I think "The Overload" has a much simpler explaination. Even though, I do like the tie-in with someone having a mental breakdown. Maybe the song has layers of different meanings.
Nonetheless, I think the song is about the movie: Alien by Ripley Scott, which came out in May, 1979. (15 months before Talking Heads started recording in July, 1981. Which would have been a short enough time period for it to still be on some people's minds. Especially, David Byrne's self diagnosed Asperger's, obsessive mind.) The very first line of the song, almost explains it all. "A Terrible Signal
Too Weak To Even Recognize"
This could indicate the ship's computer, MOTHER, detecting a mysterious transmission, thought possibly to be a distress signal, from a nearby planetoid. But while on the Nostromo, Ripley determines that the transmission is not a distress signal but a warning. The line: "The Removal Of The Insides" expresses exacly what the "chestburster" does to its host body.
The lines: "A Frequent Returning
And Leaving Unnoticed
A Condition Of Mercy
A Change In The Weather" could express David's thoughts for How and Why the Alien came into being.
One of the reasons Remain In Light is such a great, timeless album is because all the songs tie into each other. This song specifically sets a great contrast with the song: "Houses in Motion." Because that song is about the Hubble Space Telescope or similar satellite in my opinion. "Houses in Motion" takes on an almost tribal, ecstatic, "See only what's at the end of one's nose" blindingly optimistic tone, mood, and perspective of the early "Space Race" and space exploration in general. In the same context, "The Overload's" contrast shows the dark, creepy, sinister side of what mankind could discover in outer space. Or in Laurie Anderson's more concise words (A contemporary of David Byrne in space and time) "Big Science. little men."
I think "The Overload" has a much simpler explaination. Even though, I do like the tie-in with someone having a mental breakdown. Maybe the song has layers of different meanings. Nonetheless, I think the song is about the movie: Alien by Ripley Scott, which came out in May, 1979. (15 months before Talking Heads started recording in July, 1981. Which would have been a short enough time period for it to still be on some people's minds. Especially, David Byrne's self diagnosed Asperger's, obsessive mind.) The very first line of the song, almost explains it all. "A Terrible Signal Too Weak To Even Recognize" This could indicate the ship's computer, MOTHER, detecting a mysterious transmission, thought possibly to be a distress signal, from a nearby planetoid. But while on the Nostromo, Ripley determines that the transmission is not a distress signal but a warning. The line: "The Removal Of The Insides" expresses exacly what the "chestburster" does to its host body. The lines: "A Frequent Returning And Leaving Unnoticed A Condition Of Mercy A Change In The Weather" could express David's thoughts for How and Why the Alien came into being. One of the reasons Remain In Light is such a great, timeless album is because all the songs tie into each other. This song specifically sets a great contrast with the song: "Houses in Motion." Because that song is about the Hubble Space Telescope or similar satellite in my opinion. "Houses in Motion" takes on an almost tribal, ecstatic, "See only what's at the end of one's nose" blindingly optimistic tone, mood, and perspective of the early "Space Race" and space exploration in general. In the same context, "The Overload's" contrast shows the dark, creepy, sinister side of what mankind could discover in outer space. Or in Laurie Anderson's more concise words (A contemporary of David Byrne in space and time) "Big Science. little men."
@Wesley Lemont
@Wesley Lemont
Sorry. I meant and was also talking about "The Great Curve" not "Houses In Motion."
Sorry. I meant and was also talking about "The Great Curve" not "Houses In Motion."
@Wesley Lemont
@Wesley Lemont
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