It's Not Dark Up Here
Embracing Light and Love: David Byrne's Musical Reflections
Lyrics
There's nothing funny about making money well
Emphasizes the serious nature of making money.
It wouldn't work if it was
Suggests that humor doesn't play a role in the process of making money.
There's nothing funny about going to heaven
Highlights the seriousness of the concept of going to heaven.
And there's nothing funny about love
States that love is a serious matter without humor.
Hey! It's not dark up here
Expresses a positive perspective, stating that there is no darkness in the speaker's current situation or mindset.
Hey! It's not very far
Suggests that the positive state mentioned earlier is not distant or unreachable.
Hey! It's cool in my house
Describes the speaker's residence as cool, possibly metaphorically indicating a comfortable and enjoyable life.
Hey! It's loud in my car
Contrasts the coolness of the house with the loudness in the car, possibly symbolizing the external world.
It costs money if you want to party
States that enjoyment and socializing come with a financial cost.
And it costs money if you want to look
Highlights the expenses associated with maintaining a certain appearance or image.
The Baptist Church is a highschool
Draws an unexpected connection between a Baptist Church and a high school, possibly commenting on the intertwined nature of religious and educational institutions.
My hairdresser, she gives me the news
Suggests that the speaker receives news or information from unexpected sources, like a hairdresser.
Hey! It's not dark up here
Reiterates the positive and well-lit perspective mentioned earlier.
Hey! It's not very far
Reiterates the closeness of the positive state mentioned earlier.
Hey! It's cool in my house
Reiterates the cool and comfortable atmosphere within the speaker's house.
Hey! It's loud in my car
Reiterates the contrast between the cool house and the loud car.
There's only one way to read a book
Asserts that there is only one correct way to read a book, possibly challenging conventional thinking.
And there's only one way to watch tv
Suggests a singular approach to watching TV, questioning the diversity of perspectives.
Well there's only one way to smell a flower
States a singular method of experiencing the fragrance of a flower, but contrasts it with the idea that freedom can be achieved in numerous ways.
But there's millions of ways to be free
Emphasizes the multitude of paths to freedom.
Does winter follow spring
Presents a question about the relationship between winter and spring.
Like night follows day
Poses a similar question about the relationship between night and day.
Must a question have an answer
Questions the necessity of providing an answer to every question.
Can't there be another way
Suggests a desire for alternative approaches or solutions to answering questions.
Would you like to talk about it
Invites the listener to discuss a topic, potentially highlighting the importance of communication.
Would you like to pull my hair
Uses a playful tone, inviting interaction by suggesting a playful action.
Plants have roots
States a biological fact about plants having roots, possibly as a metaphor for stability.
But I don't know if they're deep enough to make me stay
Expresses uncertainty about the depth of roots (commitments) being sufficient to make the speaker stay.
Does winter follow spring
Repeats the earlier question about the relationship between winter and spring.
Like night follows day
Repeats the question about the relationship between night and day.
Must a question have an answer
Reiterates the questioning of the necessity for answers to every question.
Can't there be another way
Reiterates the desire for alternative ways of approaching questions.
Hey! It's not dark up here
Restates the positive and well-lit perspective from earlier in the lyrics.
Hey! It's not very far
Restates the proximity of the positive state mentioned earlier.
Hey! It's cool in my house
Reiterates the comfortable atmosphere within the speaker's house.
Hey! It's loud in my car, hey!
Reiterates the contrast between the cool house and the loud car.
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