David Byrne Shares Reflective New Song “She Explains Things to Me”

David Byrne has unveiled the second single from his upcoming studio album, Who Is the Sky? Titled “She Explains Things to Me,” the new track finds Byrne exploring themes of gender, communication, and self-awareness, drawing inspiration from Rebecca Solnit’s seminal essay collection Men Explain Things to Me.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus) and arranged by the chamber-pop ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra, the track features lush orchestration beneath Byrne’s introspective vocal delivery. Lyrically, it captures a narrator quietly confronting his own complicity in the ways men often diminish or overlook women’s voices. It’s subtle, self-critical, and unmistakably Byrne, merging thought-provoking storytelling with warm, artful instrumentation.

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“She Explains Things to Me” follows lead single “Everybody Laughs,” and further showcases the layered emotional terrain of Who Is the Sky?, Byrne’s first album since 2018’s critically acclaimed American Utopia. Byrne’s latest material leans into personal reflection, without losing the offbeat charm that defines his work.

The album features guest appearances from Hayley Williams (Paramore), St. Vincent, Tom Skinner (The Smile), and longtime percussionist Mauro Refosco. In a recent statement, Byrne noted the orchestral arrangements were intended to bring out the songs’ emotional core, while Harpoon helped balance accessibility with innovation.

Last month, Byrne joined Olivia Rodrigo onstage at Governors Ball to perform “Burning Down the House.” Talking Heads also recently released a new music video for “Psycho Killer” starring Saoirse Ronan in honor of the 50th anniversary of the band’s debut performance

To support the release, Byrne will embark on a major world tour beginning September 14th in Providence, Rhode Island, and continuing across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. The tour promises a fully immersive live experience with a 13-piece band of singers, dancers, and instrumentalists, all in constant motion. See the full schedule below, and get tickets here.

David Byrne 2025-2026 Tour Dates:
09/14 – Providence, RI @ Veterans Memorial Auditorium
09/16 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center PAC
09/17 – Columbus, OH @ Mershon Auditorium
09/19 – Akron, OH @ Akron Civic Theatre
09/21 – Schenectady, NY @ Proctors
09/23 – Syracuse, NY @ Landmark Theatre
09/25 – Buffalo, NY @ Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
09/27 – Washington D.C. @ The Anthem
09/28 – Washington D.C. @ The Anthem
09/30 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/01 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/03 – Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/04 – Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/07 – Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre
10/08 – Portland, ME @ Merrill Auditorium at City Hall
10/10 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/14 – Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater
10/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/21 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Massey Hall
10/22 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Massey Hall
10/25 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
10/28 – Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
10/29 – Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
10/31 – Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
11/01 – Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
11/03 – Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
11/04 – Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
11/06 – Denver, CO @ Bellco Theatre
11/07 – Denver, CO @ Bellco Theatre
11/11 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
11/12 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
11/16 – San Francisco, CA @ The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/17 – San Francisco, CA @ The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/18 – San Francisco, CA @ The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Dolby Theatre
11/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Dolby Theatre
11/25 – Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
11/26 – Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
11/28 – Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
11/29 – Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
12/02 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
12/03 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
12/05 – Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
12/06 – Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
01/14 – Auckland, NZ @ Spark Arena
01/17 – Brisbane, AU @ Brisbane Entertainment Center
01/21 – Sydney, AU @ ICC Sydney Theatre
01/22 – Melbourne, AU @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl
01/24 – Adelaide, AU @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena
01/27 – Perth, AU @ RAC Arena
02/12 – Berlin, DE @ Tempodrom
02/15 – Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS Live
02/16 – Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS Live
02/18 – Brussels, BE @ Forest National
02/21 – Milan, IT @ Teatro degli Arcimboldi
02/22 – Milan, IT @ Teatro degli Arcimboldi
02/24 – Frankfurt, DE @ Jahrhunderthalle
02/26 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU @ Rockhal Main Hall
02/27 – Zurich, CH @ The Hall
03/02 – Cardiff, UK @ Utilita Arena
03/03 – London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
03/04 – London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
03/06 – Glasgow, UK @ SEC Armadillo
03/07 – Glasgow, UK @ SEC Armadillo
03/09 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo
03/10 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo
03/13 – Dublin, IE @ 3Arena
03/15 – London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
03/18 – Paris, FR @ La Seine Musicale
03/19 – Paris, FR @ La Seine Musicale