Once in a Lifetime
Talking Heads · 2003
259 min · 68 tracks · new wave · post-punk
A vibrant collage of art rock and worldbeat rhythms underscored by David Byrne's distinct vocal delivery and thought-provoking lyrics.
Why listen to this
- Best for
- dynamic journey with peaks vibrant collage of sounds engaging late-night exploration
- Context
- Released in 2003, 'Once in a Lifetime' marks a significant retrospective compilation for Talking Heads, celebrating their influence during the new wave era. This album arrives nearly two decades after their last studio release, offering both longtime fans and newcomers a curated experience of their most impactful tracks. The band had disbanded in 1991, making this collection a nostalgic look back at their eclectic sound.
- If you like
- new wave, post-punk
- What next
- Little Creatures — Continues the vibrant sound with a focus on rhythm and catchy melodies.
Once in a Lifetime is an album by Talking Heads, released in 2003. A vibrant collage of art rock and worldbeat rhythms underscored by David Byrne's distinct vocal delivery and thought-provoking lyrics. This compilation achieved notable commercial success, reaching number 30 on the Billboard 200 chart and reviving interest in Talking Heads' catalog. It introduced a new generation to their innovative blend of genres while maintaining strong critical acclaim, reinforcing their status as pioneers within the post-punk and new wave movements. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Once in a Lifetime sound like?
A vibrant collage of art rock and worldbeat rhythms underscored by David Byrne's distinct vocal delivery and thought-provoking lyrics. Rooted in new wave and post-punk.
What makes Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads notable?
This compilation achieved notable commercial success, reaching number 30 on the Billboard 200 chart and reviving interest in Talking Heads' catalog. It introduced a new generation to their innovative blend of genres while maintaining strong critical acclaim, reinforcing their status as pioneers within the post-punk and new wave movements. Released in 2003, 'Once in a Lifetime' marks a significant retrospective compilation for Talking Heads, celebrating their influence during the new wave era. This album arrives nearly two decades after their last studio release, offering both longtime fans and newcomers a curated experience of their most impactful tracks. The band had disbanded in 1991, making this collection a nostalgic look back at their eclectic sound.
Who is Once in a Lifetime for?
Once in a Lifetime works well if you're into dynamic journey with peaks, vibrant collage of sounds and engaging late-night exploration.
How many songs are on Once in a Lifetime?
Once in a Lifetime has 68 tracks, running approximately 259 minutes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Sugar on My Tongue 2:35
- 2 Love → Building on Fire 2:59
- 3 I Wish You Wouldn’t Say That 2:37
- 4 Don’t Worry About the Government 3:00
- 5 Uh‐Oh, Love Comes to Town (original mix) 2:55
- 6 New Feeling (original mix) 3:03
- 7 Pulled Up 4:30
- 8 Psycho Killer Standout 4:20
- 9 Warning Sign 3:55
- 10 Artists Only 3:35
- 11 Tentative Decisions 3:07
- 12 No Compassion 4:49
- 13 Stay Hungry 2:41
- 14 I’m Not in Love 4:34
- 15 The Book I Read 4:09
- 16 Thank You for Sending Me an Angel 2:13
- 17 Found a Job 5:01
- 18 A Clean Break 4:57
- 19 Take Me to the River 5:04
- 20 The Big Country 5:31
- 21 Heaven 4:01
Disc 2
- 1 I Zimbra 3:07
- 2 Cities (alternate version) 5:27
- 3 Life During Wartime 3:41
- 4 Air 3:32
- 5 Memories Can’t Wait 3:30
- 6 Drugs (alternate version) 3:33
- 7 Once in a Lifetime Standout 4:20
- 8 Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) 5:47
- 9 Listening Wind 4:41
- 10 Houses in Motion 4:31
- 11 Crosseyed and Painless 4:45
- 12 Burning Down the House Standout 4:01
- 13 Making Flippy Floppy 5:54
- 14 Girlfriend Is Better 5:43
- 15 Slippery People 5:05
- 16 Swamp 5:10
- 17 This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) 4:56
Disc 3
- 1 And She Was 3:39
- 2 Stay Up Late 3:44
- 3 Creatures of Love 4:15
- 4 The Lady Don’t Mind 4:04
- 5 Road to Nowhere 4:20
- 6 Wild Wild Life 3:41
- 7 Love for Sale 4:31
- 8 People Like Us 4:29
- 9 Puzzlin’ Evidence 5:23
- 10 City of Dreams 5:09
- 11 Blind 5:00
- 12 Mr. Jones 4:21
- 13 The Democratic Circus 5:04
- 14 (Nothing but) Flowers 5:33
- 15 In Asking Land (outtake) 3:58
- 16 Sax and Violins 5:18
- 17 Lifetime Piling Up 3:53
Disc 4
- 1 Once in a Lifetime Standout
- 2 Wild Wild Life 3:27
- 3 Stay Up Late
- 4 Blind
- 5 Crosseyed and Painless
- 6 Burning Down the House Standout 4:10
- 7 And She Was
- 8 Sax and Violins 5:10
- 9 This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) 4:48
- 10 The Lady Don’t Mind
- 11 Love for Sale 3:38
- 12 (Nothing but) Flowers
- 13 Road to Nowhere 4:10
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