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Talking Heads — What A Day That Was
Album: Stop Making Sense
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3402








Released: 1984
Length: 6:25
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Well, I'm dressed up so nice
An' I'm doin' my best
Yes I'm startin' over..
Startin' over in another place

Lemme tell you a story
Big chief with a golden crown
He's got rings on his fingers
And then he walks up, up to the throne

He's makin' shapes with his hands
An' don't you dare sit down
Now don't you dare sit back
And don't you dare speak up!

And on the first day, we had everything we could hold
Ooh and then we let it fall
And on the second day, there was nothing else left to do
Ooh what a day that was.

There are 50,000 beggars
Roaming in the streets
They have lost all their possessions
They have nothing left to eat

Down come the bolts of lightning
Now an electrical storm
Starts a chain reaction
Go pull a fire alarm

I'm dreaming of a city
It was my own invention
And I put the wheels in motion
A time for big decisions

And on the first day, we had everything we could hold
Ooh and then we let it fall
And on the second day, there was nothing else left to do
Ooh what a day that was.

Oh a day that was
Ooh that's the way it goes
There's a million ways- to get things done
Three's a million ways- to make things work out.

Well I'm going right through
And the light came down
Well they're roundin' 'em up
from all over town

They're movin' forward and back
They're movin' backwards and front
And they're enjoying themselves
Moving in ev'ry direction

So if you feel like you're in a whirlpool
You feel like going home
And if you feel like talking to someone
Who knows the difference between right and wrong

And on the first day, we had everything we could hold
Ooh and then we let it fall
And on the second day, there was nothing else left to do
Ooh what a day that was.

We're go(in') boom boom boom
That's the way we live
And in a great big room and
That's the way we live.
Comments (374)add comment
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:

please, PLEASE, one single day without DB or TH. PLEASE!



But, but, but... they're very fashionable.  Very trendy.  Very kitschy.  

Ooooh. I bet this song will create a new trend!
Posted 2 weeks ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
please, PLEASE, one single day without DB or TH. PLEASE!
Posted 1 month ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
ABSOLUTELY  ADDICTIVE
Posted 2 months ago by JEC1982    [ Reply ]
GREAT TUNE!!  I want a suit like his. It would be tons of fun to wear at wedding receptions.  ...I would be king of the dance floor!
Posted 2 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 corina.popov wrote:


What is sane? 


I somehow feel confident that being sane was never on his to-do list....
Posted 3 months ago by mxflash    [ Reply ]
 Jakethemuss wrote:

Not nearly enough TH played around are as far I'm concerned.



I can't imagine how much TH would constitute enough.  Except most of the other stuff here is great too.  It's all opportunity cost....
Posted 3 months ago by mxflash    [ Reply ]
tedious byrne, what a bore
Posted 4 months ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 jjbchansen159 wrote:

Maybe the best concert film ever. 



I like Live in Pompeii
Posted 6 months ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
The suit on the album cover: linen or silk? 
Posted 7 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:

Keep playing this band!



The band is just so much fun .....
Posted 7 months ago by KPC1    [ Reply ]
Keep playing this band!
Posted 10 months ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
I say byrne this garbage!  Soooo TEDIOUS
Posted 10 months ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
Uhm , yeah , and not much has changed. We can do better!
Posted 1 year ago by Superneilius    [ Reply ]
 maboleth wrote:

Errr.... sometimes I wonder if David Byrne is sane. :)



What is sane? 
Posted 1 year ago by corina.popov    [ Reply ]
 drewd wrote:
Such a great movie! Check out those moves!!

Life During Wartime GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY



Its being re-released in IMAX!  Premiere at Toronto Film Festival in Sept. 2023.
Posted 1 year ago by Singletrack    [ Reply ]
horrible
Posted 1 year ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 drewd wrote:
Such a great movie! Check out those moves!!

Life During Wartime GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY


Posted 1 year ago by maxvonevil    [ Reply ]
The slippery guitar line on this is so lovely.
Posted 1 year ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:

Too much David Byrne and Talking Heads here.
Sorry, fans!




Seek help.
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Too much David Byrne and Talking Heads here.
Sorry, fans!
Posted 1 year ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
 damonlazer wrote:


I used the like Talking Heads.  I still do, but I used to too.



LOL!   I Agree! Same here!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Wikipedia says this was recorded December 1983, but released September 1984.  Holy smoke... I wonder why they would wait so long on that release date.  The music industry shifted HARD during that time away from the post-punk sound and became focused mostly on arena rock, new acts like Prince, Madonna, and Springsteen, and newer synthpop bands.  This is part of the reason Talking Heads didn't do so well from 1984 onward.  I remember they got moved almost immediately to the album oriented rock stations, who focused mostly on their older tracks.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 xrdstv wrote:



... and I need to watch stop making sense?
... but realized that I love them?
... therefore I ceased to exist?
... but my lover took the CD?

So many possibilities. Please do tell!



I tell...you narcissit
Posted 1 year ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
tedious dbyrne and TH . . 
Posted 2 years ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

I used to like the Taking Heads...




... and I need to watch stop making sense?
... but realized that I love them?
... therefore I ceased to exist?
... but my lover took the CD?

So many possibilities. Please do tell!
Posted 2 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
Love this.
Posted 2 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by wmxmfm    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:
GREAT!!!


needs more bananas
    
Posted 2 years ago by Myrtle_L    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

I used to like the Taking Heads...



I used the like Talking Heads.  I still do, but I used to too.
Posted 2 years ago by damonlazer    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

I used to like the Taking Heads...




I don't like Talking Heads
I love them! 
Posted 2 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
Maybe the best concert film ever.  
Posted 2 years ago by jjbchansen159    [ Reply ]
 GHoffmeyer wrote:

Can we go a single DAY w/o another mediocre, overplayed TH “song”?



We do every day.  I only hear TH songs that are awesome here.
Posted 2 years ago by bc    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

I used to like the Taking Heads...



I used to hate them, but BillG wouldn't let me avoid them.  Now I turn it up and groove out when they come on.


Posted 2 years ago by ibribe    [ Reply ]
 GHoffmeyer wrote:

Can we go a single DAY w/o another mediocre, overplayed TH “song”?




NO!!   If you have a problem with that, hit the "skip button"!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
I used to like the Taking Heads...
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 GHoffmeyer wrote:

Can we go a single DAY w/o another mediocre, overplayed TH “song”?



I certainly hope not!
Posted 2 years ago by rhiangalthie    [ Reply ]
Can we go a single DAY w/o another mediocre, overplayed TH “song”?
Posted 2 years ago by GHoffmeyer    [ Reply ]
Such a great movie! Check out those moves!!

Life During Wartime GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY
Posted 2 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:
We're goin' boom boom boom!!! That's the way we live!!!  


Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 pomalley wrote:

Just bumped to a solid 9... I mean, what was I thinking.  




Ditto
Posted 2 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
We're goin' boom boom boom!!! That's the way we live!!!  
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 aneal300 wrote:

The Heads are still one of the most fun bands for me.




I agree!  We're goin' boom boom boom............... 
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
GREAT!!!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Just bumped to a solid 9... I mean, what was I thinking.  
Posted 3 years ago by pomalley    [ Reply ]
This song is one of the highlights of The Catherine Wheel soundtrack, but was a bit spare in that recording.  Here, the song is amped-up and funk-ified to the max.  Lots of haters here at RP, but this gets a 10 from me.  
Posted 3 years ago by wmxmfm    [ Reply ]
Maybe the best concert film ever. 
Posted 3 years ago by jjbchansen159    [ Reply ]
The Heads are still one of the most fun bands for me.
Posted 3 years ago by aneal300    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
From David Byrne's Opus work IMHO - The Catherine Wheel soundtrack for Twyla Tharp.


Saw/heard that show...A dozen or so huge speaker cabinets hangin' from the
catwalks...

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E. 

Posted 3 years ago by tonyinnj    [ Reply ]
 Aud wrote:
Saw them for The Big Suit tour.
Fantastic!
 

Me too - twice in one week! 7th row in Hartford, backstage in New Haven.
Just incredible. 
Posted 4 years ago by moto848    [ Reply ]
Saw them for The Big Suit tour.
Fantastic!
Posted 4 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
 maboleth wrote:
Errr.... sometimes I wonder if David Byrne is sane. :)
 
He is, we're the crazy ones :D
Posted 4 years ago by NoisyMiner    [ Reply ]
Full on theme song for 2016-2020. Read the lyrics!
Posted 4 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Aspergers hits the dancefloor
Posted 4 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
This track has a great feel, with much character in the drum syncopation, the lead singer’s vocal thesaurus’s, and low harmonic in the background. 7/10. As it’s still too techno for my taste, just saying
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
"Big chief with a golden crown
He's got rings on his fingers
And then he walks up, up to the throne

He's makin' shapes with his hands
An' don't you dare sit down
Now don't you dare sit back
And don't you dare speak up!"

Foreshadowing of Trump?
Posted 4 years ago by bpemby    [ Reply ]
this one song in the lyrics gives me pause:


Who knows the difference between right and wrong


Posted 4 years ago by jahgirl8    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
From David Byrne's Opus work IMHO - The Catherine Wheel soundtrack for Twyla Tharp.
 
Saw the show...With a string of boxcar-sized speakers hanging from the catwalks...

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
Posted 4 years ago by tonyinnj    [ Reply ]
I got to see the Atlanta concert from this tour (which the movie was made) at the Fox theater. One of the best concerts ever. And, I've been to a lot over the last 45+ years!
Posted 5 years ago by atmanv1    [ Reply ]
Anything from Stop Making Sense digs up memories of good times in high school.  
Posted 5 years ago by bking    [ Reply ]
 maboleth wrote:
Errr.... sometimes I wonder if David Byrne is sane. :)
 

We have all wondered that
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Errr.... sometimes I wonder if David Byrne is sane. :)
Posted 5 years ago by maboleth    [ Reply ]
IIRC Twyla Tharp played DB some baroque music and said she wanted something like that for a dance score.. 
Posted 5 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
From David Byrne's Opus work IMHO - The Catherine Wheel soundtrack for Twyla Tharp.
Posted 5 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
The Catherine Wheel.  I think I still have the original vinyl.  This and Big Blue Plymouth are probably some of the best songs DB has ever written.   The dancing banana keeps a perfect beat relative to this song.  
Posted 5 years ago by Retrograde-orbit    [ Reply ]
Not nearly enough TH played around are as far I'm concerned.
Posted 6 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
Watched this movie again two nights ago.

DAMN. This part was so kinetic (although I hate when Byrne runs around the stage)
Posted 6 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
It is quite a spectacle on the Demme film.
Posted 6 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Somehow I just know that if I listen to RP for at least an hour I will hear a Talking Heads or Peter Gabriel song. {#Stop}

 
Yes. And that's Double-AA-OK with us here.
Posted 6 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}
Posted 6 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
I ate a nice big chicken and bean burrito for lunch, and I just expressed my disapproval of this track. Perhaps more musical than the music. 
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
{#Sunny}{#Cool}{#Sunny}
Posted 7 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
 jtherieau wrote:
This was already mentioned by aspicer back in 2013, but I'll post this anyway:

This song was part of an original musical score commissioned by Twyla Tharp for her dance project "The Catherine Wheel" which premiered September 22, 1981 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City. The choreography may seem a little dated now but Byrne's music holds up well, imho. 

You can view it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L83KTSOFNM  (What a Day That Was at 1:01:50)
 
 


 
Cool!  I never did see the choreography. I saw Twyla Tharp when they toured with another show (prior to Catherine Wheel IIRC). Always really loved the score, even more than TH.
Posted 7 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
 bendame wrote:
Giving it a 10 just to balance all the in the dark haters. 

 
Well I'll see your 10 and lower it by 9
Posted 7 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
This was already mentioned by aspicer back in 2013, but I'll post this anyway:

This song was part of an original musical score commissioned by Twyla Tharp for her dance project "The Catherine Wheel" which premiered September 22, 1981 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City. 

Twyla always had the best dancers.

You can view it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L83KTSOFNM  (What a Day That Was at 1:01:50)
 


Posted 7 years ago by jtherieau    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
or Doors, Who, Led Zep & P Floyd
 
Awesome!!
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Somehow I just know that if I listen to RP for at least an hour I will hear a Talking Heads or Peter Gabriel song. {#Stop}

 
Don't forget U2.
Posted 7 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
Oh. Talking Heads. There's a change. 
Posted 7 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
{#Music}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 8 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
I am a big TH-fan but Bernie Worrell's synths on this album are often annoying. 
Posted 8 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]

Posted 8 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Somehow I just know that if I listen to RP for at least an hour I will hear a Talking Heads or Peter Gabriel song. {#Stop}

 
or Doors, Who, Led Zep & P Floyd{#Stop}
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 bendame wrote:
Giving it a 10 just to balance all the in the dark haters. 

 
Ditto! What happened here?
Posted 8 years ago by merobreno    [ Reply ]
Giving it a 10 just to balance all the in the dark haters. 
Posted 8 years ago by bendame    [ Reply ]
I think, from now on, all TH songs are going to get a 1 rating from me. I am SO sick of hearing them.
Posted 8 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
OMG((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
Posted 8 years ago by tambu    [ Reply ]
Not the greatest Talking Heads track, but come on people, this is Talking Heads, which means it's still near to great.  
 
Posted 9 years ago by Floyd62    [ Reply ]
 Axelito wrote:
Listening to this song is the simple proof that you don't need to die to be in hell...

 
i switched on RP on my phone and switched it off again after 3 seconds of this so called music. 

*stillshakingofshock* 
Posted 9 years ago by Fabienne    [ Reply ]
 {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}
treatment_bound wrote:
THIS is why we listen to RP.  A really deep cut from The Heads off their awesome movie album...where else are you gonna' hear it?

 


Posted 9 years ago by 10th_rock    [ Reply ]
THIS is why we listen to RP.  A really deep cut from The Heads off their awesome movie album...where else are you gonna' hear it?
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

FYT

 
Too bad you can't fix your own disorders so easily.
Posted 9 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
Listening to this song is the simple proof that you don't need to die to be in hell...
Posted 9 years ago by Axelito    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
I loathe the barely controlled chaos of this tune.
 
FYT
Posted 9 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
I love the barely controlled chaos of this tune.
Posted 9 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]

Somehow I just know that if I listen to RP for at least an hour I will hear a Talking Heads or Peter Gabriel song {#Cool}{#Clap}{#Laughing}


Posted 9 years ago by Nerubo    [ Reply ]
Somehow I just know that if I listen to RP for at least an hour I will hear a Talking Heads or Peter Gabriel song. {#Stop}
Posted 9 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 9 years ago by johtem    [ Reply ]
un choc en 1980 toujours d'actualité
Posted 10 years ago by denishcl    [ Reply ]
This track and LP was from one heck of a tour!

Live Music is better: bum,per stickers should be issued.

{#Clap} 
Posted 10 years ago by jersey_birdman    [ Reply ]
 rare_trees wrote:
This album is a 9 out of 10. Even in the 1980's! The more the Federal Government investigates its police-state-self, the more stop making sense applies!

 
Agreed one of the highest quality vinyl pressings of the mid 80's

for sure their BEST recording!

thanks Bill 
Posted 10 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
If you are not outraged, you haven't been paying attention. 
Posted 10 years ago by lissen    [ Reply ]
This album is a 9 out of 10. Even in the 1980's! The more the Federal Government investigates its police-state-self, the more stop making sense applies!
Posted 10 years ago by rare_trees    [ Reply ]
HOW TERRIBLE!

TH feel like an "inside job" - we're going boom-boom-boom, that's the way we live!

The American way of life - any day is 9/11
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Blah. 
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 moodfood wrote:
YAY - this band put on a crazy good show back in the day. {#Jump} {#Cool}

 

Definitely agree!!
Posted 10 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
Great song from a great band.
Posted 10 years ago by Jota    [ Reply ]
YAY - this band put on a crazy good show back in the day. {#Jump} {#Cool}
Posted 10 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
great way to start the morning....gets an 8 from me
Posted 10 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
It is amazing to me that this average is a 5.9?! Wow....given how much MUCH more mediocre music is ranked much more highly.  Say much much?!  {#Eek}

 
I am surprised its rated this high! PSD from me, but the trouble is PSD doesn't seem to be working....oh well silence is better than TH anyday
Posted 10 years ago by philinnz    [ Reply ]
Lets go back to oi va voi
Posted 10 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
one of the very few songs by the heads that did not work for me, at all ;-(
Posted 10 years ago by tutakea    [ Reply ]
Kids.
 
aspicer wrote:
It is amazing to me that this average is a 5.9?! Wow....given how much MUCH more mediocre music is ranked much more highly.  Say much much?!  {#Eek}

 


Posted 11 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
Nausea Rock. Let's hurl a party!
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
It is amazing to me that this average is a 5.9?! Wow....given how much MUCH more mediocre music is ranked much more highly.  Say much much?!  {#Eek}
Posted 11 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Toujours au top Talking Heads for ever !
Posted 11 years ago by pierpod    [ Reply ]
So glad to hear this on RP. My favorite track from Stop Making Sense!
Posted 11 years ago by Minimally    [ Reply ]
I'll second that emotion.

aspicer wrote:
I HIGHLY recommend anyone out there who likes TH's to check out The Catherine Wheel soundtrack (by Byrne for Twyla Tharp's dance production).  It is simply brilliant!  Not unlike Gabriel's "Passion" soundtrack - and yes very different - both brilliant!  

 


Posted 11 years ago by Thin_Air    [ Reply ]
 photolew wrote:
Can never get enough of the Heads........
 



.."that's what he said"..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
I HIGHLY recommend anyone out there who likes TH's to check out The Catherine Wheel soundtrack (by Byrne for Twyla Tharp's dance production).  It is simply brilliant!  Not unlike Gabriel's "Passion" soundtrack - and yes very different - both brilliant!  
Posted 11 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Can never get enough of the Heads........
Posted 11 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
It's nice to know that, even in middle age, my reflexes remain quick and sharp. I must have hit mute after the third note of this, which is pretty damn good for an old git ;-)

Byrne on, mute on - eat your heart out, Pavlov :o)
 
You beat me by a few seconds.  It's tough to suppress the Byrne-recoil effect, even after all these years it's still a bit paralyzing

Cheers to you !

Edward
Posted 12 years ago by rollo_tomasi    [ Reply ]