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Speaking in Tongues (Talking Heads album)

by Talking Heads

Released: June 01, 1983

New wave, art rock, funk-rock, funk

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

"Speaking in Tongues" is the fifth studio album by American rock band Talking Heads, released on June 1, 1983, by Sire Records. Recording for the album began in 1982. The success of the album was further documented in the 1984 film "Stop Making Sense," directed by Jonathan Demme, which captured the band's dynamic live performances and resulted in a live album of the same name.

Inside the Recording

This album marked the band's commercial breakthrough following their split with producer Brian Eno and a brief hiatus during which members pursued side projects.

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Explore the Album

Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues (Talking Heads album)

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Then

Reception

The album features "Burning Down the House," the band's sole US top-ten hit, which reached number nine on the Billboard Chart. "Speaking in Tongues" is notable for its crossover appeal, as it also performed well on the dance charts, peaking at number two for six weeks. "Speaking in Tongues" is Talking Heads' highest-charting album on the US Billboard 200, peaking at number 15, and it achieved platinum status in Canada, making it their best-selling album in that country.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Speaking in Tongues" is the fifth studio album by American rock band Talking Heads, released on June 1, 1983, by Sire Records. This album marked the band's commercial breakthrough following their split with producer Brian Eno and a brief hiatus during which members pursued side projects. Recording for the album began in 1982.

The success of the album was further documented in the 1984 film "Stop Making Sense," directed by Jonathan Demme, which captured the band's dynamic live performances and resulted in a live album of the same name. "Speaking in Tongues" is Talking Heads' highest-charting album on the US Billboard 200, peaking at number 15, and it achieved platinum status in Canada, making it their best-selling album in that country.