Released: June 10, 1985

Songwriter: David Byrne

Producer: Talking Heads

I (I am just a number)
And I (hang on to what I got)
You (say what you want to)
And I, I, I, I (just try to stay alive)
I put myself together
People say, get away, somebody will turn you in
Life, life without surrender
Togetherness, ecstasy is what I need

I can laugh, but I should cry
When love and understanding are the ultimate crimes

I said walk it down, talk it down
Oh, oh, oh
Sympathy, luxury
Somebody will take you there
Walk it down, talk it down
Oh, oh, oh
Sympathy, luxury
Somebody will take you there

She (says she remembers)
Time (long time ago)
We (belong together)
And I, I, I, I (turn up the radio)
Lies, lies and propaganda
I, gonna tell you what I need
Life, life without surrender
Togetherness, ecstasy is what I need

I got yours and you got mine
And I can swim, but I should fly

Walk it down, talk it down
Oh, oh, oh
Sympathy, luxury
Somebody will take you there
Walk it down, talk it down
Oh, oh, oh
Sympathy, luxury
Somebody will take you there

Ain't no crime to believe
I took my money, I bet my life
What you see is what you get
But it sure ain't what we need
Hey!

Walk it down, talk it down
Oh, oh, oh
Sympathy, luxury
Somebody will take you there
Walk it down, talk it down
Oh, oh, oh
Sympathy, luxury
Somebody will take you there

(Walk it down, talk it down) hey, hey, hey!
(Oh, oh, oh) oh
(Sympathy, luxury) woo!
Somebody will take you there

Talking Heads

Ground-breaking rock band Talking Heads is arguably one of the most influential bands of all time. Spearheaded by their slightly crazy lead singer David Byrne, they were at the forefront of the New Wave movement.

The band was formed in 1974 by Byrne and drummer Chris Frantz. Frantz’s then-girlfriend-later-wife Tina Weymouth was quickly recruited to play bass. After a few recordings and performances, guitarist/keyboardist Jerry Harrison was hired to round out the group.

Their first album, Talking 77, was appropriately released in 1977. It quickly received critical acclaim.