Music Video

Talking Heads perform "Life During Wartime" at the 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Watch Talking Heads perform "Life During Wartime" at the 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on YouTube

Featured In

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
David Byrne
David Byrne
Vocals
Jerry Harrison
Jerry Harrison
Keyboards
Tina Weymouth
Tina Weymouth
Bass Guitar
Ednah Holt
Ednah Holt
Background Vocals
Lynn Mabry
Lynn Mabry
Background Vocals
Alex Weir
Alex Weir
Guitar
Bernie Worrell
Bernie Worrell
Keyboards
Steve Scales
Steve Scales
Percussion
Ari Up
Ari Up
Congas
Christopher Frantz
Christopher Frantz
Drums
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder
Congas
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
David Byrne
David Byrne
Songwriter
Tina Weymouth
Tina Weymouth
Songwriter
Christopher Frantz
Christopher Frantz
Songwriter
Jerry Harrison
Jerry Harrison
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Producer
Gary Goetzman
Gary Goetzman
Producer
Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Producer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Heard of a van that is loaded with weapons
Packed up and ready to go
Heard of some gravesites out by the highway
A place where nobody knows
The sound of gunfire off in the distance
I'm getting used to it now
Lived in a brownstone, I lived in the ghetto
I've lived all over this town
[Chorus]
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
No time for dancing, or lovey dovey
I ain't got time for that now
[Verse 2]
Transmit the message to the receiver
Hope for an answer some day
I got three passports, couple of visas
Don't even know my real name
High on a hillside, trucks are loading
Everything's ready to roll, ah-ha-ha
Sleep in the daytime, I work in the nightime
I might not ever get home
[Chorus]
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
This ain't no Mud Club, or C.B.G.B.
I ain't got time for that now
[Chorus]
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
No time for dancing, or lovey dovey
I ain't got time for that now
[Verse 3]
Heard about Houston? Heard about Detroit?
Heard about Pittsburgh, PA?
You oughta know not to stand by the window
Somebody see you up there
I got some groceries, some peanut butter
To last a couple of days
But I ain't got no speakers, ain't got no headphones
Ain't got no records to play
[Verse 4]
Why stay in college? Why go to night school?
Gonna be different this time
Can't write a letter, can't send a postcard
I can't write nothing at all
[Chorus]
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
I'd love to hold you, I'd like to kiss you but
I ain't got time for that now
[Verse 5]
Trouble in transit, got through the roadblock
We blended in with the crowd
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines
Know that ain't allowed
We dress like students, we dress like housewives
Or in a suit and a tie
Changed my hairstyle so many times now
Don't know what I look like
[Verse 6]
You make me shiver, I feel so tender
We make a pretty good team
Don't get exhausted, I'll do some driving
You ought to get you some sleep
Burned all my notebooks, ooh, what good are notebooks?
They won't help me survive
My chest is aching, and it burns like a furnace
The burning keeps me alive
Written by: Chris Frantz, David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth
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