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Talking Heads — Crosseyed And Painless
Album: Remain In Light
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3876









Released: 1980
Length: 4:39
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Lost my shape
Trying to act casual
Can't stop
I might end up in the hospital
Changing my shape
I feel like an accident
They're back
To explain their experience

Isn't it weird?
Looks too obscure to me
Wasting away
That was their policy

I'm ready to leave
I push the fact in front of me
Facts lost
Yeah, facts are never what they seem to be
Nothing there
No information left of any kind
L-l-lifting my head
L-l-looking for the danger signs

There was a line
There was a formula
Sharp as a knife
Facts cut a hole in us
There was a line
There was a formula
Sharp as a knife
Facts cut a hole in us

I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting

The feeling returns
Whenever we close our eyes
Lifting my head
Looking around inside

The island of doubt
It's like the taste of medicine
Working by hindsight
Got the message from the oxygen
M-m-making a list
Find the cost of opportunity
Doing it right
Facts are useful in emergencies

The feeling returns
Whenever we close our eyes
Lifting my head
Looking around inside

Facts are simple and facts are straight
Facts are lazy and facts are late
Facts all come with points of view
Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things

I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I-I-I'm still waiting
Comments (579)add comment
 tomperth1 wrote:

Light years ahead of its time.



Agree completely about the quality and uniqueness of this album.
But, question for all of us. Have we remained in light?  
Posted 3 weeks ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
Talking Heads are always a great listen.
Posted 1 month ago by bob0301    [ Reply ]
 kenslvr wrote:

Facts are simple and facts are straight
Facts are lazy and facts are late
Facts all come with points of view
Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things

They were always ahead of their time. 



Today we have opinion masquerading as fact
Posted 3 months ago by KPC1    [ Reply ]
Musically, there is a lot going on here. Such a brilliant song! 
Posted 6 months ago by spiritfla    [ Reply ]
More cowbell.
Posted 1 year ago by walkstx    [ Reply ]
just saw a show where Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew played nearly this entire album (plus a few.other songs.) The only one left out was Listening Wind. 

Check out if the "Remain in Light" tour is coming to you. 
Posted 1 year ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
 TC1 wrote:


Groundbreaking use of African polyrhythms in popular music. 



Yes, I Agree!!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:

What an amazing groove... so utterly unique.



Groundbreaking use of African polyrhythms in popular music. 
Posted 1 year ago by TC1    [ Reply ]
Even dumb Southern frat boys liked the Talking Heads. Remarkable band. 
Posted 1 year ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Remain in Light was a game-changer in 1980 as it was one of the first times most Western listeners heard African polyrhythms.  Angelique Kidjo says it was her favorite album when she first moved to Europe from Benin in the 80s and she now covers the entire album in her live shows.  On this track  the rhythm section, Weymouth and Frantz, are totally locked in the groove!  As an aside, I liked how they (as Tom Tom Club) repurposed Byrne's faux rap interlude ("facts are simple, facts are straight...) for their own debut single, Wordy Rappinghood,  a year later ("word in papers, words in books..."). 
Posted 1 year ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
 SeriousLee wrote:

No wonder I zoned out musically in the 80s.



You should go back and check out Ace of Spades by Motorhead in that case.  It's not bad.
Posted 1 year ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
 tomperth1 wrote:

Light years ahead of its time.


I first  heard this album in '82 and it was hard to wrap my head around it the first few times. But it changed  my assumptions about rock could/should sound like.
Posted 2 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Adrian Belew and Jerry Harrison are touring right now - they are playing Remain in Light along with a few other songs. I saw them in San Francisco last weekend,and they were fantastic. 
Posted 2 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
!!!   
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 blotto wrote:

I'll see your 6 and raise to 10 

 




It's an 8 for me. Only because I like some of their other songs better.
Posted 2 years ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
Once, just once, it would be nice to NOT hear a Talking Heads song on a Saturday morning.
Posted 2 years ago by GHoffmeyer    [ Reply ]
 kenslvr wrote:

Facts are simple and facts are straight
Facts are lazy and facts are late
Facts all come with points of view
Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things

They were always ahead of their time. 



Liars figure and figures lie.
Posted 2 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
 naomin wrote:

I was just wondering where The Talking Heads were!




They're here! ....................................   
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
I was just wondering where The Talking Heads were!
Posted 2 years ago by naomin    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:

What an amazing groove... so utterly unique.




Those layered, repetitive rhythm feels a bit reminiscent to some African music styles...
Posted 2 years ago by Touwe    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:

GODLIKE!!!



At the top of their game!
Posted 2 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
GODLIKE!!!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 whomhow wrote:

Talking Heads - Pretencious and Painful. 1.



The only thing painful here is your spelling
Posted 3 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Stick this in your ear if you think that the 80's produced no music that should be remembered...that's some damn good stuff...
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
 kenslvr wrote:

Facts are simple and facts are straight
Facts are lazy and facts are late
Facts all come with points of view
Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things

They were always ahead of their time. 



Fact!:

They were always ahead of their time.
Posted 3 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 TheKing2 wrote:

a solid 11. ....wait... ehm, were is 11?




You bet!!!!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 spiritfla wrote:
This is a Masterpiece.



I AGREE!!!!!!!!!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by avereaiii590    [ Reply ]
Facts hunh.  I'm sure they had no idea back in the day how far we've come...or how far we've left facts behind.  This track has evolved from some clever art pop to a kind-of gut punch warning to our coming miseries.  Hang on tight folks...facts all come with points of view...
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]

Posted 3 years ago by luisaa72    [ Reply ]
This is a Masterpiece.
Posted 3 years ago by spiritfla    [ Reply ]
Tina & Chris are awesome!
Posted 3 years ago by dougnichols    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:

Do a search and you'll find Harrison and Belew doing this with Turkuaz. Well worth your time.


They played about an hour away from where I live.  I was sad that the opportunity exists amidst a pandemic and in a county/state that's poorly vaccinated/masked.  I've seen Belew a bunch with/without Crimson, but seeing him perform Heads material would've been amazing.

Posted 3 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
a solid 11. ....wait... ehm, were is 11?
Posted 3 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
Great!
Posted 3 years ago by knall    [ Reply ]
Do a search and you'll find Harrison and Belew doing this with Turkuaz. Well worth your time.
Posted 3 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
 murdog wrote:

Byrne is the funkiest white guy ever (until Beck!).




I always thought how Byrne "proved" that you can be passionate without being horny.
Posted 3 years ago by Hogar    [ Reply ]
What an amazing groove... so utterly unique.
Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 rock_a_rolla wrote:
Actually missing the TALKING HEADS !

What the hell is David Byrne doing at the moment?

check this out. it's worth getting HBO to watch it.

Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Actually missing the TALKING HEADS !

What the hell is David Byrne doing at the moment?

Posted 3 years ago by rock_a_rolla    [ Reply ]
Facts are simple and facts are straight
Facts are lazy and facts are late
Facts all come with points of view
Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things

They were always ahead of their time. 
Posted 3 years ago by kenslvr    [ Reply ]
Dammit..getting  pulled over...driving too goddammit fast!
Posted 4 years ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
ICONIC!
Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
From 8 to 9. This keeps getting better. So unique. The bass and beat.
Posted 4 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
Light years ahead of its time.
Posted 4 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
I was just leaving work when this froze me in my tracks. Nuts
Posted 5 years ago by folkes.tom    [ Reply ]
Always thought it was "the island of DUMB, it's like the taste of medicine." Doubt works too but still like dumb more! 
Posted 5 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Love this song, but with so much music out there, why do I hear it every day? This is the third day in a row, I think.

Stiiiiiilllllll waiting for other Head songs to play.
Posted 5 years ago by michaelmuller    [ Reply ]
 SpaceCase wrote:
I remember when Phish blew up a 20 minute version of this on New Years 2000 down in Florida....what an adventure that was!
 
Indeed it was! What a weekend.
Posted 5 years ago by VermontBread    [ Reply ]
Phish regularly covers this and jams it out extensively.  Worth a listen...
Posted 5 years ago by SurfDoc    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

My favourite (English UK spelling) one too with David Byrne and TH at the top of their game - pity it all went downhill after this album.

 
David Byrne recently played San Francisco with a brilliant band and an incredible song selection - including many Talking Heads songs. The show was one of the best I'd seen in a few years.
Posted 6 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
Byrne is the funkiest white guy ever (until Beck!).
Posted 6 years ago by murdog    [ Reply ]
 8 -> 7   from me
Posted 6 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]

Tina showin' the boys how it's done.
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 spiritfla wrote:
My favorite Talking Heads{#Notworthy} album!!

 
My favourite (English UK spelling) one too with David Byrne and TH at the top of their game - pity it all went downhill after this album.
Posted 7 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
My favorite Talking Heads{#Notworthy} album!!
Posted 7 years ago by spiritfla    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Great footage—thanks! Was this performance used in "The Name of This Band is The Talking Heads"? That album's largely forgotten these days. 

I saw Belew at Carnegie-Mellon University around '84 with one of Elvis Presley's drummers (who had his own eager audience of fans/questioners about Elvis at the end of the show). Loud and a lot of fun. 

 
Belew is now in a quartet with Stewart Copeland!
Posted 7 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
One of the coolest, grooviest songs EVER! Light-years ahead of anything else at the time, and still sounds far-out! And the rapping is BOSS! ...Facts are USEFUL in Emergencies! The feeling returns whenever we close our eyes...lifting my head...looking around inside...
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]


                            Bad ass, definitive Talking Heads.


 
Posted 7 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
Enjoy this song for the simple reason that the opening line sounds like "Lost my shit...!"
Posted 7 years ago by FluorideFreeMN    [ Reply ]
more cowbell
Posted 7 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Treated myself to the YouTube video of the TH Live in Rome '80 posted by jbuhl below, and it was INCREDIBLE! Byrne, Harrison, AND Belew are all three absolutely shredding guitars, and they're backed by Tina AND some other mad cat on bass, and Chris has another drummer along on stage next to him! AND they have an additional vocalist, too!  They're full-on jamming, at the peak of their powers!
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 dc_zee wrote:

"Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things"

Dear pesky facts:

How I miss you.

 
Don't feel bad; now we have alternative facts!
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]

"Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things"

Dear pesky facts:

How I miss you.


Posted 7 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
Just upped this to a 10 as I immediately started dancing in my chair as soon as the music started.

Great tune.  Loved it from Day 1 - long ago although it seems like only yesterday. 
Posted 8 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 jbuhl wrote:
That's Adrian Belew ripping all those cool sounds on guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g8lFmsCXhg

 
Great footage—thanks! Was this performance used in "The Name of This Band is The Talking Heads"? That album's largely forgotten these days. 

I saw Belew at Carnegie-Mellon University around '84 with one of Elvis Presley's drummers (who had his own eager audience of fans/questioners about Elvis at the end of the show). Loud and a lot of fun. 


Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]

Posted 8 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
No wonder I zoned out musically in the 80s.
Posted 8 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
This is a "must have" in your collection !
Posted 8 years ago by ola.tonnberg22008    [ Reply ]
Remain in Light is one of their best and I think underrated albums.
Posted 8 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
settle an argument
my wife says this is Trick Daddy and I say it is Air Supply 

 
I'll settle it; you two might want to reconsider your marriage.
Posted 8 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 jbuhl wrote:
That's Adrian Belew ripping all those cool sounds on guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g8lFmsCXhg

 
Funky as hell! Thank you.
Posted 8 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 jbuhl wrote:
That's Adrian Belew ripping all those cool sounds on guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g8lFmsCXhg

 
Very cool !


Posted 8 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
settle an argument
my wife says this is Trick Daddy and I say it is Air Supply 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
10 to a 10

This song has passed the tests of time. 
Posted 8 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
 mdnlsn wrote:

I'll see your 1 and raise you an 8. Pretentious, maybe. But still enjoyable to my ears!

 
pri-ˈten(t)-shəs

"having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to be regarded as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are"

I don't think that fits this tune. Do you even know the meaning of the words you use?

Posted 8 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 mdnlsn wrote:

I'll see your 1 and raise you an 8. Pretentious, maybe. But still enjoyable to my ears!

 
Why pretentious?


Posted 8 years ago by Will62    [ Reply ]
That's Adrian Belew ripping all those cool sounds on guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g8lFmsCXhg


Posted 8 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
 whomhow wrote:
Talking Heads - Pretencious and Painful. 1.

 
I'll see your 1 and raise you an 8. Pretentious, maybe. But still enjoyable to my ears!
Posted 8 years ago by mdnlsn    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:

Even at 56 I would love to be in such a place (with crosseyed and pantless ladies).

 
hey justin come over to my place in the alps your a funny cool guy. You dutch people like skiing as i recon whenenver i m in the mountains. We will have some beers and dance crosseyed and pantless under a "schirm" at an apres ski bar.
Posted 8 years ago by slandering    [ Reply ]
Talking Heads - Pretencious and Painful. 1.
Posted 8 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
Hello, Eno!
Posted 8 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
11 Points from Schermany- Gruß an Klaus
Posted 8 years ago by tonispizzeria    [ Reply ]
 slandering wrote:
one of the best danceable songs in clubs. dark packed dancefloor, mirrorball, flashlights and the air polluted with smoke and sweat.
so great!

 
Even at 56 I would love to be in such a place (with crosseyed and pantless ladies).
Posted 9 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Dancing to this? Are you kidding?! =)
Posted 9 years ago by Meolla_Reio    [ Reply ]
one of the best danceable songs in clubs. dark packed dancefloor, mirrorball, flashlights and the air polluted with smoke and sweat.
so great!
Posted 9 years ago by slandering    [ Reply ]
Crosseyed and Painless . . . a song about tequila?
Except the painless part doesn't extend into the morning after . . .
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Anyone who has Tidal music service should check out the retrospective about this album. Many interesting factoids about the history and making of the album...  Oh yeah...and this is an obvious "10".  {#Guitarist}
Posted 9 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
There are so many times when this is just the perfect thing to hear! like when you are writing a novel that you've been working on for years and Facts are simple and Facts are straight, Facts are lazy and Facts are late, Facts all come with points of view, Facts don't do what I want them to, Facts just twist the truth around, Facts are Living turned inside out, Facts are getting the best of them, and Facts are nothing on the face of Things all just hits you like it never did before, and you have to think:  Same As It Ever Was.  Thanks, RP! 

 
Hey CJ...PARTY YER BALLS OFF!

That is all. {#Jump}

The feeling returns

Whenever we close our eyes...
Posted 9 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
The sound of genius. 😎

 
Having a great time listening in from Ireland and st the beach in October wow . Happy days 
Posted 9 years ago by Trearty    [ Reply ]
The sound of genius. 😎
Posted 9 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
{#Cheers}     {#Cheers}     {#Cheers}      {#Cheers}     {#Cheers}




{#Cheers}     {#Cheers}     {#Cheers}      {#Cheers}     {#Cheers}




{#Cheers}     {#Cheers}     {#Cheers}      {#Cheers}     {#Cheers}
 
Posted 9 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Not the worst song I've ever heard, but a long way from the best. I'm just saying.
Posted 9 years ago by ccdowenye    [ Reply ]
Fantastic! Made me get up and dance!
Posted 9 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
 Chrisjea wrote:
Three excellent songs and then this.  Great band in the 70's.  Now, just annnoying

 
you have no taste, and you're a jerk, and yes i am attacking you on rp. no one puts TH in a corner. also, i'm an audiophile and forced to listen to rp at work, in which i hold a certain disdain for.
Posted 9 years ago by vanishingreturns    [ Reply ]
Facts all come with points of view...

Facts don't do what I want them to. 
Posted 9 years ago by Ropes    [ Reply ]
Three excellent songs and then this.  Great band in the 70's.  Now, just annnoying
Posted 9 years ago by Chrisjea    [ Reply ]
Quirky TH fun.
Posted 9 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
 jules44 wrote:
This album Changed My Life!!!!!!

All good, after a very bland 70s.{#Clap} 

 
A very bland 70's? {#Eh}  I guess you weren't there!
Posted 9 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
This music is so annoying... Please STOOOOPPP!!!
Posted 9 years ago by Axelito    [ Reply ]
They have always been different to me, but in a good way ?
Posted 9 years ago by RascalRhyme    [ Reply ]

This song is GREAT. The beat kills me. They were one of the first bands to wake me up to alternative music back in the late 70's and early 80's. Great era if you were there. All era's are good, nothing bad about creativity when it comes to music. Just depends on your perspective and where you are in your life. :)


Posted 9 years ago by a_conway    [ Reply ]
This album Changed My Life!!!!!!

All good, after a very bland 70s.{#Clap} 
Posted 9 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
I'll see your 6 and raise to 10 

ladybinnath wrote:
I went to rate this and found that somehow I'd previously rated an 8.  I must have been high.  8 —> 6 (and only that strong because sometimes things really connect better when you're high).

 


Posted 9 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
There are so many times when this is just the perfect thing to hear! like when you are writing a novel that you've been working on for years and Facts are simple and Facts are straight, Facts are lazy and Facts are late, Facts all come with points of view, Facts don't do what I want them to, Facts just twist the truth around, Facts are Living turned inside out, Facts are getting the best of them, and Facts are nothing on the face of Things all just hits you like it never did before, and you have to think:  Same As It Ever Was.  Thanks, RP! 
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
This is another of those songs I wish could be about ten minutes longer. So much fun on its way to perfection.
Posted 10 years ago by ddbz    [ Reply ]
This album was Talking Heads at their peak IMHO {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 10 years ago by bakerboy    [ Reply ]
Simply fantastic.  I saw them perform this at the Greek shortly after it was released ... when I was in school ... oh wow, what an indelible experience at an indelible point in my life.
Posted 10 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
Genius in action! {#Notworthy}

 
.... totally agree 10
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 xkolibuul wrote:

Not a chance.  Honestly, did you actually think that might happen?  

 
Easily my fave TH song....
Posted 10 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
 sadds97 wrote:
One of the worst songs ever made. Please remove it from the play list

 

Reminds me of the time I was playing Billy Joel's Virginia and the line"Catholic girls start much too late." I was getting royally bitched at from some woman to never play that song again. Yeah, sure, like I had any control over the playlist "back in the day."
Bill can play whatever he wants. It's his station!
Posted 10 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
Always wanted to ask Tina Weymouth out for a date...but she'd have to bring her bass along.


{#Cheesygrin}
Posted 10 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 sadds97 wrote:
One of the worst songs ever made. Please remove it from the play list

 
Not a chance.  Honestly, did you actually think that might happen?  
Posted 10 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
I went to rate this and found that somehow I'd previously rated an 8.  I must have been high.  8 --> 6 (and only that strong because sometimes things really connect better when you're high).
Posted 10 years ago by ladybinnath    [ Reply ]
"Crosseyed and Painless".  Wonder where that title came from?  Boogie music that dances very close to the definition of disco ....
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Genius in action! {#Notworthy}
Posted 11 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Great band.  Great song.  
Posted 11 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
Ahh yes crank up those old Bose 901s!
Posted 11 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
Best.album.ever. (right now)
Posted 11 years ago by Wizzo_oz    [ Reply ]