Miley Cyrus offers the Speaking Heads‘ jittery 1977 new wave basic “Psycho Killer” a contemporary spin in a fan-posted video of the singer’s cowl of the monitor from her November efficiency at Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont. Within the minute-long clip, Cyrus trades the unique’s spare, bass-thrumming, quick-strummed guitar for finger-picked acoustic guitar and banjo, giving the monitor a rustic makeover.
Consistent with the folky really feel, Cyrus twangs up the vocals as effectively, crooning, “Cuz my mattress’s on fiiiiiire/ No, don’t contact me child/ I advised you I’m an actual reside wire,” whereas messing with the lyrical timing to attract out and emphasize totally different syllables, reworking it into extra of a bluegrass hoedown.
She then tells the group, “if you already know this track, that is the common half,” earlier than breaking into the French-tinged refrain, which she additionally Miley-fies to make it uniquely her personal. Talking of which, Cyrus additionally utterly rewrites the tune and provides her personal contemporary verse, on which she sings, “I like you psycho killer/ I’mma love you ceaselessly/ You already know I’ll by no means run away,” cheekily asking the intimate viewers if her take is “higher than the unique.”
The video gave the impression to be from the identical intimate November Chateau present that spawned the primary reside efficiency of Miley’s Billboard Scorching 100 No. 1 smash “Flowers.” At press time a spokesperson for Cyrus had not returned Billboard‘s request for additional touch upon whether or not the singer’s rendition of the Speaking Heads track shall be included on the upcoming 16-track Cease Making Sense covers albums; Paramore’s rendition of “Burning Down the Home” has already been launched.
The tracklist for the Everybody’s Getting Concerned: A Tribute to the Speaking Heads’ Cease Making Sense tribute album has not but been launched, so it’s unknown if that’s the track Cyrus will cowl on the LP, although her identify was amongst these introduced as contributing to the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the Heads’ landmark Cease Making Sense live performance movie. Along with Cyrus and Paramore, the soundtrack is slated to incorporate covers by: Lorde, The Nationwide, Teezo Landing, Kevin Summary, Jean Dawson, lady in purple, BADBADNOTGOOD, Blondshell, The Cavemen., Chicano Batman, Cash Mark, DJ Tunez, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, The Linda Lindas and Toro y Moi.
It’s no shock Cyrus gave the track a lot private consideration, since she clearly has an affection for the band. Throughout her 2023 New Yr’s Eve particular, the singer teamed up with Speaking Heads singer David Byrne for covers of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and Byrne’s “All people’s Coming to My Home.”
Watch the Cyrus “Psycho Killer” video right here.