Talking Heads — (Nothing But) Flowers
Album: NakedAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3755
Length: 5:30
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Here we stand
Like an Adam and an Eve
Waterfalls
The Garden of Eden
Two fools in love
So beautiful and strong
The birds in the trees
Are smiling upon them
From the age of the dinosaurs
Cars have run on gasoline
Where, where have they gone?
Now, it's nothing but flowers
There was a factory
Now there are mountains and rivers
you got it, you got it
We caught a rattlesnake
Now we got something for dinner
we got it, we got it
There was a shopping mall
Now it's all covered with flowers
you've got it, you've got it
If this is paradise
I wish I had a lawnmower
you've got it, you've got it
Years ago
I was an angry young man
I'd pretend
That I was a billboard
Standing tall
By the side of the road
I fell in love
With a beautiful highway
This used to be real estate
Now it's only fields and trees
Where, where is the town
Now, it's nothing but flowers
The highways and cars
Were sacrificed for agriculture
I thought that we'd start over
But I guess I was wrong
Once there were parking lots
Now it's a peaceful oasis
you got it, you got it
This was a Pizza Hut
Now it's all covered with daisies
you got it, you got it
I miss the honky tonks,
Dairy Queens, and 7-Elevens
you got it, you got it
And as things fell apart
Nobody paid much attention
you got it, you got it
I dream of cherry pies,
Candy bars, and chocolate chip cookies
you got it, you got it
We used to microwave
Now we just eat nuts and berries
you got it, you got it
This was a discount store,
Now it's turned into a cornfield
you got it, you got it
Don't leave me stranded here
I can't get used to this lifestyle
Like an Adam and an Eve
Waterfalls
The Garden of Eden
Two fools in love
So beautiful and strong
The birds in the trees
Are smiling upon them
From the age of the dinosaurs
Cars have run on gasoline
Where, where have they gone?
Now, it's nothing but flowers
There was a factory
Now there are mountains and rivers
you got it, you got it
We caught a rattlesnake
Now we got something for dinner
we got it, we got it
There was a shopping mall
Now it's all covered with flowers
you've got it, you've got it
If this is paradise
I wish I had a lawnmower
you've got it, you've got it
Years ago
I was an angry young man
I'd pretend
That I was a billboard
Standing tall
By the side of the road
I fell in love
With a beautiful highway
This used to be real estate
Now it's only fields and trees
Where, where is the town
Now, it's nothing but flowers
The highways and cars
Were sacrificed for agriculture
I thought that we'd start over
But I guess I was wrong
Once there were parking lots
Now it's a peaceful oasis
you got it, you got it
This was a Pizza Hut
Now it's all covered with daisies
you got it, you got it
I miss the honky tonks,
Dairy Queens, and 7-Elevens
you got it, you got it
And as things fell apart
Nobody paid much attention
you got it, you got it
I dream of cherry pies,
Candy bars, and chocolate chip cookies
you got it, you got it
We used to microwave
Now we just eat nuts and berries
you got it, you got it
This was a discount store,
Now it's turned into a cornfield
you got it, you got it
Don't leave me stranded here
I can't get used to this lifestyle
Comments (423)add comment
Please, please, one single day without DB or TH...
heiligenwho wrote:
Same here!!
This never fails to make me dance and twirl. My back hurts....
Same here!!
This never fails to make me dance and twirl. My back hurts....
knitmills wrote:
The late, great SPY Magazine printed a cartoon by Drew Friedman that posited the two of them meeting as they explored world music...
https://musicandculture.blogsp...
OMG! I remember that cartoon from the 80s. They were watching native people from behind a bush, as I recall! Oh, you linked to it. Doh.
The late, great SPY Magazine printed a cartoon by Drew Friedman that posited the two of them meeting as they explored world music...
https://musicandculture.blogsp...
OMG! I remember that cartoon from the 80s. They were watching native people from behind a bush, as I recall! Oh, you linked to it. Doh.
pinto wrote:
The late, great SPY Magazine printed a cartoon by Drew Friedman that posited the two of them meeting as they explored world music...
https://musicandculture.blogsp...
Unless they've already done so, it just seems that a David Byrne / Paul Simon musical collaboration would be a natural.
The late, great SPY Magazine printed a cartoon by Drew Friedman that posited the two of them meeting as they explored world music...
https://musicandculture.blogsp...
“ If this is Paradise, I wish I had a lawn mower ”
Johnny Marr plays soukous, congolese rumba!!!!
You know what? Let's bump it up to a big fat 10!!
bam23 wrote:
Well, one day this may happen, for a day or so, but I hope not. Why anyone dislikes David Byrne, or this specific song, I cannot understand. Musically it's great and the lyrics are intelligent and humorous. If not more TH, at least as much as at present!
Some folks only like music from"their" era & dislike all else... on principle.
It's a form of closed-mindedness methinks. Me, I appreciate music from all eras & cultures that's well done by talented artists. B&R's choices suit me just fine.
Well, one day this may happen, for a day or so, but I hope not. Why anyone dislikes David Byrne, or this specific song, I cannot understand. Musically it's great and the lyrics are intelligent and humorous. If not more TH, at least as much as at present!
Some folks only like music from"their" era & dislike all else... on principle.
It's a form of closed-mindedness methinks. Me, I appreciate music from all eras & cultures that's well done by talented artists. B&R's choices suit me just fine.
pinto wrote:
Cool! That would be very interesting!
Unless they've already done so, it just seems that a David Byrne / Paul Simon musical collaboration would be a natural.
Cool! That would be very interesting!
Will always remind me of the beautiful life and times I spent with my best friend Big John. Best friend a girl could ever have. RIP buddy.
What a great song. Love the last line... 
Unless they've already done so, it just seems that a David Byrne / Paul Simon musical collaboration would be a natural.
Chair Dancing Time!!
GerdoGerdo wrote:
Thanx for the info!! I didn't know it was a Rickenbacker!! Excellent sound!!
Great 12-string Rickenbacker sounds from a band not usually doing this.
Thanx for the info!! I didn't know it was a Rickenbacker!! Excellent sound!!
Great 12-string Rickenbacker sounds from a band not usually doing this.
joejennings wrote:
I Agree!!
GODLIKE!!!
I Agree!!
GODLIKE!!!
Tina Weymouth's birthday today. How fitting. 
Leonia, New Jersey. On its way...I wish I was living in this future.
This song sounds to me as if it were inspired by the Paul Theroux novel O-Zone. Great novel. Great song!!
Wow! Dystopian sci-fi rock! Love it...
Stop whatcher doin and DANCE!
this song must be a response to "My city was gone" by The Pretenders Segue!
always loved this album
th + more melody + polyrhythms
th + more melody + polyrhythms
lizardking wrote:
Same here, I'm at a 9 on this one, based on my interpretation of the meaning of the song, which seems to be that "the grass ain't always greener on the other side" - Long Live RP!!
I've always thought this song was eerily prescient.
Same here, I'm at a 9 on this one, based on my interpretation of the meaning of the song, which seems to be that "the grass ain't always greener on the other side" - Long Live RP!!
I've always thought this song was eerily prescient.
sfoster66 wrote:
Same here, I'm at a 9 on this one, based on my interpretation of the meaning of the song, which seems to be that "the grass ain't always greener on the other side" - Long Live RP!!
Not sure what happened but this song has managed to creep up on me for years...was nothing for the longest time and now I can't help but to turn it up...perspective maybe...
Same here, I'm at a 9 on this one, based on my interpretation of the meaning of the song, which seems to be that "the grass ain't always greener on the other side" - Long Live RP!!
Johnny Marr contributes the riff here...just saw him in concert last month...not to be missed
Rating to me stays at 7 not more
Not sure what happened but this song has managed to creep up on me for years...was nothing for the longest time and now I can't help but to turn it up...perspective maybe...
Turning it up to ELEVEN as I'm twirlin' in the kitchen.
Mister Byrne is one of the first westerners to master Highlife guitar. Just makes you want to get up and move...!
I'm not a huge fan of Talking Heads, but I sure like this song....a lot.
Great lyrics with a funky beat, what's not to like. Wish DB had played this at Merriweather Post last week.
Brilliant song. One of my all time favorites.
The ingenious lyrics are a reason te be cheerful!!
A big contribution to this song is also the guitar of Johnny Marr
This album marked the end of "Talking Heads" for me. I never saw it as a TH album - really a Byrne album with the bands backing. This path was not my vibe at all...
It's rare I make this general assertion, but Guster's cover is better. 
Far more pleasing to the ears than TH warbling vocals.
Far more pleasing to the ears than TH warbling vocals.My headache has gone, great song. 
Gets better with age.
Because i love the Talking Heads 
It's too bad that I don't like the T-Heads,cause they're played A LOT!
"Don't leave me stranded here - I can't get used to this lifestyle!" Words to live by.
Great series of songs! First, Big Daddy doing "Once In A Lifetime" and now another Talking Heads, but this time the original!!
While we're in this post apocalypse theme - one of my favorites is "King of the World" by Steely Dan. Fantastic guitar work.
While David Byrne see nothing but flowers, Becker/Fagan see none - "No marigolds in the promised land. There's a hole in the ground where they used to grow".
While David Byrne see nothing but flowers, Becker/Fagan see none - "No marigolds in the promised land. There's a hole in the ground where they used to grow".
coloradojohn wrote:
He said Fuku shima
Fun little ditty in a diverse post-apocalyptic set this morning. "—And as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention" kind of sums it up, doesn't it? The Fukushima Meltdown and its ongoing leakage may prove fatal enough; another earthquake there will spill The End.
He said Fuku shima
I love how this still reminds me of my first time to Bali, Christmas of '88, driving the winding jungle roads from Kuta all the way up to Lovina with my British mate Mike, with this tape — which we'd just bought for a dollar at the market in DenPasar, jamming all the way.
sirrus wrote:
+1 - I'm just finishing it too - fascinating book.
I'm finishing up David's book How Music Works and he provides some fascinating insight into how the lyrics came about for this song (along with the process' for a bunch of TH albums).
It's an eye-opening read and I highly recommend it. I would also recommend purchasing it on Amazon.com using RP's link to help give a bit back here!
It's an eye-opening read and I highly recommend it. I would also recommend purchasing it on Amazon.com using RP's link to help give a bit back here!
+1 - I'm just finishing it too - fascinating book.
Yes!
Finally! A Talking Heads song that I kind of like!
I'm finishing up David's book How Music Works and he provides some fascinating insight into how the lyrics came about for this song (along with the process' for a bunch of TH albums).
It's an eye-opening read and I highly recommend it. I would also recommend purchasing it on Amazon.com using RP's link to help give a bit back here!
It's an eye-opening read and I highly recommend it. I would also recommend purchasing it on Amazon.com using RP's link to help give a bit back here!
Chrislee523 wrote:
much needed and appreciated segue.
Simply beautiful segue from Big Daddy's cover of Once In A Lifetime.
much needed and appreciated segue.
Simply beautiful segue from Big Daddy's cover of Once In A Lifetime.
much better
Fun little ditty in a diverse post-apocalyptic set this morning. "—And as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention" kind of sums it up, doesn't it? The Fukushima Meltdown and its ongoing leakage may prove fatal enough; another earthquake there will spill The End.
thediceareloaded wrote:
You do know the meaning of "to me"?
You do know the meaning of "to me"?
Around here musical taste is an absolute.
Muzak for tragic heroes
Ambient: peace aheaad
Ambient: peace aheaad
Nice work, Mr Byrne. I wish your latest efforts would also bring musical pleasure to the masses...?
Maybe you'll also send flowers to Bill and Rebecca to say sorry?
Maybe you'll also send flowers to Bill and Rebecca to say sorry?
willmcnaught wrote:
7.4 average hmm maybe glitch is elsewhere
You do know the meaning of "to me"?
7.4 average hmm maybe glitch is elsewhere
You do know the meaning of "to me"?
thediceareloaded wrote:
7.4 average hmm maybe glitch is elsewhere
This song to me is a glitch in Bills Matrix.....
7.4 average hmm maybe glitch is elsewhere
This song to me is a glitch in Bills Matrix.....
Magic wand
Naked truth.
Naked truth.
bendame wrote:
Come on. It's David Byrne.. One of the few meaningfull american artists around.
joempie wrote:
Neither Lou Reed nor Elliot Smith are "around" anymore, so they're probably not subject to being insulted.
Come on. It's David Byrne.. One of the few meaningfull american artists around.
joempie wrote:
That's an insult to people like Lou Reed, Elliott smith etc :) Seriously, I hope RP will stop playing so much TH one day. Completely overrepresented here, and one of the few reasons for me to regularly switch to another channel...
Neither Lou Reed nor Elliot Smith are "around" anymore, so they're probably not subject to being insulted.
I just love Fridays !!!!
afrixluvguy wrote:
I will take your word for it, but I don't have to work that hard to do so!
One of my fave late TH songs. If David Byrne works with the right people (see: Brian Eno), he's still capable of great work.
In the early '90s I played this song over and over, not able to get over how African it sounded! It still does, in a Congolese-rhumba way...
I will take your word for it, but I don't have to work that hard to do so!
One of my fave late TH songs. If David Byrne works with the right people (see: Brian Eno), he's still capable of great work.
I just can't stand the sound of his voice 
ljoergen wrote:
Still waiting for the monkey's turn at the mike...
Me likey like, very much!
Still waiting for the monkey's turn at the mike...
Me likey like, very much!
Pure genius. I got it, I got it :)
joempie wrote:
That's an insult to people like Lou Reed, Elliott smith etc :) Seriously, I hope RP will stop playing so much TH one day. Completely overrepresented here, and one of the few reasons for me to regularly switch to another channel...
Well, one day this may happen, for a day or so, but I hope not. Why anyone dislikes David Byrne, or this specific song, I cannot understand. Musically it's great and the lyrics are intelligent and humorous. If not more TH, at least as much as at present!
That's an insult to people like Lou Reed, Elliott smith etc :) Seriously, I hope RP will stop playing so much TH one day. Completely overrepresented here, and one of the few reasons for me to regularly switch to another channel...
Well, one day this may happen, for a day or so, but I hope not. Why anyone dislikes David Byrne, or this specific song, I cannot understand. Musically it's great and the lyrics are intelligent and humorous. If not more TH, at least as much as at present!
bendame wrote:
Come on. It's David Byrne.. One of the few meaningfull american artists around.
That's an insult to people like Lou Reed, Elliott smith etc :) Seriously, I hope RP will stop playing so much TH one day. Completely overrepresented here, and one of the few reasons for me to regularly switch to another channel...
Come on. It's David Byrne.. One of the few meaningfull american artists around.
That's an insult to people like Lou Reed, Elliott smith etc :) Seriously, I hope RP will stop playing so much TH one day. Completely overrepresented here, and one of the few reasons for me to regularly switch to another channel...
fredriley wrote:
Come on. It's David Byrne.. One of the few meaningfull american artists around.
Nice monkey, shame about the singer...
Come on. It's David Byrne.. One of the few meaningfull american artists around.
fredriley wrote:
Nice monkey, shame about the singer...
Yes. The monkey is probably pondering which printed edition of The Encyclopedia Britannica she is going to improve apon*, now that it is extinct.
* she is an expert in medieval English after all.
this makes more sense than the talking heads version...wait...the album says...talking...heads...
i am asking myself...what is real??
i am asking myself...what is real??
Nice monkey, shame about the singer...
Nice beat and you can dance to itpost-apocalyptic with no mention of zombies
still a good tune
still a good tune
afrixluvguy wrote:
You got it! You got it!
In the early '90s I played this song over and over, not able to get over how African it sounded! It still does, in a Congolese-rhumba way...
You got it! You got it!
In the early '90s I played this song over and over, not able to get over how African it sounded! It still does, in a Congolese-rhumba way...
Awesome African rhythms.
....... now we are motoring Sound pressure level in my office is very high right now !
hencini wrote:
hencini wrote:
So. Good.
Cannot turn it up loud enough. And this one goes to 11.
Cannot turn it up loud enough. And this one goes to 11.
So. Good.
So good.
So good.
Everything is coming up flowers this afternoon at Radio Paradise -- warms the cockles, thanks Bill.
be loooooooooong time, after the WINTER.......
How about some real Poi Dog Pondering too?
phlattop wrote:
indeed. where's the like button?
I have no idea... hope you are having a marvelous time right this minute... we be dancing... love this song...
indeed. where's the like button?
I have no idea... hope you are having a marvelous time right this minute... we be dancing... love this song...
So. Good.
Cannot turn it up loud enough. And this one goes to 11.
Cannot turn it up loud enough. And this one goes to 11.
I have to hear it again, I'm leaning towards a literal reading but I don't know much about David Byrne.
Lazarus wrote:
marvelous... love it... we be dancing...
indeed. where's the like button?
marvelous... love it... we be dancing...
indeed. where's the like button?
marvelous... love it... we be dancing...
Apparently, Johnny Marr was noodling around on the guitar and just "made up" the opening riff. The chord progressions in this song are his (from what I just read).
Strange, was just reading an article about this song in today's AV Club website.
I can't help but picture the scene from Clerks II using this song.
Everybody in my church loves this song...
How very terrible!!!
Byrne is a genius.
allmixedup wrote:
if one do not like byrne, one should not be listening to this station? age irrelevant - true genius!
could not agree more!
if one do not like byrne, one should not be listening to this station? age irrelevant - true genius!
could not agree more!
fredriley wrote:
I'm an old fart (well 50-something, but anyone over 30 is old, right?) but I'd rather bang my head repeatedly against a wall than listen to David Byrne - it would be less painful and with luck there'd be the blessed relief of unconsciousness.
So, go bang your head Fred. I'm sixty plus and couldn't give a rat's.
Oh yes, I listen to very contemporary music, and, most percussionists couldn't cut it with the player TH got for this song........
I'm an old fart (well 50-something, but anyone over 30 is old, right?) but I'd rather bang my head repeatedly against a wall than listen to David Byrne - it would be less painful and with luck there'd be the blessed relief of unconsciousness.
So, go bang your head Fred. I'm sixty plus and couldn't give a rat's.
Oh yes, I listen to very contemporary music, and, most percussionists couldn't cut it with the player TH got for this song........
I've never been a big fan of David Byrne, but this song is the exception in fact I think it's brilliant.
if one do not like byrne, one should not be listening to this station? age irrelevant - true genius!
Nice, from Alpha Yaya Diallo into TH... Bill, you wiley old fox
tamang3 wrote:
I know Byrne dreams this as he bikes down Broadway.
cynical dreamer
I love this song & its cynical spin
I know Byrne dreams this as he bikes down Broadway.
cynical dreamer
I love this song & its cynical spin
I can take the repeated playings of Porcupine Tree, but Byrne blows! Please give us a year off. Thx!
my sentiment as well
I'm an old fart (well 50-something, but anyone over 30 is old, right?) but I'd rather bang my head repeatedly against a wall than listen to David Byrne - it would be less painful and with luck there'd be the blessed relief of unconsciousness.
my sentiment as well
I'm an old fart (well 50-something, but anyone over 30 is old, right?) but I'd rather bang my head repeatedly against a wall than listen to David Byrne - it would be less painful and with luck there'd be the blessed relief of unconsciousness.
my sentiment as well fredriley wrote:
I'm an old fart (well 50-something, but anyone over 30 is old, right?) but I'd rather bang my head repeatedly against a wall than listen to David Byrne - it would be less painful and with luck there'd be the blessed relief of unconsciousness.
I'm an old fart (well 50-something, but anyone over 30 is old, right?) but I'd rather bang my head repeatedly against a wall than listen to David Byrne - it would be less painful and with luck there'd be the blessed relief of unconsciousness.
Produced by the Great Steve Lillywhite. Steve, wherever you are, I want a rematch in ping pong. Oh, excuse me, table tennis.
VERY fabulous...
AlonzoTheArmless wrote:
Love it! :)
I can't believe I gave this nutty song a 9 last time I heard it here.
So I changed it to a 10!!!!
So I changed it to a 10!!!!
Love it! :)
DSCN1284b by imaphotog
https://www.flickr.com/photos/imaphotog/
Tina Weymouth
Tom Tom Club
Gathering of the Vibes 2001
Martina Michèle "Tina" Weymouth, is an American musician (Bass, Synthesizer, Guitar, Vocals), best known as a founding member of the influential New Wave group Talking Heads and its side project Tom Tom Club (co-founded with Talking Heads drummer and husband Chris Frantz).
Notable instruments:
Veillette-Citron Standard 4 String — Neck Through, teal green
Fender Mustang Bass — Used in early Talking Heads performances
Fender Jazz Bass — Used for Tom Tom Club live performances
Steinberger L-Series Bass — Seen during Little Creatures period
Fender Swinger — Seen in Stop Making Sense during the performance of This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
I can't believe I gave this nutty song a 9 last time I heard it here.
So I changed it to a 10!!!!
So I changed it to a 10!!!!
Sorry people, i can't help it. The music is okay but DB's voice just touches all the wrong nerves.... I hate this guy, it's a feeling i can't suppres... I really hate him.... Horrible singer....
I just like the Talking Heads so much and this one is really enjoyable.