[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Talking Heads — Listening Wind
Album: Remain In Light
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1901









Released: 1980
Length: 4:35
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Mojique sees his village from a nearby hill
Mojique thinks of days before Americans came
He sees(serves) the foreigners in growing numbers
He sees the foreigners in fancy houses
He dreams of days that he can still remember...now.

Mojique holds a package in his quivering hands
Mojique sends the package to the American man
Softly he glides along the streets and alleys
Up comes the wind that makes them run for cover
He feels the time is surely now or never...more.

The wind in my heart
The wind in my heart
The dust in my head
The dust in my head
The wind in my heart
Tu sei sgangheraaa........AT THIS POINT
(Come to) Drive them away
Drive them away.

Mojique buys equipment in the market place
Mojique plants devices through the free trade zone
He feels the wind is lifting up his people
He calls the wind to guide him on his mission
He knows his friend the wind is always standing...by.

Mojique smells the wind that comes from far away
Mojique waits for news in a quiet place
He feels the presence of the wind beside(around) him
He feels the power of the past behind him
He has the knowledge of the wind to guide him...on.
Comments (212)add comment
Come on, William. Please bring the originL back. It's so damn good. 
 sfoster66 wrote:

PG did the defining recording of this.  (FTFY)....



Hell no. I wish this version still got played on RP. 
 ecojot wrote:

Peter Gabriel did a great cover of this


PG did the defining recording of this.  (FTFY)....

 jukes1 wrote:
 Hard to believe that this was recorded almost 40 years ago.
 
Indeed.
 Mwrwellcom wrote:

A charming little ditty about a suicide bomber fighting the imperialist invaders. At the time, we were not even the bad Guys! The shift in global geopolitics is only a little part of what makes this such a strong piece of art. Listening to what these guys were doing, and thinking about when they were dining it? Amazing.
 




Suicide bomber? I think the song's narrator lives.
Phish covered this entire album in one of their Halloween "musical costume" live sets. It gave me a new appreciation for the work of the Talking Heads, beyond the hits I grew up hearing on the radio. 
I like Geoffrey Oryema's cover of this song a lot
 ozsubscriber wrote:
This is a great stereo track. I really must get a second speaker.


 
Currently, I'm using a broken headphone with only one channel working.  I really must get a working pair of headphones.
Surely one of the greatest songs ever written. David Byrne = genius.
Desert island album for me. 
Hard to believe that this was recorded almost 40 years ago.
 Webfoot wrote:

Does there ever need to be a "point"?
 
The point is hopefully someone enjoys it, I should think?

Which with an average rating of 6.8, I'd say the Gabriel cover is enjoyable for many.
I love it when Bill almost innocently says: "I hope you're enjoying the music".
 gmichaelt wrote:

For very large values of "great", certainly. However, there was never any point in anyone doing a cover of this song.

 
Does there ever need to be a "point"?
used brilliantly in a recent episode of "The Americans"
I have this album...this is my least favorite song
Stands the test of time. Great arrangement. Compelling.
This song has lost none of its magic.
 ecojot wrote:
Peter Gabriel did a great cover of this

 
Absolument.

D'ailleurs de temps en temps, RP programme une reprise et l'original à la suite ; ce serait intéressant pour cette chanson.

Absolutely.

Besides, from time to time, RP schedules a cover and the original just after; it would be interesting for this song.
 grant wrote:
I worked in college radio (WPGU in Champaign, IL) when this album was released.  It received HEAVY rotation.  Still holds up today.

 
Things have changed there.  A lot.
solid 9
A charming little ditty about a suicide bomber fighting the imperialist invaders. At the time, we were not even the bad Guys! The shift in global geopolitics is only a little part of what makes this such a strong piece of art. Listening to what these guys were doing, and thinking about when they were dining it? Amazing.
 
There was nothing like this when it came along, and there is nothing quite like it now. Nearly overwhelming in its entirety, each aspect of it is staggeringly, ingeniously woven into the clever, searingly insightful narrative reminding us of how insurgencies so often become the favorite tools of bigger powers, and how everyone along the chain gets played. Belew's inimitable guitar work is perfect in this!
Monjic has the has the knowledge of the wind to spread the rumour.
 ecojot wrote:
Peter Gabriel did a great cover of this
 
For very large values of "great", certainly. However, there was never any point in anyone doing a cover of this song.
 VH1 wrote:
It doesn't get any better than this! {#Meditate}

 
{#Clap}{#Notworthy}  Agreed! 
Adrian Belew makes this song
prophetic
It doesn't get any better than this! {#Meditate}
 aspicer wrote:
Ahhhhhh.....let the genius ooze out!!!  {#Guitarist}

 
oh they did 
Ahhhhhh.....let the genius ooze out!!!  {#Guitarist}
epic - thanks David - TH at its best
 aspicer wrote:
BRILLIANT song - from the Heads best album.  This is called Genius - a little Talking Heads, mix in some Eno, and a splash of Belew.....Mmm, Mmm GOOD!!!! Ahem - amazing!

 
Nailed it!
Peter Gabriel did a great cover of this
My all-time favorite TH song:  4


Godlike. Period. 
  {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}    {#Fire}      {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}     {#Fire}    {#Fire}      {#Fire}     {#Fire}
 Tippster wrote:

Well the part where the terrorist feels he's doing the right thing, duh. You know only the powerful are allowed to be certain as to what's right.

 
That's not what I asked.  "The type of" is important there.  "Moral relativism" is what it is.  When did it start coming in different flavors?
 dwhayslett wrote:

Please explain "the type of moral relativism expressed in this song".

 
Well the part where the terrorist feels he's doing the right thing, duh. You know only the powerful are allowed to be certain as to what's right.
 rdo wrote:
Moral relativism of the type expressed in this song is the problem.
 
Please explain "the type of moral relativism expressed in this song".
 rdo wrote:
Moral relativism of the type expressed in this song is the problem.   It does not lead to a better understanding of anything.  There are actually many influential writers -- non-ideological -- who are exposing the myriad fallacies -- too many to enumerate -- that are implicit in song lyrics like this.  There will come a day where songs like this are no longer accepted as praise-worthy.

A solid 1.

 
Wow - you may want to avoid MC 900ft Jesus' "When the City Sleeps."

Or Johnny Cash's "Long Black Veil"

Didn't realize that music should only be happy or wistful.
imo an awesome piece of music, as well as musical-social history, it's great sound is embedded in my mind
Listen, I really love the talking heads and really dislike David Byrne, just can't stand him, not even listening to him talk. Sanctimonious ass!

But this song, so many years prior to 9/11? Pure genious! 

Colors on the street,

Red white and blue! 
 rdo wrote:
Moral relativism of the type expressed in this song is the problem.   It does not lead to a better understanding of anything.  There are actually many influential writers -- non-ideological -- who are exposing the myriad fallacies -- too many to enumerate -- that are implicit in song lyrics like this.  There will come a day where songs like this are no longer accepted as praise-worthy.

A solid 1.

 
jeez, and here I thought I was just listening to an awesome song.

{#Eek}
 pamorama wrote:
Beyond Godlike.
 

 
{#Yes}   {#Yes}   {#Yes}   {#Yes}   {#Yes}
Moral relativism of the type expressed in this song is the problem.   It does not lead to a better understanding of anything.  There are actually many influential writers -- non-ideological -- who are exposing the myriad fallacies -- too many to enumerate -- that are implicit in song lyrics like this.  There will come a day where songs like this are no longer accepted as praise-worthy.

A solid 1.
This is my fav track of this album. Can't stand "once in a lifetime". For the rest a great album.
 dogdokken wrote:
So where's the Everyone in my church likes this comment? Is that the Church of Every Single Song of Liked Saints? 

 
Seems the Church is only 89% positive, and has only weighed in on the Peter Gabriel cover of this song.
 tomcool wrote:

Maybe because some people's tolerance doesn't extend to lyrics extolling terrorist bombers.

 
Byrne isn't extolling him. Byrne often writes songs from the perspective of less-than-savoury characters.

I woke up this morning, and this song was in my head.  What does it mean?  And why is BillG manipulating my dreams?  {#Think}


Good to see so many positive comments for a Heads track instead of the usual David Byrne hate rhetoric.
have to say i quite like peter gabriel's cover of this.
Strong memories of this song, riding on the subway, being transported elsewhere.  Makes me smile.  I think I wore this cassette out on my walkman.
Beyond Godlike.
 
Zep wrote:
Pure tenness.

 
{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}
Pure tenness.
I worked in college radio (WPGU in Champaign, IL) when this album was released.  It received HEAVY rotation.  Still holds up today.
So where's the Everyone in my church likes this comment? Is that the Church of Every Single Song of Liked Saints? 
Single ended triode....Stax headphones....xcllnt

This is a great song from a great album
More of this


Beautiful and clever song. Reminds me of my student's years.
Merry Christmas, Michelle.
Never knew this was a Heads tune originally.   That's another notch on my 'must have had my head in the sand' counter.
 blotto wrote:
Really like this, has hints of influences from Eno, Belew, Fripp
 
Well since Belew & Eno played on it...
Really like this, has hints of influences from Eno, Belew, Fripp
How is this (or anything else off this album) only a 7.4?
 aspicer wrote:
BRILLIANT song - from the Heads best album.  This is called Genius - a little Talking Heads, mix in some Eno, and a splash of Belew.....Mmm, Mmm GOOD!!!! Ahem - amazing!
 
You got it. I loved the song 25 years ago. Still as good as ever.
 
There's a tune on the new Chili Peppers album that borrows heavily from this song.
 ngunnell wrote:
Another of Peter Gabriel's covers now makes sense.  Neat.
 
Explain, please! "Standing on the hose!"

Possibly the best Head song!

Even I like it!


 vorko wrote:
This entire album is fantastic—it's best listened to as a whole, from beginning to end.

Also, Peter Gabriel's cover is just as good.  Check it out.
 
It's better, far better. Gabriel sì, David "Teletubby" Byrne no.
This entire album is fantastic—it's best listened to as a whole, from beginning to end.

Also, Peter Gabriel's cover is just as good.  Check it out.
Another of Peter Gabriel's covers now makes sense.  Neat.
Belew or Fripp wailing?

Adrian, methinks
BRILLIANT song - from the Heads best album.  This is called Genius - a little Talking Heads, mix in some Eno, and a splash of Belew.....Mmm, Mmm GOOD!!!! Ahem - amazing!
 Tippster wrote:
Song about a about someone who'd be labeled a "Terrorist" these days, btw...
 
That is a very valid point that may have turned off some of the more narrow minded people.
Song about a about someone who'd be labeled a "Terrorist" these days, btw...

Mojique sees his village from a nearby hill
Mojique thinks of days before Americans came
He sees the foreigners in growing numbers
He sees the foreigners in fancy houses
He thinks of days that he can still remember...now.

Mojique holds a package in his quivering hands
Mojique sends the package to the American man
Softly he glides along the streets and alleys
Up comes the wind that makes them run for cover
He feels the time is surely now or never...more.

The wind in my heart
The wind in my heart
The dust in my head
The dust in my head
The wind in my heart
The wind in my heart
(Come to) Drive them away
Drive them away.

Mojique buys equipment in the market place
Mojique plants devices in the free trade zone
He feels the wind is lifting up his people
He calls the wind to guide him on his mission
He knows his friend the wind is always standing...by.

Mojique smells the wind that comes from far away
Mojique waits for news in a quiet place
He feels the presence of the wind around him
He feels the power of the past behind him
He has the knowledge of the wind to guide him...on.

The wind in my heart
The wind in my heart
The dust in my head
The dust in my head
The wind in my heart
The wind in my heart
(Come to) Drive them away
Drive them away.


This is a great stereo track. I really must get a second speaker.


Listened to this album in its entirety, recently on headphones. Its very Trippy and Heady. I think it was truly innovative for its time. It is still a terrific listen. What do you expect when you have a bunch of creative geniuses, coupled with an Eno production! Very Cool.
One of the few TH songs that I like.  Don't know why I dislike them on average...  other than I think DB tries to be weird just to be weird.
I get it.  You played this to punish me for my last comment.  Well played.  Well played.
 andrewimft wrote:
This is the song that got me into the Heads and then new wave and punk.

At that time in 1981, I hadn't yet gotten into punk or new wave, I was still into the '70's music.

This is the song that changed everything for me. After hearing this song and that album at my friend's house with a little smoken enhancement, I understood the world had changed, and music had brought new forms of poetry, gritty dirt and beauty to my world.

This is a great, great song about how a terrorist evolved from American intervention, done in a very innovative and entrancing way. And it was nothing like anything I'd heard before, and it was absolutely spell binding.

From this song and CD, my ears opened to Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, the Sex Pistols, the Pretenders, ska and all the great new wave music and punkers of the early 80's.
 

Punk was '70's music dude...
 MiracleDrug wrote:


ADRIAN is the shizzle!
 
{#Bananajam}

 ColdMiser wrote:
I love when you hear a song and immediately recognize the guitar player from his sound. Got to love Belew!
 

ADRIAN is the shizzle!
Great tune, and great album.
 lemmoth wrote:


That's the beauty of music. An appreciation isn't restrained by time.  Or when you started getting into a group of artists.

I saw all the acts you mentioned (except the Pistols) live in the late 70's  when they were just starting out, and own pretty much all of their recorded output to this day. 
 
I had a similar reaction to first hearing the heads. They inspired me into a finding a world of better music.

I am not a TH hater, but this songs is simply dreadful!{#Stop}
this song takes me back....to my Walkman.....and my skateboard...among other things. Good times...

I love this song!
I love when you hear a song and immediately recognize the guitar player from his sound. Got to love Belew!
This is so much better than the 'cover version' that is often played on RP.
 Synth80s wrote:
This album was way, way, way ahead of its time.  Seriously, this doesn't sound 30 years old.  And how about that crazy synth guitar work from one of my superheroes, Adrian Belew?
 
I was just looking through the comments to see if anyone mentioned Adrian Belew — I thought I could hear him!

 dggeek wrote:
It's one of the TH songs I think is OK, but I'm getting tired of hearing it already, and RP is my only exposure.
 
Really?!  I believe this is the FIRST time I've heard the original version, here or anywhere else.  I've only heard the Peter Gabriel version here (which does seem to get played fairly regularly) — and sorry to say I prefer Peter's version to the original.  I had always wondered who did the original, so I'm glad to know now!

 andrewimft wrote:
This is the song that got me into the Heads and then new wave and punk.

At that time in 1981, I hadn't yet gotten into punk or new wave, I was still into the '70's music.

This is the song that changed everything for me. After hearing this song and that album at my friend's house with a little smoken enhancement, I understood the world had changed, and music had brought new forms of poetry, gritty dirt and beauty to my world.

This is a great, great song about how a terrorist evolved from American intervention, done in a very innovative and entrancing way. And it was nothing like anything I'd heard before, and it was absolutely spell binding.

From this song and CD, my ears opened to Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, the Sex Pistols, the Pretenders, ska and all the great new wave music and punkers of the early 80's.
 

That's the beauty of music. An appreciation isn't restrained by time.  Or when you started getting into a group of artists.

I saw all the acts you mentioned (except the Pistols) live in the late 70's  when they were just starting out, and own pretty much all of their recorded output to this day. 

Peter Gabriel's recent cover is cool too.


I miss Dave ...
yes, one of the worst songs on the album. i have to be cruel and rate it only 9.6 ^^
and given the fact that the weakest track is a f***ing masterpeace simply proofs this is one of the best albums of all time.

Talking Heads by ~JSaurer
©2008-2010 ~JSaurer

one of the most important american bands!
airbrush, water colours & pencils & collage, 1986


 Ebon_Lupus wrote:
I like The Talking Heads quite a lot, but I like Peter Gabriel's cover a little more.
 
Don't agree, but they are both amazing perfomances by inspiring artists.
I like The Talking Heads quite a lot, but I like Peter Gabriel's cover a little more.
 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
worst song on the album.
9.5
 

{#Cheers}
 dogpound wrote:

yea, it's getting heavy play around here, glad to hear this version.
 
Ditto.  The original is awesome.  Think about the year this came out - to have it still sound modern is the true genius of Talking Heads.

My favorite song of theirs.

 cstetler wrote:
Peter Gabriel just released a new album of covers including "Listening Wind". 
 
yea, it's getting heavy play around here, glad to hear this version.
 katearhar wrote:
Why do I suddently have the urge to go on Netflix and rent episodes of the "Flipper" TV series....
 
Can one actually do that? 
I used to love Flipper! And Daktari, with that cross eyed Lion.
 
Peter Gabriel just released a new album of covers including "Listening Wind". 
Why do I suddently have the urge to go on Netflix and rent episodes of the "Flipper" TV series....
 westslope wrote:
Not particularly fond of the Heads but this one is kinda cool.
 
Funny... I like them usually.... this, not so much

 mrandrew wrote:


Its remarkable that 20 years later this track still sounds brand new.  It still makes me sit up and listen.  So many songs from the 80's and early 90's sound totally dated now (particularly New Wave tracks that relied on syn-drums.)  If this album were released today, reviewers would laud it as ground-breaking!
 

30 years!!!! ;-)

This album was way, way, way ahead of its time.  Seriously, this doesn't sound 30 years old.  And how about that crazy synth guitar work from one of my superheroes, Adrian Belew?
:-)  .. always welcome music from

David Byrne


Once again, the rating belies the ranting

Cool
 DaveInVA wrote:

 
"F*ck of I'm full"

Agreed.  It's one of the TH songs I think is OK, but I'm getting tired of hearing it already, and RP is my only exposure.

 westslope wrote:
Not particularly fond of the Heads but this one is kinda cool.
 


Not particularly fond of the Heads but this one is kinda cool.
gag
FrankMc wrote:
... I wish the whole "sucko, barfo" thing would go away, however. Maybe we could substitute something like "unlistenable" or "how could you?" for "S-B."


Hear, hear. I second that emotion.


 ambrebalte wrote:

This is the first song I heard from them a very long time ago. I still remember the stangeness, and how I immediatly liked it. Still do.


 

Its remarkable that 20 years later this track still sounds brand new.  It still makes me sit up and listen.  So many songs from the 80's and early 90's sound totally dated now (particularly New Wave tracks that relied on syn-drums.)  If this album were released today, reviewers would laud it as ground-breaking!
This is a truly wonderful album. Wrote earlier to say that the virulent dislike the Heads inspire in some folks (see yoogly image posted below—from Monte Pyton's "And Now for Something Completely Different"?) is one of the mysteries of my musical life. This song is transcendental but some people feel inspired to post wretched images in response to it. No accounting for taste mixed with a little bit of "Why Ask Why?" is best response I s'pose. I wish the whole "sucko, barfo" thing would go away, however. Maybe we could substitute something like "unlistenable" or "how could you?" for "S-B."

Superb song from a superb album.  One of my favorite covers of all-time.