Composition
In the "Self Interview" on the DVD of the concert film Stop Making Sense, Byrne admits that it is a love song, a topic he tends to avoid because it is "kinda big". He also said of the song:
"That's a love song made up almost completely of non sequiturs, phrases that may have a strong emotional resonance but don't have any narrative qualities. It's a real honest kind of love song. I don't think I've ever done a real love song before. Mine always had a sort of reservation, or a twist. I tried to write one that wasn't corny, that didn't sound stupid or lame the way many do. I think I succeeded; I was pretty happy with that."
According to the Stop Making Sense commentary track, the title "Naive Melody" refers to the music. On the track, the guitar part and the bass part are doing the same thing throughout the whole song. According to David Byrne, many professional musicians would not play a song written in that fashion, and that is what makes the melody naive. Byrne played the lead keyboard solo.
Stop Making Sense
The song is featured in Stop Making Sense (1984), a concert film featuring the Talking Heads. Throughout the Stop Making Sense version, Byrne and his bandmates perform by a standard lamp, while close-up images of various body parts are projected onto a screen behind them. When the song reaches a bridge, the musicians step back and Byrne dances with the lamp, a reference to Fred Astaire's similar dance with a coat-rack in the film Royal Wedding.
The Stop Making Sense version was released as single in 1986, peaking at #100 on the UK Singles Chart
Covers
The song was covered live by the Montreal-based band Arcade Fire, and is featured as the B-side to their single "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)". Their version features David Byrne on guest vocals.
The song has also been covered by Hotel X, Shawn Colvin, Perpetual Groove, MGMT, Mysteries of Life, Animal Liberation Orchestra, The String Cheese Incident, Gunnar Madsen, Counting Crows, the Ryan Montbleau Band, Miles Fisher, Tim Bowness/Samuel Smiles, Weatherbox, Youthless, Kyp Malone, Cornmeal, Euforquestra, Logger and the Fatties, Alex Mills & Alex Patten, Perpetual Groove, Hidden Ballroom, Kishi Bashi, and Brothertiger.
Released 1983
Format 7"
Recorded 1982
Genre New Wave
Length 4:56
Label Sire
Writer(s) David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth [1]
Producer Talking Heads
This Must Be the Place
Talking Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pick me up and turn me around
I feel numb, born with a weak heart
I guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground, head in the sky
Oh, I got plenty of time
Oh, you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money, always for love
Cover up and say goodnight, say goodnight
Home, is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home, she lifted up her wings
I guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from the other
I find you, or you find me?
There was a time before we were born
If someone asks, this is where I'll be, where I'll be, oh
We drift in and out
Oh, sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home and
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me 'til I'm dead
Eyes that light up
Eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head I got ooh!
The song This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads has always been mysterious, but it is clear that it is about the singer's feeling of belonging somewhere. Throughout the song, the singer suggests that his home is where he wants to be. He is numb and was born with a weak heart. None of that matter because he is having fun. The lyrics suggest that the singer does not want to explain his feelings of belonging to anyone else. He prefers to make the story up as he goes along, feet on the ground and head in the sky. He feels that everything is okay, and nothing is wrong.
Further on in the song, the singer still feels that he has a lot of time. He is standing next to someone with light in their eyes. They both share the feeling of the passing of time. The singer never works for money but always for love. Finally, the song ends with the singer finding a place where he belongs. The song says nothing about the events leading up to the situation or the future. The lyrics suggest a fleeting moment where everything makes sense.
This song is about exploring the idea of home, and the lyrics are all metaphorical. The song is never explicit, making it an open canvas for interpretation. The chorus is the same as the verse, and there is no clear separation between different parts of the song, making it feel like a constant flow. The song's title, This Must Be the Place, is only mentioned in the last verse of the song, emphasizing the idea that the song has no clear structure.
Line by Line Meaning
Home is where I want to be
I long to find a sense of belonging and comfort in a place where I can be myself
Pick me up and turn me around
Help me break away from monotony and experience life from a new perspective
I feel numb, born with a weak heart
I lack enthusiasm and strength of character, making it hard to find my place in the world
I guess I must be having fun
Despite my emotional shortcomings, I find solace in simple pleasures
The less we say about it the better
Sometimes, it's better not to overanalyze things and go with the flow
Make it up as we go along
Life is unpredictable, so we might as well improvise and enjoy the ride
Feet on the ground, head in the sky
I am grounded in reality but still optimistic, hopeful, and curious about the world around me
It's okay, I know nothing's wrong, nothing
Despite life's challenges and uncertainties, I am content with where I am and who I am
Oh, I have plenty of time
I am not in a rush and am happy to take life at my own pace
Oh, you got light in your eyes
Your optimism and energy inspire me and make me feel alive
And you're standing here beside me
I am grateful for the love and support of the people in my life
I love the passing of time
I enjoy the journey of life, cherishing the memories and experiences that come with it
Never for money, always for love
I am motivated by passion, not by material possessions
Cover up and say goodnight, say goodnight
Time for me to retreat back into my comfort zone and end the day with a peaceful slumber
But I guess I'm already there
I have finally found a place where I feel at home and at peace with myself and the world
I come home, she lifted up her wings
Returning to a loving and supportive partner gives me a sense of safety and belonging
I guess that this must be the place
I am grateful for the sense of belonging and peace that comes with finding a place to call home
I can't tell one from the other
Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between what's real and what's not
Did I find you, or you find me?
Sometimes we stumble into love and connections by chance or fate
There was a time before we were born
Our life is fleeting in the grand scheme of the universe, but we can make the most of it by finding our place
If someone asks, this is where I'll be, where I'll be
Home is where I feel most myself and where I belong, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon
Oh, we drift in and out
Life is dynamic, and we move through different phases and experiences with ease
Oh, sing into my mouth
The intimacy and passion of love can be expressed in many ways, both physical and emotional
Out of all those kinds of people
Despite our differences and diversity, we all share a common longing for love and belonging
You got a face with a view
Your unique perspective and personality make you stand out and inspire me to see the world differently
I'm just an animal looking for a home and
We may be highly advanced creatures, but at our core, we all crave a sense of rootedness and belonging
Share the same space for a minute or two
Sometimes, all we need is a moment of connection and understanding to feel a sense of belonging and empathy
And you love me 'til my heart stops
Love is a powerful force that can give us a sense of purpose and belonging, even in the face of mortality
Love me 'til I'm dead
We all long for unconditional love that transcends time and death
Eyes that light up
When we find something that brings us joy and passion, our eyes light up with excitement and curiosity
Eyes look through you
Sometimes we can see beyond the surface and truly understand and connect with each other on a deep level
Cover up the blank spots
We all have parts of ourselves that we want to keep hidden or protected, but love and connection can help us overcome our fears and insecurities
Hit me on the head I got, ooh
Sometimes, we need a wake-up call or jolt of inspiration to remind us of what's important in life
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Heather Pink
Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me around
I feel numb, born with a weak heart
I guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground, head in the sky
It's okay, I know nothing's wrong, nothing
Oh! I got plenty of time
Oh! You got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money, always for love
Cover up and say goodnight, say goodnight
Home, is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home, she lifted up her wings
I guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from the other
I find you, or you find me?
There was a time before we were born
If someone asks, this is where I'll be, where I'll be oh!
We drift in and out
Oh! Sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home and
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead
Eyes that light up
Eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head I got ooh!
Dana Litchkowski
1]
Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me 'round
I feel numb, born with a weak heart
I guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it, the better
We'll make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground, head in the sky
It's okay, I know nothing's wrong, nothing
[Chorus 1]
Hi-yeah, I got plenty of time
Hi-yeah, you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money, always for love
Cover up and say goodnight, say goodnight
[Verse 2]
Home is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home, she lifted up her wings
I guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from another
Did I find you or you find me?
There was a time before we were born
If someone asks, this is where I'll be, where I'll be
[Chorus 2]
Hi-yeah, we drift in and out
Hi-yeah, sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home and
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me 'til my heart stops
Love me 'til I'm dead
Eyes that light up, eyes look through you
bob often
Lyrics
( Home )
This Must Be The Place
( Naive Melody )
Talking Heads
Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me round
I feel numb, burn with a weak heart
I guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground
Head in the sky
It's ok I know nothing's wrong... nothing
Hi yo I got plenty of time
Hi yo you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money
Always for love
Cover up + say goodnight... say goodnight
...
Home, is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home, she lifted up her wings
Guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from another
Did I find you, or you find me?
There was a time before we were born
If someone asks, this where I'll be where I'll be
Hi yo we drift in and out
Hi yo sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead
Eyes that light up, eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head ah ooh
Songwriters: C. Frantz / T. Weymouth / D. Byrne / J. Harrison
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) lyrics © Wb Music Corp., Index Music, Inc.
Sandip Paudel
Lyrics:
Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me round
I feel numb, burn with a weak heart
I guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground
Head in the sky
It's ok I know nothing's wrong... nothing
Hi yo I got plenty of time
Hi yo you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money
Always for love
Cover up + say goodnight... say goodnight
...
Home, is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home, she lifted up her wings
Guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from another
Did I find you, or you find me?
There was a time before we were born
If someone asks, this where I'll be where I'll be
Hi yo we drift in and out
Hi yo sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead
Eyes that light up, eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head ah ooh
Moomin Moon
My dad used to play this song in his car, and he’d roll down the windows and turn up the volume like a teenager. He used to tap out the beat on the steering wheel and sing to me, “And I’m standing here beside you, I love the passage of time.” I never really understood it as a kid but now, as an adult, I get it. He passed away four years ago. Miss you and love you more than ever, dad.
Doctor infinite
Your dad sounded fucking awesome
May he rest In peace
Joey Defreitas
May he rest in peace, that's an amazing memory
Steve True
I like your dad
I only hope my son says something like that about me
m P
That's a great story...
Christian Garcia
X
gabriel c
This is the only song I can think of that is perfect for both weddings and funerals, sad days and happy days, days when nothing in particular is happening, days when you’re feeling silly, when you’re travelling, or when you’re having a cozy day at home, or when you’re just walking about town, or when you’re experiencing heart-rending sorrow, or profound joy. It has universal significance and yet feels specific and relevant to each moment. The lyrics mean everything and nothing. It has the rhythm of a heart beat and footsteps. It captures the sadness and joy that are present in every moment. It’s a song to accompany you as you walk through life.
Chris McConnell
This is spot on
Joe Mabala
I wouldn't play it for a wedding though. Different vibe imo
Johny Goode
Wow that's deep