Take Me to the River: Talking Heads' Funky Baptism

Talking Heads: “Take Me To The River (Edit)” b/w “Thank You For Sending Me An Angel (Version)” (Sire SRE 1032) 45 single is released in the US.

US 45 Picture Sleeve

"Take Me to the River" is a 1974 song written by singer Al Green and guitarist Mabon "Teenie" Hodges. The Talking Heads recorded the song for their second album More Songs About Buildings and Food. Their version was recorded with co-producer Brian Eno in Nassau, Bahamas, was edited and released as a single in September 1978, and reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is about a baptism, a topic that jelled with Al Green, who later became an ordained minister.

The More Songs About Buildings And Food album was one of the first recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas. The studio was set up by Island Records owner Chris Blackwell, who cut the Talking Heads a deal because he needed to get some big acts in there to establish it. According to Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz, Blackwell ringed the perimeter of the grounds with chicken blood to keep evil spirits away. This voodoo worked: The band had a great experience at Compass Point and recorded their next two albums there.

This was the only cover song Talking Heads ever recorded. "David [Byrne] resented that it wasn't one of his songs that was the hit," Chris Frantz told Songfacts. "So he said, 'I'm not doing any more cover songs.'"

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RECORD WORLD, October 7, 1978 - SINGLE PICKS

TALKING HEADS-Sire 1032 (WB) TAKE ME TO THE RIVER (prod. by Brian Eno & group) (writers: A. Green -M. Hodges) (Jec/AI Green, BMI) (3:36) This Al Green hit is suddenly getting a number of covers but the Talking Heads version is the rockiest and, so far, the only single release. The spacey production is central and the lead vocal is riveting. Green's version was a major BOS charter and this one could do the same pop-wise.

CASHBOX, September 16, 1978 - Singles to Watch

TALKING HEADS (Sire/WB SRE 1032) Take Me To The River (3:36) (Jec Publishing/Al Green Music - BMI) (A. Green/M. Hodges) Taken from the album "More Songs About Buildings And Food," this single, produced by the Heads and Brian Eno, has an interesting drum sound, keyboard and guitar exotica and a flowing -along feel which makes it suited to a wide rock audience.