David Byrne DISCOGRAPHYSCORESCOMPILATIONSDISCOGRAPHYALBUMS
LOOK INTO THE EYEBALL
ABOUT
LABEL: Virgin Records >>
REALISED: May 8 2001

When I first started to make music sketches for what would turn out to be this record, I imagined the result would be something a little different. I imagined longer instrumental pieces, which would evolve into songs. But as I kept writing (although a few of them ended up that way), most of the demos asked to be shorter and more and more concise. At times I felt like I needed to apologize for how accessible the songs were sounding. But then I realized that this is what they wanted to be. Like the song "The Revolution" implies, I somehow imagine that a real revolution is won by seduction, by winning over not just the mind, but the body and the senses as well. And that the sadness of some of these melodies are countered by the vigor and persistence of the groove. ... more

info: davidbyrne.com

REVIEW

It goes without saying that any David Byrne solo release will be all over the sonic map, and true to form, Look Into the Eyeball provides a pancultural stew of musical styles, exotic rhythms, and international guest stars. But what separates Eyeball from Byrne's previous offering, the only-fitfully successful Feelings , is a renewed emphasis on lush, natural sounds and consistent production. Nearly every track boasts strings and/or horns, and the textures go a long way in unifying Byrne's insistent genre-hopping. Tracks such as "Smile," "The Revolution," "The Accident," and "Everyone's in Love With You" best demonstrate his new approach: Spare melodies are layered atop subtle, percolating rhythms and then filled in with evocative string arrangements. Better yet, Byrne's two collaborations with legendary Philly soul producer Thom Bell -- the buoyant "Like Humans Do" and "Neighborhood" -- blend in effortlessly with the other material. Of course, old habits die hard: "U.B. Jesus" and "The Great Intoxication" are at once too slick and too simple, with muddled messages both musically and lyrically. (It doesn't help that the latter track features a cringe-inducing, self-referential "Who disco? Who techno? Who hip-hop? Who bebop?..." shout-out.) The remainder of the album vacillates between pleasant Talking Heads -ish pop ("Walk on Water") and accomplished if out-of-place forays into the Latin avant-garde ("Desconocido Soy"). It's hard to fault Byrne -- who produces an album every three or four years -- for packing as much as he can into one release. So it's best to view Look Into the Eyeball for what it is: an entertaining assimilation of the sundry artists and sounds he's gotten into since his last trip into the studio.

info: allmusic.com

CREDITS

Produced by Michael Mangini.
Arranged by David Byrne, Thom Bell, Greg Cohen,
Jacques Morelenbaum & Tonny Finno.
All songs written by David Byrne.
Published by Moldy Fig Music (BMI).

David Byrne Guitar, Arranger, Keyboards, Vocals, Mellotron
Thom Bell Arranger, Fender Rhodes
Herb Besson Trombone
Virgil Blackwell Clarinet
Kysia Bostic Vocals (bckgr)
Paulinho Braga Percussion
Greg Calbi Mastering
Bob Carlisle French Horn
Vivian Cherry Vocals (bckgr)
Danny Clinch Back Cover
Greg Cohen Arranger, Bass (Upright)
Imani Coppola Vocals (bckgr)
Laurence Etkin Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Paul Frazier Bass
Robert Funk Trombone
Birch Johnson Trombone
Tony Kadleck Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Lisa Kim Violin
Ken Lewis Bass, Keyboards, Engineer, Mixing
Mike Mangini Producer
Eileen Moon Cello
Jacques Morelenbaum Arranger
NRU Vocals
Suzanne Ornstein Violin
Sandra Park Violin, Contractor
Shawn Pelton Percussion, Drums
Sue Pray Viola
Dan Reed Violin
Mauro Refosco Percussion
Robert Rinehart Viola
Stewart Rose French Horn
Roger Rosenberg Sax (Baritone)
Marlon Saunders Vocals (bckgr)
Laura Seaton Violin
Sarah Seiver Cello
Fiona Simon Violin
Alan J. Stepansky Cello
Shelley Woodworth Horn (English)
Sharon Yamada Violin

 

LYRICS

UB Jesus

 

Sunrise, I'm still dancing
Girlfriend , she's my champion
Swing low, pull me over
Hey - be my savior

Blood, Skin
Show me the book
Don't understand the language that they spoke

Don't pity me
Have pity on yourself
You might know Jesus but you'll all join in hell

Shine On Sister!
Don't need a book to put your hand in the fire
Shine On Sister!
Come on in cause it's cold outside

Kiss Me!
Kiss Me!
I can tell your name by the markings on your face

U. B. Jesus
Makin ' my way & I'm lovin ' my life
Kiss Me!
Kiss Me!
Swing so crazy like the way you ride

Maybe I'm gonna fry in hell
But I feel good when I burn myself
In a smokey place, In my girlfriends car
Threw out the map when we drove to far

Jesus is big
Jesus is strong
Jesus'll kill you if you don't get along

Jesus can swing
Jesus has skills
Go on & try it if you don't believe he will

Jump Back, Jump Back
Givin ' me a heart attack
Fall down, Fall down
Sweeter than a cherry bomb

Sweet Thing, Sweet Thing
Steppin ' on your violin
Space Boy, Fly Girl
Living in the underworld

Shine On Sister!
Don't need a book to put your hand in the fire
Shine On Sister!
Come on in cause it's cold outside

Jesus is cool
Jesus is scared
Baby you are the only car I drive

Foolin around
Foolin myself
Baby you are the only car I drive

Easy to touch
Easy to find
Baby you are the only car I drive

Melts in my mouth
Melts in the hand
Baby you are the only car I drive

Outta my skin
Outta my life
Baby you are the only car I drive
They only car I drive

 

 

The Revolution

 

Amplifiers & old guitars
Country music sung in bars
& when she sings the revolution's near

Beauty holds the microphone
& watches as we stumble home
& she can see the revolution now

Dirt & fish & trees & houses
Smoke & hands up women's blouses
Not like I expected it would be

Bubbles pop in every size
It's analyzed & criticized
& beauty knows that it is almost here

Beauty goes to her address
She shuts the door and climbs the stairs
& when she sleeps the revolution grows

Beauty rests on mattress strings
Wearing just her underthings
& when she wakes the revolution's here
& when she wakes the revolution's here

 

 

The Great Intoxication

 

Who Disco?
Who Techno?
Who Hip-Hop?
Who Be Bop?
Who's been playing records in his bedroom?

Who rocks out?
Who's spaced out?
Who brings you?
Who sings you?
Who's still workin ' on his masterpiece?

The great intoxication
The mental generation
Sound effects & laughter
Stupid ever after
Hopin ' it was cranked up
Loud enough for you to hear

He's drunk and he's insistent
Shy but he's persistent
Boisterous & jumpy
Disorganized & funky

Every day he wonders
What the hell she sees in him?

Ah, but who saves you?
Who craves you?
Who Heartbreaks?
Who love makes?
Look into the eyeball of your boyfriend

Who drives you?
Capsized you?
Who shakes you?
Who wakes you?
Who's still workin ' on his masterpiece

 

 

Like Humans Do

 

For millions of years, In millions of homes
A man loved a woman, A child it was born
It learned how to hurt and it learned how to cry
Like Humans Do

I'm breathing in
I'm breathing out
So slip inside this funky house
Dishes in the sink
The TV's in repair
Don't look at the floor
Don't go up the stairs

I'm achin '
I'm shakin '
I'm breakin '
Like Humans Do

I work & I sleep & I dance & I'm dead
I'm eatin , I'm laughin & I'm lovin myself
I never watch TV except when I'm stoned
Like Humans Do

I'm breathing in
I'm breathing out
So slip inside this funky house
Dishes in the sink
The TV's in repair
Don't look at the floor
Don't go up the stairs

I'm achin '
I'm shakin '
I'm breakin '
Like Humans Do

I'm breathing in
I'm breathing out
So slip Inside this funky house
Wiggle while you work
Anybody can
The rain is pourin in on a woman & a man

I'm achin '
I'm shakin '
I'm breakin '
Like Humans Do
I'm breathing in
I'm breathing out

 

 

Broken Things

 

There are broken things
In my house

Some are twisted
Some are cracked
Some been bended
Till they snapped

There are broken
Things in here
Things in pieces
Things in knots
Things that crumble
In tiny parts

I am fixing broken things
I am fixing broken things
Everyone could use some help
Will you help me fix myself?

I am fixing broken things
Things are mended
Things are glued
I have done
Best I can do

I am fixing broken things
Everyone could use some help
Will you help me fix myself?

See how easy - things can break?
If it's crooked,
Make it straight
Do you love me?
I can't tell
Pick up pieces
& make me well

In this house of broken things
Everyone could use some help
Will you help me fix myself?

I am fixing broken things
Everybody celebrate
Now I got my business straight

 

 

The Accident

 

When you see an accident do not turn your head and look away
I can see detectives are sifting through the wreckage we have made

It starts with only one kiss
It changes everything

TV crews arrive on the scene
They say 'See the man who lost everything'
He lies shattered like a glass on the ground
They say 'Only you can bring him around'
set me free'

I became delirious
Palm trees gently swaying in the breeze
On a desert island, I haven't seen a human being for years

The house where we used to live
Described by witnesses
TV crews arrive on the scene
& the anchorman they break down and weep
Living proof that things are not what they seem
It takes all these wild and wonderful things -
To set me free

 

 

Desconocido Soy

 

Soy el cambio , soy
Siempre he sido así
Soy continuidad
Estoy detrás de mi

Yo soy la nación
Soy la soledad
Lo particular
Soy la humanidad

Desconocido Soy( Bis )

Soy el desamor
Soy el corazón
Soy la máquina
Cuando llegarán ?

Ando por por aquí
Ando por allá
Estoy sobre tí
Estoy bajo el mar

Desconocido soy( Bis )

Espera por mi
Llendo al revés
Soy el animal
Hombre y mujer

Soy de pura sangre
Y de suciedad
El nervioso soy
Soy tranquilidad

Dicen que soy
Veneno soy
Dicen que soy
El dichoso soy

Desconocido soy( Bis )

El negocio soy
Soy lo ilegal
Nada es así
Todo es igual

Ando por aquí
Ando por allá
Nada es asi
Estoy bajo el mar
Dicen que soy
Veneno soy
Dicen que soy
El dichoso soy

 

I'm Unknown
(English translation of' Desconocido Soy')

 

I'm unknown, I am
I've always been like this
I'm continuity
I'm behind myself

I'm the nation
I'm loneliness
I'm the particular
I'm Humanity

I'm unknown (...)

I'm coldness
I'm the heart
I'm the machine
When will they come?

I walk around here
I walk around there
I'm over you
I'm under the sea

I'm unknown (...)

Wait for me
Going backwards
I'm the animal
Man and woman

I'm made of pure blood
and made of dirt
I'm the nervous one
I'm calmness

They say I am
Poison I am
They say I am
The lucky one I am

I'm unknown (...)

I'm business
I'm the illegality
Nothing is like this
Everything is the same

I walk around here
I walk around there
Nothing is like this
I'm under the sea
They say I am
Poison I am
They say I am
The lucky one I am

 

 

Neighborhood

 

Funky beats, Barrow Street
Walking with your dog

I see you, You see me
Then we stop & talk

Later on, some cafe
Thinking what you said

Children laugh, telling jokes
'Till their eyes are red

The people feel so good
Say boy, say girl
All in my neighborhood
Say boy, say girl
We got peace, love & monkey business
Gonna reach the very top
There'll be pride, hope & Sunday mornings
All the things I'm thinking of
We could change the world
In the night while we are sleeping
The Power's in my neighborhood

Liquor stores, stop & shop
Old folks sit outside
Restaurants - Laundromats
She's still on my mind

April, May, June, July
August comes around
Pretty soon, a years gone by
And we're still hanging out

The people feel so good
Say boy, say girl
All in my neighborhood
Say boy, say girl
We got peace love & monkey business
Gonna reach the very top
There'll be pride, hope & Sunday mornings
All the things I'm thinking of
We could change the world
In the night while we are sleeping


Now the rich get richer
& the poor stay poor
& folks get restless
If it don't change soon

But there's a sweet sensation
Turnin bad to good
& things get better
In my neighborhood

So burn on - you little candle - put your light into my head
There's a lone wolf - on the mountain - he's the friend you never had
We got peace, love & monkey business - gonna reach the very top
There'll be - pride, hope & Sunday mornings - all the things I'm thinking of

So, come on down

 

 

Smile

 

Smile when tears are falling from your eyes
Smile like windows of the shops at night

Here - everything is as it seems
All - the tables & the chairs seem real
Here - paintings on the walls
Somehow make it all so strange

So smile - to brighten up the darkest day
Your smile - like icing on a birthday cake

Lovers - floating in a paradise
Blue - lights flicker from a room at night
I'm happy just to be just like one of these who smile

How we sang
How we loved
How we were
& How we was
We're not afraid anymore

I'm scared of you
I'm scared of me
But scary things
Will set me free
I'm not afraid anymore

So smile - when nothing seems to go your way
Smiles - to take away our thoughts & cares
Blue - like blood returning to my heart
Fingers, Hands and every tiny part
Every kid in every school
Knows all you've got to do is - smile

How we sang
How we loved
How we were
& how we was
We're not afraid anymore

I'm scared of you
I'm scared of me
But scary things
Will set me free
I'm not afraid anymore

Smile when tears are falling from your eyes

 

 

The Moment of Conception

 

At the moment of conception
I could see someone approaching
Will you be my disco dancer?
I could use a little coaching
Will you be my secret lover?
Mother, Father, Sister, Brother too

I was born without a conscience
Full of freedom, full of nonsense
From the mountains to the beaches
Eat the apples, steal the peaches
Will you be this wild child's lady?
Will you carry me to safety?

Lock me up & take me home
I don't wanna be free
Goin ' crazy - on my own
It's not where I wanna be

I behave without compassion
I see things I want to smash them
When I put our love in danger & treat you like a total stranger
I don't really want to hurt you
I would stop it if I could do

Blame my school & blame my parents
& the genes that I inherit
Blame it on my older sister for showing me her dirty pictures
Blame the TV & the movies
Blame the lawyers & the juries

Lock me up & take me home
I don't wanna be free
Goin ' crazy - on my own
It's not where I wanna be

At the moment of conception
At the moment of conception

 

 

Walk On Water

 

He can walk - on the water
But he can't stop fallin ' in
He's livin ' underwater
But he don't know how to swim

He's got amplifiers, microphones
Record players, God only knows
All the girls say, 'Shut up and gimme the groove'

He keeps those hits a coming through
His blood is pourin out for you

In the church, Mama's ashes
Can't fill those empty spaces
Spaced out in the middle of town

One house is big enough for two
We'll fill it up before we're through

Wake up - the house is shaking
Get up - the dead awaken
Let go - you know that you can
Get up - you sleepy babies
Hello - you naked ladies
Walk on - you know that you can

Get up - you men & women
Walk on - like fishes swimming
Let go - you know that you can

Walk on the water - everyone drowns
My mama told me - I'm lost & I'm found
Walk like an angel - take off your shoes
Special occasion - scary & true
You dancin ' babies - doin alright
Your mouth is movin ' - kiss me sometime
Richard & Lisa - we're goin ' down
Jason & Shawna - dance with someone

Walk on the water
Walk on the water

 

 

Everyone's In Love With You

 

I introduce you to my friends
& that's the last I see of you
All the world's discovered my big secret
Everyone's in love with you

They're fascinated by your smile
They copy all the things you do
I wish that you & I could be together, but
Everyone's in love with you, yeah
Everyone's in love with you


God gives, God's wise
The way that she smiles
It should be no surprise
At work, at home
I'm introduced to so & so
But you're the one they want to know

I'm jealous & a little proud
I want to kill & kiss you too
You belong to everyone who meets you
Everyone's in love with you

God gives, God takes
Don't misunderstand I'm a satisfied man
So sweet, so strange
I guess I'll never understand the things she does to all my friends

I'm jealous & a little proud
I want to kill & kiss you too
You belong to everyone who meets you
Everyone's in love with you
Everyone's in love with you

 

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