Talking Heads's "Wild Wild Life" - A junkie's tale?

[A.J. Hakari]

Listening to my glorious "The Best of Talking Heads" album this morning, I began to think about the lyrics of their great dance tune "Wild Wild Life." Thinking about the words and keeping that theme in mind while listening to it, "Wild Wild Life" shows itself to be a rather upbeat but nevertheless revealing portrait of what happens when one uses drugs.

To back up my theory, a dissection of the lyrics...

I'm wearin'
Fur pyjamas
I ride a
Hot Potata'

Not quite sure...hallucinations?

It's tickling my fancy
Speak up, I can't hear you

Here on this mountaintop
Woahoho
I got some wild, wild life
I got some new to tell ya
Woahoho
About some wild, wild life

The main character of the song is saying how much he's enjoying the drug, embracing the effect so much that they have to spread the word.

Here comes the doctor in charge
Woahoho
She's got some wild, wild life
Ain't that the way you like it?
Ho, ha!
Living wild, wild life.

The "doctor" here is most likely the deal, delivering the junkie of the song their fix.

I wrestle, with your conscience
You wrestle, with your partner
Sittin' on a window sill, but he
Spends time behind closed doors

This bit describes the effects of the drugs; the drug messes with the junkie's mind, and in turn, the junkie lashes out at those around him.

Check out Mr. Businessman
Oh, ho ho
He bought some wild, wild life
On the way to the stock exchange
Oh, ho ho
He got some wild, wild life
Break it up when he opens the door
Whoahoho
He's doin' wild, wild life
I know that's the way you like it
Wo ho
Living wild, wild life

Even hot-shot businessmen are addicted, so much that they find themselves scrambling to fulfill their fix when they get inside the house.

Peace of mind?
Piece of cake!
Thought control!
You get on board anytime you like

Like sittin' on pins and needles
Things fall apart, it's scientific

The drug itself boasts its effects; instant, but temporary, peace of mind with easy access. But you begin to anticipate the drug too much, until...

Sleeping on the interstate
Woah ho ah
Getting wild, wild life
Checkin' in, a checkin' out!
Uh, huh!
I got a wild, wild life
Spending all of my money and time
Oh, ho ho
Done too much wild, wild
We wanna go, where we go, where we go
Oh, ho ho!
I doing wild, wild
I know it, that's how we start
Uh, huh
Got some wild, wild life
Take a picture, here in the daylight
Oh, ho!
And it's a wild, wild life
You've grown so tall, you've grown so fast
Oh, ho ho
Wild, wild
I know that's the way you like it
Oh, ho!
Living wild wild wild wild, life.

The drug leaves you homeless, deprived of your funds, confused, and totally dependent.

-----------

Well, at least I've gotten it off my chest...Your thoughts? Am I onto something here, or do I spend too much time listening to Talking Heads...or both?

[Frank the Tank]

Well, I think that most Talking Heads songs have overtones of some sort in their. Like of course "This Must Be The Place" has overtones of death while being one of the sweetest sounding songs ever. Call me crazy but there has to be some kind of child abuse dealy going on with "Stay Up Late", I mean he wants to make the damn baby stay up All Night Long.

[The Postmaster General]

It's about wild, wild life, man.