"Once In A Lifetime" by The Talking Heads

Digital image. Gawker.com. N.p., 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 28 Sept. 2015. <http://gawker.com/5925595/todays-song-talking-heads-once-in-a-lifetime-the-reflex-near-re-vision>.

"Once In A Lifetime" by The Talking Heads

And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself
Well...How did I get here?

Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground

And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife

Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground

Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...

Water dissolving...and water removing
There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Under the water, carry the water at the bottom of the ocean
Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean

Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
Into the silent water
Under the rocks and stones
There is water underground

Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground

And you may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?
And you may ask yourself
Where does that highway go to?
And you may ask yourself
Am I right?...Am I wrong?
And you may say to yourself
My God!...What have I done?!

Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
Into the silent water
Under the rocks and stones
There is water underground

Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground

Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Look where my hand was
Time isn't holding up
Time is an asterisk
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Yeah, the twister comes
Here comes the twister
Same as it ever was...

"Talking Heads." - Once In A Lifetime Lyrics. N.p., 30 Dec. 2000. Web. 28 Sept. 2015. <http://www.metrolyrics.com/once-in-a-lifetime-lyrics-talking-heads.html>.

            "Once In A Lifetime" by the Talking Heads is a peculiar 1980 hit that provides a lesson on life disguised by water. The theme of the song is that time never stops. The song's apparent subject is water, but the water really represents something deeper. The water in the song is symbolic of time's nonstop effect. "Into the blue again After the money's gone Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground" (The Talking Heads). These lyrics address the fact that time stops for no one. Whether you have problems with family, money, etc., time will not stop for you; Time cannot stop for you. 

            "Water dissolving...and water removing There is water at the bottom of the ocean Under the water, carry the water at the bottom of the ocean Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean" (The Talking Heads).These lyrics are a metaphor comparing the water cycle in the ocean to the concept of time. This gives the listener something to compare the lyrics to and hopefully make the song easier to understand. The writers provide a comparison of the water cycle, which cannot stop, to time, which also cannot stop. Though some people may picture this to be solely a rock anthem, it contains a deeper meaning and valuable insight towards life. The title, "Once In A Lifetime," is a direct reference to the consequence of wasting time. The title is implying that certain opportunities may only present themselves once in a lifetime, and that one should take advantage of them when they can since time doesn't stop for anyone. The AABB rhyme scheme of the chorus makes the song very noticeable. "Letting the days go by Let the water hold me down Letting the days go by Water flowing underground" (The Talking Heads). The rhyme scheme also establishes a reliable pattern making it easier for the listener to follow along.