Everything That Happens
Byrne David & Brian Eno Lyrics


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I ride on a perfect freeway
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Everything That Happens" by David Byrne and Brian Eno talk of the unpredictable and often chaotic nature of life. The first verse describes driving on a busy highway, with people all around and sudden, unexpected events like a car exploding. The phrase "quicker than you blink your eye" emphasizes the fleeting and immediate nature of such events. The next verse reflects on how we are all born into a shared experience of humanity, symbolized by the metaphorical milk of human kindness. The welcoming "dark embrace" suggests that life can also be difficult and challenging. The final line, "little fishes swim upstream," is a metaphor for the struggle against the current of life.


The chorus repeats the phrase "everything that happens will happen today," which can be interpreted in a number of ways. It could be seen as a reminder that every moment is important and that life is constantly moving forward. It could also suggest that the past, present, and future are all interconnected and that the actions we take today will have consequences tomorrow. The repetition of the phrase "all through the night" at the end of each verse creates a sense of continuity and cyclical nature.


Overall, the lyrics of "Everything That Happens" are thought-provoking and somewhat philosophical. They encourage reflection on our place in the world and the inevitability of change and uncertainty.


Line by Line Meaning

I ride on a perfect freeway
I'm driving on a smooth and unobstructed road


Many people on that road
There are a lot of other drivers sharing the same road


I heard the sound of someone laughing
I heard laughter coming from an unknown source


I saw my neighbor's car explode
I witnessed a catastrophic event involving my neighbor's vehicle


Just up ahead Against the sky Quicker than you blink your eye
There's something up ahead that's moving incredibly fast and catching my attention


Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright?
I'm concerned about my sibling's wellbeing and want to know if they're okay


And among the living, we are giving, all through the night
We are actively contributing and helping others throughout the entire night


From the milk of human kindness From the breast we all partake Hungry for a social contract She welcomes you with dark embrace
As humans, we all share in the kindness and compassion that we receive from others, and we're in search of a social agreement that will embrace and include us all


(Puts) socks and shoes Upon our feet Little fishes swim upstream
We go about our daily routine, putting on our socks and shoes, while nature still follows its own course


Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright?
I'm still worried about my sibling's safety and wellbeing


In the deepest silence, gold and diamonds, all through the night
In the quietest moments, simple and valuable things are still present and shining throughout the night


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
What happens today will happen, even if it's not different from before, and every day could be similar to the past or future, and everything that happens will be happening today




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BYRNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@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

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