"Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads

About this episode

It's time to return to Talking Heads, and their inimitable 1980 song "Once In A Lifetime." The subject of this episode was selected by the annual Strong Songs Patreon bracket vote. Thanks to everyone who voted! Written by: Talking Heads and Brian Eno Produced by: Brian Eno Album: Remain In Light, 1980 Listen/Buy via Album.Link ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED: • “Life During Wartime” and “I Zimbra” by Talking Heads from Fear of Music, 1979 • Stop Making Sense dir. Jonathan Demme, 1984 • The 2021 Strong Songs episode about Stop Making Sense • “Take Me To The River” by Al Green and Mabon Hodges recorded by Talking Heads on More Songs about Buildings and Food, 1978 • “The Great Curve” by Talking Heads from Remain in Light, 1980 • “Jeun Ko Ku” by Fela Kuti from Afrodisiac, 1973 • “Zombie” by Fela Kuti from Zombie, 1977 • “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer from Riptide, 1985 • “Kids” and “Time to Pretend” by MGMT from Oracular Spectacular, 2007 • Jad Abumrad's exceptional podcast series Fela Kuti: Fear No Man • Kirk's 2025 interview with Jad about the Fela series • Rick Karr's 2000 NPR feature on the song as part of the "NPR 100" retrospective series -------------------- SEPTEMBER 2026