Talking Heads

"Cities" is the fourth track on Talking Heads' 1979 album Fear of Music, and was released as a single in 1980. With lyrics driven by David Byrne's idiosyncratic worldview and a blend of new wave, funk, and post-punk textures, the song is regarded as a standout in the band's discography1.

Key Details

• Album: Fear of Music (1979)
• Release (Single): 1980
• Writer: David Byrne
• Producers: Talking Heads, Brian Eno
• Genre: New Wave, Funk, Post-Punk
• Length: 4:10

Musical Style and Performance

• Features a fast-paced, bass- and keyboard-driven arrangement with Tina Weymouth's funky, melodic basslines and Byrne's jittery, clean-sounding guitar1.
• The rhythm is aggressive, with a staccato "chicken-scratch" guitar attack that became a recurring feature in Byrne's writing2.
• The song fades out with a strong groove, transitioning into the next track, "Life During Wartime."

Lyrics & Themes

• The lyrics narrate a man's quest to find the perfect city to settle in, listing places like London and Memphis with deadpan humor—“Did I forget to mention, forget to mention Memphis, home of Elvis and the ancient Greeks?”12.
• The song embodies Byrne’s lateral thinking and dry wit, combining road song elements with a quirky catalog of cities and existential musings about place and belonging.
• Songs from Fear of Music, including "Cities," frequently explore themes of urban life, anxiety, and impermanence.

Reception and Legacy

• Critics and fans praise "Cities" for its energy, clever lyrics, and the unique groove supplied by the rhythm section. It is often cited as an underrated yet essential Talking Heads track.
• The song received a 9.57/10 in community ratings on dedicated fan forums.
• "Cities" has appeared on live albums and frequently featured in the band’s energetic live shows.

Personnel

Notable Facts

• "Cities" was cut from the original Stop Making Sense concert film, but added to later releases as a special feature.
• The progressive rock band Phish has covered "Cities" extensively at their live performances.
• Live versions often feature expanded lyrics and intense delivery by Byrne.

Summary Table

"Cities" exemplifies Talking Heads' adventurous approach to songwriting and performance in the late '70s, blending cerebral lyricism, relentless rhythm, and urban unease into a propulsive new wave classic12.

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