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The Big CountryTalking Heads

Released: July 7, 1978

Songwriter: David Byrne

Producer: Talking Heads Brian Eno

[Verse 1]
I see the shapes I remember from maps
I see the shoreline, I see the whitecaps
A baseball diamond, nice weather down there
I see the school and the houses where the kids are
Places to park by the factories and buildings
Restaurants and bars for later in the evening

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Then we come to the farmlands and the undeveloped areas
And I have learned how these things work together
I see the parkway that passes through them all
And I have learned how to look at these things, and I say

[Chorus]
I wouldn't live there if you paid me
I wouldn't live like that, no sirree
I wouldn't do the things the way those people do
I wouldn't live there if you paid me to

[Verse 2]
I guess it's healthy, I guess the air is clean
I guess those people have fun with their neighbors and friends
Look at that kitchen and all of that food
Look at them eat it, I guess it tastes real good

[Pre-Chorus 2]
They grow it in those farmlands, then they bring it to the store
They put it in the car trunk, then they bring it back home, and I say

[Chorus]
I wouldn't live there if you paid me
I wouldn't live like that, no sirree
I wouldn't do the things the way those people do
I wouldn't live there if you paid me to

[Verse 3]
I'm tired of looking out the window of the airplane
I'm tired of traveling, I want to be somewhere
And it's not even worth talking
About those people down there going:

[Outro]
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo, ga ga ga
Goo goo goo goo, ga ga ga ga!

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.

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