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Q Lazzarus’ full version of the Talking Heads classic ‘Heaven’ has been released for the first time – listen below.
The mysterious cult musician, best known for her 1988 song ‘Goodbye Horses’, first recorded the cover for her appearance in Jonathan Demme’s 1993 film Philadelphia, but the full track was never released.
Lazzarus herself – real name Diane Luckey – appeared in the movie, singing the song, in what proved to be a rare public appearance during her lifetime. She passed away in 2022 at the age of 61.
Now, the track has been shared in full, as a preview of ‘Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives Of Q Lazzarus’, a compilation of tracks recorded by the artist between 1985 and 1995. The album will be released on February 21 via Sacred Bones, on what would have been Lazzarus’ 64th birthday.
Check out Q Lazzarus’ version of ‘Heaven’, as well as a clip of her performing the song in Philadelphia, here:
‘Heaven’ was first released on Talking Heads’ third album ‘Fear Of Music’ in 1979 and was memorably performed by David Byrne and Tina Weymouth in the legendary concert film Stop Making Sense, also directed by Demme.
As well as the new compilation, there is also a documentary about Lazzarus coming out, which the musician herself worked on in her final years. Directed by Aridjis Fuentes, the film will also be titled Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives Of Q Lazzarus and is expected to be released in the coming months.
The 21 tracks that make up the album are all drawn from Lazzarus’ own archive of digital tapes and cassettes and will include a new wave version of ‘Goodbye Horses’, the only commercial single released during Lazzarus’ lifetime. The song was also memorably included in Demme’s The Silence Of The Lambs in 1991.
‘Goodbye Horses’ has been subsequently covered by the likes of Bloc Party‘s Kele Okereke, Chino Moreno’s ††† (Crosses) side project, MGMT, Jon Hopkins and Wild Beasts’ Hayden Thorpe.
Lazzarus retreated from the public eye in the mid-90s. After being approached by Dazed in 2019, she confirmed that she had retired from music and was working as a bus driver in Staten Island.
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Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee has hit out at artists for promoting music and tours during the ongoing LA wildfires.
The series of wildfires, which began last Tuesday (January 7), have led to the confirmed deaths of 24 people, the evacuation of more than 180,000 residents and an estimated 12,000 buildings destroyed.
Taking to his Instagram, Lee said: “Makes me fucking sick to see most people just caring on a posting on lame ass social media! Guys right now nobody gives a flying fuck when your record drops or the next concert is when so many people are in the middle of one of the biggest disasters of all time!”
He continued: “I get that some comic relief is always needed, but Jesus Christ leave it all alone and maybe just stop and see who needs help if you can.”
A host of artists have postponed concerts in the wake of the fires including Nine Inch Nails who “paused” an announcement about their forthcoming 2025 tour “while people try to deal with all that is happening”. Metallica have also donated $500,000 (£409,664) to relief efforts for the LA wildfires.
Beyoncé also postponed a planned major announcement today (January 14), which fans have speculated could be a potential live tour in support of ‘Cowboy Carter’.
The update comes after Beyoncé donated $2.5million (£2million) to the wildfire relief fund in LA through BeyGOOD.
Last week, Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles revealed that her Malibu bungalow had been destroyed in the fires. “It was my favourite place, my sanctuary, my sacred Happy Place. Now it is gone!!,” she wrote.
In other news, The Weeknd has pushed back his new album ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ “out of respect and concern for the people of Los Angeles county”.
But other musicians have pressed on with concerts including Sophie Lloyd, who today confirmed that she will be going ahead with her first-ever US solo show in California later this week, although money raised from the gig will be donated towards the extensive relief efforts across the city.
Elsewhere, Jamie Lee Curtis has donated $1million (£820,000) to relief efforts, after talks with California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Charli XCX urged brands who send her clothing to instead donate it to those affected by the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires.
Guitar Center announced a new programme that will help musicians affected by replacing their instruments or gear.
Many stars have also been affected by the devastation, with Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith confirming that his home in Malibu had been destroyed and Primus’ Ler LaLonde revealing that his home had been reduced to ruins.
Last week, Paris Hilton opened up about watching her home burn down on television, while James Woods, Billy Crystal, Cary Elwes and Mark Hamill are among the other high-profile names to have been badly affected.
Paris Hilton has since donated $100,000 (£81,932) and launched a fund to help displaced families.
Members of the LA music community have also spoken to NME about being hit hard by the fatal wildfires that continue to burn throughout the city, with a number of venues, studios and artists being affected by the devastating blaze.
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