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David Byrne — The Revolution
Album: Look Into The Eyeball
Avg rating:
5.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1013









Released: 2001
Length: 2:13
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Amplifiers & old guitars
Country music sung in bars
& when she sings the revolution's near

Beauty holds the microphone
& watches as we stumble home
& she can see the revolution now

Dirt & fish & trees & houses
Smoke & hands up women's blouses
Not like I expected it would be

Bubbles pop in every size
It's analyzed & criticized
& beauty knows that it is almost here

Beauty goes to her address
She shuts the door and climbs the stairs
& when she sleeps the revolution grows

Beauty rests on mattress strings
Wearing just her underthings
& when she wakes the revolution's here
& when she wakes the revolution's here
Comments (74)add comment
The song is okay, but what's really killing me are the (misused) ampersands in the lyrics.
Posted 3 months ago by TurtleMan    [ Reply ]
5.3? Come on, it's better than that. Not my favorite DB tune but I'm giving it a 7 just to counter some of the 1s.
Posted 9 months ago by Pound33    [ Reply ]
His Broadway play, "American Utopia," was a joy and made it difficult to remain seated.Saw it Dec, 2022.
Posted 10 months ago by mediamarv    [ Reply ]
tedious byrne -- sucko barfo
Posted 11 months ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 theirongiant wrote:

I think he was trying to paint a metaphor but it didn't work. Who or what is beauty? Who or what is the revolution? Who is the speaker? Who is the main character? It's not a good story because the listener can't readily identify these things.


I think his metaphor works just fine.

"Beauty" holds a rose-colored-glasses view of her life: she sings with old guitars playing country music in bars.  

When she sings tonight's closing number and watches us leave the bar, "the revolution" -- her denouement of ugly, complicated reality -- is near, and the bubbles of her fantasy are popped one by one.

When she wakes from her last innocent sleep, she realizes that the world is imperfect.  The revolution's here.

{Thank you to teachers who encourage young people to analyze literature, poetry, paintings, and music.]
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 theirongiant wrote:

I think he was trying to paint a metaphor but it didn't work. Who or what is beauty? Who or what is the revolution? Who is the speaker? Who is the main character? It's not a good story because the listener can't readily identify these things.



Did you have an experience while listening to this song? That's what Byrne's probably going for.
Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
I think he was trying to paint a metaphor but it didn't work. Who or what is beauty? Who or what is the revolution? Who is the speaker? Who is the main character? It's not a good story because the listener can't readily identify these things.
Posted 2 years ago by theirongiant    [ Reply ]
Tom Lehrer anyone?
Posted 2 years ago by rockaholic    [ Reply ]
His voice just kills me; not in a good way. = 3
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Good Tune! Nice! But, not one of his best. Maybe it will grow in me.
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
I like supporting my fellow scots but, no just no
Posted 3 years ago by Cadger    [ Reply ]
Is "she" the fat lady? And is "she" about to sing?
Posted 3 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
 pinto wrote:

That's the worst photo of George Clooney I've ever seen



clever!
Posted 3 years ago by primeeileen133    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:

An average rating of 5? Give me a break! I don't even particularly like Talking Heads/David Byrne but can hear that this is better than a 5!


You got your wish, it's up to 5.1! (I'm still leaving my rating at 1, sorry).
Posted 3 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
An average rating of 5? Give me a break! I don't even particularly like Talking Heads/David Byrne but can hear that this is better than a 5!
Posted 4 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
 jpfueler wrote:

I give it a 6, but seems only a few people think it rates more than a 7 (17% rate it 8 or higher as of April 27-2020)
 

upped to a 7
Don't know why. Guess I just like it more today
Posted 4 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
I give this a 10 simply because of the spirited comments generated. Hilarious. Maybe someday this will be appreciated...kinda like brussels sprouts. 
Posted 4 years ago by StfuDonny    [ Reply ]
 nickferrante10 wrote:

Same transition 10 months later. Etta James is still great. This song still a 2.
 
I give it a 6, but seems only a few people think it rates more than a 7 (17% rate it 8 or higher as of April 27-2020)
Posted 4 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
 jlind wrote:
Wow! What a segue from Etta James' "At Last"... too bad this song is garbage
 
Same transition 10 months later. Etta James is still great. This song still a 2.
Posted 4 years ago by nickferrante10    [ Reply ]
Listen to it again, re-assess your values 
Posted 4 years ago by Johnny_Alpha    [ Reply ]
 jtherieau wrote:
The revolution's here.
 
Cut it out.
Posted 5 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
The revolution's here.
Posted 5 years ago by jtherieau    [ Reply ]
 colt4x5 wrote:
One of the least awful David Byrne/Talking Heads songs I've ever heard. A solid 2.
 
More like a soft, runny number 2....
Posted 5 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
Wow! What a segue from Etta James' "At Last"... too bad this song is garbage
Posted 5 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
I love this entire freakin' album. UBJesus is also a good jam. 
Posted 5 years ago by dontcallmeJenny    [ Reply ]
 brollo wrote:
Aaarrrggghhhh!
 
Yeeeehaww!
Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Aaarrrggghhhh!
Posted 5 years ago by brollo    [ Reply ]
A creative ghost{#Sunny}
Posted 6 years ago by peter.gerzner    [ Reply ]
 pinto wrote:
That's the worst photo of George Clooney I've ever seen

 
I was thinking "that's a really awful photo of Poe!"
Posted 6 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
NOT GOOD....and I'm a huge fan.  What was he thinking with this??
Posted 6 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Aw, jeez. Look what the cat dragged in....
Posted 6 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
What happened!!!??
The Talking Heads is one of my favorite bands of all time...so how could someone with so much talent and originality just lose it all like this?

Ooops...over...short song.
 
Posted 8 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 colt4x5 wrote:
One of the least awful David Byrne/Talking Heads songs I've ever heard. A solid 2.

 
These comments are way too funny....!
Posted 9 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]
I respect this guy's music. However.....Can we please.....GIVE IT A REST!
Posted 12 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
I'm one of those who considers unable to understand the music of this guy.
Posted 12 years ago by Euskadita    [ Reply ]
Wow! A David Byrne tune that didn't make me hit the mute button...then again...very tempted.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I'll put the solid zero if I only can. 
Posted 12 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
 pinto wrote:
That's the worst photo of George Clooney I've ever seen
 
"very funny" - "really"!
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
The frog-eyed guy is a nightmare!
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
One of the least awful David Byrne/Talking Heads songs I've ever heard. A solid 2.
Posted 12 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
That's the worst photo of George Clooney I've ever seen
Posted 13 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
Ugh.
Posted 13 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
{#No}
Posted 13 years ago by crnkan    [ Reply ]
Where's the zero on the rate-o-meter
Posted 13 years ago by drcrnp    [ Reply ]
 MJMJ wrote:

I would volunteer to pull the plug.
 
No, no: you want to push the plug. Into his mouth. 

Bad song! Very bad! No kibble for you! 
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Horrible
Posted 13 years ago by crnkan    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Mr Byrne unplugged. {#Music}
 
I would volunteer to pull the plug.
Posted 14 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
Mr Byrne unplugged. {#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Hmmm, wonder what's on Boot Liquor about now?
Posted 14 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
89{#Cowboy}


Posted 14 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
 MJMJ wrote:
Inability to actually hit and hold a note isn't a bug, it's a feature!!

 
{#Lol} This song really highlights his exceptionally poor singing. Like a lot of TH stuff, but this is simply awful.{#Headache}
Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
yuck!
Posted 15 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
And now its time for our daily dose of BD/TH. The least Bill could do is wait til later in the day instead of ruining our mornings with this crapola.
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
i guess when you're famous, you can release crap and still get airplay
Posted 15 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
Inability to actually hit and hold a note isn't a bug, it's a feature!!

Posted 15 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
 Bridieboo wrote:
Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around my eyes, look into my eyes, you're under.
 
OK, but when I'm under please don't make me do the chicken dance...........{#Sleep}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
the guy is really milking it now, what a bunch o' crap!!!  yuck
Posted 15 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
calypsus_1 wrote:
no comment - 8.



Posted 15 years ago by Gartholamundi    [ Reply ]
 Otomi wrote:
This is the first Byrne I've heard with enough complexity and lack of loopiness to really enjoy. It sounds a bit like some of the songs on the White Album.
 
Nicely stated.  I agree.  (He still can't sing in tune.)

Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around my eyes, look into my eyes, you're under.
Posted 15 years ago by Bridieboo    [ Reply ]
Sorry but I can hear TH and DB constantly on fm radio. Even on the oldies station............sorry but really tired of both.
Posted 15 years ago by Bakaretsu    [ Reply ]
I'm no fan of Mr. Byrne's. . .but this song is pretty.
Posted 15 years ago by lathyris    [ Reply ]
Blech!
Posted 16 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
no comment  -   8.
Posted 16 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Well, that sure was Beatle-esque. I liked it though.
Posted 16 years ago by CafeRacer    [ Reply ]
This is the first Byrne I've heard with enough complexity and lack of loopiness to really enjoy. It sounds a bit like some of the songs on the White Album.
Posted 16 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
curufinwe wrote:
I like a lot of David Byrne, but not this.
Talking Heads, yes. Talking David, no. I guess I'm just not cool enough to appreciate this. He's earned the right to create what he wants, now. Doesn't mean I have to like it.
Posted 16 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
I like a lot of David Byrne, but not this.
Posted 16 years ago by curufinwe    [ Reply ]
another album cover with "byrned out" on it. What a stinking ego, what a horrible voice! buddyweiser wrote:
no more byrne please
Posted 17 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
no more byrne please
Posted 17 years ago by buddyweiser    [ Reply ]
More David Byrne, Please!
Posted 17 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
saulpena wrote:
I'll take the Heads anytime
Yuppos. Or in a pinch, just this head.
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
I'll take the Heads anytime
Posted 17 years ago by saulpena    [ Reply ]