Building off the momentum of the impending delivery, Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense, the latest chapter of the project has been revealed today. After announcing the 40th-anniversary homage, the folks behind the record followed up with Lorde’s adaption of the Al Green and Mabon Lewis Hodges co-write, turning Talking Heads staple, “Take Me to the River.”
A cover of a cover, Lorde’s rendition of the Talking Heads’ 1978 interpretation of “Take Me to the River” accentuates the original’s soul lean while setting aside space for sensuality, sleekly delivered over a bass-led melody, synth arpeggios and a striking force of percussive crashes. Paired with the cover is a heartfelt letter from the New Zealand-bred artist, who touched on her history with Talking Heads music.
She asked, “Do you remember the first time you ever heard Talking Heads?” Answering her own query, Lorde referenced her mother’s influence during a time when pre-pubescence emotions dominate and the heart flutters for meaning wherever it can find it. Running a reel of feelings, the artist closed her note with thanks to the artists and promised to bestow the same experience she felt on listeners of her “Take Me to the River” cover. Read the artist’s letter in full below.
Besides Lorde’s contributions, Everyone’s Getting Involved features 16 total tracks recontextualized by BADBADNOTGOOD, Blondshell, The Cavemen., Chicano Batman Feat. Money Mark, DJ Tunez, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, girl in red, Jean Dawson, Kevin Abstract, The Linda Lindas, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Paramore, Teezo Touchdown, The National and Toro y Moi.
Listen to “Take Me to the River” below.
