Psycho Killer

Talking Heads

About Psycho Killer

"Psycho Killer" is a song by the American band Talking Heads, released on their 1977 debut album Talking Heads: 77. The group first performed it as the Artistics in 1974. In the liner notes for Once in a Lifetime: The Best of Talking Heads (1992), Jerry Harrison wrote of the b-side of the single, an acoustic version of the song that featured Arthur Russell on cello, "I'm glad we persuaded Tony [Bongiovi] and Lance [Quinn] that the version with the cellos shouldn't be the only one. " The band's "signature debut hit" features lyrics which seem to represent the thoughts of a serial killer. 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.""Psycho Killer" was the only song from the album to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 92. It reached number 32 on the Triple J Hottest 100 in 1989, and peaked at number 11 on the Dutch singles chart in 1977. The song is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. 


Year:
1977
4:19
1,289 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

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 run away oh oh
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, run, away oh oh oh
Yeah yeah yeah yeah!

You start a conversation you can't even finish it
You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
Say something once, why say it again?

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 run away oh oh oh
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, run, away oh oh oh oh!
Yeah yeah yeah yeah!

Ce que j'ai fais, ce soir la
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir la
Realisant mon espoir
Je me lance, vers la gloire, OK
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite

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 run away oh oh oh
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, run, away oh oh oh
Yeah yeah yeah yeah oh!

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Talking Heads

Talking Heads was an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne (vocals and guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass) and Jerry Harrison (keyboards and guitar). Auxiliary musicians also regularly made appearances in concert and on the group's albums. The New Wave style of Talking Heads combined elements of punk, art rock, avant-garde, pop, funk, world music, and Americana. Frontman and songwriter David Byrne contributed whimsical, esoteric lyrics to the band's songs, and emphasized their showmanship through various multimedia projects and performances. more »

7 fans

Written by: David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Chris Franz

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Psycho Killer" was written by the band members of Talking Heads, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth in the early 1970s.
Lyrics
Sung from the point of view of a serial killer, the song is notable for its variation on the theme of a love song, instead focusing on dangerous allure.
Album Debut
The song was first debuted on the band's debut album titled "Talking Heads: 77".
High Chart Ranking
The song famously peaked at #92 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Different Versions
There are several versions of the song that exist. One acoustic version had been performed at the band's very first gig in 1975.
French Influence
"Psycho Killer" includes verses in French, showing the multicultural influence in Talking Heads' music.
Popular Culture
The song was featured in the 2005 video game "Stubbs the Zombie", and in 2008 it was covered by Velvet Revolver for the soundtrack of "The Incredible Hulk".
Cover Versions
Several other artists have covered the song, including Cage the Elephant and Local H.
Inspiration
"Psycho Killer" was partially inspired by Alice Cooper, as band member Chris Frantz and his fellow students at Rhode Island School of Design were fans of the artist.
Song Appeal
Despite its unconventional lyrics and theme, the song continues to be wildly popular and is considered one of the best songs from the 1970s.
Music Video
The music video for "Psycho Killer" was directed by Tony Bongiovi, who was known for his work on other music videos during the 1980s.
Bass Guitar
Tina Weymouth, the band's bassist, mentioned in an interview that she used the same bass guitar for the recording of "Psycho Killer" as she did for most of the band's other songs.

Discuss the Psycho Killer Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Psycho Killer Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/904953/Talking+Heads/Psycho+Killer>.

    Missing lyrics by Talking Heads?

    Know any other songs by Talking Heads? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Psycho Killer

    132M
    821.6K     25,452

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1978

    Billboard #92


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    How do you pronounce the name of the American indie band MGMT?
    A em gee em tee
    B migmit
    C managment
    D migemt

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Talking Heads's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Talking Heads tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!