Song by Song: "Once in a Lifetime" Quiz

Answer: Brian Eno

Born May 15, 1948 in Melton in Suffolk, England, Brian Eno is perhaps best known for his contributions to electronica music. He plays keyboard, guitar, and bass guitar as well. In addition to the Talking Heads, he has been associated with Coldplay, David Bowie, Scratch Orchestra, and U2, among others.

Answer: 1981

The single was recorded in July and August of 1980 and released on February 2, 1981. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. "Once in a Lifetime" did not make the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in its original release, but a live version (from the Talking Heads' 1985 concert movie "Stop Making Sense") made it to 91 in 1985.

Answer: Remain in Light

The B-side of the single contained the songs "Seen and Not Seen," "Listening Wind," and "Crosseyed and Painless." The album belongs to the new wave and post punk musical genres and was released on the Sire label.

Answer: Robert Palmer

To record the "Remain in the Light Album," the Talking Heads held jam sessions and then the producer, Brian Eno, selected out the best parts. John Lewis, in a November 2007 article in Uncut magazine, talks about Robert Palmer's participation in the sessions. Palmer played percussion during the session.

In return, Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz played bass drum on Palmer's song "Looking for Clues" for his 1980 album "Clues."

Answer: Kermit the Frog

In the episode, which aired in 1996, Kermit donned a suit similar to lead singer David Bryne and copied his dance moves from "Stop Making Sense." The Talking Heads' song was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll."

Answer: The Velvet Underground

David Bryne supplied lead vocals while Tina Weymouth was on bass and backing vocals and Chris Frantz on drums. Jerry Harrison played synthesizer and added the Hammond organ climax to the song, which was taken from "What Goes On" by the Velvet Underground according to a March 27, 2000 NPR "All Things Considered" broadcast.

Answer: In a rustic cabin, in the heart of the woods

"You may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
You may find yourself in another part of the world
You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
You may find yourself in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife
You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?"

In delivering the lyrics of the song, David Bryne mimics the call-and-response style of a preacher delivering a sermon, so these lyrics come off as a chant, partially spoken, partially sung. The album as a whole had Afro-funk influences.

Answer: Same

Rolling Stone magazine reports that producer "Brian Eno wanted to ditch the tune altogether until David Byrne started performing his 'Same as it ever was' monologue like an evangelical preacher, which somehow sharpened his message about questioning identity and reality." This Talking Heads' song has been covered by The Exiles, Earthsuit, Big Daddy, and Jared Evan, among others.

Answer: water

"Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground..."

This is the chorus of the song. David Byrne, as quoted in Rolling Stone magazine, explained these lyrics as speaking to the fact that, as humans, we tend to "operate half-awake or on autopilot and end up, whatever, with a house and family and job and everything else, and we haven't really stopped to ask ourselves, 'How did I get here?'"

Answer: the money

"Into the blue again after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground."

"Once in a Lifetime" peaked at number 16 on the Irish singles chart when it was first released. The live version later reached number 15 on the New Zealand singles chart. The record was certified gold in the UK by BPI.