell he would like to explain fully everything asked but it would take too long and people would not appreciate it. They would not be be ready or prepared for what he has to offer so just sit back and watch the pretty lights and listen to the lyrics and someday you will be ready to understand him.
Letterman is a moron and wouldn't be able to understand Byrne's genius.
Very well stated.
Not just a musician or singer, but a proper artist in the true sense of the word.
Read his 2012 book "How Music Works" if you haven't already. In one of the first chapters he goes into quite a bit of detail about the influences and artistic vision he had for the Stop Making Sense concert. The book is about more than just his career but he often uses his own experiences as examples. It's pretty obvious that he is indeed a "pretty deep guy" and clearly an artist who makes music rather than just a musician that happened to produce art.
@@creamwobbly not really. It’s called Asperger’s syndrome.
David Byrne-ing down the house.
🥳🎶🕺🤘😁✌😎
David Byrne has such an incredibly unique voice. Even when he's just talking casually like this, I find the tone and rhythm of his speech just mesmerizing. I could listen to him for years. We were so lucky to have him making art and music in our universe.
I'm embarrassed to say, I never watched 'Stop Making Sense' until today and I've always been a fan and now 59. Wow, that movie is amazing and David Byrne's energy is beyond belief. It IS the best concert movie I have ever seen.
58 here, the first S M S Film was EPIC !!! The new One yet not seen.
This guy is a music genius. He won an Oscar for composing the score for The Last Emperor, who won best picture for the year of 1987.
Just saw the re-release this past weekend! I saw this tour live and the original release 40 years ago. I'm 67 now and felt totally rejuvenated after seeing the movie again! The whole theater was whistling and clapping like we were at the actual concert!
Same experience here in Manchester UK. Such a great vibe in the cinema.
When he does that arm and leg wavy dance thing it cracks me up yet it is so neat to watch.
I miss the days when everyone was awkward on camera. I mean that sincerely.
media training = homogenization
I get what you're saying. It's a little bizarre that a 14 year old in Nebraska on TikTok loves the camera so much.
@@DeadFlowers69 Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Everyone is so used to filming EVERYTHING now. Seeing an awkward famous person or a nervous man-on-the-street interview somehow feels better to me. It's more human or something.
David Byrne has autism; It might explain some aspects of his awkwardness
He is autistic...... yeah
I was lucky enough to see this concert in Dallas TX during the summer of 1983 - third row, left hand side, seats 1through four. It was beyond astonishing, from the first moments where David walks out to an empty, dark stage, spotlight illuminating him, sets down a boombox, hits play and starts "Psycho Killer", accompanying himself with an acoustic guitar while the stage is set with the band's performing set ups on rolling platforms, one by one until the full band is on stage. I had followed the Taiking Heads from their beginning and this was their full blown introduction to the general public. One of my top five concert experiences of all time (and I've seen many, many live concerts to say the least) Watching the film today, forty years later still gives me goosebumps. A once in a lifetime experience (sorry, couldn't resist)
YES , Once in a Lifetime .
I was at Kenny Scarffs birthday party in Brooklyn and David was there. I eventually got the nerve to say hello and tell him what a great fan I was. He was so approachable and kind. Get memory.
Two absolute legends at their peak. Awesome.
Uniquely David Byrne. What a legend.
Love David Byrne, love Talking Heads and love Stop Making Sense. Great interview!
He’s so cute.
Dave asks the question we all had back then, "Explain the big, uh, the jumbo suit?" Thanks Dave.
Rich Hall did an old snl Talking Heads parody. "And you may ask yourself... why the big suit?"
And to this day they still ask him that question! Jimmy Fallon just asked David about the big suit a few days ago.
@@liviafbf Which is mad because he gives a perfectly reasonable answer to the question here. Ironically, it makes perfect sense…
Genuine eccentric original artist.
The audience spontaneously danced in the aisles at the theater when we saw the film, classic. RIP J Demme
I remember watching this episode and thinking how much Byrne looked like Anthony Perkins with that turtleneck/jacket combo.
I'm 63 now and I've been a fan of Talking Heads from the first time I heard 'Psych Killer". I love everything about their unique sound and David Byrne.I'm a huge fan of the "The Big Bang Theory" programme too, so when I watch clips now, of David Byrne performing or being interviewed, I'm reminded of Sheldon.
You can tell he's a shy thinker by the way he reacted to the audience and the first response to Dave. Love and appreciate these guys and the completely new sound and vibe they brought.
David Byrne: If you're reading this, you're a hero of mine.
I love this guy. Pure genius
You just feel like you're listening to the next level of humanity.
The world would be mundane without the likes of David Byrne,
Annie Lennox to name another. Both artists put on Great shows. My favorite concerts!
Both born in Scotland
I regret not seeing them live, a great band.
Big same dude. Many would say I'm obsessed w music (I say, to a fault) and just today from some random reddit wormhole link, I have discovered the 1/1, never-to-be duplicated, musical, artistic, and theatrical deep thinking genius that is David Byrne. And will 100% regret not seeing him live once.
I've heard Byrnes say that the suit was supposed to give the viewers the impression that he was a playing card, like one of the Queen Of Heart's deck-of-cards characters from Alice in Wonderland.
Dave just quietly catching Talking Heads (and David Byrne) at the height of their powers. Reminds me of how easily Dave works well with the guests who "get" his humor. He can get answers and reactions that no other host could.
yes, but he was also retrospectively very inappropriate in many instances
You missed the part about not always being rational.
Letterman was fantastic. He really helped David Byrne in this interview 😅
And now nothing on tv
Just appearance zero substance !!
This is class pure talent the real thing❤
Real artist
had the original dvd copy and wore it out. just went to see the new version and loved it as much as ever. an absolute classic forever.
What a talented, interesting and original guy. This is the first time I’ve seen an interview with him
David Byrne and Robert Smith give the best interviews ever.
Smith has taken the look of Liz Taylor & Liza a bit too far for me. Insanity is a sad thing that should be looked at seriously when it gets so real. 'Why can't I be You‽' Really now!
It's always said that Stop Making Sense was groundbreaking, but except for Laurie Anderson's Home of the Brave, nobody has done anything remotely like it since.
David Byrne, one of the greats.
Got to see Stop Making Sense in the theatre just recently, was/is still amazing!
I wish I could experience music the way he does one day.
Why can't you?
@@juggs_mcbulge I wish I knew
Seeing the re-release of Stop Making Sense tonight so getting this on my recommended is perfect.
David is one of the all time great rock performers.
Very entertaining exchange between two funny and fun-loving guys.
Letterman: "you may need a check-up" .. made me laugh out loud.
Two entertainers I have enjoyed enormously over the years.
Dave and Dave!
I love David Byrne! I can’t wait to see Stop Making Sense 2023
Woah! This is a good one. Had never seen this interview before.
He is amazing.....
Luv Talking Heads ! ❤
I didn't see him perform until about 2010, at a open-air event on the UK. I'd loved his music since the late 70s, but TH were hard to see in Europe.
Worth waiting for.
He even did a piece from Bush of Ghosts.
A remarkable performer of excellent music.
🗣 talking heads was a great band and David Byrne was absolutely super talented 🤙🏼🤙🏼good memories, good songs! 🗣
I remember watching this LIVE!
As you’ve probably heard by now (March 2023), Stop Making Sense (the film) is being remastered for re-release possibly this year!
Bryne is scheduled to perform on CBS Saturday Morning tomorrow (3/5/22).
Thank you 👍🏼
I'm watching it now! So cool. 😎
Well, how did I get here?!?
2 Legends of their respective crafts.
I remember renting that video cassette from Blockbuster, I was amazed. By far, my favorite Talking Heads song is, Psycho Killer.
"Say something once, why say it again"🎶
Best Letterman interview I've seen ;)
I love him
Awesome, love the quality! Editing and cuts could be a little less extreme here and there, but overall really nice to see! Also; small shout-out to 'TheDonz' Don Giller for keeping the Letterman-archives up and running all these years before Letterman finally got an official CZcams account 😁
Letterman's had an official channel for years. It's just been in the last month that the uploads have been coming fast and furious
@@chiefscheider You're actually right, I've noticed that the first uploads on here were posted over 7, almost 8 years ago! Then for a very long time nothing (nothing posted after David ended his run?), starting the uploads just last month again. Still; nothing but props to TheDonz for filling in for the time being. Hope they can get the guy on board to maintain the official channel; now THAT would be an awesome thing to do.
True, Don is a real Letterman fan and committed to his content for sure. His compilations are great.
@@chiefscheider I just love it when someone goes the extra mile to create his own collection (or in this case I can definitely call it archive) of content of one production. It truly baffles me.
@@JayDeeIsMyName Don is on board with this channel. He was hired to contribute.
So talented
I like this David Letterman. Not wearing a suit and just a random goldfish behind him.
Stop making sense is absolutely amazing, the energy, the music, the dancing, the connection between the band and the singers.. I prefer listening to the live trakcs ratherthan the album personally. Just a masterpiece ❤
A masterclass in concert films.
"Explain the jumbo suit." 🤣🤣
lmao hes so awkward.....love it
David also demonstrates how he learned to fake his reaction to awkward questions and laugh them off
His voice when he talks remembers me Syd Barrett.
Back before everybody was on some sort of spectrum, David truly was autistic and on the savant level. One of my favorite artists and bands!
It's quite enjoyable watching this then jumping to the 1986 appearance then to the post-Covid appearance with Jimmy Fallon.
David is a really interesting musician, writer and artist.
Legend.
A very strange and sensitive, artistic man, probably 30 years ahead of his time.
couldn't be done now
I think he's talking about True Stories as being the project he's working in now.
True Stories was a great film, I wish that the soundtrack album had used the movie actors, their singing brought a lot to the songs that is missing from the Talking Heads versions on that album. The actual released soundtrack was all of the incidental music used in the film, none of the songs.
Wonder how long it took them to plan and do the special effect at 3:51 only for it to fall flat
That Jonathan Demme line would have been received differently years later. Talented souls always find a way to work together
FANTASTIC!!@
I love it when great Davids get together.
They all have their own hands, but they come from different moms.
Amazing
It suddenly occurs to me - Byrne has the qualities of a silent film actor.
What a character
Brilliant man....
I was at one of the shows where they filmed the movie. They are great
Interesting to think that ppl in the 80ies went to a show that was produced more or less „just for the moment“ but today is archived and accessible for everyone forever
There is Sheldon Cooper’s inspiration
They were a tad before my time but I always loved their music they kind of remind me of Devo I just love how spaced out they were I'm sure there was a bit acid here and there 😀
You know you're old when you seen it live.
I saw his latest show American utopia a cupple of years ago AMAZING AWESOME WICKEDLY GOOD
So so good
I went into the American utopia show blind absolutely no idea what David had been up to since talking heads and boy was I confused when he walked onto the stage I'm thinking hay David where's the band and their gear AND THEN IT STARTED TO BE ... MAKING SENSE
"Stop Making Sense" is excellent advice. Rationalism is how smart people end up making terrible policy, decisions, etc. Reason is not truth. Truth is something much more difficult to get to and its also perspective based. There is no "truth" for everyone but there is truth.
Love this segment… david x2!!
I saw Stop Making Sense in the theater when it came out.
Classic!
This aired the day before my 19th birthday. 1984 was a good year. It ushered in the Orwellian Age.
outstanding concert film its on Prime (hopefully still is)
Very interesting and genius guy.
The surrealists came up with the idea “stop making sense” decades before Byrne. I wonder if he got that notion from art school
Didn't they all go to the Rhode Island School of Design? I know they had to wait for Jerry Harrison to graduate, with David, Chris and Tina living in a loft space, before they could form the actual band. '77 was playing at my local used record store last time I was in.
I heartily recommend Mr. Byrne's 2012 book How Music Works.
Fun to watch this just after the release in 1983, in light of the 2023 re-release.
That vintage polo rugby Davids wearing is heat
omg he's so forthcoming with a good sense of humour