This pulsating, rhythmic, funky, idiosyncratic rendition by Talking Heads stands far above most other versions.
Talking Heads – “Take Me to The River”
“Take Me to The River” (1978 – original from 1974)
Released in 1978 on Talking Heads’ 2nd album, this version reached Billboard’s Top 30, gaining the band its first widespread exposure beyond the punk / new wave scene in New York City.
“Take Me to The River” was written and recorded in 1974 by soul singer Al Green. The following year, it was covered by blues / soul singer Sly Johnson, whose version reached Number 7 on the R&B charts.
A New-Wave-Soul-Jazz-Rock-Blues-Disco-Funk Hit
Most of those other versions are interesting and some of them are quite good. But few of them compare to this pulsating, rhythmic, funky, idiosyncratic rendition by Talking Heads. (Image source)
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were one of the seminal bands of the NYC punk / new wave scene in the mid to late 1970s. The original members met at art school. By the time of their first album in 1977, they were making some of the most artistically creative music of the era.Creative Wizardry
Talking Heads disbanded in 1991, although they have occasionally reunited to play together.
Four Great Heads
On “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” four of the Talking Heads albums appear. Talking Heads were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. (Image source)
I don't know why I love her like I do All the changes you put me through
Take my money, my cigarettes
I haven't seen the worst of it yet
I wanna know that you'll tell me
I love to stay Take me to the river, drop me in the water
Take me to the river, dip me in the water
Washing me down, washing me down I don't know why you treat me so bad
Think of all the things we could have had
Love is an ocean that I can't forget
My sweet sixteen I would never regret
I wanna know that you'll tell me
I love to stay Take me to the river, drop me in the water
Push me in the river, dip me in the water
Washing me down, washing me
Till I can't, till I can't, till I can't take no more of it Take me to the water, drop me in the river
Push me in the water, drop me in the river
Washing me down, washing me down I don't know why I love you like I do
All the troubles you put me through
Sixteen candles there on my wall
And here am I the biggest fool of them all I wanna know that you'll tell me
I love to stay Take me to the river and drop me in the water
Dip me in the river, drop me in the water
Washing me down, washing me down. (Image source)
Al Green – “Take Me to The River” (Right-click to hear on YouTube)
Lyrics by Al Green, Mabon Hodges, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia
Into your ears … through 5 channels
The various posts are categorized into 5 channels (Right-Click to see details)
1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
2 – “Cover Versions”
3 – “Honor Roll”
4 – “Documentaries”
5 – “Mock’n’Roll”
More “Cover Versions” ...
Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears – "Posts 1~20"Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears – "Posts 21~40"
Links to my other series ...
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"
Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”
Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"
Vocab-Ability – "Index" to all Chapters and Sections
Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"
Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"
