Talking Heads, "Found A Job"

Thinking about this class making videos reminded me of this song by Talking Heads.

Before you read this essay below, think about how many technological changes there have been since this song was released in 1978. At that time, there were only three major television networks, consumer grade home video had just been introduced, there was no internet, no cell phones, and very few music videos.

Listen to the song and imagine a video to go along with it. There's plenty to work with!

Here's Brian Griesko writing on the Paris Review blog about Talking Heads' song “Found A Job” from their 1978 album More Songs About Buildings and Food:

David Byrne, the band's vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, doesn't so much sing as sing-narrates the story of a couple, Bob and Judy, frustrated watching television because “nothing's on tonight.” Byrne as narrator intrudes upon this domestic scene like one of those omniscient charlatans on infomercials — but wait! There's a solution to their problem! — suggesting they “might be better off... making up their own shows, which might be better than TV.”

By the song's end, Bob and Judy are collaborating, creating their own TV program, a show that “gets real high ratings.” They've saved their relationship and turned their whole lives around. “Bob never yells about the picture now, he's having too much fun,” the narrator tells us. He wraps it up like a fable, inviting the listener to “think about this little scene; apply it to your life. If your work isn't what you love, then something isn't right.” While Byrne tells the story, his guitar noodles on the edges of a funky, bass-driven rhythm, until, at the end, a six note melody emerges like an epiphany over the groove. Bob and Judy have learned to sing a new tune.

“Found a Job” encapsulated what I loved about Talking Heads music: the sophisticated, literary lyrics that used dialogue and meta-aware narration, the stance that admits television isn't all bad—because hey, I like watching TV too—but that passivity, and griping without taking action, is. The song's moral is: Do what you love, not just watch it but get involved.

"Found A Job" lyrics:

"Damn that television... what a bad picture"!
"Don't get upset, it's not a major disaster."
There's nothing on tonight", he said.
"I don't know what's the matter!"
"Nothing's ever on", she said,
"so I don't know why you bother."

We've heard this little scene, we've heard it many times.
People fighting over little things and wasting precious time.
They might be better off I think the way it seems to me.
Making up their own shows, which might be better than T.V.

Judy's in the bedroom, inventing situations.
Bob is on the street today, scouting up locations.
They've enlisted all their family.
They've enlisted all their friends.
It helped saved their relationship,
And made it work again

Their show gets real high ratings, they think they have a hit.
There might even be a spin off, but they're not sure 'bout that.
If they ever watch T.V. again, it'd be too soon for them.
Bob never yells about the picture now, he's having too much fun.

Judy's in the bedroom, inventing situations.
Bob is on the street today, scouting up locations.
They've enlisted all their family.
They've enlisted all their friends.
It helped saved their relationship,
And made it work again

So think about this little scene; apply it to your life.
If your work isn't what you love, then something isn't right.
Just look at Bob and Judy; they're happy as can be,
Inventing situations, putting them on T.V.

Judy's in the bedroom, inventing situations.
Bob is on the street today, he's having a vacation.
They've enlisted all their family.
They've enlisted all their friends.
It helped saved their relationship,
And made it work again