The character in this song seems to be searching for a meaning in life, but is unable to break free of his work. By constantly working, he is digging his own grave- work is devouring his life, until he is dead and can no longer enjoy what he once could have had. He keeps trying to do something meaningful besides metaphorical digging, but there's "no time to begin" or it's just not the time, or people tell him to "get out of the way" so that they can do something instead. "So nothing was done." The female character is another person who is doing nothing worthwhile in her life, but instead of continuing to "dig" futilely, she simply gives up her hope. I wish I could comprehend all of the imagery about motion. There's always some layer in Talking Heads songs that makes sense, and then another layer that I can't understand no matter how hard I try. This song is amazing.
The character in this song seems to be searching for a meaning in life, but is unable to break free of his work. By constantly working, he is digging his own grave- work is devouring his life, until he is dead and can no longer enjoy what he once could have had. He keeps trying to do something meaningful besides metaphorical digging, but there's "no time to begin" or it's just not the time, or people tell him to "get out of the way" so that they can do something instead. "So nothing was done." The female character is another person who is doing nothing worthwhile in her life, but instead of continuing to "dig" futilely, she simply gives up her hope. I wish I could comprehend all of the imagery about motion. There's always some layer in Talking Heads songs that makes sense, and then another layer that I can't understand no matter how hard I try. This song is amazing.