Cities
Talking Heads
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Think of London, a small city It's dark, dark in the daytime The people sleep, sleep in the daytime If they want to, if they want to [Chorus:] I'm checking them out I'm checking them out I got it figured out I got it figured out There's good points and bad points Find a city Find myself a city to live in. There are a lot of rich people in Birmingham A lot of ghosts in a lot of houses Look over there!...A dry ice factory A good place to get some thinking done Down El Paso way things get pretty spread out People got no idea where in the world they are They go up north and come back south Still got no idea where in the world they are. Did I forget to mention, to mention Memphis Home of Elvis and the ancient Greeks Do I smell? I smell home cooking It's only the river, it's only the river.
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7 fans
Written by: DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Album"Cities" is a song by the band Talking Heads from their album "Fear of Music", which was released in 1979.
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Lyrics and CompositionThe song features abstract lyrics painting a picture of urban life. It showcases the distinct rhythm-centered style that Talking Heads is known for.
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Notable FeaturesThe song features a distinct bass line and is known for its quirkiness and use of unconventional time signatures.
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Band MembersThe song showcases the talents of David Byrne (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass), and Jerry Harrison (keyboards, guitar).
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Live Performances"Cities" was a staple in the band's live set list, which sometimes included extended jams based on the song's unique groove.
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Song LocationThe song's lyrics discuss various cities, including Memphis, Birmingham, London, and Hell - though it's ambiguous whether "Hell" refers to a city or a condition.
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Song MeaningThe song's lyrics delve into the hectic, relentless nature of city life, and Byrne's ambiguous sometimes-vague songwriting leaves much to interpretation.
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Critical ReceptionCritics have praised "Cities" for its unconventional approach to songwriting and composition, and it's often cited as one of the highlights of the "Fear of Music" album.
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Song ReleaseThe song wasn't a single, but has become a fan favorite and is a standout track from the album.
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InfluencesDavid Byrne's fascination with cities and their intricacies fueled the song's creation – a common theme in many of his works, transcending his music to also influence his visual art and writing.
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Experimental StyleThe song showcases Talking Heads' experimental New Wave style, which combined elements of punk, art rock, funk, and world music.
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Citation
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"Cities Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/904969/Talking+Heads/Cities>.
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