Talking Heads, Take Me to the River | COVERS

In the 3^rd edition of COVERS (2024), Talking Heads delivers a compelling rendition of “Take Me to the River,” originally performed by Al Green.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 3^rd edition of COVERS (2024), Talking Heads deliver a compelling rendition of “Take Me to the River”, originally performed by Al Green.

Sometimes, an original song doesn’t get the same buzz as a cover, at least, initially. It even happens to a musical giant like Al Green. You see, Green wrote (alongside Mabon “Teenie” Hodges) and recorded  “Take Me to the River” first for his 1974 album, Al Green Explores Your Mind.  It wasn’t released as a single, and was recorded by another soul artist, Syl Johnson, who earned moderate chart success.  However, Johnson’s success was ultimately eclipsed by the rock band, Talking Heads, who earned top-40 success with their cover (no. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979).  “Take Me to the River” appears as the 10^th track on their 1978, gold certified album, More Songs About Buildings and Food.

So, how did Talking Heads make “Take Me to the River,” a great, if initially underappreciated Al Green song, their own? In their hands, the tempo is slower. The band takes their time establishing the groove – letting it cook if you will.  Even though it’s a departure from the overt, gospel-infused, Memphis soul sound, this cover still has ample soul.  Some of the sounds that truly fuel the fire is the use of bluesy organ, distorted guitars, and its own, irresistible groove anchoring things down.  Perhaps the biggest shoes to fill are the vocals considering the anointed, once-in-a-lifetime pipes of Green.  Ultimately, David Byrne shines, serving up incredibly playful vocals dipped in S-O-U-L.  As “Take Me to the River” progresses, his pipes grow more dynamic with some of his best moments occurring in the bridge. Speaking of the bridge, this section has the argument as the crowning achievement in this epic take. Look at it this way, if the original version couldn’t get its just due, what rendition of “Take Me to the River” is more deserving than Talking Heads? It totally rocks!

🎙 Talking Heads • 💿 More Songs About Buildings and Food • 🏷 Sire • 🗓 1978

Talking Heads, Take Me to the River: Covers No. 3 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Sire; Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Matteo Milan from Pexels; MR1313, OpenClipart-Vectors, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]