MovieChat Forums > Stop Making Sense (2023) Discussion > The Lamp Dance!!!

The Lamp Dance!!!

posted 16 years ago by tdl797
10 replies | jump to latest

I can't believe there's not a topic on the lamp dance!
I had Remain in Light for a while and loved it (I believe Thom Yorke of Radiohead had mentioned it one time in an interview). I think I put off getting their other albums because I think I read about some remasters coming out. I happened across SMS in Blockbuster and rented it. The song that really blew me away was Naive Melody and the lamp dance David did along to it. I think it just so happened that the newer Talking Heads compilation came out that week with Naive Melody included, so I picked it up. Then when the remasters came out, I got the first 5 albums.

Anyways - David doesn't give any origin to his lamp dance in the commentary, just talks about having to make a bigger lamp in order to do the dance with. Has he ever spoken more on this lamp dance in any interviews?

I especially love the shot when David leans forward and hugs the lamp. I wish I had a still from that frame.

[–] gray_pixel 15 years ago

It's one of my favorite moments in the film. I love when he finally releases the lamp and makes that priceless face for a split second, like he's astounded it can still stand, then goes back to groovin' around the stage.

[–] Hairy_Lime 15 years ago

It's a cop from Astaire.

Is it about a bicycle?

[–] tdl797 15 years ago

which film?

[–] nosnojsirhc 15 years ago

at any rate naive melody is absolutely GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!!!

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ArchieLeech 15 years ago

It is just the most sublime piece of musical/theatrical poetry - blows me away every time I see it.

[–] EdwardHaskell (122) 2 years ago

Even though it is more than a decade later this should be addressed.

I am not sure if David Byrne was inspired by Fred Astaire. He could have thought of it on his own. But the first thing that occurred to me when I recently saw the hat rack scene from Royal Wedding was the lamp dance and I wondered if that's where Byrne got the idea.

One thing's for sure. Astaire does it much better. But, then, dancing was his main talent.

It starts about a minute into the clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faN0kPOQykM

[–] Mr_McLaurel 13 years ago

It's my favorite part of the show. It seems like he really loves that lamp!

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] chas437 12 years ago

Well, considering that he probably was/is Asberger's Syndrome or autistic, a lamp is the only thing he can be intimate with. Its also why he's a musical prodigy.

[–] badtothebono 9 years ago

It is genius, but so is a lot of this film. So, it doesn't stand out as much as it should. The Big Suit was so iconic that the Lamp gets lost in its shadow.