LOS ANGELES – Talking Heads’ Fear of Music (1979) channeled the raw, industrial energy of late-1970s New York City into one of the group’s most rhythmically adventurous albums. The release of this expanded collection comes alongside a special band appearance on SiriusXM’s Front Row to launch a dedicated Talking Heads SiriusXM channel, where the group directly announced the new edition to fans. Rhino introduces a Super Deluxe Edition arriving November 13 that features rare and unreleased music, as well as new mixes.
The vinyl and CD Super Deluxe Editions come with a 60-page hardcover book featuring rare photos and deep-dive liner notes by Will Hermes, author of Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Five Years in New York That Changed Music Forever.
The Blu-ray includes new Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, and high-resolution stereo mixes of the album, along with rare film footage of the band performing two songs in England for the BBC’s popular music show, Old Grey Whistle Test. The live performance of “Life During Wartime” from that BBC broadcast is officially published to the band’s YouTube channel today. The live performance of “Life During Wartime” from that broadcast is available to view today.
Released on August 3, 1979, Fear of Music earned Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison their highest placement yet on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 21 and becoming their first gold album. Its dystopian anthem “Life During Wartime” — which officially achieves RIAA Gold certification status for the very first time today — cracked the Billboard Hot 100 as a left-field Top 40 success, introducing the band to an even wider audience. Critics praised the album’s anxious songwriting and producer Brian Eno’s dense, layered production—with NME, Melody Maker, and the Los Angeles Times all crowning it the best album of 1979.
Track list:
CD One: 2026 Remaster
- “I Zimbra”
- “Mind”
- “Paper”
- “Cities”
- “Life During Wartime”
- “Memories Can’t Wait”
- “Air”
- “Heaven”
- “Animals”
- “Electric Guitar”
- “Drugs”
Rarities
- “Mind” – Alternate Version
- “Life During Wartime” – Alternate Version
- “Dancing For Money” – Unfinished Outtake
- “Cities” – Alternate Version
- “Drugs” – Alternate Version
- “I Zimbra” – 12” Version
CD Two: Live at the Berklee Performance Center, Boston, MA (8/24/79)
- “Artists Only” *
- “Stay Hungry” *
- “Cities”
- “Paper” *
- “Mind”
- “Heaven” *
- “The Book I Read” *
- “Electric Guitar” *
- “Air” *
- “Warning Sign” *
- “Love Goes To A Building On Fire” *
- “Memories Can’t Wait” *
- “Psycho Killer” *
- “Life During Wartime” *
- “Take Me To The River” *
CD Three: Live At Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ (11/17/79)
- “Artists Only”
- “Stay Hungry”
- “Cities” *
- “Paper” *
- “Mind” *
- “Heaven”
- “Electric Guitar” *
- “Air”
- “Animals” *
- “Love Goes To A Building On Fire”
- “Found A Job” *
- “Memories Can’t Wait”
- “Psycho Killer” *
- “Life During Wartime” *
Blu-Ray
Audio: Hi-Res Stereo, 5.1 & Atmos Mix of original album (2026 Remaster)
Video: Live on Old Grey Whistle Test, 1979
“Life During Wartime”
“Air”