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David Byrne — A Million Miles Away
Album: Uh-Oh
Avg rating:
5.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 918









Released: 1992
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I ain't gonna work here no more
I ain't gonna work here no more
Honey, come and dance with me
'Cause I ain't gonna work here no more

I feel like I'm walkin' on air
I feel like I'm walkin' on air
I can see your house from here
And I feel like I'm walkin' on air

Oh - Oh
A million miles away from here
And I ain't gonna work here no more

You can't tell a man by his clothes
You can't tell a man by his clothes
A toad is a prince in someone's eyes
And you can't tell a man by his clothes

The stars gonna fall from the sky
The stars gonna fall from the sky
This time I think they've gone too far
And the stars gonna fall from the sky

Oh - Oh
A million miles away from here
And I ain't gonna work here no more

Oh - Oh
A million miles away from here
And I ain't gon' be treated this way

Some sunny day
I been waitin' so long
Gonna walk right on outa here
And I ain't gonna work here no more

We must have been out of our minds
We must have been out of our minds
Your own back side will let you down
And we must have been out of our minds

Oh - Oh
A million miles away from here
And we must have been out of our minds

Oh - Oh
A million miles away from here
And I ain't gonna work here no more
A million miles away from here
And I ain't gonna work here no more
Comments (96)add comment
 h8rhater wrote:

You hate this, you hate this, YOU hate this!!   

Don't speak for the rest of us. 



Stop making sense
 jp33442 wrote:

Too bad David was such a fucking dick to his fellow bandmates




I worked with a few very talented musicians that were nasty people.  But, it is all about the music quality!  ...eh?
This song make anyone else think of that quitting scene from Half Baked?
 itsme_bygolly wrote:


You can call him a dick but what you can't do is deny he's an artist. Byrne wanted to explore different artist expressions. Why shouldn't he?

He could have been more diplomatic about it, thats all
Serious psychotropic drugs are really the only excuse for that album cover. 
I like this song a lot.  And the album cover.  
Perfect album title.
 jp33442 wrote:
Too bad David was such a fucking dick to his fellow bandmates
 

You can call him a dick but what you can't do is deny he's an artist. Byrne wanted to explore different artist expressions. Why shouldn't he?
Too bad David was such a fucking dick to his fellow bandmates
 peacockangel wrote:
Maggies Farm / GDTRFB ~ wtf is not to love lol
 I think Maggie must have been relieved when he left.

The man is a fucking genius already. Relax and be thankful of David Byrne.
 Misterfixit wrote:
The album cover is a great -- and typical TH practical joke. Remember that God spelled backwards is Dog. Plus TH's are -- IMHO -- among the greatest innovative groups in the 20th century. That's a short list, too: 1. Spike Jones 2. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention 3. Talking Heads That's it. Short list

As regards Spike Jones: "...when you replace a C sharp with a gunshot it had better
be a C sharp gunshot or it sounds awful."

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
 

👌🏻
 LizK wrote:
 stripes wrote:
The dancing banana is perfect for this song, it's ashame it's no longer available.
 It's no longer available?  I really really need to explore this site & see what else disappeared.

All of Judge Crater's emails have disappeared, too...

Tony in NJ.
W.A.S.T.E.
 

I'm not the biggest DB (or TH) fan, but I have huge appreciation for his creativity. Seems like he just has fun doing what he does.
 deepwoodskev wrote:
I swear this was used as the theme song for a FOX Network TV show back in '92 or '93 that starred Téa Leoni.
 
100% Correct!!  I sort of had a crush on her back then (OK, I still do....) and yeah....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Blind_(TV_series)

    

You just need to click the smiley-face button in the text editor!

 
LizK wrote:
 stripes wrote:
The dancing banana is perfect for this song, it's ashame it's no longer available.
 It's no longer available?  I really really need to explore this site & see what else disappeared.

 

 stripes wrote:
The dancing banana is perfect for this song, it's ashame it's no longer available.
 It's no longer available?  I really really need to explore this site & see what else disappeared.

I swear this was used as the theme song for a FOX Network TV show back in '92 or '93 that starred Téa Leoni.
 Tippster wrote:
Although I'm a huge TH fan and Byrne has some pretty cool solo/side stuff this isn't one of them  Please banish this song a million miles away from your playlist.
 
you do realize this is Bill and Rebecca's station, right? Think of it as a private playlist that is uploaded to the web. You may not care for DB or another artist but complaining about it is pointless. We've all got songs/artists that we feel are overplayed here.
Although I'm a huge TH fan and Byrne has some pretty cool solo/side stuff this isn't one of them  Please banish this song a million miles away from your playlist.
Oh my, that got annoying really quickly. This definitely isn't a favorite RP song of mine.
Maggies Farm / GDTRFB ~ wtf is not to love lol
One of the better DBisms.
At least he didn't over-tighten his thong on this one.
 Limpopoking wrote:


No we don't... go stand in the corner!!! WE LUV DB
 
Bump, bump, bump!!!
I give it a 3, with +1 because Bill didn't try to use it to transition to Talking Heads.  {#Mrgreen}
Oh, no, not again.
 Shesdifferent wrote:
We hate this, we hate this, we hate this!! Get rid of DB
 
You hate this, you hate this, YOU hate this!!   

Don't speak for the rest of us. 

 Shesdifferent wrote:
We hate this, we hate this, we hate this!! Get rid of DB
 

No we don't... go stand in the corner!!! WE LUV DB

Generally, I don't enjoy most DB/TH songs, but this one's kinda catchy!
 Shesdifferent wrote:
We hate this, we hate this, we hate this!! Get rid of DB
 
DB Sweeney hasn't been seen since he robbed that plane and jumped. Rumors are that he started an internet radio station somewhere in California. {#Wink}

 jagdriver wrote:

Well, here, for starters. My tolerance for DB/TH might be higher if Bill didn't insist on placing this one artist in such heavy rotation. But, alas, nary a day goes by where we aren't subjected to DB/TH at least once, and often twice!

Please explain to me why any single artist deserves such heavy rotation.
 
Tori Amos, easily the worst "artist" on RP gets AT LEAST as much air time as the Heads.
I take the "glass half full" approach; when they play Tori, it gives me a chance to check out some of the 100s of other online stations out there. Don't whine; explore!

 jagdriver wrote:

Well, here, for starters. My tolerance for DB/TH might be higher if Bill didn't insist on placing this one artist in such heavy rotation. But, alas, nary a day goes by where we aren't subjected to DB/TH at least once, and often twice!

Please explain to me why any single artist deserves such heavy rotation.
 
You could make the same complaint against; Doves, Porcupine Tree, The Shins, Pearl Jam, U2, Mandrugada, Neko Case, Bob Marley, Morphine etc., they all get pretty heavy rotation. It all comes down to what you like and what you don't like.
We hate this, we hate this, we hate this!! Get rid of DB
 Finn_Ninja wrote:
really? more byrne? I love RP but the talking heads and byrne make me want to scream.
 

Bill loves Byrnin' down the house.
 TonyT wrote:
Can't for the life of me understand where all the Anti-Byrne sentiment comes vortexing out of.

 
Well, here, for starters. My tolerance for DB/TH might be higher if Bill didn't insist on placing this one artist in such heavy rotation. But, alas, nary a day goes by where we aren't subjected to DB/TH at least once, and often twice!

Please explain to me why any single artist deserves such heavy rotation.
 Laptopdog wrote:

It's also the definition of singer/songwriter. If you write the songs, you should be allowed to sing 'em.

I'd much rather hear a strange and unique voice such as David Byrne over most of what people consider as 'good singers'. You might not like him, but he's not a 'crappy' singer. He performs with a wide emotional range, passion and humor. Some people just can't hear that, I guess.  DOES HE HAVE TO SING EVERY SONG?


 


 macadavy wrote:
I second the thoughts below.  Nasty comments about a songwriter's alleged lack of singing skills is inappropriate if they wrote the bloody tune! 
Otherwise we'd never hear from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and quite a few others.
As I said in another comment: if you demand vocal perfection go listen to the Three Tenors!

 
Exactly...it's rock and roll people, not opera {#Beat}
I second the thoughts below.  Nasty comments about a songwriter's alleged lack of singing skills is inappropriate if they wrote the bloody tune! 
Otherwise we'd never hear from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and quite a few others.
As I said in another comment: if you demand vocal perfection go listen to the Three Tenors!

Can't for the life of me understand where all the Anti-Byrne sentiment comes vortexing out of. I've always felt the guy's intelligent, inventive and talented, with a wry sense of humor (if you parse the lyrics carefully) that is second to none.

I understand that some people may not like his voice - I personally enjoy singers that use a lot of inflection (Ian Anderson of Tull's another), but they're not for everyone. Nonetheless, all the ire directed David's way seems way out of proportion with his abilities as a musician, songwriter and arranger/producer. You gotta admit, the stuff is impressively arranged and beautifully produced.

And who's never felt the sheer joy of leaving a crappy, oppressive job, so perfectly elucidated in this song?

So please, take points off for vocals if you must, but give the man credit for everything else. And he's not a bad fine artist, either, with many projects outside of music to his credit. I've always felt that he manages to capture the "future shock" feeling of the human spirit immersed in a world speeding out of control with technological and social change (and not always for the better) masterfully. On the other hand, he's realistic enough to realize we can't go back to eating nuts & berries. Listen carefully to (Nothing But) Flowers off the Talking Heads' album Naked. {#Naughty}


jjbix wrote:
Did anyone mention he hass a crappy voice but insists on be the lead singer. that's the definition of EGO.


It's also the definition of singer/songwriter. If you write the songs, you should be allowed to sing 'em.

I'd much rather hear a strange and unique voice such as David Byrne over most of what people consider as 'good singers'. You might not like him, but he's not a 'crappy' singer. He performs with a wide emotional range, passion and humor. Some people just can't hear that, I guess.


I really like the TH, but I really don't like this song, especially that God awful noise in the middle. Is that a human voice or some sort of whining instrument. Ouch. Was a 4, changed it to 2 at that sound.
That loopy, whiney voice. DB? Overrated.
I just had to post to counter the haters. :) Keep it coming, Bill. kthxbye.
really? more byrne? I love RP but the talking heads and byrne make me want to scream.
byrne drivel, again . . . please make it stop!!
pernicious calypso badness, a 2
drife wrote:
Can't wait for it to end.
I feel like that on just about every TH/ D-Byrned out songs
Can't wait for it to end.
Awesome Bill, thanks! Next song... Million Miles Away, by the Plimsouls... maybe? :D
ThePoose wrote:
Bill loves Byrnin' down the house.
Read that before, but it's still funny
michaeleconomy wrote:
i'm sorry did i accidentally tune in to radio-bryne and not radio paradise? hes so over played on here...
I agree whole-heartedly, Did anyone mention he hass a crappy voice but insists on be the lead singer. that's the definition of EGO.
The album cover is a great -- and typical TH practical joke. Remember that God spelled backwards is Dog. Plus TH's are -- IMHO -- among the greatest innovative groups in the 20th century. That's a short list, too: 1. Spike Jones 2. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention 3. Talking Heads That's it. Short list
michaeleconomy wrote:
i'm sorry did i accidentally tune in to radio-bryne and not radio paradise? hes so over played on here...
This is so clever. That's why it's on the internet!
michaeleconomy wrote:
i'm sorry did i accidentally tune in to radio-bryne and not radio paradise? hes so over played on here...
Bill loves Byrnin' down the house.
OldFrenchie wrote:
Amen.
Sweet Jesus ...
mrmojorisin wrote:
God, that sucked.
Amen.
Between Talking Heads and David Byrne, too much David Byrne! About half of his music is worth a second listen IMHO.
Certainly one of the silliest album covers in history.
God, that sucked.
but it's just so goofy...
i'm sorry did i accidentally tune in to radio-bryne and not radio paradise? hes so over played on here...
As opposed to the rich, percussive layers and instrumental chaos, in a nice catchy package, of ALL of DB's tunes? Those are diagnostic traits. What's not to like in the others, Mr. G? quote="MrGreg wrote:
This is one of the few Byrne songs I actually like. The rich percussive layers and instrumental chaos is just fascinating. Plus it's just a catchy tune to boot!
Stevo wrote:
This gets an 8 simply because I put in my notice today. Screw this job, I'm never going to sell a damn filing system EVER AGAIN! WHOOOOOOOOO!!!
So? Howz it going now? Kickin' ass and taking names, I hope!!
Thistle wrote:
Cute album cover!! lol!
Reminds me of the joke about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac...laid awake at night wondering if there really was a dog. Quite likeable tune from Mr. Byrne and his great backing band/vocals.
Stevo wrote:
This gets an 8 simply because I put in my notice today. Screw this job, I'm never going to sell a damn filing system EVER AGAIN! WHOOOOOOOOO!!!
Good luck to you! I'm cranking this one up in honor of having finally been laid off Monday from my craptaculous underpaid job of 4 years!
Cute album cover!! lol!
stripes wrote:
The dancing banana is perfect for this song, it's ashame it's no longer available.
Here he is, and you're right, he's perfect.
It's got a good beat and it's easy to dance to. I give it a 10.
Stevo wrote:
This gets an 8 simply because I put in my notice today. Screw this job, I'm never going to sell a damn filing system EVER AGAIN! WHOOOOOOOOO!!!
Congrats Stevo!! Good luck with future endeavors!
This gets an 8 simply because I put in my notice today. Screw this job, I'm never going to sell a damn filing system EVER AGAIN! WHOOOOOOOOO!!!
This is one of the few Byrne songs I actually like. The rich percussive layers and instrumental chaos is just fascinating.
I think this is probably the theme song for the 8 Powerball winners....
kazuma wrote:
Very big Talking Heads fan, but I haven't heard a single thing from Byrne post-TH that I can tolerate. Similar story with Sting/Police. Post-band output tells me that both of these guys needed the other players in a big way.
Totally agree with you here. Couldn't have said it better. This is a 4 at best for me.
kind of sounds like he signs from his throat instead of his diaprahgm...weird
and on that note, I'm going home. Ain't gonna work here no more (today anyway).
Some nice guitar work doesn't save this one for me. Very big Talking Heads fan, but I haven't heard a single thing from Byrne post-TH that I can tolerate. Similar story with Sting/Police. Post-band output tells me that both of these guys needed the other players in a big way. 1
David Byrne defines the word "creativity" in so many ways. Whether it be in the Talking Heads, in his films or his solo career he is always trying something new. If you can ever catch his Austin City Limits concert on PBS watch it.
First time I've heard this, and papa likes
This album cover is hysterical!
YAY! I LOVE DAVE! MORE DAVE, MORE DAVE!
:daisy.gif: :sunny.gif:
Play more from this album and everything before it, but please nothing that followed!
Nobunaga wrote:
"Flying Blind"...I always felt it was one of the funniest, wittiest shows on the air...
Well, it was the first broadcast show to foley in the sound of flatulence, rather than just a reference. Real break through (or maybe break wind) programming!
The dancing banana is perfect for this song, it's ashame it's no longer available.
TheLoneIguana wrote:
I believe that show was called "Flying Blind", and starred Tea Leoni... boy, that was a while ago...
"Flying Blind" was one of my favorite shows as a kid. Unfortunately it was on Fox in the early days and didn't have a chance. I don't think it lasted more than a season, but I always felt it was one of the funniest, wittiest shows on the air. Oh, and I really dig this song, too.
beardp wrote:
if i remember correctly, this song was the theme to a fox tv show back in the early days of fox...a guy (a writer) drove his car from nj to to key west and shot it on the beach so he couldn't go back. i didn't realize the song was david byrne until i got the cd years later..... the more david byrne the better
I believe that show was called "Flying Blind", and starred Tea Leoni... boy, that was a while ago...
if i remember correctly, this song was the theme to a fox tv show back in the early days of fox...a guy (a writer) drove his car from nj to to key west and shot it on the beach so he couldn't go back. i didn't realize the song was david byrne until i got the cd years later..... the more david byrne the better
mdalston wrote:
is this the dude who had a 30 second sound clip of his set up with windows media player? so every time you opened media player when you first had your computer, his song always blasted out for half a minute?
Yes.
More David Byrne please.
Ah, my first accepted song upload makes it to prime time :D