
Talking Heads have released the first-ever music video for their classic song “Psycho Killer,” in celebration of the band’s debut performance exactly 50 years ago today. Acclaimed filmmaker Mike Mills directed the visual, which stars Oscar-winning actress Saoirse Ronan as an everywoman who begins to unravel while stuck in a tedious, 9-to-5 lifestyle. Watch it below.
The music video’s release precisely marks the 50th anniversary of the band’s live debut on June 5th, 1975, when they opened for the Ramones at CBGB in New York City. In the video, Ronan portrays a woman trapped in a cyclical routine, her mood shifting dramatically from aloof to tranquil to enraged. She has an outburst at her workplace, dances in her kitchen, and lies awake in existential fear, all while those around her seem oblivious to her actions.
In a press release, Talking Heads praised the video’s unconventional direction. “This video makes the song better — We LOVE what this video is NOT — it’s not literal, creepy, bloody, physically violent or obvious,” they said.
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Mills (director of 20th Century Women and C’mon C’mon) shared his admiration for the band in a statement of his own, referencing their debut album and the experience of working with Ronan. “This album literally changed what was possible in life for me,” Mills said. “So to get to play with the subversive, uncategorizable beauty of Talking Heads, and to play with Saoirse who brought so much surprise, power, vulnerability and mischief to the party, it’s one of the best things I ever got to be a part of.”
Ronan also expressed awe at her involvement in the project. “To simply be mentioned in the same breath as Talking Heads is hands down one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me, let alone making a video with the singular Mike Mills,” she said. “I have grown up listening to their music, so this truly is a childhood/teenage/lifelong dream come true. Mike, myself and the rest of the creative team had so much fun making this, and I can’t wait for Talking Heads fans to see it!”
Talking Heads formed in 1975. “Psycho Killer” was released two years later on their debut album, Talking Heads: 77. They went on to release several critically acclaimed records, including 1983’s Speaking in Tongues, before breaking up in 1991.
The group reunited for a press tour in 2023 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their seminal concert film, Stop Making Sense, but have since turned down opportunities to perform live, reportedly including an $80 million offer from Live Nation.
A compilation record titled Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense was released in 2024 and included covers performed by artists such as Paramore, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, and the National.
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