Life During Wartime

David Byrne

About Life During Wartime

"Life During Wartime" is a song by the American new wave band Talking Heads, released as the first single from their 1979 album Fear of Music. It peaked at #80 on the US Billboard Pop Singles Chart. The song is also performed in the 1984 film Stop Making Sense, which depicts a Talking Heads concert. The performance featured in the film prominently features aerobic exercising and jogging by David Byrne and background singers. The Stop Making Sense live version of the track is featured in the film's accompanying soundtrack album. Its official title as a single, "Life During Wartime (This Ain't No Party... This Ain't No Disco... This Ain't No Foolin' Around)", makes it one of the longest-titled singles. The song is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. 


Year:
1994
94 

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Heard of a van that is loaded with weapons,
Packed up and ready to go
Heard of some grave sites, out by the highway,
A place where nobody knows
The sound of gunfire, off in the distance,
I'm getting used to it now
Lived in a brownstone, lived in the ghetto,
I've lived all over this town

This ain't no party, this ain't no disco,
This ain't no fooling around
No time for dancing, or lovey dovey,
I ain't got time for that now

Transmit the message, to the receiver,
Hope for an answer some day
I got three passports, a couple of visas,
You don't even know my real name
High on a hillside, the trucks are loading,
Everything's ready to roll
I sleep in the daytime, I work in the nighttime,
I might not ever get home

This ain't no party, this ain't no disco,
This ain't no fooling around
This ain't no Mudd Club, or C. B. G. B.,
I ain't got time for that now
Heard about Houston? Heard about Detroit?
Heard about Pittsburgh, P. A.?
You oughta know not to stand by the window
Somebody might see you up there
I got some groceries, some peanut butter,
To last a couple of days
But I ain't got no speakers, ain't got no
Headphones, ain't got no records to play

Why stay in college? Why go to night school?
Gonna be different this time
Can't write a letter, can't send a postcard,
I can't write nothing at all
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco,
This ain't no fooling around
I'd like to kiss you, I'd love you hold you
I ain't got no time for that now

Trouble in transit, got through the roadblock,
We blended with the crowd
We got computer, we're tapping phone lines,
I know that ain't allowed
We dress like students, we dress like housewives,
Or in a suit and a tie
I changed my hairstyle, so many times now,
I don't know what I look like!
You make me shiver, I feel so tender,
We make a pretty good team
Don't get exhausted, I'll do some driving,
You ought to get some sleep
Get you instructions, follow directions,
Then you should change your address
Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day,
Whatever you think is best
Burned all my notebooks, what good are notebooks? 
They won't help me survive
My chest is aching, burns like a furnace,
The burning keeps me alive
Try to stay healthy, physical fitness,
Don't want to catch no disease
Try to be careful, don't take no chances,
You better watch what you say

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David Byrne

David Byrne (born May 14, 1952) is a United States-resident British musician and artist best known as a founding member and principal songwriter of the American new wave band Talking Heads, which was active between 1975 and 1991. Since then, Byrne has released his own solo recordings and worked with various media including film, photography, opera, and non-fiction. He has received Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Globe awards and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. more »

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Written by: CHRIS FRANTZ, CHRISTOPHER FRANTZ, DAVID BYRNE, JERRY HARRISON, TINA WEYMOUTH

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Band Formation
"Life During Wartime" is a single released by the American rock band "Talking Heads". David Byrne, the lead vocalist, and songwriter of the band co-founded the group in 1975 with Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison.
Release Date
The song "Life During Wartime" was released in 1979 as the first single from their album "Fear of Music".
Song Inspiration
David Byrne, the songwriter, was inspired by the idea of a dystopian future where a guerrilla war is taking place. The song portrays this scene, referring to it as life during wartime.
Genre
"Life During Wartime" is an example of new wave and post-punk music, genres Talking Heads help popularize in the late 70s and 80s.
Notable Lyrics
The phrase "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around" became particularly famous from this song. The line is seen as a critique of the frivolity and superficiality of the disco scene that was popular at that time.
Live Version Popularity
The live version of the song, featured in the film and album "Stop Making Sense" in 1984, is arguably even more popular than the original recording. It includes an extended aerobic workout by David Byrne and additional lyrics.
Theme of Song
The song's heavy theme is contrasted with its upbeat tempo, creating a unique tension that fans of Talking Heads have come to associate with the band's sound.
Chart Performance
"Life During Wartime" peaked at number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 - it was more appreciated for its imaginative concept and unique sound than for its popularity as a chart-topper.
Music Video
There was no traditional music video made for the song. However, the "Stop Making Sense" performance with David Byrne running on the spot has since become an iconic visual representation associated with the song.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Phish and Pinhead Gunpowder, demonstrating its lasting influence and popularity.
Cultural References
"Life During Wartime" has been referenced in various forms of media and culture, from Stephen King novels to episodes of The Simpsons, indicating its influence and reach beyond just the music industry.

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