"Talking Heads: 77" is the debut studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads. It was recorded in April 1977 at New York's Sundragon Studios and released on September 16 of that year by Sire Records. The single "Psycho Killer" reached number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Sessions for Talking Heads: 77 began at Sundragon Recording Studios in late 1976, where the group recorded the track "New Feeling" and the single "Love → Building on Fire." Jerry Harrison was not present at these early sessions, as he had not yet been informed that the group had received a record deal. These sessions were produced by Tony Bongiovi and Tom Erdelyi. After learning about the recording, Harrison was eager to join, and in January 1977, the trio visited his apartment in Ipswich to teach him their songs and play a few shows in the area.
In April, the proper sessions for the album began at Sundragon Studios, with the band now a foursome. Tony Bongiovi and Lance Quinn were the co-producers for these sessions, with Ed Stasium as the engineer. Frantz claims that Stasium did most of the work on the album, while Bongiovi was often disengaged, taking phone calls, reading magazines, or discussing airplanes. Bongiovi's dissatisfaction with the group's performances led him to request multiple takes of each song, even when the best take had already been recorded. The group felt that Bongiovi was condescending and that he tried to make them sound like a different band, often being rude to bassist Tina Weymouth. Stasium and Quinn, on the other hand, were supportive of the band.
The first song to have vocals recorded was "Psycho Killer." During the recording of this track, Bongiovi allegedly handed Byrne a knife to help him get into character. Byrne rejected this suggestion and requested that Bongiovi be removed from the studio. Stasium suggested recording when Bongiovi was absent, which they did without Bongiovi noticing, as he was preoccupied with the building of Power Station Studios.
The group wanted the album to convey a modern message about taking charge of one's own life while still being enjoyable. Within two weeks, the basic tracks were laid down but required additional overdubs. Sessions were paused when Ken Kushnick, Sire's European representative, offered them a chance to tour Europe with the Ramones to promote the single "Love → Building on Fire."
During the European tour, the band continued to refine their sound and performed at The Rock Garden in Covent Garden, London, on May 14, where they were seen by John Cale, Brian Eno, and Chris Thomas. After the concert, Linda Stein, the Ramones' co-manager, introduced them backstage, where Cale, Eno, and Thomas met the band. Thomas reportedly heard Cale say to Eno, "They're mine, you bugger!" All members of Talking Heads were familiar with Cale, as he had produced Jerry Harrison's work with The Modern Lovers and was a regular at CBGBs.
Following the meeting, they went to The Speak Club to drink and discuss. Thomas declined the opportunity to replace Bongiovi as producer for the remaining album sessions. When the group returned to the US on June 7, they booked a four-day recording session at ODO Studios in New York to record vocals and overdubs, as well as to mix the album. The album was completed.
