This Must Be the Place

This Must Be the Place is a song written by David Byrne and performed by the American new wave band Talking Heads. The song was featured on the band's 1983 album Speaking in Tongues, which also included the hit singles Burning Down the House and Slippery People. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Arcade Fire, The Lumineers, and Iron & Wine, and has been featured in various films and television shows, such as The Simpsons, The Sopranos, and Six Feet Under. The song's unique blend of art rock and funk influences, as seen in the works of Brian Eno and Fela Kuti, has made it a standout track in the Talking Heads discography, which also includes albums like Remain in Light and Little Creatures.

● Background

The song This Must Be the Place was written by David Byrne during a period of experimentation and creativity for the band, which was influenced by the works of Kraftwerk, The Velvet Underground, and The Stooges. The song's lyrics, which explore themes of love, relationships, and identity, were inspired by Byrne's own experiences and observations, as well as the works of William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg. The song has been praised for its innovative use of polyrhythms and world music influences, which were also explored by other artists of the time, such as Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon. The song's production, which was handled by Byrne and Brian Eno, features a distinctive blend of guitar and bass lines, reminiscent of the works of The Police and The Clash.

● Composition

The composition of This Must Be the Place is notable for its use of unconventional time signatures and percussion elements, which were influenced by the works of Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The song's guitar riff, which was played by Byrne and Adrian Belew, is a key element of the song's distinctive sound, which has been compared to the works of The Cure and Depeche Mode. The song's bass line, which was played by Tina Weymouth, is also a notable feature of the song, and has been praised for its melodic and rhythmic complexity, similar to the bass lines of Fleetwood Mac and The Pretenders. The song's lyrics, which were written by Byrne, explore themes of love and relationships, and feature references to Greek mythology and Christianity, as well as the works of James Joyce and T.S. Eliot.

● Release and Reception

This Must Be the Place was released as a single in 1983, and received widespread critical acclaim from critics, including Robert Christgau and Greil Marcus. The song was praised for its innovative production and Byrne's distinctive vocals, which were compared to the works of David Bowie and Elvis Costello. The song was also a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the band's most popular singles, alongside Psycho Killer and Once in a Lifetime. The song has since been featured in various films and television shows, including The Simpsons, The Sopranos, and Six Feet Under, and has been covered by numerous artists, including Arcade Fire, The Lumineers, and Iron & Wine, as well as The National and Bon Iver.

● Track Listings

The song This Must Be the Place has been featured on several Talking Heads albums, including Speaking in Tongues and Sand in the Vaseline. The song has also been released as a single, with B-side tracks such as Slippery People and Making Flippy Floppy. The song has been included on various compilation albums, including Once in a Lifetime: The Best of Talking Heads and The Best of Talking Heads, as well as Remain in Light and Little Creatures. The song's music video, which was directed by David Byrne and Toni Basil, features the band performing the song live, and has been praised for its innovative use of choreography and visual effects, similar to the works of Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze.

● Personnel

The personnel involved in the recording of This Must Be the Place include David Byrne on vocals and guitar, Chris Frantz on drums, Tina Weymouth on bass, and Jerry Harrison on keyboards and guitar. The song was produced by Byrne and Brian Eno, who also worked on other Talking Heads albums, including Remain in Light and Little Creatures. The song's engineering was handled by Butch Jones and Tony Levin, who also worked with other artists, such as King Crimson and Peter Gabriel. The song's mixing was handled by Byrne and Eno, who also worked on other projects, including U2's The Unforgettable Fire and Coldplay's Parachutes.

● Chart Performance

This Must Be the Place was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the band's most popular singles. The song also reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart and the Australian Singles Chart, and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song's success helped to establish Talking Heads as one of the most innovative and influential bands of the 1980s, alongside The Police, The Clash, and Depeche Mode. The song's influence can be heard in the works of later artists, such as Radiohead, Arcade Fire, and The National, as well as TV on the Radio and Vampire Weekend. Category:1983 singles