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.
One Fine Day
Brian Eno & David Byrne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shouts and battle cries, from every part
I can see those tears, every one is true
When the door appears, I'll go right through, oh
I stand in liquid light, like everyone
I built my life with rhymes, to carry on
And it gives me hope, to see you there
[Chorus: x2]
One fine day
In a small dark room- where I will wait
Face to face I find- I contemplate
Even though a man- is made of clay
Everything can change- that one fine-
[Chorus: x3]
Then before my eyes, is standing still
I beheld it there, a city on a hill
I complete my tasks, one by one
I remove my masks, when I am done
Then a piece of mind, fell over me
In these troubled times, I still can see
We can use the stars, to guide the way
It is not that far, the one fine
[Chorus: x4]
The lyrics to Brian Eno & David Byrne's song One Fine Day are quite ambiguous, but they seem to be about hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. The first verse talks about battling through tough times and being true to yourself, even when it hurts. The second verse mentions building a life with something (perhaps music, as the artists are musicians) to hold onto in difficult times. The chorus repeats the phrase "one fine day" several times, suggesting that despite the struggles, a brighter future is on the horizon.
The third verse reflects a moment of clarity or revelation, where the singer sees a "city on a hill" before them - a symbol of hope and progress. They then mention completing tasks and removing masks, suggesting that they've been wearing a facade to get through hard times, but can now be real with themselves. The final part of the verse again emphasizes the idea that hope is not too far away - "we can use the stars to guide the way".
Overall, the lyrics of One Fine Day encourage listeners to keep going, even when things are tough. They suggest that there is a brighter future ahead, and that even in troubled times, there are things to hold onto and reasons to keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw the wanderin' eye, inside my heart
I noticed my own tendency to be distracted and inconsistent.
Shouts and battle cries, from every part
My inner voice is filled with conflict and unrest.
I can see those tears, every one is true
I acknowledge and accept my emotions as genuine.
When the door appears, I'll go right through, oh
When an opportunity arises, I'm ready to embrace it.
I stand in liquid light, like everyone
I exist in a state of constant change and growth, like everyone else.
I built my life with rhymes, to carry on
I have developed coping mechanisms to help me navigate life's challenges.
And it gives me hope, to see you there
The presence of others who share my struggles and experiences gives me hope.
The things I used to know, that one fine
The wisdom I once possessed is still relevant and valuable.
One fine day
Someday, things will fall into place and everything will be alright.
In a small dark room- where I will wait
I must be patient and wait for the right moment to act.
Face to face I find- I contemplate
I must confront my fears and uncertainties directly in order to move forward.
Even though a man- is made of clay
Even though humans are imperfect and flawed, we still have the potential to achieve great things.
Everything can change- that one fine-
In an instant, our lives can change for the better or worse.
Then before my eyes, is standing still
In moments of clarity, everything seems to slow down and become clear.
I beheld it there, a city on a hill
I see the potential for something great in the future.
I complete my tasks, one by one
I focus on achieving my goals one step at a time.
I remove my masks, when I am done
I am able to let go of my defenses and be my true self when I have accomplished my objectives.
Then a piece of mind, fell over me
I experience a sense of relief and assurance.
In these troubled times, I still can see
Despite the chaos and turmoil around me, I am able to maintain a positive outlook.
We can use the stars, to guide the way
We can find direction and purpose by looking to the metaphorical 'stars' in our lives.
It is not that far, the one fine
The 'one fine day' that we long for is not so far out of reach.
[Chorus: x4]
The refrain of the song repeats the title phrase 'One Fine Day' four times.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BYRNE, WALSH, DAVID BYRNE, BRIAN ENO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SabineWillers
One Fine Day
David Byrne, Brian Eno
Saw the wanderin' eye, inside my heart
Shouts and battle cries, from every part
I can see those tears, every one is true
When the door appears, I'll go right through, oh
I stand in liquid light, like everyone
I built my life with rhymes, to carry on
And it gives me hope, to see you there
The things I used to know, that one fine
One fine day
In a small dark room- where I will wait
Face to face I find- I contemplate
Even though a man- is made of clay
Everything can change- that one fine-
Then before my eyes, is standing still
I beheld it there, a city on a hill
I complete my tasks, one by one
I remove my masks, when I am done
Then a piece of mind, fell over me
In these troubled times, I still can see
We can use the stars, to guide the way
It is not that far, the one fine
@starzver
Saw the wanderin' eye, inside my heart
Shouts and battle cries, from every part
I can see those tears, every one is true
When the door appears, I'll go right through, oh
I stand in liquid light, like everyone
I built my life with rhymes, to carry on
And it gives me hope, to see you there
The things I used to know, that one fine
One fine day
In a small dark room- where I will wait
Face to face I find- I contemplate
Even though a man- is made of clay
Everything can change- that one fine-
Then before my eyes, is standing still
I beheld it there, a city on a hill
I complete my tasks, one by one
I remove my masks, when I am done
Then a piece of mind, fell over me
In these troubled times, I still can see
We can use the stars, to guide the way
It is not that far, the one fine
@gsco-bl4jk
Not sure what about this song hits me like a truck/makes me teary eyed, but it does. And not many things do.
@tednugent1100
Was kind of stunned to hear this in the Bear, such an amazing song
@Satscape
"Resident Alien" bought me here... Most underated show.. comedy & drama in perfect balance and a good soundtrack too!
@tamilnadu8545
Such an amazing soundtrack. All the stuff I liked that I thought nobody else listened to was on that show.
@marially3
The moment when you hear a song for the first time and your brain synapses all fire up in unison.
@salinacarter1030
Yesss happened to me on my way to work early one morning
@jakeryan2425
“The Bear” brought me here. Incredible song ❤️
@lucidloon
This is a song that brings me to tears. It's like a promise that might never come true.
@bigoshify
Oooof. This hits home..
@veritas41photo
Brian Eno is a genius of music production. Combine his skills with the fine vocals of David Byrne... and this sonic masterpiece is the wondrous result! What a gift to all of us who treasure music!