Road to Nowhere

Production

"I wanted to write a song that presented a resigned, even joyful look at doom," recalls David Byrne in the liner notes of Once in a Lifetime: The Best of Talking Heads. "At our deaths and at the apocalypse... (always looming, folks). I think it succeeded. The front bit, the white gospel choir, is kind of tacked on, 'cause I didn't think the rest of the song was enough... I mean, it was only two chords. So, out of embarrassment, or shame, I wrote an intro section that had a couple more in it."

Reception

Cash Box said that "this marching single which features David Byrne's soothing lead vocal is a curious and circus-ride look at life." Billboard said that within the song "a cappella gospel leads into Louisiana hootenanny."

Music video

The video for the song was directed by Byrne and Stephen R. Johnson and features the band and various objects revolving, including boxes revolving around David Byrne's head. Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz portray a couple growing older, and masked businessmen pummel each other with briefcases and a runaway shopping cart, as if in their own "road to nowhere".

Some parts were shot in the back yard and pool of actor Stephen Tobolowsky, who was co-writing Byrne's film True Stories at the time. Scenes were also shot at Calvary Baptist Church in Hi Vista, California. Director Johnson re-used some of the effects techniques in award-winning videos for Peter Gabriel the following year: "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time".

It was nominated for Best Video of the Year at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, losing out to "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits.

In pop culture

The song was prominently used in the 2008 American documentary film Religulous.

Personnel

Personnel taken from Little Creatures liner notes, and Sound on Sound.

Talking Heads

• David Byrne – lead vocals and backing vocals, electric guitar
• Jerry Harrison – Hammond organ and backing vocals
• Tina Weymouth – bass and backing vocals
• Chris Frantz – drums

Additional musicians

• Andrew Cader – washboard
• Erin Dickens – backing vocals
• Diva Gray – backing vocals
• Gordon Grody – backing vocals
• Lani Groves – backing vocals
• Jimmy Macdonell – accordion
• Lenny Pickett – saxophone
• Steve Scales – percussion
• Kurt Yaghjian – backing vocals

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Cover versions and other uses

• Charlie Crist, in his unsuccessful 2010 run for the U.S. Senate in Florida, used the song in a campaign video without obtaining permission. David Byrne sued for copyright infringement and, in a legal settlement, Crist issued a video apology for his improper use.

References

References

1. "FMQB".
2. Unterberger, Richie. (June 14, 2012). "Road to Nowhere".
3. Kreps, Daniel. (November 20, 2019). "See David Byrne and 'American Utopia' Cast Bring 'Road to Nowhere' to 'Fallon'".
4. (June 15, 1985). "Single Releases".
5. (June 15, 1985). "Reviews".
6. (February 18, 2011). "The Tobolowsky Files Episode 44: The Voice from Another Room". slashfilm.com.
7. (1985). "[[Little Creatures]]".
8. (November 2010). "Classic Tracks: Talking Heads 'Road To Nowhere'".
9. Kent, David. (1993). "[[Kent Music Report". Australian Chart Book.
10. (November 25, 1985). "European Hot 100 Singles".
11. "SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Songs P–R".
12. "Jaaroverzichten 1985". [[Ultratop]].
13. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1985". [[Dutch Top 40]].
14. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985". [[MegaCharts]].
15. (January 18, 1986). "Top 100 Singles".