Everything That Happens
Byrne/Eno Lyrics
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Many people on that road
I heard the sound of someone laughing
I saw my neighbor's car explode
Just up ahead
Against the sky
Quicker than you blink your eye
Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright?
And among the living, we are giving, all through the night
From the milk of human kindness
From the breast we all partake
Hungry for a social contract
She welcomes you with dark embrace
(Puts) socks and shoes
Upon our feet
Little fishes swim upstream
Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright?
In the deepest silence, gold and diamonds, all through the night
[Repeat: x2]
Everything that happens will happen today
And nothing has changed, but nothing's the same
And every tomorrow could be yesterday
And everything that happens will happen today
The first verse of the song, "Everything That Happens", describes the hectic and fast-moving nature of modern life. The singer is driving on a freeway with many other people when suddenly there is a loud noise and his neighbor's car explodes. This sudden and violent event interrupts the otherwise steady flow of traffic and normalcy.
The second verse of the song reflects on human nature and our shared experiences. The singer sings about the "milk of human kindness" and how we are all connected by our need for a social contract. This idea is expressed as the singer puts on his socks and shoes, a mundane everyday activity, while little fishes swim upstream - a natural metaphor for the force of life and change.
The chorus of the song speaks to the overarching message of the lyrics, which is that everything that happens is happening right now, and today is just another day. Nothing has really changed, but everything feels different. The repetition of the phrase "all through the night" reflects the cyclical nature of life and our constant need for connection and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
I ride on a perfect freeway
I travel on a smooth, unobstructed road
Many people on that road
The road is crowded with numerous individuals
I heard the sound of someone laughing
I perceived the noise of an individual's laughter
I saw my neighbor's car explode
I witnessed my neighbor's vehicle burst into pieces
Just up ahead
Located not far away
Against the sky
Opposed to the backdrop of the heavens
Quicker than you blink your eye
Faster than the moment it takes for a blink of an eye
Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright?
I express concern and question my sibling's well-being
And among the living, we are giving, all through the night
Amidst extant human existence, we are assisting others continuously throughout the night
From the milk of human kindness
Derived from genuine human compassion
From the breast we all partake
We all take nourishment from a common source
Hungry for a social contract
Desiring a mutual agreement and understanding among society
She welcomes you with dark embrace
A symbol of society accepting one with open arms, despite its flaws and difficulties
(Puts) socks and shoes
We cover our feet in footwear
Upon our feet
Resting on our lower extremities
Little fishes swim upstream
Small aquatic creatures move against the natural flow of water
Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright?
I express concern and question my sibling's well-being
In the deepest silence, gold and diamonds, all through the night
Under the most profound stillness and quiet, valuable resources are worked for unceasingly
Everything that happens will happen today
All events that occur take place in the present day
And nothing has changed, but nothing's the same
Although change has not taken place, things remain different from before
And every tomorrow could be yesterday
Every future day has the potential to bring occurrences comparable to those which have already transpired
And everything that happens will happen today
All events that occur take place in the present day
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnroberts4078
I saw Life is Long performed on the Colbert Show, the album saved my life and reminded me that music is the best art and David a great artist.
@raoultrahan13
Listened to this album over and over ten years ago on the day my son was born. Life is Long, especially. As I cried tears of joy, this was the perfect soundtrack to life.
@bpatrickhoburg
Wow, I love that man! There is something great about Byrne and company that will only be appreciated to the right degree in the future. My favorite show is still seeing Byrne in Telluride, Colorado. All of the dancers. Funny, I held a person’s baby during the show while she went for a beer. The atmosphere was ineluctable. You couldn’t not feel it was ‘right.’
@ya-silly-goose623
One of those albums where you can thoroughly enjoy every single song! Life is long, if you give it away.
@kencashon3739
This whole album is great. A gem that grows like rock candy! Play it with some headphones and take a walk you won’t regret
@dannyj77dj
Am doing, sounds crazy, love it
@kimberlitelewisham6414
Just live it
@guillermoftorres4809
@@dannyj77dj m j
@wh023
Life is long is such a great fucking song.
Soul to soul, A kiss and a sigh
Sawed in half, by the passage of time
Halfway home, from a window you see
Chains and bars, but I am still free
@faktablad
Good to see David & Brian also played The Sims 1