"Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads

It's time to return to Talking Heads, and their inimitable 1980 song "Once In A Lifetime." The subject of this episode was selected by the annual Strong Songs Patreon bracket vote. Thanks to everyone who voted!

Written by: Talking Heads and Brian Eno

Produced by: Brian Eno

Album: Remain In Light, 1980

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

• “Life During Wartime” and “I Zimbra” by Talking Heads from Fear of Music, 1979
• Stop Making Sense dir. Jonathan Demme, 1984
• The 2021 Strong Songs episode about Stop Making Sense
• “Take Me To The River” by Al Green and Mabon Hodges recorded by Talking Heads on More Songs about Buildings and Food, 1978
• “The Great Curve” by Talking Heads from Remain in Light, 1980
• “Jeun Ko Ku” by Fela Kuti from Afrodisiac, 1973
• “Zombie” by Fela Kuti from Zombie, 1977
• “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer from Riptide, 1985
• “Kids” and “Time to Pretend” by MGMT from Oracular Spectacular, 2007
• Jad Abumrad's exceptional podcast series Fela Kuti: Fear No Man
• Kirk's 2025 interview with Jad about the Fela series 
• Rick Karr's 2000 NPR feature on the song as part of the "NPR 100" retrospective series

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SEPTEMBER 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Pablo Castro - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - Greg - Matt R - Wendy Moore - Cerise Gay - Erica Smolinski - Brute Farce

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