David Byrne was once interviewed on English television (may have been BBC2) around the existential nature of this song, the spiritual meaning, the motivation, the message in the writing, the treatment of conventional life sequences etc, etc...... Byrne listened, his head bowed. He paused and then breathed in, calmly looked up, softly flicked an eyebrow, stretched in his chair and joined his hands firmly together. Turning his face slowly toward the interviewer, he slowly murmured "its a song about drowning"
To be fair you can connect a life or death moment like drowning (or the concept of figuratively drowning) to a lot of that stuff. But people do definitely over complicate it.
I remember where I was when I first heard this when it was released, on a great system. I just stood up, jaw dropped for the whole time, orgasmic when the choral voices came in. It just hangs so well. There really was nothing else like this, but there was, if you get my drift. Art yes it is
The number of Scots who left Scotland as children then went on to form major bands is incredible. David Byrne Talking Heads. Angus and Malcom Young AC/DC, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, Mark Knopfler Dire Straits, Colin Hay, Men at Work, Brian Connelly Sweet
I can name more famous bands who came just from the state of Michigan. Alice Cooper, Kiss, Madonna, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Eminem, Kid Rock, MC5, Iggy Pop, White Stripes, and of course there was that whole Motown thing.
@@sunsetpalms1923 The people I included were just those that left Scotland, not every Scot's band/performer. It was an observation of a quirk. BTW what's the pop of Michigan? Scotland has only 5 million.
Lol, & now their name is more relevant than ever. As nowadays, we have talking heads on numerous 24 hour "news" channels, who are constantly feeding us lies & bs.
And now surrounded by SUVs and McMansions you may ask yourself "How did automobiles get so large again anyway?" and you may ask yourself "Who thought *that* was a beautiful house!?"
I never liked Once in a Lifetime when I was growing up in the 80’s. Now, in my 40’s, I totally get it. I have a satisfying life, but the lyrics still make so much more sense now.
When I was in high school in the 80s, I thought Once in A Lifetime was the coolest song I ever heard. Then I heard "Listening Wind" on the same album, and I was like, damn, two amazing tracks on the same album!
The cool thing about the bass line is that it stays consistent throughout the song, but because there’s an extra 2-beat turnaround before each chorus, the notes “land” differently in the chorus than they do in the verses. And yet it still works! I’m a huge Talking Heads/Eno/Bowie fan, and I think one of the common threads is that they all have a similar approach to creating music, where simple individual parts can become really interesting depending on how they’re layered and arranged and interact with each other.
Jerry, Chris, and Tina were all integral parts to Talking Heads, but the relationship between Byrne and Eno is where the true genius of the band comes from.
Absolutely, although it was interesting that Chris inspired this bass line. Reminds me of another random bass inspiration - Billy Preston dreaming up the original "Miss You" line that Bill Wyman plays on the record. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and great music happens when musicians genuinely collaborate with a minimum of ego.
@Isaac Dweck cringe, m8. Don't gatekeep how people listen to music. if I want to download flacs from Soulseek or if I want to listen to 192 kbps tracks neatly arranged and recommended for only ten bucks or vinyl records or cds or 24 kbps mp3s from limewire with 12 Trojan viruses hidden inside I should be able to without some asshat saying that I'm "listening to, like, half the song"
@@vehemetipolygoniae2197 oh he was just saying something like "vinyls the only way to listen to music or someshit" I like vinyl, I'm not a big Spotify guy and I also think that gatekeeping isn't bad, but I dunno m8 I think that sayin that gets annoying
Such an amazing band. Their albums contain so many fascinating songs, more than most people realize. When Byrne's film "True Stories" came out, I went to a signing for the accompanying book. I brought along a couple of TH albums, one of which was "Fear of Music", with its black album cover. When Byrne got to that one, he looked at me, I smiled at him, and he went ahead and signed it - with his black pen. I kept that album for years, and whenever anyone questioned my claim that he signed it, I'd hold it at an angle so the light would hit it just right, and the signature would appear. Good thing he used a ballpoint! :D
Never thought about Once in a Life time having the same cadence as televangelists, but it makes total sense! Especially thinking about the song Jezebel Spirit that Brian Eno and David Byrne did the same year. Great video!
Ryan James Barr oh man. Don’t get me started. Life during wartime IS one of the best TH songs, and lyrically it’s so unlike any other TH song. I got turned on to them by the song “Swamp” in the movie Risky Business and then on the soundtrack. Great band. All members alive and well. Chance of a reunion tour? I’m guessing not.
How about The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, or chiefly known as Oingo Boingo. Rather than art students like with the Talking Heads, Oingo Boingo formed from a surrealist performance art theatrical troupe. Plus there's the vocalist, Danny Elfman who afterwards went on to achieve Hollywood Stardom in music composition for film and composed many great award winning movie scores, plus themesongs for tv shows (such as the iconic themesong for The Simpsons), so definitely need a video on Oingo Boingo with their numerous hit and cult songs, and/or a video on Danny Elfman himself.
@@MrEazyE357 hence why "the" is lowercase.. rather than The Talking Heads which would indicate it's apart of a name/title if it were capitalized, for example The Beatles.. The use of "the" here is just called proper grammar.
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams
I bought the album in 1981 until today and I think “Remain In Light” is one of the most important albums in pop culture ever , of course Once in a Lifetime is brilliant song as well ... Remain in Lights is an absolute masterpiece ! ! !
I seriously heard this yesterday and thought,, “I’ve really got to finally figure this song out.” I always mean to every time I hear it, so thanks for this! It really is a brilliant work.
I've always loved how, at the end of the interlude about water, the bass plays that reverbed (?) short sequence of notes that reminds me of a whale song. It was just the perfect motif to carry the song from that interlude in the chorus.
Sonically strange... best way to describe that entire decade lol. It was... pretty cool as a kid honestly. I think this is why my imagination was always so colorful. Growing up with what was essentially a constant acid trip as media for 10-15 years was... well kinda strange lol. I say 15 because this stuff DEFINITELY spilled over into the 90's... we had some STRANGE stuff in the 90's man. When you remember this video and Sledge Hammer as a kid... weird is just kinda art. Not to mention a large part of this generation grew up with analog systems and by the time we graduated we were in a nearly 100% digital world... for example when i began school card catalogues and typewriters were the norm, by the time i was out everyone had a PC and the internet was WELL under way. This was a strange time, but even stranger to grow up in.
I LOVE THIS VID. Made me smile at several points throughout. My favorite thing about your videos is how you find words and explanations to express exactly how i feel about a song or group, and explain why i felt that way when i otherwise wouldnt know how. For example, the lyricism in this song. I had no idea why i felt it was familiar, like i had heard it before. The parallel you drew between preachers' cadences and Byrne explained it without a doubt, as I have always been religious and gone to church. I love this song so much and you did such good justice to it. Naive melody would be hella cool to see as well
From Wikipedia: "The suit was partly inspired by Noh theatre styles, and became an icon not only of the film - as it appears on the movie poster, for instance - but of Byrne himself. Byrne said: "I was in Japan in between tours and I was checking out traditional Japanese theater - Kabuki, Noh, Bunraku - and I was wondering what to wear on our upcoming tour. A fashion designer friend (Jurgen Lehl) said in his typically droll manner, 'Well David, everything is bigger on stage.' He was referring to gestures and all that, but I applied the idea to a businessman's suit." Pauline Kael stated in her review: "When he comes on wearing a boxlike 'big suit' - his body lost inside this form that sticks out around him like the costumes in Noh plays, or like Beuys' large suit of felt that hangs off a wall - it's a perfect psychological fit." On the DVD he gives his reasoning behind the suit: "I wanted my head to appear smaller and the easiest way to do that was to make my body bigger, because music is very physical and often the body understands it before the head."
I heard this song for the 1st time on my way to school for the 1st day. I was so amazed , I pulled into Tower lot to pick up tape of " Remain In Light " I was late to school ! A Desert Island Disc. 🎸
The one thing you miss about the Talking Heads that helped make them so popular is that they put on high energy shows with music that was very danceable. You can see this in the many live videos of the band played on CZcams. Once in a Lifetime also covers this element of their popularity. Love all of your work, keep it up!
If you're from the east coast, and are a true lover of rock and alt you knew years ago about the alternative radio station that once a rock lovers must. They played this particular song EVERY day and at a teenager I just enjoyed it but now being 22, the song not only holds meaning to me but memories as the years have now gone by. Thank you Pitchfork
You referenced Fela Kuti my friend, might as well make one of your excellent videos for The Black President himself. Edit: I mean, if the story of Zombie and the invasion of Kalakuta doesn't make for an awesome video, nothing will.
"This Must Be The Place" imo equally trancends, especially In the movie Wallstreet as Charlie Sheen moves up In the world , and at the end as he's fallen down but finally lands In the place he always needed to be.
When I first saw this video on MTV, I was about 16 years old, an Talking Heads instantly became my favorite band. It's awesome to see young folks enjoying it now as much as I did back then!
I like how the song is both sounding happy, but at the same time reminding me how fast life goes by and how we can strive all life for big dreams that never come to be. And it all gets tied together with the references to water, as water flows like time always no matter what we do. And the profmans truly is what makes this hit so hard, its fun and sad, its powerful.
Yes - but for most of her career she's been a brilliant coreographer. Look her up on CZcams, she's one of the people that initially brought popping and locking to the masses.
She also was a go-go dancer in The T.A.M.I. Show (along with Teri Garr) and was one of the women Fonda and Hopper hung out with in New Orleans in Easy Rider (along with Karen Black).
I've never been much of a Talking Heads fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Your videos are always clean, professional, informative and impeccably well-researched. Huge props man.
@@russ6541 It's a joke...one of their albums is called "The Name of this Band is Talking Heads" but yes I am know most people just say the Talking Heads...myself included sometimes
Cannot believe this is FORTY TWO years old - I was 9 when this came out - it's as brilliant today...as it ever was. Proud to claim David Byrne as a Scot...even if he left at a young age, he's still one of us.
This song is almost the perfect expression of how repetitive life is, was and will be. Especially as an adult. "Same as it ever was" just repeats in my mind from time to time.
I saw the music video in the waiting room at the hospital at 12 years old just prior to having my adenoids removed. It stuck with me for years until I finally had a part-time job as a teenager and could afford to start buying CDs and I got into Talking Heads pretty deep. I finally saw David Byrne live in 2018 and I don't know if I've seen a better show, and I would be fine if nothing ever tops it. I hope a live DVD is released at some point.
There is a spanish band that sounds a lot like Talking heads if youre interested. Golpes Bajos, wich literally translates to Low Hits or strikes, but is probably referential to their awesome basslines (bajo=bass, the "s" is plural)
Yeah it's like having the narrator from Wonder Years telling you about music. Very perceptive but. He's really thought about this stuff. My fave is the Bonzo drumming vid, which could have been an hour long
They actually started writing by jamming with Fear of Music (3rd LP), cables from mobile studio coming in thru Chris & Tina's loft windows in Long Island City. Remain in Light is where Jerry, Chris & Tina wanted credit for the music with David getting music and lyric credits as well.
I love how Polyphonic breaks down the creative process within a song, I wish there was a motion pictures equivalent site that did this, any songwriter has a rich resource with this site!
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this album. It was 1980 - and I was visiting a friend at college - and a hippy girl played this weird, African-inspired punk music that caught my attention. I'll never forget it.
I've Always loved this song and the video is my absolute favorite because of how awkward but brilliant it is. Beautifully insane. Thanks for spreading the love of it's creation.
So would I. But I'm afraid it would be a video based purely on speculation. I mean, Townshend is the only one who understands the thing, and as far as I know, he's never published a script or offered up anything more elaborate than a brief synopsis of the overall concept. The story of the failed Lifehouse project is already well documented, so a video about that would just serve as repetition without adding anything new.
Rust Belt Kid I mean the charges were dropped, and I believe he WAS doing it only for his book, but we’ll never know. I really like the music Pete Townsend has made and I don’t want that to be ruined because he made a mistake. Yes it was a BIG mistake and he definitely should have gone about the book research in a very different way, but he was a man on a mission that wanted to know if the things he went through as a child were the same as the kids in the videos(of course these are just my thoughts the subject).
I've had this song in my head since I was a small child. I have no idea why, but, it always made me feel this weird sort of sadness. Sort of a distant, helplessness type of sadness. Never been able to figure out why.
amazing band. never made a bad album ever. this song just explains a lot of people's lives. the music structure of it will become required listening for up and coming musicians more interested in creating out of thin air rather than with pre-made loop packs or mimicking legends note for note. Inspiring. nice vid!
Nice overview of this very cool song. I was waiting for Adrian Belew's name to come up. He really brought a new dimension to Talking Heads on this album. Jerry Harrison and Adrian were teaming up with Turkuaz to do an anniversary tour for Remain In Light until it got derailed by the pandemic. Hope they still do it when things crank back up.
If you have good headphones and listen closely, that's not just a bass line you're hearing - it's overdubbed with someone's deep human voice to thicken the effect. It's easiest to hear it at the beginning of the song before the strong vocals come in. And by the way, "There is water... at the bottom of the ocean" has got to be one of the coolest lyrics ever written.
All you need to create an iconic music video is zero budget, and a greenscreen.
Well, the rest of the budget is spent on acid.
And a killer suit****
fancy seeing you here, good job on the gman parody
Blue screen. Green screen wasnt the standard yet
Shouldn't be suprised to see you here
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
David Byrne dancing makes me think of Bill Nye losing his mind.
Bill Nye'remindds me if David Byrne teaching
_"Bill Nye has lost his mind!"_
More like 60 minutes on acid
Exactly! Every time I see this, I think of Bill. Thought it was just me.
Bill Nye did lose his mind.
David Byrne was once interviewed on English television (may have been BBC2) around the existential nature of this song, the spiritual meaning, the motivation, the message in the writing, the treatment of conventional life sequences etc, etc......
Byrne listened, his head bowed. He paused and then breathed in, calmly looked up, softly flicked an eyebrow, stretched in his chair and joined his hands firmly together. Turning his face slowly toward the interviewer, he slowly murmured "its a song about drowning"
Suffocation moment
To be fair you can connect a life or death moment like drowning (or the concept of figuratively drowning) to a lot of that stuff. But people do definitely over complicate it.
where can i find this?
Yes,I can believe that HE would say a thing like that.
I related it to Fahrenheit 451 when Guy Montag finally figured out what the fuck was going on in the world and wanted to try to fix it.
I HATED this song as a kid when my parents turned it on.
Now I hear a piece of art.
I love this song why do you hate once in a lifetime
cool 2614 I’ve had this quite often where a song your parents would listen to over and over and over becomes annoying but now i love them.
I remember where I was when I first heard this when it was released, on a great system. I just stood up, jaw dropped for the whole time, orgasmic when the choral voices came in. It just hangs so well. There really was nothing else like this, but there was, if you get my drift. Art yes it is
Me too. It’s “Grown-Up” music apparently. 😁
It ridiculously good.
I’m the same though, hated as a kid.
You may ask yourself, how long have I been waiting for a Talking Heads video?
Best Polyphonic video yet.
HARD AGREE
Yes TALKING HEADS are a good band
Did you know there is water at the bottom of the ocean?
TRUUUUUE!!!
My God, what have you asked?!
The number of Scots who left Scotland as children then went on to form major bands is incredible. David Byrne Talking Heads. Angus and Malcom Young AC/DC, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, Mark Knopfler Dire Straits, Colin Hay, Men at Work, Brian Connelly Sweet
I can name more famous bands who came just from the state of Michigan. Alice Cooper, Kiss, Madonna, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Eminem, Kid Rock, MC5, Iggy Pop, White Stripes, and of course there was that whole Motown thing.
@@sunsetpalms1923 The people I included were just those that left Scotland, not every Scot's band/performer. It was an observation of a quirk. BTW what's the pop of Michigan? Scotland has only 5 million.
We're naturally talented 🏴
Also Bon Scott of AcDc was from scotland
its weird how most of AcDc is just people from britain
@@MortanAMrk Maybe they should have been called AC/UK!
As their live album proclaims, "The Name OF This Band Is Talking Heads." It is NOT 'The" Talking Heads.
To his credit he used a lower case "the". Similar to the Eagles (right) as apposed to The Eagles (wrong).
Lol, & now their name is more relevant than ever. As nowadays, we have talking heads on numerous 24 hour "news" channels, who are constantly feeding us lies & bs.
You're absolutely right !
@@brandonpage7087 same as it ever was
It's like when people spell the band R.E.M. as REM.
"Once in a Lifetime" and "Burning Down the House" are two of my favorite Talking Heads songs.
Aries Dragon road to nowhere is also a masterpiece.
is that all??? they have a ton more. pfft.
wow some really deep cuts there 🙄
Me too! Along with Road to Nowhere, a song I completely relate to!
Mine is Psychokiller, that bass is catchy
"captures the manic monotony of middle class living"
FUCK THAT'S WHY I LIKE IT SO MUCH JESUS
"Manic Monotony" was a great Bangles song
@@WarrenBurstein a 2021 re -working
The whole Remain in Light album deserves a video on its own.
That would be amazing
YES
Oh hell yes. I've listened to it all the way through several times in the past couple of weeks... the music still touches me all these years on.
You stole my comment
@@ThatOneGuy7550 Saw your channel thumbnail. NIN for ever.
And now surrounded by SUVs and McMansions you may ask yourself "How did automobiles get so large again anyway?" and you may ask yourself "Who thought *that* was a beautiful house!?"
Wheeze
The bass line is one of those perfect examples of: "Less Is More."
As it's so often with bass.
@@ricardojmestre Under pressure..dum-dum-dum-dum-dadda-dum-dum...
@@spindriftdrinker precisely - and everyone knows what song it is 👍🏼
Talking Heads and Bowie are my favorites, great video as always man
I wholeheartedly agree
With Mr Eno as the common denominator...absolutely!
same as it ever was
You need to do an evolution video on David bowie
Good to see you! Didn't expect you would be here though... XD
Toni Basil directed the video?!?! That woman is such brilliance.
Heather Andrews She dated Byrne during 1980-1983.
She was a staple of MTV music videos in the 80's. Worked on so many great ones.
I never liked Once in a Lifetime when I was growing up in the 80’s. Now, in my 40’s, I totally get it.
I have a satisfying life, but the lyrics still make so much more sense now.
Same here! I'm black, by the way, and I JAMMED this loudly with my windows down in my car this afternoon
When I was in high school in the 80s, I thought Once in A Lifetime was the coolest song I ever heard. Then I heard "Listening Wind" on the same album, and I was like, damn, two amazing tracks on the same album!
@@ButterCookie1984 25 here, feel the same way. Amazing, how art grows as you do
@@justincase1853 Absolutely. Take a whole weekend and listen to the 80s....that's what Im gonna do in the midst of all this misery.
Groundhog day after 20 years of marriage
The reason it’s 0 budget is because the rest was spent on cocaine for David to get that nice m o i s t look
@Eric Miret fuck you, woosh
Moist.
now thats what i call dedication
Thanks to this video, "Once In A Lifetime" blew up again online (aside from the G-Man version too).
ENA is also one of the reasons its blowing up again
It doesn't happen very often, but just sometimes a real piece of ART works its way into the mainstream and becomes A THING forever.
Oh my god I’ve been obsessed with this song for weeks what a coincidence
Coincidence? I say algorithms
I can't hear this song without thinking of gman
same
@@blueninja012 as
@@gammakay521 ?
@@gammakay521 it
Ever
it first was an easter egg from ENA, it was just something neat, then i fell in the best rabbit hole ever.
You're the first person I've heard acknowledge the ambiguous counting in this song. I knew I wasn't crazy
Read David Byrne’s “How Music Works” it’s a great book.
My Account just started reading it today. So far very interesting
Another interesting read by DB is 'the New Sins'
@@hammalammadingdong6244 what is it about?
@@dianaruiz8604 - Oddly enough, it's about small engine repair.
The cool thing about the bass line is that it stays consistent throughout the song, but because there’s an extra 2-beat turnaround before each chorus, the notes “land” differently in the chorus than they do in the verses. And yet it still works! I’m a huge Talking Heads/Eno/Bowie fan, and I think one of the common threads is that they all have a similar approach to creating music, where simple individual parts can become really interesting depending on how they’re layered and arranged and interact with each other.
Jerry, Chris, and Tina were all integral parts to Talking Heads, but the relationship between Byrne and Eno is where the true genius of the band comes from.
Thank you for highlighting the awesomeness of Tina Weymouth’s bass playing!
Absolutely, although it was interesting that Chris inspired this bass line. Reminds me of another random bass inspiration - Billy Preston dreaming up the original "Miss You" line that Bill Wyman plays on the record. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and great music happens when musicians genuinely collaborate with a minimum of ego.
Would love to hear about The Tom Tom Club
_Same as it ever was._
There is water at the bottom of the ocean.
Same as it ever was, Dr. Freeman...
Same as it ever was
What's your Spotify i wanna see what playlists you have
his handle is watchpolyphonic
open.spotify.com/user/watchpolyphonic
@Isaac Dweck ah, yes, a record store playlist. my favorite
@Isaac Dweck cringe, m8. Don't gatekeep how people listen to music. if I want to download flacs from Soulseek or if I want to listen to 192 kbps tracks neatly arranged and recommended for only ten bucks or vinyl records or cds or 24 kbps mp3s from limewire with 12 Trojan viruses hidden inside I should be able to without some asshat saying that I'm "listening to, like, half the song"
@@Outta-hz1ej
Oop, he deleted the comment.
What did it said I'm curious now lol
@@vehemetipolygoniae2197 oh he was just saying something like "vinyls the only way to listen to music or someshit"
I like vinyl, I'm not a big Spotify guy and I also think that gatekeeping isn't bad, but I dunno m8 I think that sayin that gets annoying
Such an amazing band. Their albums contain so many fascinating songs, more than most people realize.
When Byrne's film "True Stories" came out, I went to a signing for the accompanying book. I brought along a couple of TH albums, one of which was "Fear of Music", with its black album cover. When Byrne got to that one, he looked at me, I smiled at him, and he went ahead and signed it - with his black pen. I kept that album for years, and whenever anyone questioned my claim that he signed it, I'd hold it at an angle so the light would hit it just right, and the signature would appear. Good thing he used a ballpoint! :D
That's actually a really cool story.
Never thought about Once in a Life time having the same cadence as televangelists, but it makes total sense! Especially thinking about the song Jezebel Spirit that Brian Eno and David Byrne did the same year. Great video!
“Life During Wartime” is probably their greatest song though. The imagery it conjures is just amazing
Ryan James Barr oh man. Don’t get me started. Life during wartime IS one of the best TH songs, and lyrically it’s so unlike any other TH song.
I got turned on to them by the song “Swamp” in the movie Risky Business and then on the soundtrack.
Great band. All members alive and well. Chance of a reunion tour? I’m guessing not.
Ryan James Barr I feel like I don’t enjoy the studio version, but instead the live one from Stop Making Sense
Finally a Talking Heads video!
How about The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, or chiefly known as Oingo Boingo. Rather than art students like with the Talking Heads, Oingo Boingo formed from a surrealist performance art theatrical troupe. Plus there's the vocalist, Danny Elfman who afterwards went on to achieve Hollywood Stardom in music composition for film and composed many great award winning movie scores, plus themesongs for tv shows (such as the iconic themesong for The Simpsons), so definitely need a video on Oingo Boingo with their numerous hit and cult songs, and/or a video on Danny Elfman himself.
Raven A video on The Forbidden Zone perhaps?
Or Devo? Mark Mothersbaugh, his brother and friends were all art students at Kent State.
I agree!! Oingo Boingo deserve some recognition & a Polyphonic video. 😊
It's "Talking Heads". There's no "The".
@@MrEazyE357 hence why "the" is lowercase.. rather than The Talking Heads which would indicate it's apart of a name/title if it were capitalized, for example The Beatles.. The use of "the" here is just called proper grammar.
"you wouldn't need all that to imprison...David Byrne"
Once in a turron.
Turron?
TURRON?
@@UnintelligibleYT
TURRON TURRON!!!!
@@UnintelligibleYT TURRONNNNNNNNN
TURRÓN TURRON TURRON TURRON TURRON TURRON TURRON TURRON TURRON TURRON
Love that song. My (then) girlfriend and I referred to it as "a musical version of a mid-life crisis."
Fitting considering Baby Boomers hit middle age in the 80s
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams
Whenever a polyphonic video is released, a good day is made.
Turrón! Turrón! Turrón!
I bought the album in 1981 until today and I think “Remain In Light” is one of the most important albums in pop culture ever , of course Once in a Lifetime is brilliant song as well ... Remain in Lights is an absolute masterpiece ! ! !
I seriously heard this yesterday and thought,, “I’ve really got to finally figure this song out.” I always mean to every time I hear it, so thanks for this! It really is a brilliant work.
2:39 using byrne dancing to represent the counts is hilarious
Man, I remember hearing this song as a 7-year old back in 1981. It was so cool because it was so different. Great video!
OH MY GOD HE FINALLY MADE A TALKING HEADS VID THANK THE LORD
David Byrne is an Agnostic. Mind your language.
I am a member of the Church of Latter Day Heads, and I am proud, thank you very much
@@marcusy.6372 My condolences. What a cursed life you have. It's really not fair.
teppolundgren LMFAOOO
i was expecting this comment haha
I've always loved how, at the end of the interlude about water, the bass plays that reverbed (?) short sequence of notes that reminds me of a whale song. It was just the perfect motif to carry the song from that interlude in the chorus.
Sonically strange... best way to describe that entire decade lol. It was... pretty cool as a kid honestly. I think this is why my imagination was always so colorful. Growing up with what was essentially a constant acid trip as media for 10-15 years was... well kinda strange lol. I say 15 because this stuff DEFINITELY spilled over into the 90's... we had some STRANGE stuff in the 90's man.
When you remember this video and Sledge Hammer as a kid... weird is just kinda art. Not to mention a large part of this generation grew up with analog systems and by the time we graduated we were in a nearly 100% digital world... for example when i began school card catalogues and typewriters were the norm, by the time i was out everyone had a PC and the internet was WELL under way.
This was a strange time, but even stranger to grow up in.
It's like 5,258,880 minutes on acid.
I LOVE THIS VID. Made me smile at several points throughout. My favorite thing about your videos is how you find words and explanations to express exactly how i feel about a song or group, and explain why i felt that way when i otherwise wouldnt know how. For example, the lyricism in this song. I had no idea why i felt it was familiar, like i had heard it before. The parallel you drew between preachers' cadences and Byrne explained it without a doubt, as I have always been religious and gone to church. I love this song so much and you did such good justice to it. Naive melody would be hella cool to see as well
Yes, but why a big suit?
Because David Byrne
To make his head appear smaller
Felix Charles it’s not big suit he’s just small brained
W I D E B O Y
From Wikipedia:
"The suit was partly inspired by Noh theatre styles, and became an icon not only of the film - as it appears on the movie poster, for instance - but of Byrne himself. Byrne said: "I was in Japan in between tours and I was checking out traditional Japanese theater - Kabuki, Noh, Bunraku - and I was wondering what to wear on our upcoming tour. A fashion designer friend (Jurgen Lehl) said in his typically droll manner, 'Well David, everything is bigger on stage.' He was referring to gestures and all that, but I applied the idea to a businessman's suit." Pauline Kael stated in her review: "When he comes on wearing a boxlike 'big suit' - his body lost inside this form that sticks out around him like the costumes in Noh plays, or like Beuys' large suit of felt that hangs off a wall - it's a perfect psychological fit." On the DVD he gives his reasoning behind the suit: "I wanted my head to appear smaller and the easiest way to do that was to make my body bigger, because music is very physical and often the body understands it before the head."
One of your best video's👌 Excellently written and excellently edited!
I heard this song for the 1st time on my way to school for the 1st day. I was so amazed , I pulled into Tower lot to pick up tape of " Remain In Light " I was late to school ! A Desert Island Disc. 🎸
The one thing you miss about the Talking Heads that helped make them so popular is that they put on high energy shows with music that was very danceable. You can see this in the many live videos of the band played on CZcams. Once in a Lifetime also covers this element of their popularity. Love all of your work, keep it up!
If I had to pick a favorite song of all time, this is it. The regretful refrain, "letting the days go by," still gives me feels.
Gman fans 🤝 Ena fans
Once in
A lifetime
Half Life Alyx is amazing.
Ahaha both of those made me aware of the song, both from CoreyLaddo's video and ena
Still waiting on a ccr video
Sent by The G-Man.
Sent by a Picasso painting.
"It's Talking Heads..." David Byrne.
Would love if you did a video on Tom Waits!
I would love a video on Tom Waits tbh
That One Guy same here I truly would ❤️ that too.. Tom Waits is awesome.. and that’s is a fact.. !
SportsRGreat: feet for children's shoes
@@shruggzdastr8-facedclown - dayum that was a slick reference
Please do this.
If you're from the east coast, and are a true lover of rock and alt you knew years ago about the alternative radio station that once a rock lovers must. They played this particular song EVERY day and at a teenager I just enjoyed it but now being 22, the song not only holds meaning to me but memories as the years have now gone by. Thank you Pitchfork
Cheese & rice moony!
You referenced Fela Kuti my friend, might as well make one of your excellent videos for The Black President himself.
Edit: I mean, if the story of Zombie and the invasion of Kalakuta doesn't make for an awesome video, nothing will.
Agreed
Zombie is my favorite track!
Bang on
"This Must Be The Place" imo equally trancends, especially In the movie Wallstreet as Charlie Sheen moves up In the world , and at the end as he's fallen down but finally lands In the place he always needed to be.
It's hilarious how you posted essentially my most favorite song on my 20th birthday. This is a fantastically informative video- love your channel!
When I first saw this video on MTV, I was about 16 years old, an Talking Heads instantly became my favorite band. It's awesome to see young folks enjoying it now as much as I did back then!
I like how the song is both sounding happy, but at the same time reminding me how fast life goes by and how we can strive all life for big dreams that never come to be.
And it all gets tied together with the references to water, as water flows like time always no matter what we do.
And the profmans truly is what makes this hit so hard, its fun and sad, its powerful.
Wait, wasn't Toni Basil the chick who did "Mickey"?
Dildo Baggins Yes that is her!
Yes - but for most of her career she's been a brilliant coreographer. Look her up on CZcams, she's one of the people that initially brought popping and locking to the masses.
She also did a decent cover of Devo's "Be Stiff".
@@steveplease Yeah! Devo played on that. She also covered "Pity You" and "Spacegirl Blues." Her first album "Word of Mouth" is a secret classic.
She also was a go-go dancer in The T.A.M.I. Show (along with Teri Garr) and was one of the women Fonda and Hopper hung out with in New Orleans in Easy Rider (along with Karen Black).
Heres the one ENA comment you’re looking for
YAAAAAY I found it! Also
TURRRON TURRON!!!!!
Sweet
TURRON?
@@fizzyegg TURRRRRON!
T u r r o n
This is probably my favorite video covering a song ever, seriously.
I've never been much of a Talking Heads fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Your videos are always clean, professional, informative and impeccably well-researched. Huge props man.
"the Talking Heads" ahem the of this band is Talking Heads
Congratulations, you’re the only one who cares.
I do too.
The 't' is lowercase meaning it wasnt put there as part of the title of the band. The is part of the title sentence not the band name.
@@russ6541 It's a joke...one of their albums is called "The Name of this Band is Talking Heads" but yes I am know most people just say the Talking Heads...myself included sometimes
Okay.
You keep calling them THE Talking Heads. The name of the band is Talking Heads.
Anthony Picco my favorite live album.
Care?
@@fr1endsh1p well that comment went over my head...
Cannot believe this is FORTY TWO years old - I was 9 when this came out - it's as brilliant today...as it ever was.
Proud to claim David Byrne as a Scot...even if he left at a young age, he's still one of us.
Honestly, Polyphonic's video are some of the most satisfying to watch. Interesting content paired with amazing visuals and editing
This song is almost the perfect expression of how repetitive life is, was and will be. Especially as an adult. "Same as it ever was" just repeats in my mind from time to time.
There is water at the bottom of the ocean 😂
Don’t remove it!
It sounds ridiculous until you remember there are deep sea rivers that flow thousands of meters below the surface.
@@wednesday181 - Underwater currents rock!
I saw the music video in the waiting room at the hospital at 12 years old just prior to having my adenoids removed. It stuck with me for years until I finally had a part-time job as a teenager and could afford to start buying CDs and I got into Talking Heads pretty deep. I finally saw David Byrne live in 2018 and I don't know if I've seen a better show, and I would be fine if nothing ever tops it. I hope a live DVD is released at some point.
Oooh, this song was a childhood favorite of mine - still is among my favorite songs ever.
There is a spanish band that sounds a lot like Talking heads if youre interested. Golpes Bajos, wich literally translates to Low Hits or strikes, but is probably referential to their awesome basslines (bajo=bass, the "s" is plural)
I love the Talking Heads! One of my favorite bands, up there with the Pink Floyd, the Led Zeppelin, and the Radiohead! Great video from the Polyphonic
I nearly wooooshed myself
Yeah it's like having the narrator from Wonder Years telling you about music. Very perceptive but. He's really thought about this stuff. My fave is the Bonzo drumming vid, which could have been an hour long
You just listed the only 4 bands that I listen to
😂🤣
They actually started writing by jamming with Fear of Music (3rd LP), cables from mobile studio coming in thru Chris & Tina's loft windows in Long Island City.
Remain in Light is where Jerry, Chris & Tina wanted credit for the music with David getting music and lyric credits as well.
I love how Polyphonic breaks down the creative process within a song, I wish there was a motion pictures equivalent site that did this, any songwriter has a rich resource with this site!
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this album. It was 1980 - and I was visiting a friend at college - and a hippy girl played this weird, African-inspired punk music that caught my attention. I'll never forget it.
I've Always loved this song and the video is my absolute favorite because of how awkward but brilliant it is. Beautifully insane. Thanks for spreading the love of it's creation.
Polyphonic consistently raising the bar for CZcams content creators. Yet another great video.
One of the greatest video and song combos of all time. It looks like a piece you would see at a New York art gallery or in a art museum !
They’ve got a jolly nihilistic approach to their music
Thoughts on Pete Townsend’s lifehouse? Would love to see a video on it
So would I. But I'm afraid it would be a video based purely on speculation. I mean, Townshend is the only one who understands the thing, and as far as I know,
he's never published a script or offered up anything more elaborate than a brief synopsis of the overall concept.
The story of the failed Lifehouse project is already well documented, so a video about that would just serve as repetition without adding anything new.
teppolundgren I don’t know I think polyphonic could do it some real justice. To be honest anything about The Who would be great from him
Rust Belt Kid bro relax it’s not that serious
Rust Belt Kid I mean the charges were dropped, and I believe he WAS doing it only for his book, but we’ll never know. I really like the music Pete Townsend has made and I don’t want that to be ruined because he made a mistake. Yes it was a BIG mistake and he definitely should have gone about the book research in a very different way, but he was a man on a mission that wanted to know if the things he went through as a child were the same as the kids in the videos(of course these are just my thoughts the subject).
Hey, they actually made one on it a few weeks ago! czcams.com/video/6gAd1X0Uawk/video.html
cool jam + we live in a society = once in a lifetime
I've had this song in my head since I was a small child. I have no idea why, but, it always made me feel this weird sort of sadness. Sort of a distant, helplessness type of sadness. Never been able to figure out why.
Legendary song. Thanks for the great vid!
Why hello there fellow ENA fans
I’ve been looking for this comment
Me too
Salutations
@Vladimir Putin *T U R R Ó N*
@Nicholas Brown Turrón!
amazing band. never made a bad album ever. this song just explains a lot of people's lives. the music structure of it will become required listening for up and coming musicians more interested in creating out of thin air rather than with pre-made loop packs or mimicking legends note for note. Inspiring. nice vid!
once in a lifetime has great meaning, and i love it
Nothing pleases me more than opening CZcams to a new video from Polyphonic on the Heads...
turron?
TURRŌN!
3:46 Because of the picture on the right, I can't unsee that curtained doorway as being David Byrne's gaping maw.
Oh, and cool vid, btw. Cheers! :)
Nice overview of this very cool song. I was waiting for Adrian Belew's name to come up. He really brought a new dimension to Talking Heads on this album. Jerry Harrison and Adrian were teaming up with Turkuaz to do an anniversary tour for Remain In Light until it got derailed by the pandemic. Hope they still do it when things crank back up.
Turrón! Turrón! Turrón! Turrón
TURRON TURRON TURRON!!!!!
"He and director Toni Basil" I forgot that Toni Basil directed music videos!
If you have good headphones and listen closely, that's not just a bass line you're hearing - it's overdubbed with someone's deep human voice to thicken the effect. It's easiest to hear it at the beginning of the song before the strong vocals come in. And by the way, "There is water... at the bottom of the ocean" has got to be one of the coolest lyrics ever written.
Talking Heads and Bowie are my favorites, great video as always man
David Byrne dancing makes me think of Bill Nye losing his mind.