Talk Talk (Talk Talk song)

"Talk Talk" is a 1982 song by the English band Talk Talk. The second single from their debut album, The Party's Over (1982), it peaked at no. 52 in the United Kingdom upon initial release. A remix of the song was released later that year, peaking at no. 23 in the UK and no. 75 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (also entering the Top 40 in the Billboard Mainstream Rock). The single also reached no. 1 in South Africa in 1983.

The song was originally recorded by Talk Talk singer Mark Hollis's previous band, The Reaction, as "Talk Talk Talk Talk", on the Beggars Banquet punk compilation Streets.

Critical reception

Covering Talk Talk's best songs in an article in The Guardian, Graeme Thomson wrote: "Talk Talk is surging, superior synth-pop, its surface fizz – glistening slabs of electro-drama, funky slap bass and modish cries of "hey, hey!" – sparkling over hidden depths. The piano break has the grandeur of early material from the Waterboys, while the lyrics stake out what will become common themes: existential wariness, a mistrust of language and an overpowering sense of outsiderness."