Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Travel Tunes - Week 24

As travelers, we've all been there...the temptation to just pack a bag, jump in the car, and go.  No destination, you'll find that out when you get there.  We've actually tried this and, as romantic as it sounds, it rarely works out as well as a planned trip does.  The attraction is still there and this week's Travel Tune captures that wanderlust perfectly.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Jean-Luc under CC-BY-SA License
Talking Heads was formed in New York City in 1974 by David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, and Chris Frantz who all attended the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence.  The next year they added Jerry Harrison to the line up. Their first performance was opening up for the Ramones at CBGB's.  Not having much success, the band teamed up with producer Brian Eno in 1978 and came out with their first hits, a cover of Al Green's Take Me To The River and their own homegrown Psycho Killer.  Later albums with Eno produced such hits at Once In A Lifetime and Life During Wartime ("this ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no foolin' around")

After their collaboration with Eno ended in 1982, David Byrne increasingly exerted control over the group.  It was this period that produced some huge hits like Burning Down The House and And She Was.  In 1985 the band recorded the Little Creatures album which is where this week's tune is taken from

Road To Nowhere seems more like a life journey as you examine the lyrics but it fits a random road trip perfectly.  Byrne thought the song repetitious and monotonous when he first wrote it so he added the acapella chorus at the beginning to break it up.  It has an infectious beat and happy melody.  In particular, I like the zydeco accordion that is played on the track...it reminds me of a Cajun restaurant we used to spend our Saturday nights at.  Pop this one on as soon as you break loose of the city and you'll find yourself in anticipation of what the road will bring.
Enjoy!

-Darryl

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