David Byrne released his latest single, “What Is The Reason For It,” featuring Paramore’s Hayley Williams as part of his newly dropped album, Who Is The Sky?
In Byrne’s first album since his 2018 American Utopia, which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and a Spike Lee HBO film, Who Is The Sky? is an adventurous amalgamation of different genres, tapping into Byrne’s new, fruitful, and dauntless side of his life.
“At my age, at least for me, there’s a ‘don’t give a sh** about what people think’ attitude that kicks in. That said, every new set of songs, every song even, is a new adventure.”
David Byrne
From Grammy-winning producer Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus), “What Is The Reason For It” invites listeners to the mystifying world of love. The single aims to understand love in a way that logic can rarely accomplish.
The single begins with an electrifying, provocative hook that launches into an exploration of love. Arranged by the New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra, the single’s instrumentals were the standout of the song, adding a burlesque-like atmosphere to the song.
Its opening verse, “Love is cold, love is hot / Love can make you feel a lot / Like someone else / Love is new, love is old / Love explains a story told / To fool yourself,” poses a statement of love’s complex webbings, and Byrne brings his listeners into this journey of exploration.
Williams appears midway through the song, offering an arousing undertone that perfectly overlays with the single’s tantalizing instrumentals. David Byrne and Williams make a perfect collaboration on the single’s enticing sound.
“What Is The Reason For It” questions our intentions about love: it’s a different experience for everyone, but we won’t find our answers unless we actually dive into it ourselves.
Byrne’s North America leg of his new world tour for Who Is The Sky? kicks off this September. Tickets and more dates for his tour can be found here.
David Byrne Worldwide Tour – North American Leg Dates:
9/14/2025 – Providence, RI – Veterans Memorial Auditorium
9/16/2025 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center PAC
9/17/2025 – Columbus, OH – Mershon Auditorium
9/19/2025 – Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre
9/21/2025 – Schenectady, NY – Proctors
9/23/2025 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre
9/25/2025 – Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
9/27/2025 – Washington D.C. – The Anthem
9/28/2025 – Washington D.C. – The Anthem
9/30/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/01/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/02/2026 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/03/2025 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/04/2025 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/07/2025 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre
10/08/2025 – Portland, ME – Merrill Auditorium at City Hall
10/10/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/11/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/14/2025 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater
10/16/2025 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/17/2025 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/18/2025 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/21/2025 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Massey Hall
10/22/2025 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Massey Hall
10/23/2025 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Massey Hall
10/25/2025 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
10/28/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium
10/29/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium
10/31/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium
11/01/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium
11/03/2025 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
11/04/2025 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
11/06/2025 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
11/07/2025 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
11/11/2025 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
11/12/2025 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
11/13/2025 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
11/16/2025 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/17/2025 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/18/2025 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/20/2025 – Los Angeles, CA – Dolby Theatre
11/21/2025 – Los Angeles, CA – Dolby Theatre
11/25/2025 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
11/26/2025 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
11/28/2025 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
11/29/2025 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
12/02/2025 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
12/03/2025 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
12/05/2025 – Miami, FL – Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
12/06/2025 – Miami, FL – Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
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