Everything That Happens
David Byrne/Brian 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 "Everything That Happens" paints a picture of a perfect freeway where many people are traveling. In the midst of this, the singer heard laughter and suddenly saw his neighbor's car explode, revealing chaos that was not expected. The second verse starts with an emphasis on the milk of human kindness, which is to be shared and consumed by all, providing nourishment for the social contract that exists among people. However, in the very next line, the mood changes as the singer speaks about the social contract welcoming people with a dark embrace. This perhaps references society's constraints that force people to conform and repress their natural selves.
Throughout the song, the phrase "everything that happens will happen today" is repeated, emphasizing that time keeps moving forward, but nothing really changes. The idea that "every tomorrow could be yesterday" provides a sense of futility, where despite everything happening, it can all just feel like an endless cycle. The singer wonders if their brother is alright, suggesting that there could be a personal element to the lyrics. The song seems to highlight the unpredictability of life, both its joys and struggles, and the need to cope with that while the world keeps moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I ride on a perfect freeway
I travel upon a flawlessly designed road
Many people on that road
There are numerous individuals on this thoroughfare
I heard the sound of someone laughing
I perceived the audible indication of an individual in a state of amusement
I saw my neighbor's car explode
I witnessed my neighbor's vehicle combust and burst apart
Just up ahead
In the immediate proximity
Against the sky
Silhouetted by the background of the atmosphere
Quicker than you blink your eye
At a rate of velocity that is faster than a human's eyelid can close and re-open
Oh my brother, I still wonder, are you alright?
My sibling, I continue to ponder, are you in satisfactory condition?
And among the living, we are giving, all through the night
We are generously donating to those who are present throughout the evening
From the milk of human kindness
Derived from the innate quality of benevolence within Homo sapiens
From the breast we all partake
Through the source of maternal milk, we all share in the process of nourishment
Hungry for a social contract
Eagerly desirous for an agreement between members of the populace
She welcomes you with dark embrace
The act of enveloping individuals in a figurative manner which is intimidating or depressing
Socks and shoes upon our feet
The donning of hosiery and footwear onto our lower extremities
Little fishes swim upstream
Small aquatic creatures progress contrary to the current of a body of water
In the deepest silence, gold and diamonds, all through the night
Throughout the entire evening, valuable minerals are present within the solace of silence
Everything that happens will happen today
All occurrences that occur are going to take place at present
And nothing has changed, but nothing's the same
There has been no alterations, yet everything is dissimilar
And every tomorrow could be yesterday
All following days hold the possibility of becoming previous time periods
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, 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