‘Talking Heads: 77’ Gets Deluxe Editions

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Talking Heads have issued an expanded edition of their celebrated debut album. Talking Heads: 77 (Deluxe Edition), featuring a 2024 remaster of the original album, along with B-sides, alternate versions, acoustic versions and previously unreleased live recordings from that year. The expanded edition, comprising 3-CDs/Blu-ray, arrived November 8, 2024, via Rhino and is available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here. Listen to many of the tracks below.

The set offers 13 previously unreleased live recordings captured during their memorable last performance at CBGB’s in New York on October 10, 1977. These renditions of “Psycho Killer,” “Uh-Oh Love Comes to Town,” and “Take Me To the River” see Talking Heads in front of a rabid hometown crowd unassumingly witnessing history-in-the-making.

The 3-CD/Blu-Ray Deluxe Edition provides an optimal sonic experience with the Blu-Ray boasting a brand new Atmos Mix, 5.1 Mix DTS-HD MA, 5.1 Mix LPCM, all overseen by Harrison, and a 2024 Stereo Remaster. It also features a 80-page hardcover book comprising never-before-seen photos, fliers, artwork, and thoughtful liner notes personally penned by each member—Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison—plus notes by recording engineer Ed Stasium.

Among the plethora of extras, the collection includes the rare “Psycho Killer (Acoustic Version)” [feat. cellist Arthur Russell].

From the Sept. 17 announcement: The world formally got to know Talking Heads when the band unveiled their full-length debut, Talking Heads: 77, on September 16, 1977. Of course, it cemented the classic lineup as Weymouth, Byrne, and Frantz welcomed Harrison to the fold during its creation. 47 years later, it remains entrenched in popular culture as one of the most influential American records ever made. Its impact on indie, alternative, new wave, and art rock proves palpable to this day. Rolling Stone touted it as one of “The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time” at #290. The LP ignited a legendary four-album suite of masterpieces for Sire Records, paving the way for More Songs About Buildings and Food [1978], Fear of Music [1979] and Remain In Light [1980].

Listen to a previously unreleased version of “Pulled Up”

A 4LP Black Vinyl + 4 7” Singles boxed set is also available exclusively at Rhino.com and at the band’s website. This expansive collection of Talking Heads: 77 is housed in a lift-off-lid box, including the 4LPs: 1LP of the remastered original album, 1LP of rare and previously unreleased demos and outtakes, and a 2LP Live at CBGB, New York, NY, Oct. 10, 1977, only available in this vinyl box. The 7” singles are set in a gatefold with a black and white image of the band and the 80-page hardcover book.

The new collection caps off a celebratory season for Talking Heads, who recently commemorated the 40th anniversary of their groundbreaking concert film with Jonathan Demme—Stop Making Sense—with a 2-LP and 2-CD/Blu-Ray set over the summer [available here] and sold-out screenings.

Talking Heads: 77 Deluxe Edition Tracklist
Original Album Remastered
Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town
New Feeling
Tentative Decisions
Happy Day
Who Is It?
No Compassion
The Book I Read
Don’t Worry About the Government
First Week/Last Week… Carefree
Psycho Killer
Pulled Up

Outtakes/Alternates/Rarities
Sugar on My Tongue
I Want to Live
(Love Goes To) Building On Fire
I Wish You Wouldn’t Say That
Psycho Killer (Acoustic Version)
Uh-Oh Love Comes to Town (Alternate “Pop” Version)
New Feeling (Alternate “Pop” Version)
Pulled Up (Alternate “Pop” Version) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
Stay Hungry (1977 Version)
First Week/Last Week… Carefree (Acoustic Version)
I Feel It in My Heart
Psycho Killer (Alternate Version) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

Live at CBGB’s New York, NY 10/10/77 (All Previously Unreleased)
(Love Goes To) Building On Fire
Don’t Worry About the Government
Take Me to the River
The Book I Read
New Feeling
A Clean Break
No Compassion
Thank You for Sending Me an Angel
Who Is It?
Pulled Up
Uh-Oh Love Comes to Town
Psycho Killer
Stay Hungry