Houses in Motion
Encyclopedia
"Houses in Motion" is the second and final single from Remain in Light
, the fourth studio album from American New Wave
band Talking Heads
. An alternate mix of the song was released in vinyl form on 5 May 1981 and peaked at number 50 on the UK Singles Chart
.
remixed the song created with Remain in Light producer
Brian Eno
at Compass Point Studios
in the Bahamas in the summer of 1980. "Houses in Motion" features brass performances by Jon Hassell
. The B-side "Air" is from the band's third studio album Fear of Music
. The cover artwork is by designer Thomi Wroblewski.
soundtrack (scored by Craig Armstrong
).
Phish
covered Houses in Motion at their October 31, 1996 Halloween show. At this show they played the entire Remain in Light album for their second set.
Remain in Light
Remain in Light is the fourth studio album by American New Wave band Talking Heads, released on 8 October 1980 on Sire Records. It was recorded at locations in the Bahamas and the United States between July and August 1980 and was produced by the quartet's long-time collaborator...
, the fourth studio album from American New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
. An alternate mix of the song was released in vinyl form on 5 May 1981 and peaked at number 50 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Recording and style
Talking Heads frontman and chief lyricist David ByrneDavid Byrne
David Byrne may refer to:*David Byrne , musician and former Talking Heads frontman**David Byrne , his eponymous album*David Byrne , Irish footballer*David Byrne , English footballer...
remixed the song created with Remain in Light producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
at Compass Point Studios
Compass Point Studios
Compass Point Studios were founded in 1977 by Chris Blackwell, the owner of Island Records.In the late 1970s and mid-1980s, many musical artists from across the world came to the Bahamas to record music at its facilities. Many producers, including Chris Blackwell himself, used the studio to produce...
in the Bahamas in the summer of 1980. "Houses in Motion" features brass performances by Jon Hassell
Jon Hassell
Jon Hassell is an American trumpet player and composer. He is known for his influence in the world music scene and his unusual electronic manipulation of the trumpet sound.-Life and career:...
. The B-side "Air" is from the band's third studio album Fear of Music
Fear of Music (album)
Fear of Music is the third studio album by American New Wave band Talking Heads, released on 3 August 1979 on Sire Records. It was recorded at locations in New York City between April and May 1979 and was produced by the quartet and Brian Eno. The album entered the Billboard 200 in the United...
. The cover artwork is by designer Thomi Wroblewski.
Track listing
- "Houses in Motion" – 4:33
- "Air" – 3:34
- The 12" version included an extra live version of "Houses of Motion".
Chart positions
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
26 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
50 |
Covers
A faster paced version of the track performed by Helen White was featured in the Plunkett & MacleanePlunkett & Macleane
Plunkett & Macleane is a 1999 British historical action comedy film directed by Jake Scott, and starring Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller and Liv Tyler. It follows the story of Captain James Macleane , and Will Plunkett , two men in eighteenth century Britain who are both struggling to survive...
soundtrack (scored by Craig Armstrong
Craig Armstrong
Craig Armstrong, OBE is a Scottish composer of modern orchestral music, electronica and film scores.Armstrong's score for William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet earned him a BAFTA for Achievement in Film Music and an Ivor Novello...
).
Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
covered Houses in Motion at their October 31, 1996 Halloween show. At this show they played the entire Remain in Light album for their second set.