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Once in a Lifetime

ethanhein.com

11–20 of 41 posts

Re: Once in a Lifetime

#12

Happy to see another Talking Heads (TH) fanatic. Pull Up The Roots has been the most impactful TH song for me so far. I was obsessed with it for about 6 months. I literally listened to it probably 2-3 times a day for those 6 months. I was in a point of my life where I felt like I needed radical change so "pull up the roots" was a powerful message for me. Also I love how weird and chaotic the message is and the song i…

Cool synchronicity. I had exactly the same several-month obsession with that song in 2019 for exactly the same reason. I’d already been a fan for a long time at that point, but Pull Up The Roots was always “the song right before This Must Be The Place” to me until I was in a situation that allowed it to really click.

Re: Once in a Lifetime

#13
post #3

I’m convinced that this is one of the greatest songs written to date. Very simple but at the same time deep, and I haven't yet met a person who didn’t like it. As an aside I read that fela kuti was an influence to eno at the time and I think that can be heard in the repetitive nature of the song, especially in the guitar lines.

>this is one of the greatest songs written to date.

That's very high praise.

With all respect and sincerity, I'd love to know your age and music listening background. While I, too, enjoy the song, it's definitely not in my top 100 of greatest songs ever written.

Perhaps you and I have nearly identical musical listening histories, in which case I 'high five' your pick for #1. Absent that, I can't help but think there are some songs you've not heard.

Re: Once in a Lifetime

#15

When I saw that somewhat ambiguous title, I was hoping it was about that song. Now I have to watch all those videos! Stop Making Sense is one of the all-time great music movies (and I try to watch 'em all). Once in a Lifetime is a song where you just have to ask "where the hell did that come from?"

> When I saw that somewhat ambiguous title, I was hoping it was about that song. Now I have to watch all those videos!

Same here! I thought, "there's no way Talking Heads is near the top of HN".

> Stop Making Sense is one of the all-time great music movies (and I try to watch 'em all).

I still find it hard to wrap my head around the fact that Jonathan Demme, the director of Stop Making Sense, also directed Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia.

Re: Once in a Lifetime

#17
post #12

Happy to see another Talking Heads (TH) fanatic. Pull Up The Roots has been the most impactful TH song for me so far. I was obsessed with it for about 6 months. I literally listened to it probably 2-3 times a day for those 6 months. I was in a point of my life where I felt like I needed radical change so "pull up the roots" was a powerful message for me. Also I love how weird and chaotic the message is and the song i…

Cool synchronicity. I had exactly the same several-month obsession with that song in 2019 for exactly the same reason. I’d already been a fan for a long time at that point, but Pull Up The Roots was always “the song right before This Must Be The Place ” to me until I was in a situation that allowed it to really click.

It also happened in 2019 for me!!

Re: Once in a Lifetime

#18

Happy to see another Talking Heads (TH) fanatic. Pull Up The Roots has been the most impactful TH song for me so far. I was obsessed with it for about 6 months. I literally listened to it probably 2-3 times a day for those 6 months. I was in a point of my life where I felt like I needed radical change so "pull up the roots" was a powerful message for me. Also I love how weird and chaotic the message is and the song i…

True Stories is my favorite movie ever. Unique! I absolutely love the covers of Talking Heads songs throughout, especially "People Like Us" and "Papa Legba".

Wild Wild Life is my favorite Talking Heads song, and how does one even say that about any one TH song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=616-QGQyx-I

Re: Once in a Lifetime

#19
I remember when NPR did the whole 100 most important albums thing ~20 years ago and loved the segment on this song that they mention in the post too: https://www.npr.org/2000/03/27/1072131/once-in-a-lifetime It highlighted for me that Byrne and Eno wanted to do something evoking a southern baptist church singing where the pastor makes a call and the audience responds. Once you realize that basic structure of call and response you'll hear it in so much modern and popular music today.

The entire NPR 100 series is solid gold and introduced me to so many albums and musicians that became favorites to this day. If you want some great stuff to listen to check it all out: https://www.npr.org/series/18955124/the-npr-100

Re: Once in a Lifetime

#20
post #3

I’m convinced that this is one of the greatest songs written to date. Very simple but at the same time deep, and I haven't yet met a person who didn’t like it. As an aside I read that fela kuti was an influence to eno at the time and I think that can be heard in the repetitive nature of the song, especially in the guitar lines.

>this is one of the greatest songs written to date. That's very high praise. With all respect and sincerity, I'd love to know your age and music listening background. While I, too, enjoy the song, it's definitely not in my top 100 of greatest songs ever written. Perhaps you and I have nearly identical musical listening histories, in which case I 'high five' your pick for #1. Absent that, I can't help but think there…

Music appreciation is subjective, not objective.
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