In December 2007, David Byrne announced on the BBC Radio music show, The Weekender, that he was working Brian Eno on a brand new album of "proper songs", describing it as a "completely different thing" from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, which was mostly experimental. Eno had invited Byrne to finish some songs that he had written but that did not have lyrics, some of which were eight years old. The resulting album, Everything That Happens will Happen Today, was self-released on August 18, 2008 through the official album's website. No record label was involved, and it available for stream or download at EverythingThatHappens.com.
01 America Is Waiting
Brian Eno & David Byrne Lyrics
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Takin' it again. Again! Again! Takin' it again.
Well now... no, no... now, we ought to be mad at the government not mad at the people.
Takin' it again. Again! Again! Takin' it again.
I mean, yeah, well... wha... what're you gonna do?
America is waiting for a message of some sort or another.
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! Absolutely no integrity.
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever!
I haven't seen any any any citizen over there stand up and say "hey, just a second."
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! i mean, yeah, so... wha... what're you gonna do?
America is waiting for a message of some sort or another.
The lyrics of Brian Eno & David Byrne's song 01 America Is Waiting offer a commentary on the state of the United States during the early 1980s. The repeated line "America is waiting for a message of some sort or another" speaks to the idea that the country was directionless and lacked purpose. The use of repetition in the lyrics emphasizes the sense of frustration and urgency felt by the song's creators.
The next several lines suggest a sense of dissatisfaction with the government and its actions. The statement "we ought to be mad at the government not mad at the people" suggests that the issues facing the country were not the fault of its citizens, but rather a result of government actions. The repeated phrase "takin' it again" suggests a feeling of helplessness or resignation in the face of a situation that seems inescapable.
The verses that follow further emphasize the lack of leadership and conviction in the country. The repeated line "no will whatsoever" suggests a failure of leadership and a lack of moral authority. The statement "I haven't seen any citizen over there stand up and say 'hey, just a second'" speaks to a feeling of apathy or complacency among the population.
Overall, the lyrics of 01 America Is Waiting present a dark and somewhat cynical view of the United States in the early 1980s, suggesting that the country was directionless and lacking in moral leadership.
Line by Line Meaning
America is waiting for a message of some sort or another.
The American people are eagerly awaiting any sort of message or communication from their leaders.
Takin' it again. Again! Again! Takin' it again.
The government is repeatedly making the same mistakes and taking the same actions over and over again, with no regard for the consequences.
Well now... no, no... now, we ought to be mad at the government not mad at the people.
Rather than blaming individual citizens for the problems in society, we should direct our anger towards the government and those in power who are responsible for creating those problems.
I mean, yeah, well... wha... what're you gonna do?
There is a sense of helplessness and resignation in the face of government corruption and incompetence, leaving citizens unsure of how to effect change.
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! Absolutely no honor.
The government and those in power lack the resolve and moral compass to do what is right or honorable, leading to a sense of mistrust and disillusionment among the populace.
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! Absolutely no integrity.
The same lack of will and absence of integrity that plagues the government is also evident among those who support it, leading to a lack of faith in the system as a whole.
I haven't seen any any any citizen over there stand up and say "hey, just a second."
There is a sense of apathy and resignation among the American people, with few willing to openly criticize the government or speak out against its actions.
No will whatsoever. No will whatsoever! i mean, yeah, so... wha... what're you gonna do?
The repetition of this line emphasizes the sense of powerlessness and frustration felt by many Americans in the face of government inaction and indifference.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID BYRNE, BRIAN ENO, BILL O LASWELL, TIMOTHY WRIGHT, DAVID VAN TIEGHEM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind