MTV Rip: Well, how did I get here?

Sometimes, I forget how flat-out strange MTV seemed back in those early days.

It's been such a narcotizing presence for so many years that it's hard to remember back to when it was new, different and even a little bit unnerving -- at least to kids in Ohio who'd barely heard music from bands that didn't heavily rotate on the local rock station.

Sometimes, that strangeness took the form of crazy costumes, off-kilter cinematography, wacky haircuts or disturbing imagery. And sometimes, it took the form of a nerdy guy in a suit against a plain white background...



Sure, these days the Talking Heads are the epitome of safe, respected music, with a spot in the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame and the sort of sound that fits comfortably onto a soundtrack aiming for that quirky -- but not too quirky -- touch. Heck, even back in their glory days, the Talking Heads were the least threatening of the CBGB bands, lacking the cartoony danger of the Ramones, the gritty poetics of Patti Smith or the sexual tension of Blondie. A fine band, don't get me wrong, and one with some swell songs on their discography .... but nothing too weird, right?

Well, sure, maybe in the city of New York or the year of 2011. But those were both foreign countries to Niles, Ohio, circa 1981, and David Byrne -- soft-spoken singer/songwriter and beloved purveyor of world music -- just seemed creepy.

I mean, what was with that dancing? Why was he so sweaty? And what the heck was he doing with his arms? I still remember kids duplicating that chop-chop-chop motion down their forearms, never getting the rhythm quite right. But that didn't stop us from trying. Somewhere, out there, was a world we were only beginning to glimpse. It was not our beautiful house, and it was not our beautful wife -- it was something much more intriguing.

Coming up next: The eyes have it. Well, one of them anyway...