Released: October 8, 1980

Songwriter: Jerry Harrison David Byrne Tina Weymouth Chris Frantz Brian Eno

Producer: Brian Eno

"Crosseyed and Painless" is a song by American new wave band Talking Heads. It was released in 1980 in the United States as a promotional single from their fourth studio album, Remain in Light. Although the single failed to reach on the US main chart, it reached to 20 on the US Dance chart to become Talking Heads' highest charting dance single. They chose this song for their second music video, released in 1981. The song uses instruments and techniques such as cowbell loops, congas, bells, staccato guitar rhythms, and electronic blips. Read more on Last.fm.

Length: 7:18

[Verse 1]
Lost my shape, trying to act casual
Can't stop, I might end up in the hospital
Changing my shape, I feel like an accident
They're back to explain their experience

[Chorus]
Isn't it weird? Looks too obscure to me
Wasting away, that was their policy

[Verse 2]
I'm ready to leave, I push the facts in front of me
Facts lost, facts are never what they seem to be
Nothing there, no information left of any kind
Li-lifting my head, lo-lo-looking for the danger signs

[Chorus]
There was a line, there was a formula
Sharp as a knife, facts cut a hole in us
There was a line, there was a formula
Sharp as a knife, facts cut a hole in us

[Bridge]
I'm still waiting
I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I-I-I'm still waiting

[Chorus]
The feeling returns whenever we close our eyes
Lifting my head, looking around inside

[Verse 3]
The Island of Doubt, it's like the taste of medicine
Working by hindsight, got the message from the oxygen
M-m-making a list, find the cost of opportunity
Doing it right, facts are useful in emergencies

[Chorus]
The feeling returns, whenever we close our eyes
Lifting my head, looking around inside

[Verse 4]
Facts are simple and facts are straight
Facts are lazy and facts are late
Facts don't come with points of view
Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things

[Outro]
I'm still waiting
I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I-I-I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I-I-I'm still waiting

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.