David Byrne rejects the act of mansplaining on new track, "She Explains Things To Me"

"She Explains Things to Me" taps into some of the deeper themes of Who Is the Sky? and was partially inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s book Men Explain Things to Me. Through the narrator’s curious internal monologue, Byrne reflects here on the way men dismiss women’s ideas and points of view.

“Many times I have marvelled at how a friend (usually a female friend) seems to clock what is going on in a film between characters way before I do,” shares Byrne. “Sometimes I understand poetry, but sometimes I need help. Though inspired by the Solnit book ‘men explain things to me’ there is a huge difference – mansplaining is usually unasked for, in this case I am the one asking.”

The follow-up to Byrne’s acclaimed 2018 album American Utopia, which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and HBO film, Who Is the Sky? had its 12 songs arranged by the members of New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra, and features special guests including Paramore’s Hayley Williams, St. Vincent and The Smile drummer Tom Skinner.

David Byrne will be touring worldwide through 2025 and 2026, with a run of UK shows scheduled in March including dates in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Dublin, and more.