In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Well, I'm dressed up so nice
An' I'm doin' my best
An' I'm startin' over...
I'm 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 choo dare sit back
Now don't choo dare sit down
And don't choo dare speak up!
And on the first day, we had everything we could stand
Ooh who could've asked for more?
And on the second day, there was nothing else left to do
Ooh what a day that was.
There are fifty thousand beggars
Roaming in the streets
They have lost all their possessions
They have nothing left to eat
Down come a bolt of lightning
Start an electrical storm
Starts a chain reaction
Go pull a fire alarm
I'm dreaming of a city
It was my own invention
I put the wheels in motion
A time for big decisions
And on the first day, we had everything we could stand
Ooh and then we let it fall
And on the second day, there was nothing else at all
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
There'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 backwards
They're movin' backwards and front
And they're enjoying themselves
Moving in ev'ry direction
And if you feel like you're in a whirlpool
You feel like going home
You feel like talking to someone
Who know the difference between right and wrong
And on the first day, we had everything we could stand
Ooh and then we let it fall
And on the second day, there was nothing else left at all
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.) x3
An' I'm doin' my best
An' I'm startin' over...
I'm 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 choo dare sit back
Now don't choo dare sit down
And don't choo dare speak up!
And on the first day, we had everything we could stand
Ooh who could've asked for more?
And on the second day, there was nothing else left to do
Ooh what a day that was.
There are fifty thousand beggars
Roaming in the streets
They have lost all their possessions
They have nothing left to eat
Down come a bolt of lightning
Start an electrical storm
Starts a chain reaction
Go pull a fire alarm
I'm dreaming of a city
It was my own invention
I put the wheels in motion
A time for big decisions
And on the first day, we had everything we could stand
Ooh and then we let it fall
And on the second day, there was nothing else at all
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
There'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 backwards
They're movin' backwards and front
And they're enjoying themselves
Moving in ev'ry direction
And if you feel like you're in a whirlpool
You feel like going home
You feel like talking to someone
Who know the difference between right and wrong
And on the first day, we had everything we could stand
Ooh and then we let it fall
And on the second day, there was nothing else left at all
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.) x3
Lyrics submitted by Afrika Shox
What a Day That Was Lyrics as written by David Byrne
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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thanks Deo, that's what I came here to find out. Great song.
@Deodata It's a pity no-one else has anything to say about this great song. How is it about the band? That's what I want to know.<br />