If you’re a fan of the group Talking Heads, you’ll love David Byrne’s American Utopia. The performance is a mix of music and commentary led by David Byrne, the front man of the Talking Heads. This theatrical concert features a talented group of musicians who are constantly in motion. The action on the stage never stops.
David Byrne’s American Utopia is directed by Spike Lee who manages to keep the dancing and music under control during the performance before an enthusiastic audience. The film was shot in New York City in 2020 before the pandemic shut Broadway down.
If you’re in the mood for a high energy concert, this is the one to watch! Are you a Talking Heads fan? GRADE: A
SONG LIST:
- “Here” (from American Utopia)
- “I Know Sometimes a Man Is Wrong” (from Rei Momo)
- “Don’t Worry About the Government” (from Talking Heads: 77)
- “Lazy” (from Muzikizum by X-Press 2)
- “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” (from Speaking in Tongues)
- “I Zimbra” (from Fear of Music)
- “Slippery People” (from Speaking in Tongues)
- “I Should Watch TV” (from Love This Giant)
- “Everybody’s Coming to My House” (from American Utopia)
- “Once in a Lifetime” (from Remain in Light)
- “Glass, Concrete & Stone” (from Grown Backwards)
- “Toe Jam” (from I Think We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat by The Brighton Port Authority)
- “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)” (from Remain in Light)
- “I Dance Like This” (from American Utopia)
- “Bullet” (from American Utopia)
- “Every Day Is a Miracle” (from American Utopia)
- “Blind” (from Naked)
- “Burning Down the House” (from Speaking in Tongues)
- “Hell You Talmbout” (from The Electric Lady by Janelle Monáe)
- “One Fine Day” (from Everything That Happens Will Happen Today)
- “Road to Nowhere” (from Little Creatures)
- “Everybody’s Coming to My House: Detroit” (End Credits)
Yes, yes, yes! As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before (lol), I was in the audience at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles the night the Talking Heads filmed “Stop Making Sense.” (Technically, I was in the audience one of the two nights they filmed it—they filmed back-to-back concerts on successive nights and used footage from both shows for the movie.) My favorite Talking Heads songs are “Girlfriend Is Better,” “I Guess This Must Be the Place,” and “Take Me to the River” (killer cover of an Al Green classic).
Deb, I wish I’d seen the Talking Heads in concert. I’ve always liked their music. DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA will delight you!
I saw this last year and, while it’s not as much fun as “Stop Making Sense”, it’s definitely a must for Talking Heads fans.
Michael, I was surprised that everyone was running around the stage with bare feet!
I think I liked STOP MAKING SENSE more because I was familiar with the songs on it. But this was still great and I will watch it again, thus being more familiar with the songs.
Patti, I was surprised at the range of songs in DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA. There was a little bit of everything!
Yes. We watched this and STOP MAKING SENSE last year, and though I prefer the latter because it is a great album, I enjoyed this one too. I kept looking for audience shots of Deb in STOP MAKING SENSE!
Once in a Lifetime
Burning Down the House
Life During Wartime
Take Me to the River
Jeff, I liked the shots of NYC at the end of DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA. And Byrne riding his bike.
I was never a fan of talking heads, not because I didn’t like them, just never remember hearing them.
I saw this some months ago, and while it was ok, it isn’t anything I’d watch again. I was also intrigued at the bare feet
We’ve noticed at Jimmy Buffett concerts that he also does them in bare feet, which seems incredibly unsanitary, especially in outdoor venues.
Jeff, I always worry about stepping on some sharp object when I’m walking around in bare feet (which isn’t often). In the locker room at the Pool, I’ve stepped on stones, and salt crystals, and sharp objects that people have tracked in. Very painful!
At least one viewer of the live concert, the comedian Doug Benson, noted that since he had a front row seat, he had a bit too much in the way of bare feet flashing at him during the performance.
As someone who is the opposite of a foot person, I can sympathize.
Maggie, I was freaking out when David Byrne and his crew went up and down the aisles in bare feet!
I’m not too worried about dirt getting on people’s feet, so much, as with you, George, people stepping on random uncomfortable bits. We have so damned many cords running around here due to various projects and such, and simply stepping on heavy cords is unpleasant enough.
This placement of songs seems like it’s addressing the barefooting issue:
“Glass, Concrete & Stone” (from Grown Backwards
“Toe Jam” (from I Think We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat by The Brighton Port Authority)
Same here!
Don’t remember any of their songs, though I probably heard them all – but wasn’t impressed.
No.
Rick, you might be intrigued by the visual aspects of DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA.
I was a big fan of Talking Heads and saw them every time they played the Detroit area and did see them on the Stop Making Sense tour. . Stop Making Sense is a better film but this is still enjoyable.
Dancers in modern/contemporary styles generally dance barefoot, so I assume Byrne extended this to all the performers. Leaving the stage seems risky, though.
Also, some “barefoot” dancers are actually wearing some kind of footies that protect their feet while still giving them the control they need.
Different styles of dance have different moves and require different types of shoes — or no shoes. Fred Astaire had like a hundred pairs of dance shoes depending on what he needed his feet to do in any particular routine.
Jeff, thanks for the detail on barefoot dancing. I’m very careful about my feet and try to protect them. A friend of my just had two toes surgically removed because he was careless.