Talking Heads had a standout year in 1985 with hit after hit from their album Little Creatures, which is widely regarded as their finest work. The band had already gained recognition for their live performances with the successful Stop Making Sense album, which showcased their ability to perform their hits in a way that exceeded their studio recordings.
Little Creatures was packed with hits, but it was Road To Nowhere that truly propelled Talking Heads to the forefront of the UK music scene. The song performed better in the UK than in the US, peaking at number 6 on the UK charts but only reaching 25 on the Billboard chart.
To achieve David Byrne’s vocals for Road To Nowhere, Byrne sang into a Neumann U87 microphone. The signal was then run through the MCI console’s mic pre and a Universal Audio LA2A before being recorded to tape. Engineer Eric Thorngren used a DeltaLabs DL-4 to provide 30-45 milliseconds of slap for the drums and vocals, adding depth and dimension to the sound. To create the signature reverb on the track, Thorngren utilized the EMT 250 digital reverb and the Lexicon 224, which were studio staples of the time.
Additionally, Thorngren incorporated the Marshal Time Modulator for chorusing effects and a Roland SDD-320 Dimension D to enhance the bass line. The resulting sound was a standout in the music landscape of the mid-1980s, cementing Talking Heads’ place as one of the most innovative and influential bands of the era.
