“Thank You for Sending Me an Angel” was written by David Byrne and originally recorded by Talking Heads, one of my favorite bands. Their version is a great burst of nervous, off-kilter energy. We also love hearing Start Making Sense perform it live. By the way, if you like Talking Heads and ever have an opportunity to see Start Making Sense, go. You’ll thank yourself.
This version is by Blondshell, and it doesn’t simply imitate the original. She slows down its nervous momentum and turns it into something dreamier, darker and unexpectedly moving. The original seems to race forward; Blondshell allows the song to hover in the air.
It was recorded for the 2024 tribute album Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense. The entire album is worth hearing, but this was the song that stayed with me.
Just magnificent.