David Byrne's Wedding Playlist

A music icon celebrates his wedding with a unique, all-instrumental playlist.

A music icon celebrates his wedding with a unique, all-instrumental playlist.

David Byrne, the ever-curious artist and former frontman of Talking Heads, is getting married this week, and in his characteristically thoughtful way, he's marking the occasion with a very personal gift to the world: a wedding playlist. For a man whose career has been built on finding the beautiful and strange in the everyday, it's perhaps no surprise that his choice of music is not a list of classic love songs, but rather a collection of bright, mostly instrumental compositions.

The news of the wedding to his longtime partner, Mala Gaonkar, a financier and philanthropist, came quietly. Byrne, 73, and Gaonkar, 55, have been a couple for nearly a decade, and he recently referred to her as his "fiancée" in an interview, a small, subtle confirmation of a new chapter in his life. The couple has previously collaborated on immersive theater projects, a partnership of creative minds that extends beyond their personal relationship. Gaonkar herself is a fascinating figure, with a background in finance and a love for writing short stories. They are a pair united by their intellectual curiosity and a shared passion for art.

The wedding, a personal milestone in a life already filled with iconic moments, is being celebrated in a way that feels distinctly Byrne. Instead of a traditional ballad for a first dance, he has crafted a playlist for the wedding dinner—a collection he titled "Dinner Music." The tracks are meant to set a mood, not tell a story with lyrics. It's a testament to his belief that music can shape and reflect feeling without the need for words. It's a reflection of his own lifelong fascination with rhythm, mood, and the ways music can bring people together. The mix sits comfortably alongside his "Radio David Byrne" series, where he curates themed playlists for fans, showcasing his wide-ranging taste and deep musical knowledge.

The playlist itself is an eclectic mix that features artists from a variety of genres and eras. It's a glimpse into the sound of his happiness, a musical celebration of a new partnership.

David Byrne's Wedding Playlist: "Dinner Music"

"Lullaby" by The Cure

"Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin

"Symphony No. 5" by Ludwig van Beethoven

"Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565" by Johann Sebastian Bach

"Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy

"The Planets, Op. 32: I. Mars, the Bringer of War" by Gustav Holst

"Boléro" by Maurice Ravel

"Gymnopédie No. 1" by Erik Satie

Missing from the Mix: A Few Talking Heads Tracks for the Dance Floor

While the official playlist is wonderfully unconventional, it's hard not to imagine a few Talking Heads classics that would have fit perfectly into the celebration, perhaps later in the evening.

"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)"

The most obvious choice, this is a beautiful and sincere love song, a rare moment of pure emotional clarity in the band's catalog.

"Burning Down the House"

With its undeniable energy and driving beat, this song is a surefire way to get a wedding party on its feet.

"Once in a Lifetime"

The title alone is a perfect fit for a wedding, and the song's iconic rhythm and lyrical introspection would certainly get people talking, and dancing.

Sources

• Happymag.tv.
• People.com
• Spreaker.com

Image: By Ron Baker - https://www.flickr.com/photos/kingsnake/2948571996/in/faves-24788065@N02/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10223760