"When Talking Heads started, we called ourselves Thinking Man's Dance Music"

Tina Weymouth's quote about the Talking Heads, "When Talking Running start, we called ourselves Believing Guy's Dance Music," offers a succinct yet extensive insight into the band's unique musical and creative philosophy. At the heart of this description is the juxtaposition of intellectual engagement and visceral satisfaction, encapsulated by the terms "thinking" and "dance music."

The expression "Thinking Man's Dance Music" recommends that the Talking Heads intended to go beyond the normal expectations of dance music, which is typically identified by repetitive beats and easy, appealing hooks developed mostly to make people move. By identifying their music as "thinking male's," Weymouth indicates a layer of intricacy and depth that invites listeners to engage with their work on a cognitive level, not just on an emotional or physical one. This mirrors the band's more comprehensive ambition to challenge and innovate within the pop and rock genres, creating music that was both rhythmically compelling and intellectually promoting.

This dual focus is exhibited in the band's diverse influences and experimental approaches. The Talking Heads drew from a broad selection of musical genres, including punk, funk, art rock, and world music, blending these diverse components into something novel. Their lyrics, often penned by frontman David Byrne, were defined by styles of alienation, modernity, and anxiety, addressing the intricacies of contemporary life. The music welcomed listeners to dance while concurrently provoking idea, reflection, and in some cases even pain.

Moreover, the principle of "Thinking Man's Dance Music" challenges the stereotype that dance music is shallow. By purposely branding themselves in this way, the Talking Heads contributed to raising the category, suggesting that music developed to make people move their bodies can also promote their minds. Weymouth's statement highlights an avant-garde ethos that motivated audiences to value the elegance of their balanced and melodic structures together with the intellectual and emotional resonance of their styles.

In essence, Weymouth's description of the Talking Heads not only reflects the band's innovative spirit but also celebrates the fusion of intellect and impulse, inviting listeners to experience music holistically.