Burning Down the House
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Burning Down the House" is a 1983 song by Talking Heads, from their album Speaking in Tongues. One of the best examples of Talking Heads music, it is also one of their more popular, reaching #9 on the US Charts in the year of its release. Chris Frantz thought of the titular chorus after seeing a Parliament-Funkadelic show where the crowd chanted "Burn down the house."
It was covered in a Weird Al Yankovic polka, and also by Tom Jones with The Cardigans in Jones's 1999 album Reload. Bonnie Raitt covered the song on her live album, Road Tested. Even Montreal DJ/Producer Tiga recorded a cover of this song for his 2006 album, Sexor.
The house used in the "Burning Down the House" video is on May Street in Union, New Jersey.[citation needed]
[edit] In popular culture
- In the movie 13 Going on 30, Matt plays "Burning Down the House" at Jenna's birthday party.
- "Burning Down the House" also played during the Alpha Betas frat house party in Revenge of the Nerds. The title line was recited when the Alphas' antics involving a high-proof liquor and a lighter ignited the drapes.
- In Episode 1F02 of The Simpsons, "Homer Goes to College", the Itchy & Scratchy cartoon watched by Bart and Lisa is titled "Burning Down the Mouse".
- It is also played in the movie "Pirates of Silicon Valley" during the end credits. It is supposed to signify Bill Gates Burning down Apple Computer's house.
| Talking Heads |
|---|
| David Byrne – Chris Frantz – Tina Weymouth – Jerry Harrison |
| Discography |
| Studio Albums: Talking Heads: 77 (1977) - More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978) - Fear of Music (1979) - Remain in Light (1980) - Speaking in Tongues (1983) - Little Creatures (1985) - True Stories (1986) - Naked (1988) |
| Live Albums: The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads (1982) - Stop Making Sense (1984) |
| Filmography |
| Stop Making Sense (1984) - True Stories (1986) - Storytelling Giant (1988) |
