"Once in a Lifetime" is a landmark single by Talking Heads, released in January 1981 as the lead single from their fourth album, Remain in Light (1980). Produced and co-written by Brian Eno, the song is celebrated for its innovative structure, philosophical lyrics, and genre-defying sound12.
Musical Style and Creation
- Afrobeat and Funk Influences: The song’s rhythmic foundation was inspired by Afrobeat musicians like Fela Kuti. The band developed the track through extensive group jams, with Tina Weymouth’s iconic two-bar bass riff anchoring the groove12.
- Experimental Approach: The band acted as “human samplers,” isolating and repeating the best parts of their jams. Jerry Harrison’s burbling synthesizer arpeggio and Hammond organ (inspired by The Velvet Underground) added to the song’s layered, hypnotic feel2.
- Brian Eno’s Role: Eno initially doubted the song’s structure, but contributed a wordless chorus melody and embraced the off-kilter syncopation created by differing counts among band members, which became a defining feature of the track2.
Lyrics and Themes
- Existential Crisis: David Byrne’s lyrics, delivered in a half-spoken, half-sung preacher style, explore themes of existential bewilderment and the unconscious. The narrator finds himself with a “beautiful house,” “beautiful wife,” and “large automobile,” yet questions how he arrived at this point in life14.
- Autopilot Living: Byrne has explained the song is about operating on autopilot—going through life without conscious reflection, only to suddenly wonder, “How did I get here?” The repetition of “And you may find yourself…” and “Same as it ever was…” underscores the monotony and routine of modern existence14.
- Water Imagery: The chorus—“Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down”—uses water as a metaphor for the unstoppable flow of time and the unconscious passage of life14.
- Optimism Amid Absurdity: Despite its existential questioning, the song is not nihilistic. Byrne and Eno saw it as ultimately optimistic, celebrating the accidental beauty and achievement found in everyday life14.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Critical Acclaim: "Once in a Lifetime" is considered one of the greatest songs in pop history. NPR named it one of the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century, and Rolling Stone ranked it 28th on their 2021 list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”1.
- Music Video: The iconic video, directed by Byrne and Toni Basil, features Byrne’s erratic, preacher-like dancing over footage of religious rituals. It is frequently cited among the best music videos ever made1.
- Influence: The song’s unique blend of art-pop, funk, and philosophical lyricism has inspired generations of musicians and remains a staple in popular culture12.
Summary
"Once in a Lifetime" stands as a singular achievement in Talking Heads’ catalog and in pop music at large. Its fusion of Afrobeat rhythms, experimental production, and existential lyricism creates a song that is both a celebration and a questioning of modern life—forever memorable for its refrain: “And you may ask yourself, ‘Well… how did I get here?’”142.
