David Byrne to cover ‘Hard Times’ by Paramore for Record Store Day
Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has announced a cover of Paramore hit ‘Hard Times’, which will be pressed onto 12″ vinyl for Record Store Day 2024.
Earlier in the year, pop-punk favourites Paramore unveiled a cover of Talking Heads track ‘Burning Down the House’. In a four-and-a-half star review, Far Out said their version was “just as captivating as the original with all the same joy and excitement.”
The single marked the first glimpse at A24’s tribute album Everyone’s Getting Involved, which celebrates the 40 year anniversary of the band’s iconic concert film Stop Making Sense. Alongside Paramore, the likes of Miley Cyrus, Lorde, and Badbadnotgood have contributed covers to the record.
Now, Byrne has announced a cover of his own. Returning the favour to Paramore, he took to X to announce his version of their 2017 song ‘Hard Times’, which was inspired by the new wave stylings of Talking Heads.
“The band told me that their song Hard Times was inspired by Talking Heads,” Byrne wrote, “so I learned it and recorded my version of their great song with a horn section. This was fun! The 12″ is available on Record Store Day 2024.”
He accompanied the announcement with an image mock-up of the physical copy, which will be pressed on “natural vinyl” alongside Paramore’s cover and features a minimalist, black and white sleeve. On one side, it reads, “David Byrne does Hard Times”, on the other, “Paramore does Burning Down the House”.
Record Store Day is set to take place on April 20th in the United Kingdom, with art-pop icon Kate Bush recently announced as an official ambassador. This year, over 260 shops will take part to celebrate the labels, artists, fans, and staff who keep record stores alive.
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