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David Byrne was a guest on “The Late Show” and performed his song “When We Are Singing” – He also spoke to Stephen Colbert about his latest album “Who Is the Sky?”
The Talking Heads frontman stood on stage with his group of blue-clad musicians and dancers. The theatrical performance was based on an elaborate choreography that Byrne himself led. “When We Are Singing” is taken from “Who Is the Sky?”, which Byrne released in September.
He explained why he chose this song: “I don’t really like writing songs about my craft, but I thought: When people sing, they look kind of weird. You can’t tell if they’re in ecstasy. Their mouths just hang open.” And he added: “It’s always the same face.”
Color against gray times
In conversation with Colbert, Byrne also explained why he continues to reinvent his concerts and how the collaboration with his current touring ensemble came about. “I knew it should be colorful,” he said. “The last tour was gray. Not a sad show, but gray. I thought: No, in the times we live in, we need color.”
On his tour, Byrne combines solo work with Talking Heads songs, including “Psycho Killer” and “Life During Wartime.” Colbert asked him if these tracks felt different in today’s context.
“‘Life During Wartime,’ yes,” Byrne replied. “I purchased a license for ICE footage to be shown at the very end of the song. It would just seem sad and depressing throughout the entire song – that’s why it comes at the very end.”
No talking heads comeback
Last year, Byrne again dampened hopes of a possible Talking Heads reunion – even though he had reunited with his former bandmates Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison at several events to mark the re-release of “Stop Making Sense”. Byrne told ROLLING STONE that he likes to incorporate old hits into his setlist if it feels right.
“I can mix and match to fit the sound I’m making at the time without completely destroying the integrity of the older songs,” he said. “But I’m also aware that there’s a real trap lurking there. If you play too much old material, you become a legacy act that comes out and celebrates the old hits. You cash in quickly – and have dug your own grave.”
