What's The Story?
Talking Heads were at the front of the new wave movement in the late 70s and into the early 80s, with big names like David Byrne & Brian Eno on board as performing and producing, respectively. It's from their fourth album Remain In Light, released in 1980.
Who's To Blame?
A straightedge, tattoo-laden amateur triathlete.
(I bet you know seven of those, too.)
Why ♥ It?
Steely Dan's Reelin' In The Years often gets flack from detractors for the bizarre meter (or lack thereof) during the verses. This song isn't for those folks either.
Learning to like this song was sort of like an induction: the instant reaction is sort of a double you tee eff. However, that letting the days go by chorus is catchy, uplifting, and feels great to listen to. So you put up with that strangeness in the verses for that excellent chorus. Then slowly, surely; the droning same as it ever was part starts to catch the ear lyrically, either as a sordid reminder or solemn reassurance. Then you notice the subtle "doo doo" background vocals during the verse that sort of follow the bass around. Those are neat. Suddenly it happens: led by the strength of that chorus, you can sing word-for-word during the frenetic verses and love every minute of it. What remains is simply the task of explaining to your pals exactly why you like such an inane song.
Or at least that's how it happened for me. A song so oddly constructed is probably required to be experienced personally, and that's an essential part of its beauty.
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