Paramore and A24 make headlines for their recent collaboration over a song for the recreated tribute album Stop Making Sense (1984). Both parties officially revealed it on 10 January 2024, but Paramore already hinted at its collaboration with the Talking Heads’ leading singer, David Byrne, in October 2023.
Paramore, an American rock band of Hailey Williams, Zac Farro, and Taylor York, also made headlines last month for suddenly disappearing from Instagram and its official website. Thus, people had different narratives, and some considered it a publicity stunt.
Paramore surprised its fans in two ways. First, it announced its collaboration with a distribution company to recreate an iconic song. Second, it shared a video on Instagram, which means they are back. It is the only shared content on their Instagram account at this moment. Thus, the band did not break up and is busy with the Eras Tour.
A24 And Paramore’s Upcoming Project
A24, the New York-based film distribution company, obtained the distribution rights over Stop Making Sense (1984), an independently produced concert film, in September 2023. The film includes songs sung individually and together by the members of an American rock band, Talking Heads.
Talking Heads co-wrote the film with Jonathan Demme, who also directed it. It was distributed by Island Alive and Cinecom Pictures and was considered culturally, aesthetically, and historically significant by the US National Film Registry in 2021.
We've got a tape we'd like to play you. 16 tracks from 16 artists. Track 1: Paramore. Coming soon pic.twitter.com/8fM6OLzrkY
— A24 (@A24) January 10, 2024
A24 wants to re-release the album as a tribute in the restored 4k version for its 40th anniversary, and Paramore has joined hands with the production company for the project. Sixteen artists will reportedly contribute to the project, and Paramore will be one of them, according to its announcement on Instagram on 10 January 2024 (Wednesday).
Talking Heads released the song Burning Down The House (1983) under Stop Making Sense, and the song became a hit.
The project’s release date has not been announced yet, but thanks to Paramore, who at least revealed a video snippet revealing its own version of the hit song, Burning Down The House. Moreover, it will be the first track of the latest project.
On the other hand, A24 shared the same 45-second-long video snippet on X (formerly called Twitter) announcing the contribution of sixteen artists for sixteen tracks.
How Fans Reacted
Over three hundred Twitter users stormed the comment section to express their happiness. They are excited to witness the collaboration of A24 and Paramore. Moreover, their collaboration is also a surprise for everyone. It looks like people will sit on the edges of their seats and enjoy every moment when the song gets released.
Some Twitter users demanded more by stating that they should have re-created the whole concert film for those who could not make it to the theatre in 1984. Thus, a film released in 4k will be better. Some people think God answered their prayers through the collaboration.
People also want the album to be released on 4K-Blu Ray, vinyl, cassette, DVD, and streaming services because the original version, released in 1984, is available on VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, and Blu-ray. There is a long way ahead because these reactions were recorded within the first twenty-four hours of the announcement on Twitter.
The Video Snippet
According to the 45-second-long video snippet, someone knocks on a door and leaves a parcel in the cardboard box at the doorstep. After picking up the parcel, Hailey Williams runs to her table, opens it, and takes out the iconic grey suit worn by David Byrne in the song, Girlfriend Is Better. Further, she plays a cassette.
The ‘big suit,’ that became an icon for the film and David himself, appears on the original film poster. David’s fashion designer friend wanted him to have big gestures on the stage, but he referred to a businessman’s suit. Later, he confessed that he wanted his head to look bigger than his body. Thus, a bigger suit was made.
However, David seems to be lost inside the suit that in turn looks like it is hanging on a wall. David Byrne is the leading singer of Talking Heads and the concert film. Moreover, he is a Scottish-American actor, singer, songwriter, record producer, and filmmaker, to name a few.
It is not the first time Paramore collaborated with David Byrne. The band performed at the concert in New York City in Summer 2023, and David enjoyed their performance, standing in the crowd. He was also spotted hanging out with the band members at the backstage.
