This was the first video my son fully "understood" after his autism diagnosis. His spectrum disorder is very similar to David Byrne's, and he has overcome many of the same hurdles. I'll be forever grateful for this.
As a high functioning autistic, what this song always meant to me was that he was expressing the feeling that autistics often have that none of this is real, that it's a joke, or a play that we just don't understand. So, we hang on to what seems solid and real, like water. Water is always there, doing what it does, even if we can't see it. I hope your son is doing well, and as a 74-year-old, I can tell him that he will continue to learn how to adapt and cope, and that he will reach an equilibrium and be happy with his life.
Sono Arts Cinema Oct. 1986, 2 dolla showing of Stop Making Sense and the place was relatively cool until this came on ... And then everyone was at their seats and in the aisles shaking their heads with their arms in the arm - Bustin A Groove. Yea I kno I'm old but never lost my youth
Midlife crisis? Naw more like societal crisis. The band represents a slow drip of knowledge that showcases the fucked up and warped reality we've all been born into. Listen to born under punched, there's more substance in these songs and lyrics than one might think. That being said it's really easy to assign personal experiences and relatable assumptions to music.
@@privateemail9755 Naw, I'm right. This was at the time when "yuppies" (and Donald Trump) were in the cultural spotlight, in the economic boom of the 80s. "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" was on TV. That's the context of it.
You said he's dancing like someone invisible is moving him around. Well, he based his movement on people who were being "moved by the holy spirit", so that was a very astute observation!
Exactly how I view the song. The questioning of existence, and life! How did I get here, what’s going on? Life is a trip when you stop and think about it! 😂
Great factoid...I'm stealing that! I knew Toni Basil was choreographer extraordinaire. That's gold thank you. I can only think of Paula Abdul as a mear contender. It' best left mear
This was choreographed by Toni Basil (who sang "Mickey") and is based on traditional and tribal dances from around the world! David Byrne is an amazing avant garde performer, and is still going at full strength today
In the context of the song, the dance can be seen as puppet-like: Modern man in his society, being pulled and manipulated by unseen strings. Like most all good music, it is multi-layered and can speak to any individuals emotions.
Being exposed to the Talking Heads for the first time is a revelation. And if you follow Byrne's artistic path, you'll run into Brian Eno, and then Fripp, and you're off to another world.
Brian Eno was the album's producer and it shows. He brought in Adrian Belew on guitar after Eno and Belew worked with David Bowie. Both Eno and Belew are geniuses who had major impacts as solo artists and collaborators with so many major artists in the past 40 years.
@@mikemendoza750 I saw him with his power trio a few years ago - I agree with your assessment. Have you checked out his TH-cam appearances at Sweetwater? Absolutely cutting-edge.
@@AJ17_ Eno made Roxy Music interesting, but that was really Brian Ferry's band. I heard "Here Come The Warm Jets" the day it was released and never looked back. "Another Green World" remains THE masterpiece from the 1970s. I'd love to see Jamel react to "Sky Saw" - a composition that is still avant garde today, both brilliant and hilarious once you apprehend the lyrics.
Brian Eno deserves a lot of credit for this song as well. He had a huge influence on the sound of this song and album, and also did backing vocals for the chorus.
Yes, indeed. Remain In Light IMHO is the band's crowning achievement. In case you're interested on Eno's 1978 solo album Before and After Science the track "King's Lead Hat" is an anagram of Talking Heads.
Yeah I learned this myself recently when you compare it to people talking in tongues or being "taken by the holy spirit" and his seizure kind of movements make a lot more sense. Preaching yuppie ism
I see how the song could be a loose parody of "Prosperity Gospel", but Byrne has stated: "We operate half-awake or on autopilot and end up, whatever, with a house and family and job and everything else, and we haven't really stopped to ask ourselves, 'How did I get here?'" The video itself is certainly inspired by Pentecostal/Evangelical preacher antics.
@Jim lastname - I have no idea what they were debating about. I still don't know what the gesture means, and I'm not sure if Byrne does. I do know they have a long tradition and specific style of formal debate.
I think it’s more about getting stuck in the routine of life in modern society and wondering how you ended up there like everyone else. Like it happened without you noticing.
David Byrne has taken nerddom to a whole 'nother level! He is a unique genius who has blazed his own trail, and damn the torpedoes. You have to respect someone who is brave enough to be this different. He says that he was painfully shy as a young man. Fortunately for us, he took it and ran with it. By the way, I really enjoy your reaction videos. Your reviews are intelligent, sincere, and perceptive. And I really like the fact that you are not afraid to ask about things you don't know. That's exactly how you learn. Right On, Young Brother!
Talking heads came out of the New York art school scene and started a band. That was in the 70s in the middle of the punk era. Their quirk and off-brand nature is a big part of them. The concert movie they made: Stop making sense, tells you all you need. (Also, top 5 concert movies all-time)
That's definitely a time I wouldn't had mind being old enough to experience. All that crazy fusion of music was coming out from so many performers. We're sure in dire need of that kind of creative vitality today.
Richard Meyers - It WAS a fantastic time musically. I was a teenager in the 70's; turned 21 in 1978. But it is only recently that I have come to the realization just HOW fortunate I am to have lived through those times. Such a huge diversity of artists. Before auto-tune and an over-abundance of digital wizardry. No wonder I fall back on nostalgia. 😕
One of the coolest, & most innovative bands to come out of the USA.........ever! Not American at all, in their style, or 'message'! Much more 'European' in their style.
This song was inspired by listening to Southern preachers on the radio when the band was touring. David Byrne like the way they spoke so he turned it into this song.
Yes, I remember hearing him tell about being on the tour bus & hearing a preacher on the radio one Sunday morning. Some of the lines from the song were direct quotes from that sermon.
The “monotony” of it all. Like a hamster running on a exercise wheel and suddenly jumping off. Then, not recognizing your life. And the question of: What is it all for? This song was featured in a movie called “The Family Man” starring Nicolas Cage & Téa Leoni.
Every so often a new song stops you in your tracks and makes you really pay attention.....and this one is a doozy! It stopped me in my tracks in 1980 when it first came out and it’s still on my favourites list. We need to be “shook up” now and then I think🤗
Every time I hear this song (one of my faves from TH) I think of one of my Rules Of Life: The key to happiness is not getting what you want but wanting what you get.
The music video isn't meant to be "comical". The idea is that he starts out repeating all the actions and motions of the versions of himself in the background as if he were on a marionette, but is slowly trying to break out of that and do his own thing.
There's nothing wrong with some people enjoying this as something comical, all art means different things to different people, even things the artist never intended.
Oooh! I never saw it that way. Totally makes sense. He's trying to break out of what the world says he should want (and be) and not just let "the days go by" blindly.
I always saw it as the idea of “going through the motions”. How most of us feel like we’re on autopilot. Then we wake up and try to get out of it but it’s like a computer frying.
If your gonna mention wild wild life are you brave enough to also mention True Stories(1986). David Byrns Movie. Clips of the movie were in the music video.
I've always percieved this song as someone as someone not happy with how their life turned out and found themselves in a rut where 9ne day bleeds into the next and he's finally having a nervous breakdown. The video, I feel, depicts this through David's dancing and more manic facial expressions as it progresses.
The " stop making sense" Talking Heads concert is awesome. They had Bernie Worrell from P Funk with them. If your a fan you definitely need to watch it.
Back when there was a wide variety of music, styles, and personalities. Knew this video would mess with your head Jamel.... Happened to all of us first time seeing it. :)
Not a huge Heads fan, but they got a lot of great songs. Wild Life might be my favorite. The video is okay, but a little distracting. Do audio or live (no lyrics please).
It was the 80's man, music videos were new to the industry and much cheaper to do. So everyone was experimenting and you ended up with some really wild stuff.
"Water dissolving and water removing \ There is water at the bottom of the ocean \ Under the water, carry the water \ Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean \ Water dissolving and water removing" -- The video skips this verse entirely.
When this video first came out, it was ground breaking. Still is. Reminded me of a sweaty southern baptist preacher being pulled by puppet strings. We were blown away by The Talking Heads and there hasn't been anything like them since.
@@raymondweaver8526Im 60 yrs old and thats what we called it in 78 when they took off...so fel free to call it what you want lol. I lived it... but I must be wrong.
The Talking Heads concert film called Stop Making Sense is the best concert film of all time. The concept of starting with one musician and bringing the band on one at a time is genius and the songs are epic when performed live. David is such a dynamic lead singer, and all the band are such good musicians. Watch "Life During Wartime" or "Take Me to the River" - amazing!
David Byrne is one of the great musician/performers of the last 50 years and the rest of the band were no slackers either. Talking Heads is one of the most influential bands of the “post punk” era. Have you discovered The Pixies yet?
Look at this song and video as a televangelist preacher talking to his flock, those over the top 80's ones, you know those "The power of Christ compels you!!" preachers. David took that approach to "preach his gospel" with a more more honest outlook than any of the "real" preachers. The man isnt only a musician, he's an artist, an activist and a perfectionist (and notoriously difficult to work with lol) and he is ridiculously smart. Nothing shows it better than "Stop making sense" live concert, here you see theatrical art and music art being combined with a dystopian flavor added as a statement, its hard to explain but its a absolute much watch show. (maybe good for a life stream?) th-cam.com/video/4xL7Ilh1DFI/w-d-xo.html More Talking Heads Jamel, we need more! hehehe Thnx for the upload :D
@@clasicradiolover Indeed. A book everyone should read. Are you really a classic radio lover? If so -- awesome. I'll leave you with an Orson Wells line from 1936..... (followed by his epic, sneering laugh).
@@tanstaafl1301 The Shadow Knows! Yes I discovered OTR on XM. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. Fibber Magee and Molly Have Gun, Will Travel. And many more. Also I like watching David Tipton restore radios from before the transistor
I've met David several times in NYC. Such a cool, humble, sweet guy. He rode his bike around town all the time. Seemed to have no idea (or saw no reason to dwell upon) the impact he has had on people. Made me like him even more!
When holding on to nothing but materialistic values for your own self-approval, life will always be the "same as it ever was". The more you have, the more you want. And so goes the ego feed that no one but yourself really cares about.
The 1980s was probably the greatest decade for music. The musical diversity that we all enjoyed was incredible...This decade tops even the 1960s.. and that decade was great. But the 1980s was something else.....It really was... THis is just one top song from that decade
As a child, before i could even remember, my parents had a copy of "Stop making sense" that they would play for me. And i would dance around like the guy on the stage. It wasn't until my 20s that i found a reference to this song and re-discovered talking heads. David Byrne is such a huge influence on my life, and until i became an adult i had no idea.
The Talking Heads are such an amazing band! I personally highly recommend This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody). It's such a beautiful song and one of my favorites of all time.
I think the song describes someone realizing that their conventional, ordinary life hasn't satisfied them or brought them peace. Beautiful house, check. Beautiful wife, check... My God, what have I done? The human condition: same as it ever was. We grind away at our lives, doing what is expected of us, while craving greater meaning inside. Then one day "you find yourself" with all those things, but without that meaning.
Love the songs, the rhythms the beats and David’s quirky performance. Every time I hear these songs I want to get up and dance. The lyrics are great too!
Great video. This song evolves as you get older, and speaks poetically to our perception of the rapid passage of time and finding ourselves questioning the very things we believed to be certain. "Time isn't holding up Time isn't after us" One of the simplest ways of expressing the beauty and immediacy of recognizing the moment in which we're living, and the tragedy of taking what we believe we truly know, and have, for granted. Peace
I think your success with reactions to older music, I am an older musician, is because you take the time to appreciate what is being conveyed. This in itself is you just being a genuinely good human being. I love your channel.
So many great liners: How do I work this? Under the water This is not my beautiful wife Same as it ever was Look where my hand was Here comes the twister
💕Thank you for bringing me feelings of happiness this morning. 💜 I adore David Byrne, the Talking Heads, & you‼️😊 And it is good to see y'all intersect in this world. ❤️
Please react to these Talking Heads songs: "Life During Wartime" (Live), "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)", "Burning Down The House",, "Slippery People" (Live), "Girlfriend Is Better" (Live), "And She Was", "Road To Nowhere", "Heaven" (Live), "Take Me To The River", "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)", "Crosseyed and Painless", "I Zimbra", and "Wild Wild Life".
‘JUST BE A GOOD HUMAN’ Shirts And More enter Promo code ‘Jamel’ teespring.com/stores/jamel-aka-jamal-youtube-store
can you do a reaction to Bob Seger Cross of Gold
Talking heads - This must be the place
th-cam.com/video/N7zluBxv2Z0/w-d-xo.html
Looking nice a bright today Mr. Purple!
th-cam.com/video/nSuregWhlWk/w-d-xo.html
You should review peewee doing tequila
He wasn't doing the " PeeWee Herman", ...PeeWee did the " David Byrne".
Talking Heads were around for a good while before Paul Reubens ever thought of PeeWee.
Did you catch the dance move from Breakfast club?
Absolutely!! 🤣
I was just going to say the same thing..!
@@randyhess9917 If anything The kids in The Breakfast Club stole it from the video, which came out many years beforehand.
This was the first video my son fully "understood" after his autism diagnosis. His spectrum disorder is very similar to David Byrne's, and he has overcome many of the same hurdles. I'll be forever grateful for this.
Out of all the things that didn't happen, this didn't happen the most.
As a high functioning autistic, what this song always meant to me was that he was expressing the feeling that autistics often have that none of this is real, that it's a joke, or a play that we just don't understand. So, we hang on to what seems solid and real, like water. Water is always there, doing what it does, even if we can't see it. I hope your son is doing well, and as a 74-year-old, I can tell him that he will continue to learn how to adapt and cope, and that he will reach an equilibrium and be happy with his life.
@@mikkj1 Thank you for sharing this with me. Makes perfect sense!
Me too.
@@NefariousPorpoise why not? Please explain your dumbass opinion.
David Byrne is a high-level musical genius. Who else brings that same level of creativity? Beck?
Violet flems
@@FreshNews247 Good call. I've also been thinking Flaming Lips.
Death Grips too. But a tad less approachable (just a tad, LOL).
Shhut up
Thom Yorke. Cosmo Sheldrake. Peter Gabriel
Becks not even close. Captain Beefheart.
This came out on MTV and everyone lost their minds...you could not get away from this video or this song. Ahhh...those were the days.
Sono Arts Cinema Oct. 1986, 2 dolla showing of Stop Making Sense and the place was relatively cool until this came on ...
And then everyone was at their seats and in the aisles shaking their heads with their arms in the arm - Bustin A Groove.
Yea I kno I'm old but never lost my youth
I'm happy I was there for it ALL! 💖
I struggled a lot in the 80’s. I’m surprised now how fondly I look back on that time now. Life is strange.
I’m a Hip-Hop head but I thrives on MTV and their videos. This epitomized and was easily in MTV’s all-time top 10.
@@EricTheBody Likewise. I'm in my 60s, and was only recently diagnosed as being on the autisitc spectrum, whereupon so much made sense.
The song is about "midlife crisis", and the video is a "square" businessman freaking out. Materialism doesn't satisfy. You've got it right.
Midlife crisis? Naw more like societal crisis. The band represents a slow drip of knowledge that showcases the fucked up and warped reality we've all been born into. Listen to born under punched, there's more substance in these songs and lyrics than one might think. That being said it's really easy to assign personal experiences and relatable assumptions to music.
@@privateemail9755 Naw, I'm right. This was at the time when "yuppies" (and Donald Trump) were in the cultural spotlight, in the economic boom of the 80s. "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" was on TV. That's the context of it.
But then he found out materialism DOES satisfy, and did "Nothing But Flowers". 😁
IMO...entering the materialism race guarantees you will never win, only exhaust yourself running out of gas
The secret is learning to want everything you have as opposed to having everything you want.
"This is not my beautiful house." I sing this every time I mistakenly try to use my house key to lock the work office door.
That's funny 😆
Same as it ever was!
I honestly laughed out loud reading this, hahaha!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
"This is not my large automobile" I sing while driving my economy car.
You said he's dancing like someone invisible is moving him around. Well, he based his movement on people who were being "moved by the holy spirit", so that was a very astute observation!
Yes, the song was inspired after watching a televangelist preaching and speaking in tongues. The begining is a river baptism.
I think he based his movement on cocaine.
Yes
This song is about the uncontrollable nature of life and how it is really just happening around us. Time flows just like water.
Exactly how I view the song.
The questioning of existence, and life!
How did I get here, what’s going on?
Life is a trip when you stop and think about it! 😂
@@stuartdamon3610 Quite literally... nothing really matters.
@@SearchfortheMeaning Agreed. 👍
But make the most of the ride! 😂
Bullseye my homey.
WRONG... its about public opinion vs you
His dancing was choreographed by Toni Basil of "Hey Mickey" fame.
Your so fine.
Toni 💗💗
Great factoid...I'm stealing that!
I knew Toni Basil was choreographer extraordinaire. That's gold thank you.
I can only think of Paula Abdul as a mear contender. It' best left mear
Toni Basil was also in 'Easy Rider'.
Hey Mickey reaction
This was choreographed by Toni Basil (who sang "Mickey") and is based on traditional and tribal dances from around the world! David Byrne is an amazing avant garde performer, and is still going at full strength today
She is a remarkable woman with a helluva career.
Still at it in her 70s.
In the context of the song, the dance can be seen as puppet-like: Modern man in his society, being pulled and manipulated by unseen strings. Like most all good music, it is multi-layered and can speak to any individuals emotions.
It's absolutely absurd--as it was meant to be. Then the comfort of the chorus. Nobody of the age has forgotten this. Same as it ever was...
Being exposed to the Talking Heads for the first time is a revelation. And if you follow Byrne's artistic path, you'll run into Brian Eno, and then Fripp, and you're off to another world.
Ah yes, Brian Eno, the airport sounds guy!
And Bernie Worrell and...
How do you know my life?!
Frippitronics! Court of the Crimson King!
@@justthinking526 Hell, yes!
When people say that 80's music sucks, I take a rolled-up newspaper,
whack them on the nose, and say "no!". Then I make them listen to this.
Then i tell to get off my lawn !
@ Oh, lots of people, sadly.
Brian Eno was the album's producer and it shows. He brought in Adrian Belew on guitar after Eno and Belew worked with David Bowie. Both Eno and Belew are geniuses who had major impacts as solo artists and collaborators with so many major artists in the past 40 years.
Adrian Belew is so amazing! Have seen him twice in concert! What a show!
Eno was an original member of Roxy Music in the early 70s too.
@@mikemendoza750 I saw him with his power trio a few years ago - I agree with your assessment. Have you checked out his TH-cam appearances at Sweetwater? Absolutely cutting-edge.
@@AJ17_ Eno made Roxy Music interesting, but that was really Brian Ferry's band. I heard "Here Come The Warm Jets" the day it was released and never looked back. "Another Green World" remains THE masterpiece from the 1970s. I'd love to see Jamel react to "Sky Saw" - a composition that is still avant garde today, both brilliant and hilarious once you apprehend the lyrics.
Don't forget Belew's stuff with King Crimson! He brought some crazy sounds with him wherever he went
Brian Eno deserves a lot of credit for this song as well. He had a huge influence on the sound of this song and album, and also did backing vocals for the chorus.
Brian had big influence in the 70s and 80s. David Bowie, Roxy Music, Laurie Anderson, U2....
Brian Eno is amazing
Yes, indeed. Remain In Light IMHO is the band's crowning achievement. In case you're interested on Eno's 1978 solo album Before and After Science the track "King's Lead Hat" is an anagram of Talking Heads.
He wrote this after watching hours and hours of televangelists. Its is s sort of parody of shallow prosperity gospel preaching.
Correct brother. :)
Never knew what the meaning of this song was, I just knew it was and is great. Learn something new everyday.
Yeah I learned this myself recently when you compare it to people talking in tongues or being "taken by the holy spirit" and his seizure kind of movements make a lot more sense. Preaching yuppie ism
I see how the song could be a loose parody of "Prosperity Gospel", but Byrne has stated: "We operate half-awake or on autopilot and end up, whatever, with a house and family and job and everything else, and we haven't really stopped to ask ourselves, 'How did I get here?'" The video itself is certainly inspired by Pentecostal/Evangelical preacher antics.
Thank you for that tidbit of information. The video now makes a lot more sense. Always enjoyed, but didn't understand the play behind it.
A good friend of mine is friends with their drummer, Chris Frantz. They grew up together here in Kentucky. Yes I’m name-dropping.
Chris is one of my FB friends. Probably only because my ex was a drummer in another band. Chris and Tina are still married, very sweet.
@@cici7333 awesome!
As you should. Lol. Very cool!
He laid down some great beats.
@@danieljodrey709 indeed
This was my wedding theme. I was told I would regret not going more traditional. Almost 26 years later, it still fits. No regrets at all.
Awesome!
❤❤❤❤
Brave choice , I love it that took guts
Definitely not conventional
Yo, this edible ain't shi-
*LETTING THE DAYS GO BY*
This sent me LMAO
🤣🤣🤣
David Byrne is a genius. He was attempting to rap in the style of a TV preacher. And those dance moves, damn!
Mr Byrne’s movements were partly inspired by observing revivalist preachers and faith healers.
Also, Byrne said that the hand chopping motion on the other arm came from watching Tibetan Buddhist monks debating.
Evangelists were such spazzes.
@Jim lastname - I have no idea what they were debating about. I still don't know what the gesture means, and I'm not sure if Byrne does.
I do know they have a long tradition and specific style of formal debate.
💯 Percent.
I was going to say I'm pretty sure I saw him at a Pentecostal Revival LOL
I think it’s more about getting stuck in the routine of life in modern society and wondering how you ended up there like everyone else. Like it happened without you noticing.
Exactly this.
Letting the days go by....
My God, what have I done!?!?
David Byrne has taken nerddom to a whole 'nother level! He is a unique genius who has blazed his own trail, and damn the torpedoes. You have to respect someone who is brave enough to be this different. He says that he was painfully shy as a young man. Fortunately for us, he took it and ran with it. By the way, I really enjoy your reaction videos. Your reviews are intelligent, sincere, and perceptive. And I really like the fact that you are not afraid to ask about things you don't know. That's exactly how you learn. Right On, Young Brother!
I adore the talking heads. They dont get enough love or attention.
Talking Heads are one of the most influential bands of their era. Well done for getting them up on the channel. :)
*of any era 😉
talking heads are so good, this tune is so epic !
I know that his movements were based on religious leaders. However, I would join any cult led by David Byrne.
And would happily Byrne in hell for it
I never understood how this song didn't chart higher in the U.S.
Because it requires thought and consideration.
@@ponga2780 look, a lefty
Madonna, Rod Stewart, and The Boss.
It was huge at my university.
@@shanchan8247 😄 haha ,yeah !! Eno...eno?$
Talking heads came out of the New York art school scene and started a band. That was in the 70s in the middle of the punk era. Their quirk and off-brand nature is a big part of them. The concert movie they made: Stop making sense, tells you all you need. (Also, top 5 concert movies all-time)
Actually, he went to Rhode Island School of Design, which perhaps is a better pedigree.
@@irakopilow9223 thank you! Knew it was around there somewhere (dyed in the wool west coaster). My history gets better the older it is.
That's definitely a time I wouldn't had mind being old enough to experience. All that crazy fusion of music was coming out from so many performers. We're sure in dire need of that kind of creative vitality today.
Richard Meyers - It WAS a fantastic time musically. I was a teenager in the 70's; turned 21 in 1978. But it is only recently that I have come to the realization just HOW fortunate I am to have lived through those times. Such a huge diversity of artists. Before auto-tune and an over-abundance of digital wizardry. No wonder I fall back on nostalgia. 😕
@@brucedillinger9448 Right? I was just 11 in '78 but getting into music already and those few years from '78-'82 were just phenomenal..
He's the average sensual man in pursuit of narrow materialistic gains who has a sudden, life changing glimpse of the transcendental & eternal.
that comment....would make a great video.
"Time isn't holding us. Time isn't after us. Same as it ever was..."
Thats the line people miss and they really shouldn't.
He's like that live on stage...one of the most brilliant original and eccentric bands ever.
One of the coolest, & most innovative bands to come out of the USA.........ever!
Not American at all, in their style, or 'message'!
Much more 'European' in their style.
A pure avant garde band, love their originality and the spirit and message within their music. A less derivative band you will ever find.
This song was inspired by listening to Southern preachers on the radio when the band was touring. David Byrne like the way they spoke so he turned it into this song.
Yes, I remember hearing him tell about being on the tour bus & hearing a preacher on the radio one Sunday morning. Some of the lines from the song were direct quotes from that sermon.
@@sandrab5166 "you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile" was apparently one of them 🕺
The “monotony” of it all. Like a hamster running on a exercise wheel and suddenly jumping off. Then, not recognizing your life. And the question of: What is it all for? This song was featured in a movie called “The Family Man” starring Nicolas Cage & Téa Leoni.
That’s the myth of sisyphus
The most uncomfortable person in the room is the one who knows too much..
The family man is a very underrated movie, in my opinion. I watch it every year.
Talking Heads just makes me feel good. Glad you're checking them out!
Every so often a new song stops you in your tracks and makes you really pay attention.....and this one is a doozy! It stopped me in my tracks in 1980 when it first came out and it’s still on my favourites list. We need to be “shook up” now and then I think🤗
One of my fav songs ever. I love the afrobeat feel. It's a hommage not a cultural appropriation of the art style.
Every time I hear this song (one of my faves from TH) I think of one of my Rules Of Life: The key to happiness is not getting what you want but wanting what you get.
It's also the intro theme music to "Down and out in Beverley Hills" for those who remember the 80's.
The music video isn't meant to be "comical". The idea is that he starts out repeating all the actions and motions of the versions of himself in the background as if he were on a marionette, but is slowly trying to break out of that and do his own thing.
👌 perfect description
Ohhh, thanks
There's nothing wrong with some people enjoying this as something comical, all art means different things to different people, even things the artist never intended.
Oooh! I never saw it that way. Totally makes sense. He's trying to break out of what the world says he should want (and be) and not just let "the days go by" blindly.
I always saw it as the idea of “going through the motions”. How most of us feel like we’re on autopilot. Then we wake up and try to get out of it but it’s like a computer frying.
Wild Wild Life and Road to Nowhere are also really good Talking Heads songs.
Road To Nowhere, yes !!!!!
@@DocRobert i love the St. Vincent version with the brass instruments.
Road to Nowhere has been my favorite of theirs for decades. Also a great perspective on life.
If your gonna mention wild wild life are you brave enough to also mention True Stories(1986). David Byrns Movie. Clips of the movie were in the music video.
Wild Wild Life had at least one well known actor before he became famous.
I've always percieved this song as someone as someone not happy with how their life turned out and found themselves in a rut where 9ne day bleeds into the next and he's finally having a nervous breakdown. The video, I feel, depicts this through David's dancing and more manic facial expressions as it progresses.
One of the best ever. Seeing this video at 12 stimulated my mind extraordinarily. Thanks for this
Crosseyed and Painless!! From the same album as Once in a Lifetime is on "Remain in Light"
The " stop making sense" Talking Heads concert is awesome. They had Bernie Worrell from P Funk with them. If your a fan you definitely need to watch it.
Yes, a great, great version
Absolutely. It's a MUCH better version. Also, if Jamal was worried about him breaking his back on THIS video, wait until he sees THAT one. :)
Every time I hear the studio version I have to seek out the live one.
I will never forget the first time I saw Stop Making Sense :) Amazing
One of my favorite songs of all time... The layering of sounds is simply amazing
This song has a great beat and that baseline is so simple, but funky. This song is on my favorite playlist and has been for years
Yep. Tina Weymouth is a great bassist. She had a side band for a while called Tom Tom Club. Well worth a bit of time checking out.
peace - out
@@stevious7278 I've heard some Tom Tom Club songs, Genius Of Love was sampled in Fantasy by Mariah Carey
"Talking Heads" is even more relevant today, with the out of control frenzies the media stir up.
agreed! 👍
I totally agree! YES!
"The brother is gonna break his back!" You crack me up! That's why I love watching you and Mr. Video! You keep it entertaining & comical 😂😂😂
“You may ask yourself, my god, what have I done?” That gets me every time. My god, what HAVE we done?
Back when there was a wide variety of music, styles, and personalities. Knew this video would mess with your head Jamel.... Happened to all of us first time seeing it. :)
As others have said, you need to do “Wild wild life”. You won’t regret it!!
It's best in the context of the movie. He needs to do a reaction to the whole thing. "True Stories" is an amazing film and totally one-of-a-kind.
Not a huge Heads fan, but they got a lot of great songs. Wild Life might be my favorite. The video is okay, but a little distracting. Do audio or live (no lyrics please).
The best version is the one with St. Vincent th-cam.com/video/db293GrsDjo/w-d-xo.html
Yes, and also " This must be the place"
@@clevellbarney8917 Love the video
This song is a fecking masterpiece
They have an incredible cover of Al Green’s “Take me to the river” one of my favorites!
These guys had so many hits!
Right. The talking heads fly under the radar so much.
I've listened to every Talking Heads song hundreds of times. The music and lyrics just are so perfect for me!
No they had few
David Byrne is every bit the performance artist at Peter Gabriel or Hammer. The visuals are just as captivating as the music.
It was the 80's man, music videos were new to the industry and much cheaper to do. So everyone was experimenting and you ended up with some really wild stuff.
"He started off doing the Peewee Herman?" No. Peewee did the David Byrne.
"Remain In Light",one of the greatest albums ever recorded.
Top 5
Trent Reznor's favorite album.
"Water dissolving and water removing \ There is water at the bottom of the ocean \ Under the water, carry the water \ Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean \ Water dissolving and water removing" -- The video skips this verse entirely.
I thought there was a missing section
Life is moving you like that dance. That's life.
When this video first came out, it was ground breaking. Still is. Reminded me of a sweaty southern baptist preacher being pulled by puppet strings. We were blown away by The Talking Heads and there hasn't been anything like them since.
Kermit and the muppet’s version gives the original a run for it’s money.
That’s my go to happy video
"Same as it ever was." "Same as it ever was." "Yeah." "TERRIBLE!"
Same goes for the Gman version
True original punk rockers....I miss the 70's and 80's.
Don't know how to define their style but, I don't call it punk
@@raymondweaver8526Im 60 yrs old and thats what we called it in 78 when they took off...so fel free to call it what you want lol. I lived it... but I must be wrong.
@@tonygvanpelt9902 It's rock but it sure isn't punk..
It was called new wave
The Talking Heads concert film called Stop Making Sense is the best concert film of all time. The concept of starting with one musician and bringing the band on one at a time is genius and the songs are epic when performed live. David is such a dynamic lead singer, and all the band are such good musicians. Watch "Life During Wartime" or "Take Me to the River" - amazing!
David Byrne is one of the great musician/performers of the last 50 years and the rest of the band were no slackers either.
Talking Heads is one of the most influential bands of the “post punk” era. Have you discovered The Pixies yet?
Please do Life During Wartime and Girlfriend is Better.
Yes those two 👍
gotta be the live version of Girlfriend is Better tho :)
Tleilaxu Eyes stop making Sense version yeah anything from that concert film is outstanding
Oh, yes! Those two, please!
@@Hartlor_Tayley Definitely! One of the best concert movies ever!
The first Talking Heads song I ever heard was "Take Me To The River". It was love at first note.
It was Billy Bass's favorite song.
Absolutely!
🤣🤣🤣🤣 Literally everyone who reacts to the Heads has that same look on their face when the music starts.
The “dance” is like an evangelical preacher, prostration and being taken over by “invisible forces “
Please, Pee Wee was stealing David Byrne’s moves. Lolol. I think Drake stole a couple of them and toned them down for Hotline Bling, too. 😂
Look at this song and video as a televangelist preacher talking to his flock, those over the top 80's ones, you know those "The power of Christ compels you!!" preachers.
David took that approach to "preach his gospel" with a more more honest outlook than any of the "real" preachers.
The man isnt only a musician, he's an artist, an activist and a perfectionist (and notoriously difficult to work with lol) and he is ridiculously smart.
Nothing shows it better than "Stop making sense" live concert, here you see theatrical art and music art being combined with a dystopian flavor added as a statement, its hard to explain but its a absolute much watch show. (maybe good for a life stream?) th-cam.com/video/4xL7Ilh1DFI/w-d-xo.html
More Talking Heads Jamel, we need more! hehehe
Thnx for the upload :D
YES!!! Must watch 'Stop Making Sense'!
That goes for everybody here, folks.
@@tanstaafl1301 There ain't no such thing as a free lunch The Moon is a Harsh Mistress R.A. Heinlein
@@clasicradiolover Indeed. A book everyone should read. Are you really a classic radio lover? If so -- awesome. I'll leave you with an Orson Wells line from 1936..... (followed by his epic, sneering laugh).
@@tanstaafl1301 The Shadow Knows! Yes I discovered OTR on XM. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. Fibber Magee and Molly Have Gun, Will Travel. And many more. Also I like watching David Tipton restore radios from before the transistor
I've met David several times in NYC. Such a cool, humble, sweet guy. He rode his bike around town all the time. Seemed to have no idea (or saw no reason to dwell upon) the impact he has had on people. Made me like him even more!
It's so kewl that you appreciate the music my generation grew up with! You the Man!
For full David Byrne and Talking Heads effect you should watch their concert movie Stop Making Sense, a great showcase for the band.
When holding on to nothing but materialistic values for your own self-approval, life will always be the "same as it ever was". The more you have, the more you want. And so goes the ego feed that no one but yourself really cares about.
The 1980s was probably the greatest decade for music. The musical diversity that we all enjoyed was incredible...This decade tops even the 1960s.. and that decade was great. But the 1980s was something else.....It really was... THis is just one top song from that decade
As a child, before i could even remember, my parents had a copy of "Stop making sense" that they would play for me. And i would dance around like the guy on the stage. It wasn't until my 20s that i found a reference to this song and re-discovered talking heads. David Byrne is such a huge influence on my life, and until i became an adult i had no idea.
The Talking Heads are such an amazing band! I personally highly recommend This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody). It's such a beautiful song and one of my favorites of all time.
I think the song describes someone realizing that their conventional, ordinary life hasn't satisfied them or brought them peace. Beautiful house, check. Beautiful wife, check... My God, what have I done? The human condition: same as it ever was. We grind away at our lives, doing what is expected of us, while craving greater meaning inside. Then one day "you find yourself" with all those things, but without that meaning.
"The things you own end up owning you" Tyler Durden
I'm a old school metal head.. I absolutely LOVE the talking heads . they are underrated musical innovators
I absolutely love this song, and this video. Talking heads taught us geeks can play rock n' roll too!
Into the blue again / after the money's gone
Truer words were never spoken.
Your face is amazing, your eyes are like - WHAT IS GOING ON, but your ears and brain are WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Love the songs, the rhythms the beats and David’s quirky performance. Every time I hear these songs I want to get up and dance. The lyrics are great too!
Great video. This song evolves as you get older, and speaks poetically to our perception of the rapid passage of time and finding ourselves questioning the very things we believed to be certain.
"Time isn't holding up
Time isn't after us"
One of the simplest ways of expressing the beauty and immediacy of recognizing the moment in which we're living, and the tragedy of taking what we believe we truly know, and have, for granted.
Peace
you'll understand this song when you get to be around 50 years old....its a panic attack wrapped around a midlife crisis...
Brother your face was great when he was going to throw his back out, I almost spit out my drink
I think your success with reactions to older music, I am an older musician, is because you take the time to appreciate what is being conveyed. This in itself is you just being a genuinely good human being. I love your channel.
Watching you absorb this wonderful cluster of a song is precious! Love it! Peace.
So many great liners:
How do I work this?
Under the water
This is not my beautiful wife
Same as it ever was
Look where my hand was
Here comes the twister
My vote for next Talking Heads song is Burning Down the House. Also Genius of Love by Tom Tom Club (two members of Talking Heads).
Live!
YES‼️
💕Thank you for bringing me feelings of happiness this morning. 💜 I adore David Byrne, the Talking Heads, & you‼️😊 And it is good to see y'all intersect in this world. ❤️
This song and album is incredible. Honestly one of the greatest pieces of music ever written.
Jay was definitely enjoying this one, too. This takes me back😎
Please react to these Talking Heads songs: "Life During Wartime" (Live), "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)", "Burning Down The House",, "Slippery People" (Live), "Girlfriend Is Better" (Live), "And She Was", "Road To Nowhere", "Heaven" (Live), "Take Me To The River", "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)", "Crosseyed and Painless", "I Zimbra", and "Wild Wild Life".
Slippery People, yes!
Make it easy and just do the "Stop Making Sense" concert!
I always loved cities and the baby sing. We wanna make him stay up all night.
One of the most iconic music videos from the early era of MTV. My favorite Talking Heads song.
After almost 40 years, this is still the best video ever made.