1985 Top Ten Songs: Road to Nowhere (#2)

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The threat of severe weather hangs over us this week. Today, Wednesday, then flooding possibilities for the rest of the week. Got my weather radio and bicycle helmet (many fatalities in severe weather are caused by blunt force trauma to the head) ready. But first, music! The last two songs from 40 years ago are from my two favorite bands from the 80s, so you know who…just not what. One of those semi-mysteries is solved today with the posting of this song. #2: Road to Nowhere - Talking Heads And a memo to @Orson_Kart who is thrilled about the number of Brits on the list: David Byrne may or may not qualify (depending on Max’s opinion of Scots), too! (Byrne was born in Scotland, and also has American citizenship.) Now that we have the UN delegation out of the way let’s talk about the Heads! The thing that made them so, so splendid in my eyes, and why their music is so enduring, is how eclectic they were. You remember their biggest hit, the dance-your-buns-off “Burning Down the House.” There’s no funk to be found on this album. Instead, you’ll hear a little country (“Creatures of Love”) and a little…POLKA?! Yes, they threw a little polka in for good measure in this song. And, honestly, I don’t think any other rock band in the 80s could have pulled it off. (The only other person who did pull it off was Richard Thompson, with his song “Don’t Sit on My Jimmy Shands”…which was technically in 1991. ) All just part of the greatness that was Talking Heads. Road to Nowhere Written by David Byrne Recorded by Talking Heads From Little Creatures, 1985 I’m feeling okay this morning: