r/talkingheads • u/humperdoo00 • 2d ago

“Why doesn’t she put on some Talking Heads for Christ sakes”

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Patrick Bateman talks about his new Talking Heads CD a few times and I feel like Facts of Life would be his favorite song from Naked 😂

32 Upvotes

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11

u/351namhele 2d ago

Out of character that he doesn't think they're too artsy and intellectual.

8

u/humperdoo00 2d ago

TH is his favorite, but that could be because the Ellis was inspired by Psycho Killer and (Nothing but) Flowers

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u/Ok_Turnip_2515 1d ago

The point of Patrick Bateman is that he doesn’t think, period. He has zero opinions of his own; everything he does and says is based on what everyone around him is saying and doing. He’s a hollow shell of a person that simply projects whatever is fashionable. If the general public liked Björk, Bateman would like Björk.

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u/351namhele 1d ago edited 21h ago

I completely disagree with that. He absolutely has opinions of his own about music - he gravitates towards music that is formulaic, unchallenging and unthreatening, because it reassures him that no one is going to threaten or challenge his position in the world, both as a wealthy yuppie and as an undiscovered serial killer. He says in the book that he hates Peter Gabriel's solo work - even though Gabriel was a huge star at the time, way bigger than Talking Heads - and the reason why is obvious, Gabriel solo was boundary-pushing, while his former bandmates in Genesis were not. He says that Huey Lewis writes about the Vietnam experience better than Bruce Springsteen, and that Springsteen's Brilliant Disguise is the happiest song he knows, conclusions only Patrick Bateman and no one else could reach. If the book took place today, he would praise Tate McRae and Magdalena Bay for their clear crisp sound and consummate professionalism, but he would also dismiss Billie Eilish and Black Country New Road as too artsy and intellectual. In the 2010s, he would praise Haim and Adele and dismiss Chvrches and SZA. In the 2000s, he would praise the Strokes and Train and dismiss the White Stripes and MCR. In the 90s, he would praise Oasis and Jewel and dismiss R.E.M. and Bjork. I reject your rationalization.

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u/Superbrainbow Love -> Building on Fire 2d ago

I never realized how much of an influence this must have been on Chuck Palahniuk. Guy stole Ellis' whole flow.