(Nothing But) Flowers - 2005 Remaster

The lyrics describe a post-apocalyptic world in which modern technology has been largely eliminated. Lead singer David Byrne, as the song's protagonist, is torn between his appreciation for nature's beauty and his dependency on such disappeared items as lawnmowers and fast food. It's kind of the opposite of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi," where they paved paradise and put up a parking lot. Here, nature has re-claimed the land, and now the shopping malls are covered with flowers.

This song, and the rest of the Naked album, was co-produced with the band by Steve Lillywhite, an Englishman known for his work with Peter Gabriel and U2. He was married to the singer Kirsty MacColl, who contributed backing vocals to this song. Among her other credits are vocals on The Pogues' "Fairytale Of New York" and The Rolling Stones' "One Hit (To The Body)." She also wrote Tracey Ullman's 1983 hit "They Don't Know."

Johnny Marr of The Smiths played 12-string guitar on this track at the suggestion of producer Steve Lillywhite. Talking Heads often used outside guitarists, but this was the first time they connected with Marr, who fit right in. He recalled to Uncut magazine February 2008 about his contribution to this track: "When I got there they put down some bass and drum tracks. '(Nothing But) Flowers' sounded almost like a reggae dub track. I wasn't trying to play in an African style - although some people pointed out that I sometimes sound like that anyway! I knew all about King Sunny Ade (performer of Nigerian juju music) and I love Fela Kuti (Nigerian multi-instrumentalist) but really I just played melodies that sounded good in a high range. The intro to 'Flowers' was me playing without knowing the tape machine was on - that's how little attention I paid to any kind of remit! I built that track from the ground up. I was impressed with what David (Byrne) did on it. He worked super quickly on it."