"(Nothing But) Flowers" | ||||
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Single by Talking Heads | ||||
from the album Naked | ||||
B-side | "Ruby Dear (Bush Mix)" | |||
Released | October 3, 1988 [1] | |||
Recorded | 1987 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Talking Heads singles chronology | ||||
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"(Nothing But) Flowers" is a song by rock band Talking Heads. It appears on the band's final album Naked , released in 1988. It was released as the album's second single. In addition to the band, the song features Kirsty MacColl on backup vocals and Johnny Marr, formerly of The Smiths, on lead guitar. It peaked at number 79 in the UK Singles Chart. Filmmaker Kevin Smith used the song as the opening of Clerks 2 and was featured briefly in other film soundtracks to Meu Tio Matou um Cara (as covered by Caetano Veloso) [2] [3] and the animated feature The Mitchells vs. the Machines . [4] [5] The song is quoted at the start of Bret Easton Ellis' novel American Psycho (1991).
The song's music video featured innovative uses of typography by graphic designers Tibor Kalman and Emily Oberman. [6] [7] The band performs in the video with an expanded lineup featuring Marr, MacColl, Brice Wassy, Yves N'Djock and Abdou M'Boup, all of whom performed on the studio recording of the song. The music video was directed by Sandy McLeod and David Byrne. [8]
On its release, Cash Box wrote, "A vision of a future where civilization is overrun by nature, much to the chagrin of the natives. Byrne is a genius at saying it all between the lines, and this little gem is a light-hearted romp into our greener-grass lives." [9] Music & Media described "(Nothing But) Flowers" as "a rhythmic but also surprisingly melodic song with striking vocal harmonies". [10]
David Byrne performed a briefer version of the song at the 2010 TED conference accompanied by Thomas Dolby on keyboard and the string quartet ETHEL. [11]
Chart (1988) | Peak position |
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Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [12] | 32 |
UK Singles (OCC) [13] | 79 |
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [14] | 5 |
Talking Heads were an American rock band that formed in 1975 in New York City. The band was composed of David Byrne, Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass) and Jerry Harrison. Described as "one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the '80s," Talking Heads helped to pioneer new wave music by combining elements of punk, art rock, funk, and world music with an anxious, clean-cut image.
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982 and composed of singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. Morrissey and Marr formed the band's songwriting partnership. The Smiths are regarded as one of the most important acts to emerge from 1980s British independent music.
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Speaking in Tongues is the fifth studio album by American rock band Talking Heads, released on June 1, 1983, by Sire Records. After their split with producer Brian Eno and a short hiatus, which allowed the individual members to pursue side projects, recording began in 1982. It became the band's commercial breakthrough and produced the band's sole US top-ten hit, "Burning Down the House", which reached No. 9 in the Billboard Chart.
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Kirsty Anna MacColl was an English singer and songwriter, daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl. She recorded several pop hits in the 1980s and 1990s, including "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis" and cover versions of Billy Bragg's "A New England" and the Kinks' "Days". Her first single, "They Don't Know", had chart success a few years later when covered by Tracey Ullman. MacColl also sang on a number of recordings produced by her then-husband Steve Lillywhite, most notably "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues. Her death in 2000 led to the "Justice for Kirsty" campaign.
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