Talking Heads’ David Byrne Explains How He Came Up With The Giant Suit | Letterman 

He's so shy and awkward when interviewed but such a powerhouse of charisma when he performs, it's a striking contrast!

David Byrne puts the AWESOME in Aspergers. Brilliant guy, and impossible not to love.

Hands down, the absolute best concert film ever made. Spellbinding. What a band. What an album.

".....Rich texture of rhythms you don't normally hear in music....." I think DB genuinely appreciated that comment.

This guy is a music genius. He won an Oscar for composing the score for The Last Emperor, who won best picture for the year of 1987.

I think this is the nicest I've ever seen letterman. He genuinely respects David Byrne.

David Byrne has such an incredibly unique voice. Even when he's just talking casually like this, I find the tone and rhythm of his speech just mesmerizing. I could listen to him for years. We were so lucky to have him making art and music in our universe.

David Byrne is a pretty deep guy. You can tell he would like to explain fully everything asked but it would take too long and people would not appreciate it. They would not be be ready or prepared for what he has to offer so just sit back and watch the pretty lights and listen to the lyrics and someday you will be ready to understand him.

When he does that arm and leg wavy dance thing it cracks me up yet it is so neat to watch.

I miss the days when everyone was awkward on camera. I mean that sincerely.

I'm embarrassed to say, I never watched 'Stop Making Sense' until today and I've always been a fan and now 59. Wow, that movie is amazing and David Byrne's energy is beyond belief. It IS the best concert movie I have ever seen.

David Byrne-ing down the house.

I was lucky enough to see this concert in Dallas TX during the summer of 1983 - third row, left hand side, seats 1through four. It was beyond astonishing, from the first moments where David walks out to an empty, dark stage, spotlight illuminating him, sets down a boombox, hits play and starts "Psycho Killer", accompanying himself with an acoustic guitar while the stage is set with the band's performing set ups on rolling platforms, one by one until the full band is on stage. I had followed the Taiking Heads from their beginning and this was their full blown introduction to the general public. One of my top five concert experiences of all time (and I've seen many, many live concerts to say the least) Watching the film today, forty years later still gives me goosebumps. A once in a lifetime experience (sorry, couldn't resist)

Just saw the re-release this past weekend! I saw this tour live and the original release 40 years ago. I'm 67 now and felt totally rejuvenated after seeing the movie again! The whole theater was whistling and clapping like we were at the actual concert!

I was at Kenny Scarffs birthday party in Brooklyn and David was there. I eventually got the nerve to say hello and tell him what a great fan I was. He was so approachable and kind. Get memory.

Dave asks the question we all had back then, "Explain the big, uh, the jumbo suit?" Thanks Dave.

Two absolute legends at their peak. Awesome.

I remember watching this episode and thinking how much Byrne looked like Anthony Perkins with that turtleneck/jacket combo.

Love David Byrne, love Talking Heads and love Stop Making Sense. Great interview!

Uniquely David Byrne. What a legend.

You can tell he's a shy thinker by the way he reacted to the audience and the first response to Dave. Love and appreciate these guys and the completely new sound and vibe they brought.

Genuine eccentric original artist.

David Byrne: If you're reading this, you're a hero of mine.

You just feel like you're listening to the next level of humanity.

The world would be mundane without the likes of David Byrne, Annie Lennox to name another. Both artists put on Great shows. My favorite concerts!

Never again - such great music with an amazing frontman.

I've heard Byrnes say that the suit was supposed to give the viewers the impression that he was a playing card, like one of the Queen Of Heart's deck-of-cards characters from Alice in Wonderland.

Letterman was fantastic. He really helped David Byrne in this interview 😅

I love this guy. Pure genius

I regret not seeing them live, a great band.

The daniel day Lewis of music

And now nothing on tv Just appearance zero substance !! This is class pure talent the real thing❤

Very entertaining exchange between two funny and fun-loving guys.

Dave just quietly catching Talking Heads (and David Byrne) at the height of their powers. Reminds me of how easily Dave works well with the guests who "get" his humor. He can get answers and reactions that no other host could.

Awesome, love the quality! Editing and cuts could be a little less extreme here and there, but overall really nice to see! Also; small shout-out to 'TheDonz' Don Giller for keeping the Letterman-archives up and running all these years before Letterman finally got an official RU-vid account 😁

It's always said that Stop Making Sense was groundbreaking, but except for Laurie Anderson's Home of the Brave, nobody has done anything remotely like it since.

What a talented, interesting and original guy. This is the first time I’ve seen an interview with him

I love David Byrne! I can’t wait to see Stop Making Sense 2023

Seeing the re-release of Stop Making Sense tonight so getting this on my recommended is perfect.

David is one of the all time great rock performers.

Got to see Stop Making Sense in the theatre just recently, was/is still amazing!

I remember renting that video cassette from Blockbuster, I was amazed. By far, my favorite Talking Heads song is, Psycho Killer. "Say something once, why say it again"🎶

David Byrne and Robert Smith give the best interviews ever.

had the original dvd copy and wore it out. just went to see the new version and loved it as much as ever. an absolute classic forever.

Letterman: "you may need a check-up" .. made me laugh out loud. Two entertainers I have enjoyed enormously over the years.

I love him

Real artist

I wish I could experience music the way he does one day.

I saw Stop Making Sense in the theater when it came out.

Woah! This is a good one. Had never seen this interview before.

Well, how did I get here?!?

As you’ve probably heard by now (March 2023), Stop Making Sense (the film) is being remastered for re-release possibly this year!

He’s so cute.

🗣 talking heads was a great band and David Byrne was absolutely super talented 🤙🏼🤙🏼good memories, good songs! 🗣

Luv Talking Heads ! ❤

I didn't see him perform until about 2010, at a open-air event on the UK. I'd loved his music since the late 70s, but TH were hard to see in Europe. Worth waiting for. He even did a piece from Bush of Ghosts. A remarkable performer of excellent music.

Dave and Dave!

You know you're old when you seen it live.

Bryne is scheduled to perform on CBS Saturday Morning tomorrow (3/5/22).

He is amazing.....

That Jonathan Demme line would have been received differently years later. Talented souls always find a way to work together

I think he's talking about True Stories as being the project he's working in now.

lmao hes so awkward.....love it

David Byrne, one of the greats.

Interesting to think that ppl in the 80ies went to a show that was produced more or less „just for the moment“ but today is archived and accessible for everyone forever

Best Letterman interview I've seen ;)

The surrealists came up with the idea “stop making sense” decades before Byrne. I wonder if he got that notion from art school

I like this David Letterman. Not wearing a suit and just a random goldfish behind him.

His voice when he talks remembers me Syd Barrett.

2 Legends of their respective crafts.

Byrne can talk about his Giant suit, but Dave will always outdo him with his suits of Alca-Seltzer and Velcro.

David also demonstrates how he learned to fake his reaction to awkward questions and laugh them off

A very strange and sensitive, artistic man, probably 30 years ahead of his time.

Stop making sense is absolutely amazing, the energy, the music, the dancing, the connection between the band and the singers.. I prefer listening to the live trakcs ratherthan the album personally. Just a masterpiece ❤

I saw his latest show American utopia a cupple of years ago AMAZING AWESOME WICKEDLY GOOD

A masterclass in concert films.

Wonder how long it took them to plan and do the special effect at 3:51 only for it to fall flat

It suddenly occurs to me - Byrne has the qualities of a silent film actor.

They were a tad before my time but I always loved their music they kind of remind me of Devo I just love how spaced out they were I'm sure there was a bit acid here and there 😀

I remember watching this LIVE!

"Explain the jumbo suit." 🤣🤣

It's quite enjoyable watching this then jumping to the 1986 appearance then to the post-Covid appearance with Jimmy Fallon. David is a really interesting musician, writer and artist.

i wonder what‘s in that blue folder Dabid grabs from the other chair in the end

He would have been fantastic as Norma Bates ! Love him the film too watched it on repeat ❤️

Fun to watch this just after the release in 1983, in light of the 2023 re-release.

I was at one of the shows where they filmed the movie. They are great

Legend.

Love this segment… david x2!!

Brilliant man....

FANTASTIC!!@

I love it when great Davids get together.

So talented

NBC Letterman best

There is Sheldon Cooper’s inspiration

I love how David never hid if he loved or hated something.

outstanding concert film its on Prime (hopefully still is)

Amazing

What's with the blue binder Byrne picks up at the end? It was sitting there when he walked on stage. Was it something Byrne wanted to talk about but didn't get to? He looks a bit miffed at the end.

That vintage polo rugby Davids wearing is heat

What a character