Miley Cyrus has once again demonstrated her musical versatility with a fresh take on Talking Heads’ 1977 classic, “Psycho Killer.” Released at midnight on Friday, May 17, the cover is part of the compilation album Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense, a formal tribute to the iconic new wave band, now available.
Cyrus’ rendition infuses the original eerie single with a pop flair, featuring turned-up ’80s synth sounds, a party vibe, and her signature faded vocals. This charged-up version transforms “Psycho Killer” into a dance-ready track, adding a new dimension to one of Talking Heads’ most famous songs.
The “Flowers” singer first hinted at her cover in March, performing a country-style version during an intimate set at Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont. Midway through her rendition, she playfully told the audience, “If you know this song, this is the regular part,” before diving into the chorus.
Earlier in the year, Cyrus collaborated with Talking Heads co-founder David Byrne during her New Year’s Eve special, where they performed hits like David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and Byrne’s “Everybody’s Coming to My House.”
The tribute album, featuring 16 covers from the band’s 1984 live album Stop Making Sense, was announced by A24 Music in January. Besides Cyrus, the album includes contributions from artists like The National, Paramore, Lorde, and BADBADNOTGOOD.
Cyrus has had a busy year, following her recent Grammy wins. She released her first single of the year, “Doctor (Work It Out),” produced by Pharrell Williams, in March. She also collaborated with Beyoncé on the duet “II Most Wanted” from Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Reflecting on her collaboration with Beyoncé, Cyrus expressed her admiration in an Instagram post: “I’ve loved Beyoncé since long before I had the opportunity to meet & work with her. My admiration runs so much deeper now that I’ve created alongside her. Thank you, Beyoncé. You’re everything & more. Love you. To everyone who spent time making this song so special, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sincerely, Miley.”
Cyrus’ pop-tinged cover of “Psycho Killer” is yet another testament to her dynamic artistry and ability to reinvent classic tracks while paying homage to the original artists.
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