Still workin' on his masterpiece

David Byrne turns 57 today, and I'm wondering: What will he wear?

I was introduced to the musical genius of Byrne years ago when a friend played for me -- audio turned up to the max -- the splendid Talking Heads' concert movie "Stop Making Sense.'' I never get tired of watching/hearing that video. Along with The Band's "The Last Waltz'' it represents the very best of the genre.

Sorry to report I haven't done a good job of keeping up with Byrne's ambitious solo projects in recent years. Even serious fans might have trouble with that. Apparently the Indy music website Pitchfork.com has mentioned that Byrne would collaborate with anyone for a bag of Doritos -- to which the artist responded:

"I think I sometimes need a little more incentive than that -- a beer to go with the Doritos, perhaps.''

No matter what Byrne is up to, it's probably worth checking out. Here's a video from a 2008 concert at Union Chapel in London. The lyrics to the song "The Great Intoxication'' follow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvI-Zo-70Pw

Who Disco?
Who Techno?
Who Hip-Hop?
Who Be Bop?
Who's been playing records in his bedroom?

Who rocks out?
Who's spaced out?
Who brings you?
Who sings you?
Who's still workin' on his masterpiece?

The great intoxication
The mental generation
Sound effects & laughter
Stupid ever after
Hopin' it was cranked up
Loud enough for you to hear

He's drunk and he's insistent
Shy but he's persistent
Boisterous & jumpy
Disorganized & funky

Every day he wonders
What the hell she sees in him?

Ah, but who saves you?
Who craves you?
Who Heartbreaks?
Who love makes?
Look into the eyeball of your boyfriend

Who drives you?
Capsized you?
Who shakes you?
Who wakes you?
Who's still workin' on his masterpiece

Byrne's U.S. summer tour includes a stop at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn. I'll buy the beer and Doritos if you want to join me...