As we only have 11 lectures for 12 journal entries, I thought I’d spend this entry expanding on analysing song titles as a literary device in some of my favourite songs. Talking Heads used the idiomatic expression Once In A Lifetime13 for the fourth track of their 1980 album Remain In Light, and it perfectly matches the lyrical themes of time passing (“letting the days go by”) and the mundanity of a ‘standard’ life (“you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife”)..
In addition, the song also utilises a literary device not covered in the lecture but also very effective – posing unanswered questions. This crafting of an existentially questioning man through the lyrics is perfectly matched by David Byrne’s jolty vocal delivery, and Brian Eno’s psychedelic, swirling production – and stands as a brilliant example of building from your titular concept with other elements that all contribute to the track’s prosody.
13 Talking Heads. “Once In A Lifetime”. Remain In Light. By Talking Heads (David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth) and Brian Eno. Produced by Brian Eno. October 8, 1980.
Jachin's Songwriting and Performance Journal 