“ “Psycho Killer”Psycho Killer”

1970s Punk and New Wave1970s Punk and New Wave

1970s Punk and New Wave1970s Punk and New Wave During the 1970s, the first “alternative” During the 1970s, the first “alternative”

movements emerged within rock music. movements emerged within rock music. By 1975, rock music, which had begun as By 1975, rock music, which had begun as

a vital part of the 1960s counterculture, a vital part of the 1960s counterculture, had become closely connected with the had become closely connected with the center of popular taste.center of popular taste.

Many believed that rock’s innovative Many believed that rock’s innovative potential had been squandered by potential had been squandered by pampered, pretentious rock stars and pampered, pretentious rock stars and the major record companies that the major record companies that promoted them.promoted them.

The Golden Age of Punk The Golden Age of Punk RockRock

A “back to basics” rebellion against A “back to basics” rebellion against the perceived artifice and pretension the perceived artifice and pretension of corporate rock musicof corporate rock music

Lasted from around 1975 to 1978Lasted from around 1975 to 1978

New Wave MusicNew Wave Music

Developed alongside punk rock, Developed alongside punk rock, approached the critique of corporate approached the critique of corporate rock in more self-consciously artistic rock in more self-consciously artistic and experimental terms and experimental terms

The term “new wave” was soon The term “new wave” was soon picked up by record companies picked up by record companies themselves, who began using it in the themselves, who began using it in the late 1970s to refer to pop-influenced late 1970s to refer to pop-influenced performers such as Blondie. performers such as Blondie.

Punk Music Punk Music

Punk was as much a cultural style—an Punk was as much a cultural style—an attitude defined by a rebellion against attitude defined by a rebellion against authority and a deliberate rejection of authority and a deliberate rejection of middle-class values—as it was a musical middle-class values—as it was a musical genre.genre.

To many of its fans, punk rock To many of its fans, punk rock represented a turn toward the authentic, represented a turn toward the authentic, risk-taking spirit of early rock ’n’ roll and risk-taking spirit of early rock ’n’ roll and away from the pomposity and self-away from the pomposity and self-conscious artistry of album-oriented rock.conscious artistry of album-oriented rock.

Punk MusicPunk Music

Punk was a stripped-down and often Punk was a stripped-down and often purposefully “nonmusical” version of purposefully “nonmusical” version of rock music.rock music.

It was a return to the wildness of It was a return to the wildness of early rock ’n’ roll stars like Jerry Lee early rock ’n’ roll stars like Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard, but with Lewis and Little Richard, but with lyrics that emphasized the ironic or lyrics that emphasized the ironic or dark dimensions of human existencedark dimensions of human existence—drug addiction, despair, suicide, —drug addiction, despair, suicide, lust, and violence.lust, and violence.

Punk MusicPunk Music

Punk rock and its more commercial Punk rock and its more commercial cousin, new wave, took shape in cousin, new wave, took shape in New York City during the mid-New York City during the mid-1970s.1970s.

Three groups are frequently cited Three groups are frequently cited as ancestors of 1970s punk music:as ancestors of 1970s punk music:

– The Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet Underground– The StoogesThe Stooges– The New York DollsThe New York Dolls

The Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet Underground

New York group promoted by the pop art New York group promoted by the pop art superstar Andy Warhol, who painted the superstar Andy Warhol, who painted the famous cartoon-like image of a banana famous cartoon-like image of a banana on the cover of their first LP.on the cover of their first LP.

Their music was rough-edged and Their music was rough-edged and chaotic, extremely loud.chaotic, extremely loud.

Deliberately anticommercialDeliberately anticommercial The lyrics of their songs focused on The lyrics of their songs focused on

topics such as sexual deviancy, drug topics such as sexual deviancy, drug addiction, violence, and social alienation.addiction, violence, and social alienation.

The StoogesThe Stooges Formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1967Formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1967 Working-class, motorcycle-riding, Working-class, motorcycle-riding,

leather-jacketed ancestors of punk rockleather-jacketed ancestors of punk rock Lead singer Iggy Stooge (a.k.a. Iggy Pop, Lead singer Iggy Stooge (a.k.a. Iggy Pop,

James Osterburg)James Osterburg)– Famous for his outrageous stage Famous for his outrageous stage

performancesperformances The Stooges’ eponymous first album The Stooges’ eponymous first album

(1969), produced by the Velvet (1969), produced by the Velvet Underground’s John Cale, created a Underground’s John Cale, created a devoted, if small, national audience for devoted, if small, national audience for their demented garage-band sound. their demented garage-band sound.

““1969”1969” A good example of the sensibility that A good example of the sensibility that

underlay much of the Stooges’ work is the underlay much of the Stooges’ work is the song “1969” song “1969”

Evokes a world light-years distant from the Evokes a world light-years distant from the utopianism of the hippie movement and the utopianism of the hippie movement and the Woodstock festival, held that same summer:Woodstock festival, held that same summer:

Well it’s 1969 OK all across the USAWell it’s 1969 OK all across the USAIt’s another year for me and youIt’s another year for me and youAnother year with nothing to doAnother year with nothing to doLast year I was 21 I didn’t have a lot of funLast year I was 21 I didn’t have a lot of funAnd now I’m gonna be 22 I say oh my and a boo-hooAnd now I’m gonna be 22 I say oh my and a boo-hooAnother year with nothing to doAnother year with nothing to doIt’s 1969, 1969, 1969, 1969, 1969, babyIt’s 1969, 1969, 1969, 1969, 1969, baby

New York Dolls New York Dolls

Exerted a major influence on the musical Exerted a major influence on the musical and visual style of the punk rock movementand visual style of the punk rock movement

Formed in New York City in 1971Formed in New York City in 1971 The all-male Dolls were an American response to the The all-male Dolls were an American response to the

English glam rock movement.English glam rock movement.

Although the New York Dolls soon Although the New York Dolls soon succumbed to drug and alcohol abuse, they succumbed to drug and alcohol abuse, they did establish certain core features of punk did establish certain core features of punk antifashion and helped create a new antifashion and helped create a new underground rock music scene in New York underground rock music scene in New York City.City.

CBGB & OMFUGCBGB & OMFUG (Country, Bluegrass, Blues & Other Music for (Country, Bluegrass, Blues & Other Music for

Urban Gourmandizers)Urban Gourmandizers) A converted folk music club located in the run-A converted folk music club located in the run-

down Bowery area of Manhattandown Bowery area of Manhattan The home of New York’s burgeoning punk The home of New York’s burgeoning punk

movementmovement The first rock musician to perform regularly at The first rock musician to perform regularly at

CBGBs was Patti Smith (b. 1946).CBGBs was Patti Smith (b. 1946).– New York–based poet, journalist, and singer who had New York–based poet, journalist, and singer who had

been experimenting with combining the spoken word been experimenting with combining the spoken word and rock accompaniment and rock accompaniment

– Her critically acclaimed album Her critically acclaimed album Horses Horses reached Number reached Number Forty-seven on theForty-seven on the Billboard Billboard charts in 1976. charts in 1976.

The RamonesThe Ramones

The first bonafide punk rock band The first bonafide punk rock band Formed in 1974 in New York City Formed in 1974 in New York City Their high-speed, energetic, and Their high-speed, energetic, and

extremely loud sound influenced English extremely loud sound influenced English punk groups such as the Sex Pistols and punk groups such as the Sex Pistols and the Clash.the Clash.

Became a blueprint for 1980s L.A. Became a blueprint for 1980s L.A. hardcore bands hardcore bands

Although they projected a street-tough Although they projected a street-tough image, all of the band’s members were image, all of the band’s members were from middle-class families in Queens. from middle-class families in Queens.

The RamonesThe Ramones

Began playing regularly at CBGBs in Began playing regularly at CBGBs in 1975 1975

By the end of the year, they had secured By the end of the year, they had secured a recording contract with Sire Recordsa recording contract with Sire Records

Their eponymous debut album was Their eponymous debut album was recorded in 1976 for just over six recorded in 1976 for just over six thousand dollarsthousand dollars

• The album gained some critical attention and The album gained some critical attention and managed to reach Number 111 on themanaged to reach Number 111 on the BillboardBillboard album charts. album charts.

““Sheena Is a Punk Rocker”Sheena Is a Punk Rocker”

In 1977, the Ramones scored a U.K. In 1977, the Ramones scored a U.K. Top 40 hit with the song “Sheena Is Top 40 hit with the song “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” (Number Eighty-one a Punk Rocker” (Number Eighty-one U.S.).U.S.).

““I Wanna Be Sedated”I Wanna Be Sedated”

From the band’s fourth album, From the band’s fourth album, Road to RuinRoad to Ruin (1978); a good example of their style, and (1978); a good example of their style, and of their mordant sense of humor:of their mordant sense of humor:

Twenty-twenty-twenty-four hours to go, I wanna be Twenty-twenty-twenty-four hours to go, I wanna be sedatedsedated

Nothin’ to do and nowhere to go-o-o, I wanna be sedatedNothin’ to do and nowhere to go-o-o, I wanna be sedated

Just put me in a wheelchair, get me to the showJust put me in a wheelchair, get me to the show

Hurry hurry hurry, before I gotta goHurry hurry hurry, before I gotta go

I can’t control my fingers, I can’t control my toesI can’t control my fingers, I can’t control my toes

Oh no no no no noOh no no no no no

Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba, I wanna be sedatedBa-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba, I wanna be sedated

Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba, I wanna be sedatedBa-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba, I wanna be sedated

The RamonesThe Ramones

Their music reflected their origins as Their music reflected their origins as a garage band made up of a garage band made up of neighborhood friends.neighborhood friends.

Their songs had catchy, pop-inspired Their songs had catchy, pop-inspired melodies, were played at extremely melodies, were played at extremely fast tempos, and generally lasted no fast tempos, and generally lasted no more than two and a half minutes.more than two and a half minutes.

Talking HeadsTalking Heads

Represented the more self-consciously Represented the more self-consciously artistic and exploratory side of the artistic and exploratory side of the alternative rock scene of the mid-1970s alternative rock scene of the mid-1970s

Formed in 1974 by David Byrne (born in Formed in 1974 by David Byrne (born in Scotland in 1952), Chris Frantz, and Scotland in 1952), Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth, who met as art Tina Weymouth, who met as art students at the Rhode Island School of students at the Rhode Island School of DesignDesign

First appeared at CBGBs in 1975 as the First appeared at CBGBs in 1975 as the opening act for the Ramonesopening act for the Ramones

Talking HeadsTalking Heads

In 1976, they were signed to a recording In 1976, they were signed to a recording contract by Sire Records. contract by Sire Records.

Their first album, Their first album, Talking Heads: 77Talking Heads: 77, , achieved critical acclaim and broke into achieved critical acclaim and broke into the Top 100 on the Billboard album the Top 100 on the Billboard album charts. charts.

The band’s style reflected their interest The band’s style reflected their interest in an aesthetic called minimalism, which in an aesthetic called minimalism, which emphasizes the use of combinations of a emphasizes the use of combinations of a limited number of basic elements—limited number of basic elements—colors, shapes, sounds, or words. colors, shapes, sounds, or words.

Talking HeadsTalking Heads

Instrumental arrangements Instrumental arrangements – Featured the interlocking, riff-based Featured the interlocking, riff-based

rhythms pioneered by African American rhythms pioneered by African American popular musicians, particularly James popular musicians, particularly James Brown Brown

Song features Song features – Generally quite simple structurallyGenerally quite simple structurally– Strong pop hooks and contrasting sections Strong pop hooks and contrasting sections

marked off by carefully arranged changes marked off by carefully arranged changes in instrumental texturein instrumental texture

Listening: “Psycho Killer”Listening: “Psycho Killer” Music and lyrics by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Music and lyrics by David Byrne, Chris Frantz,

Tina WeymouthTina Weymouth Performed by Talking Heads; recorded in 1977Performed by Talking Heads; recorded in 1977 The center of attention on most Talking Heads The center of attention on most Talking Heads

recordings was David Byrne’s trembling, high-recordings was David Byrne’s trembling, high-pitched voice and his eclectic songwriting. pitched voice and his eclectic songwriting.

– Byrne often delivered his lyrics in a nervous, almost Byrne often delivered his lyrics in a nervous, almost schizophrenic stream-of-consciousness voice, like schizophrenic stream-of-consciousness voice, like overheard fragments from a psychiatrist’s office.overheard fragments from a psychiatrist’s office.

Inspired by Norman Bates, the schizophrenic Inspired by Norman Bates, the schizophrenic murderer in Alfred Hitchcock’s film murderer in Alfred Hitchcock’s film PsychoPsycho. .

Analysis: “Psycho Killer” Analysis: “Psycho Killer” The recording opens with electric bass, playing The recording opens with electric bass, playing

a simple riff reminiscent of mid-1970s funk or a simple riff reminiscent of mid-1970s funk or disco. disco.

Joined by two guitars, playing crisply Joined by two guitars, playing crisply articulated, interlocking chord patternsarticulated, interlocking chord patterns

David Byrne’s voice enters in the thirteenth bar, David Byrne’s voice enters in the thirteenth bar, enunciating the lyrics in a half-spoken, half-enunciating the lyrics in a half-spoken, half-sung style sung style

The first verse (A1) gives us a glimpse into the The first verse (A1) gives us a glimpse into the psychosis of the narrator:psychosis of the narrator:

I can’t seem to face up to the factsI can’t seem to face up to the factsI’m tense and nervous and I can’t relaxI’m tense and nervous and I can’t relaxI can’t sleep ’cause my bed’s on fireI can’t sleep ’cause my bed’s on fireDon’t touch me I’m a real live wireDon’t touch me I’m a real live wire

Analysis: “Psycho Killer”Analysis: “Psycho Killer”

This verse is followed by two This verse is followed by two statements of the chorus (B), which statements of the chorus (B), which references the title of the song, dips references the title of the song, dips into a second language (French), and into a second language (French), and ends with a stuttered warning to the ends with a stuttered warning to the listener:listener:

Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est? Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est? Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far betterFa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better Run run run run run run run awayRun run run run run run run away

““Psycho Killer”Psycho Killer”

““Psycho Killer” provided David Byrne Psycho Killer” provided David Byrne with a durable stage persona similar to with a durable stage persona similar to David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust. David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust.

– Tongue-tied, nervous, emotionally distant, Tongue-tied, nervous, emotionally distant, and obsessively intellectualand obsessively intellectual

David Byrne went on to become a major David Byrne went on to become a major figure in the world beat movement of the figure in the world beat movement of the 1980s and 1990s, introducing American 1980s and 1990s, introducing American audiences to recording artists from audiences to recording artists from Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean.Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean.