Glass, Concrete & Stone | David Byrne Lyrics, Meaning & Videos

Glass Concrete & Stone
David Byrne Lyrics

Lookin' at happiness

Glass and concrete and stone
It is just a house, not a home.

Skin, that covers me from head to toe
Except a couple tiny holes and openings
Where, the city's blowin' in and out
This is what it's all about, delightfully

Everything's possible
When you're an animal
Not inconceivable
How things can change, I know

So I'm puttin' on aftershave
Nothin' is out of place
Gonna be on my way
Try to pretend, it's not only

Glass and concrete and stone
That it's just, not a home.
And its glass and concrete and stone

It is just a house, not a home

And my head is fifty feet high
Let my body and soul be my guide

The lyrics to David Byrne's song Glass Concrete & Stone describe a person who is waking up early in the morning, getting ready to go to work and sending some money home. The moon is rising like a discotheque, and the bags are packed and ready for travel. The singer is looking for happiness while keeping his style fresh. He doesn't know how far he'll go, but he's leaving at Six O'Clock to meet Harriet Hendershot in a parking lot. She's waiting with sunglasses on, and they're both getting ready to leave for something new.

The song describes the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of work and mundane life, wanting to escape and find happiness, but not knowing how far to go or what to do. It's a commentary on the idea of the "American Dream" and the pursuit of happiness, where the singer is trying to find his place in the world and create a home. However, the glass, concrete, and stone of the city only provide a temporary shelter, not a true home.

Overall, the song's lyrics convey the feeling of restlessness and longing for something more, a common theme in David Byrne's music.

Now
At present moment

I'm wakin' at the crack of dawn
I am rising very early in the morning

To send a little money home
To transfer some money back to my family

From here to the moon
From this distance to very far away

Is risin' like a discotheque
The moon is ascending like a disco ball

And now my bags are down and packed for traveling
And my bags are now prepared for my journey

Lookin' at happiness
Observing a state of joy

Keepin' my flavor fresh
Maintaining my individuality and uniqueness

Nobody knows I guess
Perhaps nobody truly knows

How far I'll go, I know
But I am aware of how far I am willing to go

So I'm leavin' at Six O' Clock
Therefore, I am departing at precisely six in the morning

Meet in a parkin' lot
Meeting in a parking area

Harriet Hendershot
The name of the person with whom the singer will meet

Sunglasses on, she waits by this
Wearing sunglasses, she is standing at this location, waiting

Glass and concrete and stone
Referring to the external appearance of buildings

It is just a house, not a home.
However, these buildings are only physical structures; they are not places of comfort, belonging, or warmth

Skin, that covers me from head to toe
Describing the artist's bodily covering

Except a couple tiny holes and openings
Except for a few minuscule gaps

Where, the city's blowin' in and out
Wherein the city's atmosphere is entering and exiting

This is what it's all about, delightfully
This is what the artist loves—being immersed in the buzz of city living

Everything's possible
The artist possesses an optimistic attitude

When you're an animal
When you understand your primal nature

Not inconceivable
It is feasible

How things can change, I know
Things can transform without warning, and I am knowledgeable on this matter

So I'm puttin' on aftershave
Therefore, I am applying aftershave lotion to my face

Nothin' is out of place
Everything is precisely as it should be

Gonna be on my way
I am going to depart shortly

Try to pretend, it's not only
Attempting to disguise the fact that it is only

That it's just, not a home.
That the building is just a physical shell, not a real dwelling

And its glass and concrete and stone
Reiterating the external appearance of the building

It is just a house, not a home
Again emphasizing that it doesn't generate feelings of home and warmth

And my head is fifty feet high
And yet, I feel as high as fifty feet in the air; triumphant

Let my body and soul be my guide
Taking direction from my inner being

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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