Talking Heads received a significant career opportunity in 1977 when they joined The Ramones for a European tour, their first performances in that market. In a recent interview, frontman David Byrne reflected positively on the exposure to fresh audiences, though he acknowledged the experience introduced the band to punk culture's more challenging aspects, including back-to-back performances at London's Roundhouse.

One shock to the touring musicians was 'gobbing,' a practice in which audience members spat on performers—a phenomenon that affected The Ramones more frequently than Talking Heads. Byrne noted that The Ramones' leather jackets offered practical protection against the behavior. The practice had emerged from a misinterpreted newspaper article widely understood to suggest punks enjoyed being spat upon, and endorsements from certain punk figures helped entrench it despite most musicians finding it objectionable.