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Talking Heads — Once In A Lifetime
Album: Remain In Light
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 5517








Released: 1980
Length: 4:10
Plays (last 30 days): 2
And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, "Well, how did I get here?"

Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground

And you may ask yourself, "How do I work this?"
And you may ask yourself, "Where is that large automobile?"
And you may tell yourself, "This is not my beautiful house"
And you may tell yourself, "This is not my beautiful wife"

Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground

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

Water dissolving and water removed
There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Under the water, carry the water
Removed water (water dissolving and water removed) remove remove remove remove remove

Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again, into the silent water
Under the rocks and stones, there is water underground
Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground

You may ask yourself, "What is that beautiful house?"
You may ask yourself, "Where does that highway go to?"
And you may ask yourself, "Am I right? am I wrong?"
And you may say to yourself, "My God, what have I done?"

Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again, into the silent water
Under the rocks and stones, there is water underground
Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground

Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was
Look where my hand was
Time isn't holding up
Time isn't after us
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
After the rain holds up
Same as it ever was
Then a twister comes
Here comes the twister

(Letting the days go by) same as it ever was, same as it ever was
(Letting the days go by) same as it ever was, same as it ever was
(Once in a lifetime) let the water hold me down
(Letting the days go by) water flowing underground
(Letting the days go by) water flowing underground
Comments (639)add comment
ONCE IN A LIFETIME we may be lucky enough to have a band like Talking Heads... Thank you so much! I am eternally grateful to you, David, Chris, Tina, and Jerry! 
Daily Talking Heads
I play this song a lot, but NEVER get tired of it!
And you might find yourself hitting PSD...

(David Byrne needs to be whacked over the head with an average sized Trout)
 joejennings wrote:
Same!   Solid 10!   So innovative (certainly at the time )



It has always been a TEN for me!  I bought this album right after it was released, & I have never gotten tired of it!  Thanx RP!


I recently started working at an NPR affiliate and I have added the instrumental version of this to my weekend breaks as background music. I dance every time I listen
{#Bananajumprope}
There is water at the bottom of the ocean? You learn something new every day...
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GET OFF MY LAWN!!  ...go spam somewhere else!   
too much overrated

sound like medium sh!tty modern indie
TINA!!!
 khardog145 wrote:

LOVED IT THEN!  LOVE IT NOW!  SAME AS IT EVER WAS!


To be honest, this is nearly my daily mantra at work. 
Wasabi!!! And walamaroof!!!!

*looks at lyrics*
 
Water dissolving and water removed
 
Oh...
I read somewhere that David Byrne asked Toni Basil to help him with the choreography for the music video that accompanied the release of this song.  David Byrne wanted an 'evangelical' element to the dance - the state of 'possession' that seems to be portrayed by some preachers.  I think she did quite a good job..as did he.
 Kaw wrote:

I have a metal head in my team at work. I'm more of a suit man so his first reaction was one of dislike. Until our manager said a few words that reminded both of us of this song and we both started to say the lyrics out loud at the same time. Since then we became friends and found out that we have more in common than with the other colleagues. I introduced him to Radio Paradise and he listens it now too.




Cool story! Thank You for sharing it!   
 phlattop wrote:

9---->10. never tire of this one.




It has always been a TEN for me!  I bought this album right after it was released, & I have never gotten tired of it!  Thanx RP!
 mread wrote:

Bump.  Must-see cover by his green-ness, Kermit the Frog:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jbya4kxC6E&search=kermit%20lifetime

Don't worry, it's only 2 minutes; must be seen at least Once in [your] Lifetime!

Holy.  Cow.
Absolutely a desert island disc for me. This whole album is unbelievable. I would put it up against ANY rock album in history.
9---->10. never tire of this one.
This is the story of my life.
I have a metal head in my team at work. I'm more of a suit man so his first reaction was one of dislike. Until our manager said a few words that reminded both of us of this song and we both started to say the lyrics out loud at the same time. Since then we became friends and found out that we have more in common than with the other colleagues. I introduced him to Radio Paradise and he listens it now too.
This song is so timeless. I would never say it's an 80's song. 
I never get tired of Once in a Lifetime!
Bill: "... and next, you may find yourself listening to these familiar noises."

This already got me excited to hear Talking Heads again. Familiar indeed. And I am glad to find myself listening to these noises. Thank you Bill.
 bc wrote:


And you may find yourself complaining about one of the most innovative songs of the 80s....
Same as it ever was.

(discalmer: I don't enjoy this song to much)
I thougt about this innovation, I love innovation in music, I listen to alot of experimental music from recent years, I see it as creativity and art to inspire other people and artists. 

This song pushed the limits of music in the 80s. But the song maybe does not age so well. So it is harder to get in if you where not there in the 80s.
Same as it ever was; overplaying this great song and group into the ground.
Beyond godlike :)
GREAT!!!
 pixelhutt wrote:

If you had ever been to a TH concert, I don't think you'd say "David Byrne's inflated ego".


IDK, Weymouth was at all the concerts, and she seems to think Byrne has a MASSIVE ego.  ;)

Or take this lovely quote from their drummer: “It’s like he can’t help himself,” Frantz said in a phone interview. “His brain is wired in such a way that he doesn’t know where he ends and other people begin. He can’t imagine that anyone else would be important.”

But so many artists seem like this.  We can't throw away the art of every self-absorbed artist, or what would even be left?
GREAT!!! ...my coffee just kicked in this morning & this came on!  Thanx RP!
 bc wrote:


And you may find yourself complaining about one of the most innovative songs of the 80s....
Same as it ever was.


How dare you PeteCreech
Great. Same as it ever was    Kaum zu glauben dass der Byrne schon 69 Jahre alt ist / It's hard to believe that Byrne is already 69 years old.
"Connecticut days go by...."
Yup. That's definitely what he's saying and not just what I'm feeling.
Same as it ever was... most iconic stage visual performed ever by a human being!  (and i saw the naked ass of iggy pop too)
 Cruithne3753 wrote:
ohaganclan wrote: Well lookee here...

Bump.  Must-see cover by his green-ness, Kermit the Frog:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jbya4kxC6E&search=kermit%20lifetime

Don't worry, it's only 2 minutes; must be seen at least Once in [your] Lifetime!


rock_a_rolla wrote:

What the hell is David Byrne doing at the moment?
Any idea?


 DigitalJer wrote:


He's Byrne'in down the house


Too funny.  
 pixelhutt wrote:

If you had ever been to a TH concert, I don't think you'd say "David Byrne's inflated ego". I saw them twice, and both times they all, and especially David, played their asses off, drenched in sweat and dropping more clothing as the evening progressed (and we danced our asses off). They left it ALL on the stage in their long sets, which means to me that they deeply respect their fans, and did everything they could to give us our money's worth and more. Very hard to see that as arrogant. 


The "Big Suit Tour" was my absolutely favorite concert in the 80's
 rock_a_rolla wrote:

What the hell is David Byrne doing at the moment?
Any idea? 



He's Byrne'in down the house
What the hell is David Byrne doing at the moment?
Any idea? 

 Tana wrote:
This was amazing on SNL. This board won't post the YouTube link - Google David Byrne SNL if you want to see it.
 

Found this video on NBC.com--you takin' 'bout this? 

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-n...
Greatgreat segue from Dire Straits' "Setting Me Up" to this. 

Bill you deh man. 
sickening creative... damn
Love this song      Same as it ever was
Hahahahahahahahahahaha bc wrote:


And you may find yourself complaining about one of the most innovative songs of the 80s....
Same as it ever was.
 

Flawless!
I can't stop moving my body. I cant help putting a smile on my face. A rare 10 for making my world a bit funnier
Great Tune! Bill has been on a roll this morning! ...sitting in my office chair bouncing in it, while the coffee kicks in, hiding from the virus!
I always thought it was:

Water FOR DIVING,
And water removed.

Frankly I think I like that better, but it's still a 10.
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
 
The genius of the Big Suit. How does one make their presence on stage bigger than life? Get a suit 3X too big!
 PeteCreech wrote:
Overrated and overplayed. Never liked it and never will. Never liked David Byrne's inflated ego much either. Can't help it, just one of those songs that irritates the hell out of me.
 
If you had ever been to a TH concert, I don't think you'd say "David Byrne's inflated ego". I saw them twice, and both times they all, and especially David, played their asses off, drenched in sweat and dropping more clothing as the evening progressed (and we danced our asses off). They left it ALL on the stage in their long sets, which means to me that they deeply respect their fans, and did everything they could to give us our money's worth and more. Very hard to see that as arrogant. 
This was amazing on SNL. This board won't post the YouTube link - Google David Byrne SNL if you want to see it.
 mrtuba9 wrote:
Totally K00L!!!

THIS is fantastic!!!
 

 PeteCreech wrote:
Overrated and overplayed. Never liked it and never will. Never liked David Byrne's inflated ego much either. Can't help it, just one of those songs that irritates the hell out of me.
 

And you may find yourself complaining about one of the most innovative songs of the 80s....
Same as it ever was.
Had to go with "godlike" on this one.  Flawless, terrifying, musically beautiful, a contribution to existentialism, and Adrian Belew's guitar.  At least I think this is him.
What a great, underrated rhythm section.  I think Tina Weymouth was just the best.
 EdEastridge wrote:
Infographic
 
LOVED IT THEN!  LOVE IT NOW!  SAME AS IT EVER WAS!
 
DoctorHooey wrote:

SUCH a perfect
song except it always annoyed me that Byrne clips the last word off of
each line in the chorus, such as "ground". Why didn't he just record
vocal tracks for the lines separately so he didn't have to cut the word
short to get a breath before the next line? It is a studio album after
all, and an elaborately recorded one. I always wondered about that
decision.


slidingwolf wrote:
Agreed.  Most irritating.
 
You may be irritated or annoyed by it but, this was undoubtedly artistic decision made for the song. It is intentional.  If you read the Wiki on the song, you will see that everything about the recording of Once In A Lifetime was considered in great detail.


 On_The_Beach wrote:

Average rating 8.1. Looks like you'll be puking all by your little ol' self. Hope you've got a bucket.
 

And nobody to hold back your hair. Sad....
 Cruithne3753 wrote:
ohaganclan wrote:
I remember an old Muppet show episode where Kermit sings this song and yes, he is wearing the white suit and doing the hand gestures with his flipppers! I would love to see that video again!
Well lookee here...
 
cool, the link is still working!

(same as it ever was)
Another overplayed song by the talking heads the next button now
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Average rating 8.1. Looks like you'll be puking all by your little ol' self. Hope you've got a bucket.
 
Yeah, I can't figure that out. Everyone else must be hearing a different song than I am. But that is why PSD (and the other RP mixes) were invented.
great sound for the movie "Zoff in Beverly Hills" - just perfect!
 slidingwolf wrote:

Agreed.  Most irritating.
 

Blimey : )
 EdEastridge wrote:
Infographic
 

THIS is fantastic!!!
Saw Angelique Kidjo's reinterpretation of this album at the Ravinia Festival this summer, she did a credible rendition.  And seeing the heads do this at SPAC the summer  of 1980, I had a frame of reference.  Enjoy folks!!
 PeteCreech wrote:
Overrated and overplayed. Never liked it and never will. Never liked David Byrne's inflated ego much either. Can't help it, just one of those songs that irritates the hell out of me.
 
While I'm sure you're not alone with your distaste for TH/DB, I will up my current 9 rating to a 10 to help make up for your misdeeds!  LOL...really though to each their own...and LONG LIVE RP!!
Overrated and overplayed. Never liked it and never will. Never liked David Byrne's inflated ego much either. Can't help it, just one of those songs that irritates the hell out of me.
Infographic
Saw them and many others at Heatwave, a weekend festival outside of Toronto!
 zapeta wrote:
You may find yourself vomiting profusely while mashing the PSD button...
 
Average rating 8.1. Looks like you'll be puking all by your little ol' self. Hope you've got a bucket.
You may find yourself vomiting profusely while mashing the PSD button...
Talking heads so irritating... I came around on Bombino, but this is just too much.

Was in School in NYC that year (1980). This song takes me back.{#Smile}







You may ask yourself, "why am I moving herky-jerky?" :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSuregWhlWk
 
I really like it that despite the TH/DB-bashing here this song still gets an average score of 8.1

In my book it's a big big 10, but still.
Image result for same as it ever was meme
 ojibwe wrote:
Great song, but it really should be given a nice long rest, and brought out again only after a few years.

 
Don't blame the song because of  main stream radio.  I learned along time ago to shut songs down I don't want to get over cooked.
 ojibwe wrote:
Great song, but it really should be given a nice long rest, and brought out again only after a few years.

 
I'll second that. A VERY long rest!
The Heads & Eno - keep playing it!  8->9!
Great song, but it really should be given a nice long rest, and brought out again only after a few years.
Way, way over played. Is this local mind numbing radio?
Nice,   Mother's Little Helper followed by Once in  a Lifetime.   what are you trying to say Bill..................?   lol
Always and everywhere SAME AS IT EVER WAS... Today, having lunch at Blackbelly with a friend, this was playing — and everyone in there was dancing and singing along to it...a couple hours ago, I was shopping, and this was playing — and everyone in the store was grooving and smiling to it...just now, cooking up some killer Mexican chicken soup, this came on RP — and for darned sure, I was hopping and bopping around the kitchen to it!   ~ Letting the days go by ~  Same as it ever was!
 legacyofrob827 wrote:
you may find yourself discovering this app, you may find yourself listening to this song, then you may tell yourself wow its pretty awesome thank you talking heads for this neato form of rock (9)
 
Nice! {#Cheers}  And a 9 hear as well. In addition to being oddly brilliant, this is the first video I remember seeing on MTV at my friend's house when his was the first home in the neighborhood to have C A B L E. Whoa....
you may find yourself discovering this app, you may find yourself listening to this song, then you may tell yourself wow its pretty awesome thank you talking heads for this neato form of rock (9)
 SeriousLee wrote:
You may ask yourself, "What is that PSD button for?"

Same as it ever was. Play Something Different.
 
Bah! Great tune. Just enjoy it!
{#Bounce}{#Bounce}{#Bounce}{#Bounce}{#Bounce}{#Bounce}{#Bounce}{#Bounce}
You may ask yourself, "What is that PSD button for?" Same as it ever was. Play Something Different.
 houston wrote:
The very best song to take a shower to. Is that the neighbours banging on the wall? Can't be sure 

 
ROFL {#Clap}
 maxjboxer wrote:
You may find yourself hitting PSD

 
yep
You may ask yourself, "WHY SUCH A BIG SUIT?"

 
 Knofi wrote:
Geiles Lied,

besonders für uns - forza Fc.St.Pauli                                                                                                {#Fire}

 
Gruß an Pauli von den Rucksackfranzosen aus Saarbrücken 

one of my fav albums

STOP MAKING SENSE

{#Hearteyes}
Thank you RP for a great TH track
here comes the twister
 Knofi wrote:
Geiles Lied,

besonders für uns - forza Fc.St.Pauli                                                                                                {#Fire}

 
gruß an St.Pauli von de Eintracht
 maxjboxer wrote:
You may find yourself hitting PSD

 
I disagree, but that is very funny.
 maxjboxer wrote:
You may find yourself hitting PSD

 
{#Cheesygrin}
Geiles Lied,

besonders für uns - forza Fc.St.Pauli                                                                                                {#Fire}
You may find yourself hitting PSD
11 Punkte für die Heads , gruß an Klaus, du idiot
Something with this head talking
   He turned it into nerdy talk.
My favorite video of all time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98AJUj-qxHI 
 joempie wrote:

It certainly is. One of the very few reason for me to keep clicking PSD is the absolute overrepresentation of Talking Heads...

 
476 is "very few"?
The most insane way to place offbeat lyrics over an offbeat bassline which doesn't match the unusual drums, without making any mistake. One of my favorite godlike musical brainteasers of all times.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Hmmm, the center-aligned lyrics resemble a human form (with skinny arms).
Clearly time to get some sleep.

 
Same as it ever was
David Byrne is the poster boy for Tourette's Syndrome in the music video for this song
 tournemire wrote:
why do we have everyday one TH ?

 
Because like Wonder Bread it helps you grow strong bodies 12 ways?  {#Ask}
The very best song to take a shower to. Is that the neighbours banging on the wall? Can't be sure 
Dedicated to Brent and Kristen
why do we have everyday one TH ?
Hmmm, the center-aligned lyrics resemble a human form (with skinny arms).
Clearly time to get some sleep.
I have tried and tried again to like Talking Heads, I have however found that I need to be in the right mood but I am hardley ever there for them.
So I'll pass yet again. 
"And you may find yourself listening to the horror that is David Byrne again." Terrible, terrible.