Uncle Lucius “City of Dreams”
Americana Highways presents this premiere of Uncle Lucius’ version of the Talking Heads’ song “City of Dreams” from Uncle Lucius’ forthcoming album Open Eyes, Broken Hearts, which will be out September 25th. Open Eyes, Broken Hearts was produced by Uncle Lucius; engineered by James Stevens at EAR Studios; mixed by Chris Bell; and mastered by Gavin Lurssen. This song will be released on Friday.
“City of Dreams” is Kevin Galloway on vocals; Joshua Greco on drums; Michael Carpenter on guitar; Jonathan Grossman on piano and organ; Doug Strahan on guitar; and Drew Scherger on bass.
Kevin Galloway told us about the complex reasons for choosing to do this song. “Just two years ago, in 2024, I watched the 1986 film, “True Stories.” It really hooked me. It tickled my “weird” and “unusual” itch. Just felt drawn to it. David Byrne co-wrote and directed it. The Talking Heads provided much of the soundtrack…along with Terry Allen and other artists. “City of Dreams” was part of the end credits, and it got my attention right away. As soon as it started, I made a note on my phone to learn, and possibly cover it. It just so happened to coincide with my asking into what the next album looked like. I had a batch of songs that I’d been writing over the last decade. They were tunes that had a “feel” to them, that I consciously set aside into their own particular “folder.” While working out demos with the band at EAR recording Studios in Austin, I threw this tune into the mix. We worked out a couple of versions, and ultimately settled on the cut that made the album. Interestingly enough, like with the film, the tune acts as the ending credits to the LP. That was not planned, just worked out that way. When deciding what tunes would make the final cut, this one made sense. It helps to complete the story.
“It goes deeper….
“I felt compelled to change a couple of the lyrics, but was reticent out of respect for David Byrnes’ original version. So, I called up my old neighbor. You see, I used to live across the street from Bukka Allen. He’s a wonderful musician, producer and all around swell guy that happens to be the Son of Joe Harvey and Terry Allen. Joe Harvey is actually in the movie “True Stories.” She plays the part of “The Lying Woman,” and in my humble opinion, kills it. She’s funny as hell. Terry Allen and The Panhandle Mystery Band help with the soundtrack. I called Bukka to get his opinion. I told him I was considering changing two words and was curious if he felt the same way that I did…in that, I should get permission directly from Mr. Byrne himself. It just so happened that Bukka was sitting with his Mom and Dad when he took my call. He asked Terry if he thought I should get permission directly from the source. Mr.Allen said “ya, you should.” So, I humbly asked Bukka to go the extra mile. I asked if he could put me in touch. He said he’d try, and would get back to me. A bit later, Bukka did get back. He provided me with Mr. Byrne’s tour managers contact, and told me to give it a try. There were no promises as to the outcome of my inquiry, but I had the lead. In an email to his tour manager, I laid out my specific lyric changes, and the reasons behind them. In a separate, and later email, I sent our recording with the changes already made.
“The original song uses the lyric “Indians” three times. My goal was to change the first two instances from “Indians” to “Natives” and “ Indigenous.” The third instance stayed as is, with “Indians” as the lyric. All together, the intention was to create a new context.
“A couple of months later, I received an email from the tour manager. In it, was a note from Mr. Byrne himself. He said, “ I can understand why you’d want to change the lyric. Natives works, but Indigenous does not fit with the melody…Perhaps First Nations? As they say in Canada?”
“I was elated! I answered right away with a thank you, and a promise to make the change. A few days later, I went in and made the only vocal overdub on the whole album when I changed the lyric to “First Nations.”
A great story to go along with a great song and a superb new twist on the song as well. All around brilliance.
Check out the band’s signed vinyl, signed CD’s, signed posters and new T shirt designs at https://store.yourunclelucius.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Uncle Lucius: “Live in 25”