Over 40 years later, Psycho Killer finally gets a music video—starring Saoirse Ronan and directed by Mike Mills. Worth the wait.
I have loved the Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer for as long as I can remember. And once that iconic bassline slinks its way into my brain, it’s not leaving anytime soon. Honestly? I never mind. It’s one of those songs that somehow still feels fresh after all these years—even if it has been haunting us (in the best way) since 1977.
Which is why I just about lost it when I found out that Psycho Killer is finally getting an official music video—more than 40 years after its release. Yes, you read that right. This absolute classic is getting the visual treatment for the very first time, and it’s all thanks to filmmaker Mike Mills and actress Saoirse Ronan.
The new video drops in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Talking Heads’ first performance at CBGBs. You know, that gritty New York City club where punk legends were made and music history was written in sweat, beer, and eyeliner. It’s the perfect way to mark the moment.
The Song That Was Never Meant to Be a Hit (But Totally Was)
Originally released on the band’s debut album Talking Heads: 77, Psycho Killer wasn’t always the edgy, infectious earworm we know today—it was initially written as a ballad (I know… what?!). Thankfully, someone had the good sense to crank up the tempo and let that paranoid energy pulse through.
A lot of people associate the song’s rise in popularity with the Son of Sam killings that had gripped New York at the time. While the lyrics weren’t inspired by those events, the unsettling tone and eerie timing definitely struck a chord in the cultural psyche. Right song, right (very creepy) moment.
Saoirse Ronan Delivers a Breakdown Worth Watching
Fast forward to today: Mike Mills had the brilliant idea to finally give Psycho Killer a visual companion. He pitched it to former Talking Heads members David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth—and, well, they said yes. The result? A haunting, hypnotic video starring Saoirse Ronan as a woman unraveling under the weight of routine. Each day repeats like the last, until the cracks start to show. And you can’t look away.
It’s eerie, stylish, and unsettling in all the best ways. Just like the song.
Watch the video below, and good luck getting Psycho Killer out of your head anytime soon. But really—would you even want to?
![Merrily We Roll Along with Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff [Broadway]](https://assets.vogue.com/photos/64dd25e6a65df0c846c4c700/master/w_2560%2Cc_limit/VO0923_Merrily_01.jpg "Merrily We Roll Along with Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff [Broadway]")
