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Talking Heads — Paper
Album: Fear Of Music
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 344









Released: 1979
Length: 2:33
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Hold the paper up to the light
(some rays pass right through)
Expose yourself out there for a minute
(some rays pass right through)

Take a little rest when the rays pass through
Take a little time off when the rays pass through

Go ahead and mix it up...Go ahead and tie it up
In a long distance telephone call

Hold on to that paper
Hold on to that paper
Hold on 'cause it's been taken care of
Hold on to that paper

See if you can fit it on the paper
See if you can git it on the paper
See if you can fit it on the paper
See if you can get it on the paper

Had a love affair but it was only paper
(some rays they pass right through)
Had a lot of fun, could have been a lot better
(some rays they pass right through)

Take a little consideration, take every combination
Take a few weeks off, make it tighter, tighter
Even though it was never, it was never written down
Still might be a chance that it might work out (if you)

Hold on to that paper
Hold on to that paper
Hold on 'cause it's been taken care of
Hold on to that paper

Don't think I can fit it on the paper
Don't think I can get it on the paper
Go ahead and rip up, rip up the paper
Go ahead and tear up, tear up the paper
Comments (41)add comment
At some point in the future, folks will comment 'WTF is paper?".  At least they'll have this song.

I have this at a 6 but it's more of a 6.5 really. I like other TH tracks a lot more, but this has some really great bits. 
Unbridled creativity and inspired experimentation, with the talent to kick ass! In this, I always loved the slashes of staccato chiming guitar like Television interspersed with the jangly, jumbled guitar bits like The Byrds or The Electric Prunes or even Sad Barrett, and how the tempo, against the dead-pan vocals, keeps changing, like the vagaries of feelings when you have that name and number on that little piece of paper that might hold your Destiny, so HOLD ONTO THAT PAPER! but brace yourself, because you'll doubtless have to survive long-distance telephone Hell, and it's not likely, but...still, might be a chance, and some rays pass right through, you know, so not much you can do...might as well rip it up...go ahead and tear it up, it's only paper...
TALKING HEADS = FRICKIN' GENIUS!
Excellent!! I haven't heard this in a long time.  Thanx RP!
 paulmack wrote:


I suggest you go make that happen, then. Let me know if I can be of assistance, pal.
 
See... it's not just me, Dave.

 krich58 wrote:

Sorry to the folks who don't here the music hear.

 
? I'm not sure that I can unpack that, unless you've got your words in the wrong order. However, even if this album is the dog's bollox to Heads heads, the ratings say that this isn't a well-liked track - 18 sucko-barfos out of 111 ratings, around 16%, and that on a station where TH are worshipped by most listeners (though not this one).

 SweTex wrote:


Agreed. A Masterpiece it is. {#Yes}
 

{#Yes}
There's nothing better than early heads - proto-punk genius...
 DaveInVA wrote:

This ain't rockin' to me, just trips my gag reflex. Getting my nuts ripped off with a blunt gardening tool would be a more enjoyable experience than listening to this :)

 
I've never tried that... but I really can't imagine that it would be nicer than listening to Monsieur Byrne... in fact it doesn't sound like a pleasant experience at all.

Nah, I guess I'll stick to listening to great music and keep my nuts for a big occasion
 Faterson wrote:
Folks are completely crazy, rating this gem a 1 en masse.

The whole album is a masterpiece.
 

Agreed. A Masterpiece it is. {#Yes}
A seminal album in the progression of music, IMO.

Love the simple song titles, like Mind, Paper, Cities, Heaven.
Drugs, one of the best musical interpretations of what it's like to be too high.

Sorry to the folks who don't here the music hear.

 peter_james_bond wrote:

Fear of Talking Heads ....{#Yes}
 
You got it. 
 paulmack wrote:


I suggest you go make that happen, then. Let me know if I can be of assistance, pal.
 
Fortunately the mute button is within reach so I don't have to listen to this crap. However, I'd be glad to try it on you for practice, pal.

 jagdriver wrote:
Automatic 1. I'd really like to give it a -1000....
 
Fear of Talking Heads ....{#Yes}
 Stu_Pidasso wrote:
A paper cut would be better than this song
 

In the eyeball!!!!   {#Yell}
A paper cut would be better than this song
Automatic 1. I'd really like to give it a -1000....
Well, we almost made it through the afternoon without hearing DB   **MUTE**
 paulmack wrote:
I suggest you go make that happen, then. Let me know if I can be of assistance, pal.
 
{#Clap}

 DaveInVA wrote:

This ain't rockin' to me, just trips my gag reflex. Getting my nuts ripped off with a blunt gardening tool would be a more enjoyable experience than listening to this :)

 

I suggest you go make that happen, then. Let me know if I can be of assistance, pal.
Damn, Bill! Run still going! See my comments back on Neko C (Knock Loud) and Hooverphonic (We All Float). Now High Violets and TH - Paper. I continue to be astonished. And tuned in.

 LowPhreak wrote:

Hey, it's 11:10 and you're not up rockin' yet? WTH ails ya? Getting old? 
;)

 

 
This ain't rockin' to me, just trips my gag reflex. Getting my nuts ripped off with a blunt gardening tool would be a more enjoyable experience than listening to this :)

 DaveInVA wrote:
To early on a Sunday for this crap {#Puke}
 
Hey, it's 11:10 and you're not up rockin' yet? WTH ails ya? Getting old? 
;)

 

Hmmm.  Generally a fan of TH.  Not at all one of this song. . . .
To early on a Sunday for this crap {#Puke}
 
I'll second that .. one of my favs!!!!

{#Bananajam}
lmic wrote:
Ooh-ooh - yessss - More from this album, please!
 


Ooh-ooh - yessss - More from this album, please!
I've never heard this tune before. that scratchy guitar is very reminiscent of some things on "my Life In the Bush Of Ghosts"
Very cool stuff.
Unique art is always controversial. Go Bill!
whoooot!!!!
(9)
"...expose yourself...out there for a minute..."
I don't usually make it to lyrics much in songs but DB writes awesome poetry (IMHO) 

What's this? More Talking Heads? Big surprise.
 Faterson wrote:
Folks are completely crazy, rating this gem a 1 en masse.
The whole album is a masterpiece.
 
Yep, I'm with you. People don't want to be challenged. Remember, Van Gogh never sold a painting!

Good analysis. How appropriate, then, that this album is titled Fear of Music, although it was published 3 decades ago! {#Think}
 Faterson wrote:
Folks are completely crazy, rating this gem a 1 en masse.

The whole album is a masterpiece.
 
I think there is a crabbiness among the general populace because of the recession. In these hard times there are many who lash out at creative individuals because of their own failings, or their own fear that things in general are falling apart and those who have achieved artistic success (like Talking Heads) or financial success or both ( like Radiohead) are somehow to blame.
Folks are completely crazy, rating this gem a 1 en masse.

The whole album is a masterpiece.
 sdsalsero wrote:
This is by far my most favorite album by the Talking Heads (as opposed to all my other 'favorite' albums? {#Stupid}

I don't know what any of the songs are really about, it's just an awesome creative ferment of music.
 
complete crap in my view

This is by far my most favorite album by the Talking Heads (as opposed to all my other 'favorite' albums? {#Stupid}

I don't know what any of the songs are really about, it's just an awesome creative ferment of music.
 window wrote:

I never thought I'd witness the 1st time a Talking Heads song gets RP airtime.  I just assumed they had all been played at least once by now.  Just goes to show - you never know what's in store at RP.
Oh, and great song!

 
It's a great album!

I never thought I'd witness the 1st time a Talking Heads song gets RP airtime.  I just assumed they had all been played at least once by now.  Just goes to show - you never know what's in store at RP.
Oh, and great song!


First seven!

 
bobrk wrote:
First 10!
 


First 10!