Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh/
Psycho Killer…
The Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” stretches the genre of rock in many ways. Most wouldn’t call it rock—something closer to punk, new wave or avant garde, but these delineations are mostly boring. The Talking Heads are thought of as an 80s band because they had one of the first real big hits on MTV with “Burning Down the House”. “Psycho Killer” was released in 1975.
Any song that strays from typical subjects of love, relationships and firsthand experience is worth taking a look at. A song about a killer is simply more interesting, as the area is less explored. There are two songs on this list that also explore this space: Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” and Neil Young’s “Cortez The Killer”.
“Psycho Killer’s” has so many unique aspects that contribute to its unique sound. The sound is primarily driven by the pounding baseline and David Byrnes unique voice—it is almost a-melodic. The guitar work is unique as well: crisp harmonics in the intro to a heavily distorted sound at the end takes you for quite a ride. Of course, the French lyrics add to the mystery.
One of the more interesting aspects is his line: “fa fa fa fa fa fa fa”. For whatever reason, in most English songs we usually say “ba ba ba ba ba ba ba” or “la la la”. No idea why, but that change creates a dissonance. And this song is about a person who is disconnected from society, so that dissonance connects well with the lyrics.
We don’t get many details about the killer, other than he seems like a malcontent who feels he is above it all. He is intelligent and looks down on others. In the French verses he admits to killing and seems to relish in remembering the experience. The song seems to be a sort of warning to others not to cross him as he’s a live wire.
You’ll love this live performance of Psycho Killer: It is great performance art.
Psycho Killer Lyrics
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-fa, 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-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh
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-fa, 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-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Ce que j’ai fait, ce soir-là
Ce qu’elle a dit, ce soir-là
Réalisant mon espoir
Je me lance vers la gloire, okay
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-fa, 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-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ai-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh
French Translation:
What is it?
What I did, that evening
What she said, that evening
Fulfilling my hope
Headlong I go towards glory… OK
Songwriters: Chris Frantz / Chris Franz / David Byrne / Tina Weymouth