David Byrne Flips The Script On Mansplaining With ‘She Explains Things To Me’

David Byrne dropped “She Explains Things To Me,” the second single from his forthcoming album, Who Is The Sky? The iconic musician also tacked on four new dates to his extensive world tour supporting his first new album in seven years.

Produced by Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus), the highly anticipated follow-up to 2018’s American Utopia is due out through Matador Records on September 5. David Byrne recruited Ghost Train Orchestra to arrange the songs on Who Is The Sky?. The New York City-based chamber ensemble also contributed instrumentally to the record, along with other special guests including St. Vincent, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, The Smile drummer Tom Skinner and American Utopia percussionist Mauro Refosco.

On the contemplative “She Explains Things To Me,” Byrne challenges gender dynamics. The song was partially inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s book Men Explain Things To Me and serves as a window into some of the deeper themes of Who Is The Sky.

“Many times I have marveled at how a friend (usually a female friend) seems to clock what is going on in a film between characters way before I do,” Byrne stated. “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.”

Watch the official lyric video for David Byrne’s “She Explains Things To Me” below:

David Byrne’s world tour supporting Who Is The Sky? starts on September 14 in Providence. Byrne tacked on a third show in Philadelphia (October 18), a fourth in Chicago (November 1), a third in San Francisco (November 18) and a stop in Luxembourg (February 26, 2026) to the already extensive outing. Tickets are on sale now. Find links to purchase and the full list of dates below: