David Byrne often claims to be writing in character, so whether this song reflects his attitude or not is unknown.
He seems to be directly describing the Attitude New Yorker and Los Angeles 'elite' types have about the rest of the USA when they refer to the "flyover" region.
I think this is one the most melodic Talking Heads songs, bolstered by that slide guitar.
Arguably the finest "song" ever crafted; it is devoid of cant. I agree to some degree with the comment on New Yorkers and Los Angeleans. I read what Mr. Byrne had to say about this song years ago but his response sounded more like a "if you don't know, I'm not going to explain it" blowoff. For 35 years, I have found this tour de force to be an inscrutable work because it struck me as a work painstakingly written on what writers call the god plane. Persons who at one time or another have acted out a...
Arguably the finest "song" ever crafted; it is devoid of cant. I agree to some degree with the comment on New Yorkers and Los Angeleans. I read what Mr. Byrne had to say about this song years ago but his response sounded more like a "if you don't know, I'm not going to explain it" blowoff. For 35 years, I have found this tour de force to be an inscrutable work because it struck me as a work painstakingly written on what writers call the god plane. Persons who at one time or another have acted out a soul-searching full-circle human drama at the mercy of the wind would call this bottom-line straight thinking.
[so whether this song reflects his attitude or not is unknown.]
[so whether this song reflects his attitude or not is unknown.]
I just had the "flyover country" revelation while listening to this song again after almost 20 years and I see you beat me to that interpretation. I thought I had an original thought for once, ha ha ha ....
Nonetheless, I agree with you totally. Whether consciously written to give a message or not (and knowing D. Byrne it is probably an absurdist message or that of an adopted persona) , the lyrics perfectly capture the bi-coastal, urban...
I just had the "flyover country" revelation while listening to this song again after almost 20 years and I see you beat me to that interpretation. I thought I had an original thought for once, ha ha ha ....
Nonetheless, I agree with you totally. Whether consciously written to give a message or not (and knowing D. Byrne it is probably an absurdist message or that of an adopted persona) , the lyrics perfectly capture the bi-coastal, urban elitist view of non-cosmopolitan traditional America.
And therefore, the song is about attitude AND altitude.
I was disappointed to read David B's write-up of his participation in the Women's march on DC recently. His politics suck, but I still love the Talking Heads music and quirky lyrics. .
David Byrne often claims to be writing in character, so whether this song reflects his attitude or not is unknown.
He seems to be directly describing the Attitude New Yorker and Los Angeles 'elite' types have about the rest of the USA when they refer to the "flyover" region.
I think this is one the most melodic Talking Heads songs, bolstered by that slide guitar.
Arguably the finest "song" ever crafted; it is devoid of cant. I agree to some degree with the comment on New Yorkers and Los Angeleans. I read what Mr. Byrne had to say about this song years ago but his response sounded more like a "if you don't know, I'm not going to explain it" blowoff. For 35 years, I have found this tour de force to be an inscrutable work because it struck me as a work painstakingly written on what writers call the god plane. Persons who at one time or another have acted out a...
Arguably the finest "song" ever crafted; it is devoid of cant. I agree to some degree with the comment on New Yorkers and Los Angeleans. I read what Mr. Byrne had to say about this song years ago but his response sounded more like a "if you don't know, I'm not going to explain it" blowoff. For 35 years, I have found this tour de force to be an inscrutable work because it struck me as a work painstakingly written on what writers call the god plane. Persons who at one time or another have acted out a soul-searching full-circle human drama at the mercy of the wind would call this bottom-line straight thinking.
One of the best TH songs (but they are ALL good!)
One of the best TH songs (but they are ALL good!)
[so whether this song reflects his attitude or not is unknown.]
[so whether this song reflects his attitude or not is unknown.]
I just had the "flyover country" revelation while listening to this song again after almost 20 years and I see you beat me to that interpretation. I thought I had an original thought for once, ha ha ha .... Nonetheless, I agree with you totally. Whether consciously written to give a message or not (and knowing D. Byrne it is probably an absurdist message or that of an adopted persona) , the lyrics perfectly capture the bi-coastal, urban...
I just had the "flyover country" revelation while listening to this song again after almost 20 years and I see you beat me to that interpretation. I thought I had an original thought for once, ha ha ha .... Nonetheless, I agree with you totally. Whether consciously written to give a message or not (and knowing D. Byrne it is probably an absurdist message or that of an adopted persona) , the lyrics perfectly capture the bi-coastal, urban elitist view of non-cosmopolitan traditional America.
And therefore, the song is about attitude AND altitude.
I was disappointed to read David B's write-up of his participation in the Women's march on DC recently. His politics suck, but I still love the Talking Heads music and quirky lyrics. .