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David Byrne — U B Jesus
Album: Look Into The Eyeball
Avg rating:
5.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1012









Released: 2001
Length: 3:49
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Sunrise, I'm still dancing
Girlfriend, she's my champion
Swing low, pull me over
Hey - be my savior

Blood, Skin
Show me the book
Don't understand the language that they spoke

Don't pity me
Have pity on yourself
You might know Jesus but you'll all join in hell

Shine On Sister!
Don't need a book to put your hand in the fire
Shine On Sister!
Come on in cause it's cold outside

Kiss Me!
Kiss Me!
I can tell your name by the markings on your face

U. B. Jesus
Makin' my way & I'm lovin' my life
Kiss Me!
Kiss Me!
Swing so crazy like the way you ride

Maybe I'm gonna fry in hell
But I feel good when I burn myself
In a smokey place, In my girlfriends car
Threw out the map when we drove to far

Jesus is big
Jesus is strong
Jesus'll kill you if you don't get along

Jesus can swing
Jesus has skills
Go on & try it if you don't believe he will

Jump Back, Jump Back
Givin' me a heart attack
Fall down, Fall down
Sweeter than a cherry bomb

Sweet Thing, Sweet Thing
Steppin' on your violin
Space Boy, Fly Girl
Living in the underworld

Shine On Sister!
Don't need a book to put your hand in the fire
Shine On Sister!
Come on in cause it's cold outside

Jesus is cool
Jesus is scared
Baby you are the only car I drive

Foolin around
Foolin myself
Baby you are the only car I drive

Easy to touch
Easy to find
Baby you are the only car I drive

Melts in my mouth
Melts in the hand
Baby you are the only car I drive

Outta my skin
Outta my life
Baby you are the only car I drive
The only car I drive
Comments (105)add comment
 kwacka wrote:


Yup.

I'd say the same about L. Cohen, B. Dylan, T. Waits, et al


Yeah. If only these losers were as good at singing as Ed Sheeran... 
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

If only he'd let someone else do the singing



Yup.

I'd say the same about L. Cohen, B. Dylan, T. Waits, et al
Posted 2 years ago by kwacka    [ Reply ]
 NelsonBlack wrote:
Been listening to Talking Heads from their wonderful live album The Name of This Band Is... and from Remain in Light. Nothing he's done since then is anywhere close to that groundbreaking stuff. (I except Catherine Wheel since it was done contemporaneously.)
 
I just can't put my finger on what I like about the Talking Heads that just isn't there with Byrne's solo work.  
The super-obvious answer is "all the other members of Talking Heads aren't there"... but I mean what's missing in the music.  
Posted 4 years ago by bluejay08003    [ Reply ]
Okay, we can all agree this isn't Talking Heads. And that's fine. In a vacuum, this is fine, bordering on "pretty good." 
Posted 4 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
Awesome, catchy!
Posted 4 years ago by jmjohall    [ Reply ]
Ugh. -10.
Posted 4 years ago by maboleth    [ Reply ]
Extremely boring.
Posted 4 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
 NelsonBlack wrote:
Been listening to Talking Heads from their wonderful live album The Name of This Band Is... and from Remain in Light. Nothing he's done since then is anywhere close to that groundbreaking stuff. (I except Catherine Wheel since it was done contemporaneously.)
  I think this is pretty innovative. 

Posted 4 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Been listening to Talking Heads from their wonderful live album The Name of This Band Is... and from Remain in Light. Nothing he's done since then is anywhere close to that groundbreaking stuff. (I except Catherine Wheel since it was done contemporaneously.)
Posted 4 years ago by NelsonBlack    [ Reply ]
 dc_zee wrote:

Well, when one strives to please everyone, the risk is Musak. Taking a side of the musical aisle is typically more interesting...even if one doesn't love ALL of the results.
 
Or as someone once put it:
"Led Zeppelin didn't write tunes that everyone liked.  They left that to the Bee Gees.
              - Wayne Campbell   (Wayne's World)
Posted 5 years ago by bc    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:
Fun!  Now do one about Mohammed, Dave.
 
Are your feelings hurt or something?
Posted 6 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
If one is a 'music lover' how could he deny that this guy is some kind of creative 'genius'.
Posted 6 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
 stalfnzo wrote:
Bill just mentioned after playing this song that David Byrne always draws out strong opinions, both pro and con, on this comments page. I just had to check it out, because I can't believe anyone dislikes DB.

 
Well, when one strives to please everyone, the risk is Musak. Taking a side of the musical aisle is typically more interesting...even if one doesn't love ALL of the results. I liked this one!
Posted 6 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
Fun!  Now do one about Mohammed, Dave.
Posted 6 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Great song from a great album.  good writer of books also.
Posted 6 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
this is annoying wow
Posted 7 years ago by leechi    [ Reply ]
2
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
If only he'd let someone else do the singing
Posted 7 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Ok, this is just an awesome tune. As the son of a conservative southern minister, this really speaks to me.
Posted 7 years ago by Akazungu    [ Reply ]
David Byrne doesn't need the promise of Heaven, he already lives in Paradise!
Posted 8 years ago by Orodrigues    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
I. Really. Dislike. David. Byrne.

 
IDGAF
Posted 8 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
Feel the Byrne {#Fire}

Love it!!!
Posted 8 years ago by kanga311    [ Reply ]
David Byrne is awesome both with Talking Heads and solo.
Posted 8 years ago by konakid    [ Reply ]
I really like DB.
Posted 8 years ago by musicforme    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
I. Really. Dislike. David. Byrne.

 
freak
Posted 8 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
Everything DB is awesome.
Posted 8 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
There's definitely a very special place in heaven for David Byrne!!
Posted 9 years ago by Singlow    [ Reply ]
I laughed listening to this.

 
Posted 9 years ago by Springbok84    [ Reply ]
man i love david byrne!
Posted 9 years ago by ploba    [ Reply ]
No apologies.  Byrne is fabulous.
Posted 9 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
Bill just mentioned after playing this song that David Byrne always draws out strong opinions, both pro and con, on this comments page. I just had to check it out, because I can't believe anyone dislikes DB.
Posted 9 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
I. Really. Dislike. David. Byrne.

 
I. really. hate. full. stops. after. every. word. It's something kids do. I dislike kids. I did when I was a kid. I still do. It would have been just as, no more effective without the affectation.
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
I. Really. Dislike. David. Byrne.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
This album was defining for my summer of 2001. Great disc end-to-end, regardless of what the folks below say.
Posted 14 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Is that like "We Be Toys"?
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Thank you RP for playing this gr8 track from David Byrne!!  The ratings for this are way too low but there is no accounting for taste.
Posted 14 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 The_Enemy wrote:
If RP just went by listener ratings, software could generate the playlist, we'd be listening to whiny high pitched pop singers 24/7 and Bill would be in a line up somewhere for free soup.
 
{#Cheers}

Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
FANTASTIC!!!  Watch the incredible live video of this amazing song


Posted 15 years ago by plaice3    [ Reply ]
 skyguy wrote:

this from ina gada da vida baby?-talk about millennium!

 
Your spelling blows, but touché.
Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:
I think some days Bill decides he's just gonna play whatever he likes and screw the listener ratings.
 
Well, at the end of the day, it is his station. 

If RP just went by listener ratings, software could generate the playlist, we'd be listening to whiny high pitched pop singers 24/7 and Bill would be in a line up somewhere for free soup.

I'm good with Bill making up the playlist.  In general, I really like what hear on RP and I like the themes he comes up with.

Posted 15 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
Lighten up Frank?
Posted 15 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:


I really like David Byrne, although I preferred TH to his solo stuff. 

The issue here isn't the lyrics, it's the fact that the tune is just plain unlistenable.

"Lighten up Francis" is almost 30 years old and has been beaten into the ground here.  You should try something from this millenium.

So there.

 
this from ina gada da vida baby?-talk about millennium!

Posted 15 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
 Deadwing wrote:
Jesus is big.
Jesus is strong.
Jesus will kill you if you don't get along.

You guys can't see the humor in that?

/facepalm

I give up

Lighten up, Francis

 

I really like David Byrne, although I preferred TH to his solo stuff. 

The issue here isn't the lyrics, it's the fact that the tune is just plain unlistenable.

"Lighten up Francis" is almost 30 years old and has been beaten into the ground here.  You should try something from this millenium.

So there.

Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Jesus is big.
Jesus is strong.
Jesus will kill you if you don't get along.

You guys can't see the humor in that?

/facepalm

I give up

Lighten up, Francis

Posted 15 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
I think some days Bill decides he's just gonna play whatever he likes and screw the listener ratings.

An hour or so we got Dengue Fever's Seeing Hands, which he insists on playing in spite of a sub 5 rating.

Now this ...


Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
S'new to me.
Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
 jjbix wrote:
byrne is so played out, sooo 80's, tired, repetitive, irrelevant, sorry
 
never thought i would agree... but i do. way too much david byrne on RP.

Posted 15 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
byrne is so played out, sooo 80's, tired, repetitive, irrelevant, sorry
Posted 15 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
 zipper wrote:

Thirded.

 
Fourded..Fourthed?Whatever. Agreed.

Posted 15 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

I completely agree!
 
Thirded.

Posted 15 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
 holborne wrote:
Bill, I really hope you carry on playing David Byrne and The Talking Heads despite the very loud contingent of people whose day doesn't seem to be complete without posting that stupid barf icon whenever they hear him, or making comments along the same lines. The David Byrne gems are one of the big reasons I listen to RP!
 
I completely agree!
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Bill, I really hope you carry on playing David Byrne and The Talking Heads despite the very loud contingent of people whose day doesn't seem to be complete without posting that stupid barf icon whenever they hear him, or making comments along the same lines. The David Byrne gems are one of the big reasons I listen to RP!
Posted 15 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
jjbix
(san diego)
Posted: Sep 20, 2007 - 09:30 < Reply >

byrne insists on singing, after all these years his voice ain't getting any better, drop this dog please!

hippiechick wrote: This song sucks
hippiechick
(let me out!)
Posted: Jul 19, 2007 - 11:58 < Reply >
This song sucks

wrangler
(cliffside park, nj)
Posted: Dec 04, 2008 - 06:18 < Reply >
{#Frustrated}{#Wall}
Actually, ALL DB and TH sucks!

ENOUGH, already!
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
{#Frustrated}{#Wall}

Posted 16 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
The amazing thing is how well his stuff holds up.  It's only a song.  Interesting to see the package on the original CD, clearly DB influenced; the stripes move over his face in the strangest way. Did anyone see the installation he made creating an instrument of an entire empty warehouse, controlled by pipe organ? Each key produced random creaks and groans.
Posted 16 years ago by maxymooner    [ Reply ]
 
DB wrote a tune on this album by de name oh — "Like Humans Do"— good stuff Louie.
DB's music is an island in a sea of Sh*t ...
Posted 16 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 madtowner11 wrote:


David Byrne is good. Neil Young is bad.
 
For me personally, it's insight like that that makes it worth coming back to these comments pages.


Posted 16 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
"Jesus is big
Jesus is strong
Jesus'll kill you if you don't get along

Jesus can swing
Jesus has skills
Go on & try it if you don't believe he will"

ROFL! So true....
Posted 16 years ago by Panama_Floyd    [ Reply ]
reason06 wrote:
No , really people . Listen to the lyrics, I do not think this is pro-organized religion. ...which is why a lot of people don't like DB, 'cause they are not smart enough to "get" him.
Egg - ZACT -LEE! - - -DB's belong to the church of eclecticism.... pushing per-ception not de-ception ! 1. U.B. Jesus Sunrise, I'm still dancing Girlfriend, she's my champion Swing low, pull me over Hey - be my savior Blood, Skin Show me the book Don't understand the language that they spoke Don't pity me Have pity on yourself You might know Jesus but you'll all join in hell Shine On Sister! Don't need a book to put your hand in the fire Shine On Sister! Come on in cause it's cold outside Kiss Me! Kiss Me! I can tell your name by the markings on your face U. B. Jesus Makin' my way & I'm lovin' my life Kiss Me! Kiss Me! Swing so crazy like the way you ride Maybe I'm gonna fry in hell But I feel good when I burn myself In a smokey place, In my girlfriends car Threw out the map when we drove to far Jesus is big Jesus is strong Jesus'll kill you if you don't get along Jesus can swing Jesus has skills Go on & try it if you don't believe he will Jump Back, Jump Back Givin' me a heart attack Fall down, Fall down Sweeter than a cherry bomb Sweet Thing, Sweet Thing Steppin' on your violin Space Boy, Fly Girl Living in the underworld Shine On Sister! Don't need a book to put your hand in the fire Shine On Sister! Come on in cause it's cold outside Jesus is cool Jesus is scared Baby you are the only car I drive Foolin around Foolin myself Baby you are the only car I drive Easy to touch Easy to find Baby you are the only car I drive Melts in my mouth Melts in the hand Baby you are the only car I drive Outta my skin Outta my life Baby you are the only car I drive They only car I drive
Posted 16 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
No , really people . Listen to the lyrics, I do not think this is pro-organized religion. ...which is why a lot of people don't like DB, 'cause they are not smart enough to "get" him.
Posted 16 years ago by reason06    [ Reply ]
kaz wrote:
I like most of DB's work. If I could ignore the lyrics it's decent. But I have this thing against religion - it's been responsible for more killing and other ills on this planet than anything else... the world would be better off if it weaned itself away. So anything that promotes it loses a lot a points.
take a gander at the lyrics - i don't believe el byrno is promoting religion
Posted 16 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]
David Byrne can do no wrong! If he had a pretty voice , the songs would not work.
Posted 16 years ago by reason06    [ Reply ]
I like most of DB's work. If I could ignore the lyrics it's decent. But I have this thing against religion - it's been responsible for more killing and other ills on this planet than anything else... the world would be better off if it weaned itself away. So anything that promotes it loses a lot a points.
Posted 16 years ago by kaz    [ Reply ]
this is bad. enough with the jesus songs. let's play music for music's sake. no freaking agendas please. or else you'll have to deal with my ninja octopus. just my opinion of course. maybe we could play some hindu stuff, throw in a little iranian classical music. seriously.
Posted 16 years ago by InnerNinja    [ Reply ]
via Insty I found this quote from David: ADVICE TO MUSICIANS FROM DAVID BYRNE: "What is called the music business today, however, is not the business of producing music. At some point it became the business of selling CDs in plastic cases, and that business will soon be over. But that's not bad news for music, and it's certainly not bad news for musicians."
Posted 16 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
most excellent :-)
Yep
Posted 17 years ago by pigglywiggly    [ Reply ]
Not Byrne's best, but it could just be that there's too much jesus in it for me.
Posted 17 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
Blegh. Still hideous. Who's idea was it for him to go on a solo act?
Posted 17 years ago by auburntigerrich    [ Reply ]
most excellent :-)
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
byrne insists on singing, after all these years his voice ain't getting any better, drop this dog please! hippiechick wrote:
This song sucks
Posted 17 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
This song sucks
Posted 17 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
soulspin wrote:
Please keep playing!
Have no fear of that: Bill loves Byrnin' down the house.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
It would have been better to follow David Wilcox and his Johnny Camaro song with "Jesus built my hotrod" By Ministry
Posted 17 years ago by morgsy67    [ Reply ]
I really enjoy the sound of this song. Catchy. As for Neil Young references, there may be a *very* slight similarity in voice... but not so much. And as for Neil Young as being 'bad'? Personally I used to dislike him, but he's grown on me as I've grown older. Peace
Posted 19 years ago by Stultiloquent    [ Reply ]
This song only reinforces my opinion that Byrne is full of himself.
Posted 19 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Makes me happy!
Posted 19 years ago by SCprof    [ Reply ]
madtowner11 wrote:
Did someone say Neil Young? David Byrne is good. Neil Young is bad.
Comeon. Neil Young is otherworldly. David Byrne is godlike. Theirs are not where the limitations lie.
Posted 19 years ago by dorkmeister    [ Reply ]
Goron city!
Posted 19 years ago by Vogelfrei    [ Reply ]
How about "independence day" from Rei Momo instead?
Posted 19 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
The guy cannot sing.
If I whittled my music collections to only those artists who could sing well (and I'm not even sure what standard to use there), I'd be down to a couple of Tony Bennett discs...
Posted 19 years ago by MrMan    [ Reply ]
"Jump back, jump back, givin' me a heart attack" Dylanesque lyrics, no?
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
The guy cannot sing.
Did someone say Neil Young? David Byrne is good. Neil Young is bad.
Posted 19 years ago by madtowner11    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
The guy cannot sing.
But he sure can kick ass!
Posted 20 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
The guy cannot sing.
Posted 20 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Johray63 wrote:
Some good ideas (mainly within the lyrics) don't necessarily make a good song yet.
i AGREE WITH YOU...NOT GREAT MUSIC...HE NEEDS TO GET TOGETHER WITH BETTER MUSICIANS
Posted 20 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
the robert fripp of post-pop-punk. all craft and no soul...
Posted 20 years ago by tylerpoint    [ Reply ]
UB = University of Buffalo? Sorry. (pimp)
Posted 20 years ago by brighthue    [ Reply ]
not bad
Posted 21 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
downbylaw wrote:
save me jeebus!
I agree!
Posted 21 years ago by gypsy222    [ Reply ]
(Even Rei Momo?)
Posted 21 years ago by Illustr8r    [ Reply ]
David Byrne rules...Did with TH and will in whatever new direction he goes into...One thing you can't DB of being is either conventional or boring which are categories in which 75% of nowadays music fit in !!!
Posted 21 years ago by iggy33    [ Reply ]
Let me guess Depeche Mode or Jonny Cash with Own Personal Jesus up next?
Posted 21 years ago by gone    [ Reply ]
save me jeebus!
Posted 21 years ago by downbylaw    [ Reply ]
Glad to see this in your rotation, one of my personal fav\'s. Not really sure what it is all about, but have seen t heads twice and d byrne twice and I can\'t get enough!
Posted 21 years ago by Boomer    [ Reply ]
I like it. Talking Heads meet the Eurythmics, with some mojo thrown in.
Posted 21 years ago by ludwig7    [ Reply ]
Perhaps you should listen to the lyrics before you make such an inane statement. https://www.talking-heads.net/lyrics_eyeball.html
Originally Posted by Heathen: Utter crap. Why is this on RP? I was waiting for the Bible to fly out of my monitor and hit me over the head. Please remove this from the playlist.
Posted 21 years ago by splendy    [ Reply ]
David Byrne has some clever songs, this is one of them. Interesting lyrics, and good bouncy music to boot! Play \"God\'s child\" his duet with Selena, No seriously!! an awesome song! good choice RP, you keep stealing music out of my personal music library!
Posted 21 years ago by zlotis    [ Reply ]
What next, Hava Nagila?
Posted 21 years ago by catsoup    [ Reply ]
NNOOOOO!!
Posted 21 years ago by mellotron    [ Reply ]
Please keep playing!
Posted 22 years ago by soulspin    [ Reply ]
Some good ideas (mainly within the lyrics) don\'t necessarily make a good song yet.
Posted 22 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Utter crap. Why is this on RP? I was waiting for the Bible to fly out of my monitor and hit me over the head. Please remove this from the playlist.
Posted 22 years ago by Heathen    [ Reply ]