Song Lyric Sunday – National Recording Registry

This week the theme of SLS is to find a song that’s listed in the National Recording Registry, in America. Remain in Light is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads, released on October 8, 1980, by Sire Records. Produced by Brian Eno, his third album with the band, the album was recorded at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas and Sigma Sound Studios in New York during July and August 1980. In 2017, the Library of Congress deemed the album “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”, and selected it for preservation in the National Recording Registry. It is, by far, my favourite Talking Heads album.

This track is on that album

For a long time I felt
Without style and grace
Wearing shoes with no socks
In cold weather
I knew my heart
Was in the right place
I knew I’d be able
To do these things

And as we watch him
Digging his own grave
It is important to know
That was where he’s at
He can’t afford to stop
That is what he believe
He’ll keep on digging
For a thousand years

I’m walking a line
I’m thinking about empty motion
I’m walking a line
Just barely enough to be living
Get outta the way (no time to begin)
This isn’t the time (so nothing was done)
Not talking about (not many at all)
I’m turning around (no trouble at all)
You notice there’s nothing around you, ’round you
I’m walking a line
Divide and dissolve

Never get to say much
Never get to talk
Tell us a little bit
But not too much
Right about then
Is where she give up
She has closed her eyes
She has give up hope

I’m walking a line
I hate to be dreaming in motion
I’m walking a line
Just barely enough to be living
Get outta the way (no time to begin)
This isn’t the time (so nothing was done)
Not talking about (not many at all)
I’m turning around (no trouble at all)
I’m keeping my fingers behind me, ‘hind me
I’m walking a line
Divide and dissolve

I’m walking a line
I’m visiting houses in motion
I’m walking a line
Just barely enough to be living
Get outta the way (no time to begin)
This isn’t the time (so nothing was done)
Not talking about (not many at all)
I’m turning around (no trouble at all)
Two different houses surround you, ’round you
I’m walking a line
Divide and dissolve

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Brian Eno / Chris Frantz / David Byrne / Jerry Harrison / Tina Weymouth

Houses in Motion lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc