Talking Heads

Released: July 7, 1978

Songwriter: Mabon “Teenie” Hodges Al Green

Producer: Talking Heads Brian Eno

[Verse 1]
I don't know why I love her like I do
All the changes you put me through
Take my money, my cigarettes
I haven't seen the worst of it yet

[Pre-Chorus]
I wanna know, can you tell me
Am I in love to stay?

[Chorus]
Take me to the river, drop me in the water
Take me to the river, dip me in the water
Washing me down, washing me down

[Verse 2]
I don't know why you treat me so bad
Think of all the things that we could have had
Love is a notion that I can't forget
My sweet sixteen I would never regret

[Pre-Chorus]
I wanna know, can you tell me?
Am I in love to stay?

[Chorus]
Take me to the river, drop me in the water
Push me in the river, dip me in the water
Washing me down, washing me

[Bridge]
Hug me, squeeze me, love me, tease me
Till I can't, till I can't, I can't take no more

[Chorus]
Dip me in the water, drop me in the river
Push me in the water, drop me in the river
Washing me down, washing me down

[Verse 3]
I don't know why I love her like I do
All the trouble you put me through
Sixteen candles there on my wall
And here am I, the biggest fool of them all

[Pre-Chorus]
I wanna know, can you tell me?
Am I in love to stay?

[Chorus]
Take me to the river, drop me in the water
Dip me in the river, drop me in the water
Washing me down, washing me down
Ooh, a-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya

[Outro]
Ooh, a na na na
A na na na na, ah!
A na na na, hoo!
A na na na, ooh!
A na na na na, hoo!
Ha! Na na na na, ah!
Na na na na na
Na na na na

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.

more tracks from the album

Once in a Lifetime

From the albums

More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
Once in a Lifetime: The Best of Talking Heads (1992)
Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites (1992)
Once in a Lifetime (2003)
The Best of Talking Heads (2004)

Talking Heads popular songs

Take Me to the RiverTalking Heads

Talking Heads

Once in a Lifetime