Talking Heads’ David Byrne Explains How He Came Up With The Giant Suit

Talking Heads’ David Byrne Explains How He Came Up With The Giant Suit | Letterman

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2 жыл бұрын

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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Welcome to the Letterman KZfaq Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

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@scottward6974 Жыл бұрын

He's so shy and awkward when interviewed but such a powerhouse of charisma when he performs, it's a striking contrast!

@garynewton1263 Жыл бұрын

Jump to the post covid appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show, what a difference! 😉

@Tamar-sz8ox Жыл бұрын

Back in the day David Byrne said his performances were “ anonymous “

@garynewton1263 Жыл бұрын

@@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.

@Tamar-sz8ox Жыл бұрын

@@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

@garynewton1263 Жыл бұрын

@@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! 🤣

@jdoedoenet Жыл бұрын

David Byrne puts the AWESOME in Aspergers. Brilliant guy, and impossible not to love.

@sking3492 Жыл бұрын

He certainly does.😮

@JoeVideoed Жыл бұрын

@@sking3492 Didn't know he had that until now. Good to see more people like me out there.

@vinista256 8 ай бұрын

@@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.

@maplelafe7671 27 күн бұрын

I dont like Aspergers

@lilaccilla 8 күн бұрын

What an amazing man

@PS987654321PS 2 жыл бұрын

Hands down, the absolute best concert film ever made. Spellbinding. What a band. What an album.

@cactaceous 2 жыл бұрын

Fully agree. It is the best concert film ever.

@Dr.JeremyDunks 2 жыл бұрын

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

@remopiccioni9456 2 жыл бұрын

It is dance music that makes you think. Kind of like aerobics on acid.

@PS987654321PS 2 жыл бұрын

@@remopiccioni9456 That is a very interesting interpretation. I'll need to reflect on this but intiguing.

@sampickel1030 2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree

@MrT67 Жыл бұрын

".....Rich texture of rhythms you don't normally hear in music....." I think DB genuinely appreciated that comment.

@lachlanwelsh5880 Жыл бұрын

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.

@ahobimo732 Жыл бұрын

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.

@nileshemming3462 8 ай бұрын

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.

@godzoookie 3 күн бұрын

Along with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Cong Su.

@nickgreen2905 2 жыл бұрын

I think this is the nicest I've ever seen letterman. He genuinely respects David Byrne.

@Itelkner 2 жыл бұрын

Well, maybe all except for the part about "needing a checkup." lol

@dadsongs 2 жыл бұрын

@@Itelkner I work with many people just like David. It's cool to be part of that world.

@Itelkner 2 жыл бұрын

@@dadsongs Cool. What is it you do?

@dadsongs 2 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@Itelkner 2 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@Tommyr 2 жыл бұрын

When he does that arm and leg wavy dance thing it cracks me up yet it is so neat to watch.

@kalebproductions9316 Жыл бұрын

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.

@markwilliams974 Жыл бұрын

Letterman is a moron and wouldn't be able to understand Byrne's genius.

@sammyn549 Жыл бұрын

Very well stated.

@areyouavinalaff Жыл бұрын

Not just a musician or singer, but a proper artist in the true sense of the word.

@jbrian53 Жыл бұрын

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.

@stvbrsn Жыл бұрын

@@creamwobbly not really. It’s called Asperger’s syndrome.

@rustybearden1800 Жыл бұрын

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)

@JohnTwelvegage 2 ай бұрын

YES , Once in a Lifetime .

@bryankellyM 9 ай бұрын

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.

@JohnTwelvegage 2 ай бұрын

58 here, the first S M S Film was EPIC !!! The new One yet not seen.

@maplelafe7671 27 күн бұрын

58 dutch here. Man we all went bunkers in the movie theaters. Litteraly everyone was dancing like at a live concert !! Never ever forget those days ❤

@porcorosso999 2 жыл бұрын

Two absolute legends at their peak. Awesome.

@jamestomkin8784 9 ай бұрын

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!

@StudioMagnetique 6 ай бұрын

Same experience here in Manchester UK. Such a great vibe in the cinema.

@P1Brand 2 жыл бұрын

Love David Byrne, love Talking Heads and love Stop Making Sense. Great interview!

@somethingyousaid5059 2 жыл бұрын

David Byrne-ing down the house.

@sshza2143 2 жыл бұрын

🥳🎶🕺🤘😁✌😎

@JokersNtheOddball Ай бұрын

That's the joke yes

@OhanaFilms Жыл бұрын

I miss the days when everyone was awkward on camera. I mean that sincerely.

@romulus_ Жыл бұрын

media training = homogenization

@DeadFlowers69 Жыл бұрын

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.

@OhanaFilms Жыл бұрын

@@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.

@lukedumet4359 Жыл бұрын

David Byrne has autism; It might explain some aspects of his awkwardness

@lucyfuir6386 Жыл бұрын

He is autistic...... yeah

@RonBaker456 Жыл бұрын

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.

@1stinlaw917 Жыл бұрын

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.

@amandavdwalt Жыл бұрын

Uniquely David Byrne. What a legend.

@shawnuel 2 жыл бұрын

I remember watching this episode and thinking how much Byrne looked like Anthony Perkins with that turtleneck/jacket combo.

@oneday458 2 ай бұрын

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.

@jackm4457 2 жыл бұрын

Dave asks the question we all had back then, "Explain the big, uh, the jumbo suit?" Thanks Dave.

@Itelkner 2 жыл бұрын

Rich Hall did an old snl Talking Heads parody. "And you may ask yourself... why the big suit?"

@liviafbf 2 жыл бұрын

And to this day they still ask him that question! Jimmy Fallon just asked David about the big suit a few days ago.

@jontaylor5482 Жыл бұрын

@@liviafbf Which is mad because he gives a perfectly reasonable answer to the question here. Ironically, it makes perfect sense…

@HeartFeltGesture Жыл бұрын

Genuine eccentric original artist.

@ginafriend1690 Жыл бұрын

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!

@supergrover453 11 ай бұрын

Both born in Scotland

@getit9066 Жыл бұрын

You just feel like you're listening to the next level of humanity.

@dadsongs 2 жыл бұрын

David Byrne: If you're reading this, you're a hero of mine.

@Fintanflaherty 8 ай бұрын

The daniel day Lewis of music

@AnthonyWhitewwfilms 11 ай бұрын

Letterman was fantastic. He really helped David Byrne in this interview 😅

@JP-qc8ud 10 ай бұрын

I love this guy. Pure genius

@calessel3139 Жыл бұрын

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.

@davidturcotte5677 Жыл бұрын

I regret not seeing them live, a great band.

@Muzikrazy213 Жыл бұрын

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.

@luislizard2626 Жыл бұрын

And now nothing on tv Just appearance zero substance !! This is class pure talent the real thing❤

@Trouble-Clef 9 ай бұрын

I love David Byrne! I can’t wait to see Stop Making Sense 2023

@daviscrump 10 ай бұрын

Seeing the re-release of Stop Making Sense tonight so getting this on my recommended is perfect.

@justjosh711 6 ай бұрын

Very entertaining exchange between two funny and fun-loving guys.

@JayDeeIsMyName 2 жыл бұрын

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 KZfaq account 😁

@chiefscheider 2 жыл бұрын

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

@JayDeeIsMyName 2 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@chiefscheider 2 жыл бұрын

True, Don is a real Letterman fan and committed to his content for sure. His compilations are great.

@JayDeeIsMyName 2 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@shawnuel 2 жыл бұрын

@@JayDeeIsMyName Don is on board with this channel. He was hired to contribute.

@Gunners_Mate_Guns Жыл бұрын

David is one of the all time great rock performers.

@1958 Жыл бұрын

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.

@fatboyrowing 6 ай бұрын

What a talented, interesting and original guy. This is the first time I’ve seen an interview with him

@bernlin2000 Жыл бұрын

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.

@greatleapforwards Жыл бұрын

yes, but he was also retrospectively very inappropriate in many instances

@BazookaToe Жыл бұрын

You missed the part about not always being rational.

@elDoober 9 ай бұрын

Got to see Stop Making Sense in the theatre just recently, was/is still amazing!

@chasbodaniels1744 Жыл бұрын

As you’ve probably heard by now (March 2023), Stop Making Sense (the film) is being remastered for re-release possibly this year!

@wildwoodandonyx 2 жыл бұрын

Well, how did I get here?!?

@campaigner1016 Ай бұрын

Never again - such great music with an amazing frontman.

@oldschoolhawking8191 Жыл бұрын

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"🎶

@imaheatfan 9 ай бұрын

David Byrne and Robert Smith give the best interviews ever.

@davedillon1372 6 ай бұрын

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!

@twowheels222 Жыл бұрын

Letterman: "you may need a check-up" .. made me laugh out loud. Two entertainers I have enjoyed enormously over the years.

@cactaceous 2 жыл бұрын

Woah! This is a good one. Had never seen this interview before.

@rosemaryberci8943 8 ай бұрын

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.

@rong1924 11 ай бұрын

I saw Stop Making Sense in the theater when it came out.

@jimcarroll9417 2 жыл бұрын

Bryne is scheduled to perform on CBS Saturday Morning tomorrow (3/5/22).

@paulellsworth4007 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍🏼

@lb6253 2 жыл бұрын

I'm watching it now! So cool. 😎

@pequenocubodesalada6891 10 ай бұрын

I wish I could experience music the way he does one day.

@juggs_mcbulge 3 ай бұрын

Why can't you?

@pequenocubodesalada6891 3 ай бұрын

@@juggs_mcbulge I wish I knew

@freqenc Жыл бұрын

You know you're old when you seen it live.

@angiemadsen4934 8 ай бұрын

He’s so cute.

@afriend621 Жыл бұрын

David Byrne, one of the greats.

@danielsr8226 Жыл бұрын

That Jonathan Demme line would have been received differently years later. Talented souls always find a way to work together

@franciscofernandez5034 Жыл бұрын

🗣 talking heads was a great band and David Byrne was absolutely super talented 🤙🏼🤙🏼good memories, good songs! 🗣

@SpottedSharks Жыл бұрын

I think he's talking about True Stories as being the project he's working in now.

@davebrown9725 Жыл бұрын

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.

@mjbl1787 Жыл бұрын

lmao hes so awkward.....love it

@BanjoLuke1 11 ай бұрын

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.

@hyphenpearce3224 9 ай бұрын

Luv Talking Heads ! ❤

@LA-ue6ov 8 ай бұрын

Real artist

@tamilee9462 8 ай бұрын

I love him

@intertubicular 10 ай бұрын

Dave and Dave!

@LiberalsArePoop 10 ай бұрын

"Explain the jumbo suit." 🤣🤣

@timothylanders3189 Жыл бұрын

Best Letterman interview I've seen ;)

@Coccobills Жыл бұрын

His voice when he talks remembers me Syd Barrett.

@jonreed5044 Жыл бұрын

2 Legends of their respective crafts.

@stevekimball7931 10 ай бұрын

He is amazing.....

@rayc7192 8 ай бұрын

David also demonstrates how he learned to fake his reaction to awkward questions and laugh them off

@ili626 2 жыл бұрын

The surrealists came up with the idea “stop making sense” decades before Byrne. I wonder if he got that notion from art school

@davebrown9725 Жыл бұрын

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.

@ZorMonkey Жыл бұрын

Wonder how long it took them to plan and do the special effect at 3:51 only for it to fall flat

@sammavacaist 9 ай бұрын

I like this David Letterman. Not wearing a suit and just a random goldfish behind him.

@kingandkongo 5 ай бұрын

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

@chalkbunt81 2 жыл бұрын

Byrne can talk about his Giant suit, but Dave will always outdo him with his suits of Alca-Seltzer and Velcro.

@StottMikel 6 ай бұрын

A masterclass in concert films.

@Na9rawi87 2 жыл бұрын

There is Sheldon Cooper’s inspiration

@heathcornbeef 2 жыл бұрын

I saw his latest show American utopia a cupple of years ago AMAZING AWESOME WICKEDLY GOOD

@aaril9438 2 жыл бұрын

So so good

@heathcornbeef 2 жыл бұрын

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

@coffeeandpeach 2 жыл бұрын

i wonder what‘s in that blue folder Dabid grabs from the other chair in the end

@PrinceWesterburg Жыл бұрын

A very strange and sensitive, artistic man, probably 30 years ahead of his time.

@ignotumperignotius630 9 ай бұрын

couldn't be done now

@TheMichaelBeck Жыл бұрын

I remember watching this LIVE!

@garynewton1263 Жыл бұрын

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.

@Moonstone115 9 ай бұрын

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 ❤

@orpheus9037 10 ай бұрын

It suddenly occurs to me - Byrne has the qualities of a silent film actor.

@stevenperry9762 2 жыл бұрын

Legend.

@davemustaki134 8 ай бұрын

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 😀