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* Cloudcuckoolander: David Byrne definitely comes across as this, if not during the actual concert, then during his famous interview with himself about the film.
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* LargeHam: Byrne, unsurprisingly, but also drummer Chris Frantz (''especially'' during Genius of Love) and percussionist Steve Scales, both of whom mug for the audience every chance they get.
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* LargeHam: Byrne, unsurprisingly, but also drummer Chris Frantz (''especially'' during Genius of Of Love) and percussionist Steve Scales, both of whom mug for the audience every chance they get.
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* LargeHam: Byrne, unsurprisingly, but also drummer Chris Frantz and percussionist Steve Scales, both of whom mug for the audience every chance they get.
to:
* LargeHam: Byrne, unsurprisingly, but also drummer Chris Frantz (''especially'' during Genius of Love) and percussionist Steve Scales, both of whom mug for the audience every chance they get.
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* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: Tina Weymouth's Tom Tom Club does their OneHitWonder song ''Genius Of Love'' during the break.
to:
* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: Tina Weymouth's Tom Tom Club Music/TomTomClub does their OneHitWonder song ''Genius {{One Hit|Wonder}} "Genius Of Love'' Love" during the break.
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* ReCut:
** For the first home video release, three extra songs were inserted into the middle of the show. Later DVD releases went back to the theatrical cut, but included those extra songs as bonus content.
** The album version was heavily edited, with drums on most songs completely re-recorded. (Byrne said that he ''wanted'' the album to be something completely separate, rather than just a soundtrack for the film.) In 1999, it was rereleased as ''Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition'', and this version ''was'' the soundtrack from the film.
** For the first home video release, three extra songs were inserted into the middle of the show. Later DVD releases went back to the theatrical cut, but included those extra songs as bonus content.
** The album version was heavily edited, with drums on most songs completely re-recorded. (Byrne said that he ''wanted'' the album to be something completely separate, rather than just a soundtrack for the film.) In 1999, it was rereleased as ''Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition'', and this version ''was'' the soundtrack from the film.
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* (Don't) SpellMyNameWithAThe: It's not "The Talking Heads", ''Chris Frantz, drummer for the band Talking Heads''.
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* TheTheTitleConfusion: It's not "The Talking Heads", ''Chris Frantz, drummer for the band Talking Heads''.
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And so we see Talking Heads unleashing their unique creativity, but at the same time we see their camaraderie with each other. Nearly everyone gets a chance to shine and show off their personalities. And then there's the music itself, which is, broadly speaking, Music/NewWave, but with a host of other influences, especially {{funk}}. About half the songs are from the ''Speaking in Tongues'' album, which their tour was supporting, but they also play several of their older numbers. It's an eclectic playlist with something for almost everyone.
to:
And so we see Talking Heads unleashing their unique creativity, but at the same time we see their camaraderie with each other. Nearly everyone gets a chance to shine and show off their personalities. And then there's the music itself, which is, broadly speaking, Music/NewWave, [[NewWaveMusic New Wave]], but with a host of other influences, especially {{funk}}. About half the songs are from the ''Speaking in Tongues'' album, which their tour was supporting, but they also play several of their older numbers. It's an eclectic playlist with something for almost everyone.
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* LoopingLines: Byrne's famous line "Does anybody have any questions?" after the band finishes "Life During Wartime" was dubbed in, over the far more mundane "We're going to take a short break... we'll be right back" (which can still be heard on the soundtrack album).
to:
* LoopingLines: Byrne's famous line "Does anybody have any questions?" after the band finishes "Life During Wartime" was dubbed in, over the far more mundane "We're going to take a short break... we'll be right back" (which can still be heard on the soundtrack album). Other instrumental parts were occasionally overdubbed to get rid of imperfections.
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** So is his "staggering" dance during "Psycho Killer."
*** Actually the staggering was meant to reference the way the main character of the film ''Breathless'' staggers after being shot (you'll notice that right before Byrne staggers the drum machine's beat is very rapid and sounds similar to a machine gun).
*** Actually the staggering was meant to reference the way the main character of the film ''Breathless'' staggers after being shot (you'll notice that right before Byrne staggers the drum machine's beat is very rapid and sounds similar to a machine gun).
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** So is his His "staggering" dance during "Psycho Killer."
*** Actually the staggering was meant toKiller" is a reference the way the main character of the film ''Breathless'' staggers after being shot (you'll notice that right before Byrne staggers the drum machine's beat is very rapid and sounds similar to a machine gun).
*** Actually the staggering was meant to
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* TalkingHeads: Averted, ironically. There are no Talking Heads in a movie about Music/TalkingHeads.
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* TalkingHeads: Averted, ironically.Averted. There are no Talking Heads in a movie about Music/TalkingHeads.
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-->'''RogerEbert''': Watching the Talking Heads in concert is a little like rock 'n' roll crossed with "JaneFonda's Workout."
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* PopCultureOsmosis: The Big Suit. ''TheSimpsons'' episode with David Byrne AsHimself has he and Homer briefly wearing the Big Suit ''together''.
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* PopCultureOsmosis: PopCultureOsmosis:
** The Big Suit. ''TheSimpsons'' episode with David Byrne AsHimself has he and Homer briefly wearing the Big Suit''together''.''together''.
** The concert is also remembered as TheOneWith aerobic jogging by the band during songs.
** The Big Suit. ''TheSimpsons'' episode with David Byrne AsHimself has he and Homer briefly wearing the Big Suit
** The concert is also remembered as TheOneWith aerobic jogging by the band during songs.
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* BilingualBonus: "Psycho Killer" features lyrics in French.
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** The contributions of the backing singers and additional musicians, if anything, heightens the lyrical dissonance of "Life During Wartime".
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* PopCultureOsmosis: The Big Suit. ''TheSimpsons'' episode with David Byrne AsHimself has he and Homer briefly wearing the Big Suit ''together''.
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''Stop Making Sense'' is a concert film featuring Music/TalkingHeads, and is often regarded by critics as the finest example of the genre. It was directed by Creator/JonathanDemme and released in 1984, and documents three separate concerts filmed in Los Angeles in December 1983, with all the footage spliced together.
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''Stop Making Sense'' is a concert film featuring Music/TalkingHeads, and is often regarded by critics as the finest example of the genre. It was directed by Creator/JonathanDemme Jonathan Demme and released in 1984, and documents three separate concerts filmed in Los Angeles in December 1983, with all the footage spliced together.
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Changed line(s) 6,7 (click to see context) from:
''Stop Making Sense'' is a concert film featuring Music/TalkingHeads, and is often regarded by critics as the finest example of the genre. It was directed by [[Literature/TheSilenceOfTheLambs Jonathan Demme]] and released in 1984, and documents three separate concerts filmed in Los Angeles in December 1983, with all the footage spliced together.
to:
''Stop Making Sense'' is a concert film featuring Music/TalkingHeads, and is often regarded by critics as the finest example of the genre. It was directed by [[Literature/TheSilenceOfTheLambs Jonathan Demme]] Creator/JonathanDemme and released in 1984, and documents three separate concerts filmed in Los Angeles in December 1983, with all the footage spliced together.
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* AudienceParticipation: At screenings, the audience would often act as if they were at a real concert
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* AudienceParticipation: At screenings, the audience would often act as if they were at a real concertconcert.
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Changed line(s) 36 (click to see context) from:
* SillyLoveSongs: Spectacularly [[AvertedTrope averted]]; only one song ("This Must Be the Place") is a love song, and it is sung ''[[[=CloudCuckooLander=] to a lamp]]''. On the other hand, you could make the case that they're going for quality over quantity.
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* SillyLoveSongs: Spectacularly [[AvertedTrope averted]]; only one song ("This Must Be the Place") is a love song, and it is sung ''[[[=CloudCuckooLander=] ''[[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} to a lamp]]''. On the other hand, you could make the case that they're going for quality over quantity.
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Changed line(s) 6,7 (click to see context) from:
''Stop Making Sense'' is a concert film featuring Music/TalkingHeads, and is often regarded by critics as the finest example of the genre. It was directed by [[SilenceOfTheLambs Jonathan Demme]] and released in 1984, and documents three separate concerts filmed in Los Angeles in December 1983, with all the footage spliced together.
to:
''Stop Making Sense'' is a concert film featuring Music/TalkingHeads, and is often regarded by critics as the finest example of the genre. It was directed by [[SilenceOfTheLambs [[Literature/TheSilenceOfTheLambs Jonathan Demme]] and released in 1984, and documents three separate concerts filmed in Los Angeles in December 1983, with all the footage spliced together.
Changed line(s) 36 (click to see context) from:
* SillyLoveSongs: Spectacularly [[AvertedTrope averted]]; only one song ("This Must Be the Place") is a love song, and it is sung ''[[CloudCuckooLander to a lamp]]''. On the other hand, you could make the case that they're going for quality over quantity.
to:
* SillyLoveSongs: Spectacularly [[AvertedTrope averted]]; only one song ("This Must Be the Place") is a love song, and it is sung ''[[CloudCuckooLander ''[[[=CloudCuckooLander=] to a lamp]]''. On the other hand, you could make the case that they're going for quality over quantity.
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* TalkingHeads: Averted, ironically. There are no TalkingHeads in a movie about Music/TalkingHeads.
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* TalkingHeads: Averted, ironically. There are no TalkingHeads Talking Heads in a movie about Music/TalkingHeads.
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* AudienceParticipation: At screenings, the audience would often act as if they were at a real concert
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* InherentlyFunnyWords: The slides shown during "Making Flippy Floppy" are supposed to be phrases that Byrne thought were funny.
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Definitely one of the definitive concert film experiences, and a [[GatewaySeries perfect introduction]] to the genre, not to mention the band itself.
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Definitely one of the definitive concert film experiences, and a [[GatewaySeries perfect introduction]] to the genre, not to mention the band itself. It's like ''Series/SixtyMinutes'' on acid.
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* AsceticAesthetic: David Byrne's stage design was intended to get rid of "distracting" elements, such as cups of water, to focus on the music itself. The instruments and even the microphones were all painted matte-black.
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* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: Tina Weymouth's Tom Tom Club does their OneHitWonder song ''Genius Of Love'' during the break.
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** The song is not exactly being sung to a lamp - it's a song about the comfort of home. The lamp represents that.
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** UpToEleven in ''Once In a Lifetime'', when the camera stays on Byrne for the entire song, and the light / dark is very contrasted.
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** Byrne saved them for his film ''TrueStories''.
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* IconicOutfit: The big - and we mean ''big'' - suit that Byrne wears in the last part of the concert is forever associated with both him and this movie.
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* TalkingHeads: Averted. Ironically, there are no TalkingHeads in a movie about Music/TalkingHeads.
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* TalkingHeads: Averted. Ironically, there Averted, ironically. There are no TalkingHeads in a movie about Music/TalkingHeads.
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[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/71JV1TJ9SRL__SL500_AA300__gif_6156.jpeg]]
->''"Hi. I've got a tape I want to play."''
-->--'''David Byrne''', frontman of Music/TalkingHeads, opening the concert
''Stop Making Sense'' is a concert film featuring Music/TalkingHeads, and is often regarded by critics as the finest example of the genre. It was directed by [[SilenceOfTheLambs Jonathan Demme]] and released in 1984, and documents three separate concerts filmed in Los Angeles in December 1983, with all the footage spliced together.
Even though the film contains footage from all three concerts, it plays as a unified whole, and our attention is always on the performers onstage as they progress through their set. There are no cutaways to the audience until the very last number; there are no features on the band and their musical evolution; there are no [[TalkingHeads interviews with the musicians]] backstage as they prepare for the concert. The camerawork is extremely understated and naturalistic, with [[TheOner very long takes]] and no quick cuts.
All of these qualities are extremely rare among concert films, then and now, especially in contrast to the music videos that were changing the shape of the industry at the time. The great appeal and staying power of the movie is the single-minded simplicity. The viewer watches the band perform, and judges them on their own merits as musicians and entertainers, just like a real concert audience.
And so we see Talking Heads unleashing their unique creativity, but at the same time we see their camaraderie with each other. Nearly everyone gets a chance to shine and show off their personalities. And then there's the music itself, which is, broadly speaking, Music/NewWave, but with a host of other influences, especially {{funk}}. About half the songs are from the ''Speaking in Tongues'' album, which their tour was supporting, but they also play several of their older numbers. It's an eclectic playlist with something for almost everyone.
Definitely one of the definitive concert film experiences, and a [[GatewaySeries perfect introduction]] to the genre, not to mention the band itself.
----
!!This film contains examples of:
* {{Chiaroscuro}}: The primary lighting style used throughout the film.
* ControlFreak: David Byrne wouldn't allow cups of water on the stage, according to Tina Weymouth.
* CreepyMonotone: This is how Byrne sings many of the songs, though he is complemented by the more soulful backup singers.
* DebutQueue: Each of the four band members comes out one song at a time, followed by the backing musicians for the fifth number. At the same time, the stage is being assembled in full view of the audience.
* IWasQuiteAFashionVictim: Tina Weymouth, in the DVD commentary on her stage costume of the time: "Ah yes, the blimp suit. [[SarcasmMode It must have looked very modern in]] TheEighties."
* LampshadeHanging: Literally.
* LargeHam: Byrne, unsurprisingly, but also drummer Chris Frantz and percussionist Steve Scales, both of whom mug for the audience every chance they get.
* LoopingLines: Byrne's famous line "Does anybody have any questions?" after the band finishes "Life During Wartime" was dubbed in, over the far more mundane "We're going to take a short break... we'll be right back" (which can still be heard on the soundtrack album).
* LyricalDissonance: A trademark of the band, and in full evidence here.
* TheOner: There are quite a few of these.
* ShoutOut: David Byrne's dance with a lamp is a reference to Fred Astaire's film dances.
** So is his "staggering" dance during "Psycho Killer."
*** Actually the staggering was meant to reference the way the main character of the film ''Breathless'' staggers after being shot (you'll notice that right before Byrne staggers the drum machine's beat is very rapid and sounds similar to a machine gun).
* SillyLoveSongs: Spectacularly [[AvertedTrope averted]]; only one song ("This Must Be the Place") is a love song, and it is sung ''[[CloudCuckooLander to a lamp]]''. On the other hand, you could make the case that they're going for quality over quantity.
* (Don't) SpellMyNameWithAThe: It's not "The Talking Heads", ''Chris Frantz, drummer for the band Talking Heads''.
* SomethingSomethingLeonardBernstein: Byrne deliberately sings in a very obtuse style, so those of you who want to sing along might need a lyric sheet.
* TalkingHeads: Averted. Ironically, there are no TalkingHeads in a movie about Music/TalkingHeads.
* TitleDrop: Of the film itself, during the song "Girlfriend Is Better". Many of the songs are also have their titles dropped, of course.
----
->''"Hi. I've got a tape I want to play."''
-->--'''David Byrne''', frontman of Music/TalkingHeads, opening the concert
''Stop Making Sense'' is a concert film featuring Music/TalkingHeads, and is often regarded by critics as the finest example of the genre. It was directed by [[SilenceOfTheLambs Jonathan Demme]] and released in 1984, and documents three separate concerts filmed in Los Angeles in December 1983, with all the footage spliced together.
Even though the film contains footage from all three concerts, it plays as a unified whole, and our attention is always on the performers onstage as they progress through their set. There are no cutaways to the audience until the very last number; there are no features on the band and their musical evolution; there are no [[TalkingHeads interviews with the musicians]] backstage as they prepare for the concert. The camerawork is extremely understated and naturalistic, with [[TheOner very long takes]] and no quick cuts.
All of these qualities are extremely rare among concert films, then and now, especially in contrast to the music videos that were changing the shape of the industry at the time. The great appeal and staying power of the movie is the single-minded simplicity. The viewer watches the band perform, and judges them on their own merits as musicians and entertainers, just like a real concert audience.
And so we see Talking Heads unleashing their unique creativity, but at the same time we see their camaraderie with each other. Nearly everyone gets a chance to shine and show off their personalities. And then there's the music itself, which is, broadly speaking, Music/NewWave, but with a host of other influences, especially {{funk}}. About half the songs are from the ''Speaking in Tongues'' album, which their tour was supporting, but they also play several of their older numbers. It's an eclectic playlist with something for almost everyone.
Definitely one of the definitive concert film experiences, and a [[GatewaySeries perfect introduction]] to the genre, not to mention the band itself.
----
!!This film contains examples of:
* {{Chiaroscuro}}: The primary lighting style used throughout the film.
* ControlFreak: David Byrne wouldn't allow cups of water on the stage, according to Tina Weymouth.
* CreepyMonotone: This is how Byrne sings many of the songs, though he is complemented by the more soulful backup singers.
* DebutQueue: Each of the four band members comes out one song at a time, followed by the backing musicians for the fifth number. At the same time, the stage is being assembled in full view of the audience.
* IWasQuiteAFashionVictim: Tina Weymouth, in the DVD commentary on her stage costume of the time: "Ah yes, the blimp suit. [[SarcasmMode It must have looked very modern in]] TheEighties."
* LampshadeHanging: Literally.
* LargeHam: Byrne, unsurprisingly, but also drummer Chris Frantz and percussionist Steve Scales, both of whom mug for the audience every chance they get.
* LoopingLines: Byrne's famous line "Does anybody have any questions?" after the band finishes "Life During Wartime" was dubbed in, over the far more mundane "We're going to take a short break... we'll be right back" (which can still be heard on the soundtrack album).
* LyricalDissonance: A trademark of the band, and in full evidence here.
* TheOner: There are quite a few of these.
* ShoutOut: David Byrne's dance with a lamp is a reference to Fred Astaire's film dances.
** So is his "staggering" dance during "Psycho Killer."
*** Actually the staggering was meant to reference the way the main character of the film ''Breathless'' staggers after being shot (you'll notice that right before Byrne staggers the drum machine's beat is very rapid and sounds similar to a machine gun).
* SillyLoveSongs: Spectacularly [[AvertedTrope averted]]; only one song ("This Must Be the Place") is a love song, and it is sung ''[[CloudCuckooLander to a lamp]]''. On the other hand, you could make the case that they're going for quality over quantity.
* (Don't) SpellMyNameWithAThe: It's not "The Talking Heads", ''Chris Frantz, drummer for the band Talking Heads''.
* SomethingSomethingLeonardBernstein: Byrne deliberately sings in a very obtuse style, so those of you who want to sing along might need a lyric sheet.
* TalkingHeads: Averted. Ironically, there are no TalkingHeads in a movie about Music/TalkingHeads.
* TitleDrop: Of the film itself, during the song "Girlfriend Is Better". Many of the songs are also have their titles dropped, of course.
----
