Everybody Laughs (feat. Ghost Train Orchestra)

David Byrne's song "Everybody Laughs (feat. Ghost Train Orchestra)" is a vibrant exploration of the shared human experience. The lyrics emphasize the universality of emotions and actions, highlighting how everyone, regardless of their background, goes through similar life stages and emotions. The repetition of "everybody" underscores the collective nature of these experiences, suggesting that laughter, tears, love, and even mundane activities like eating and using mobile phones are common threads that bind humanity together.

The song delves into the complexities of modern life, where everyone is "going through the changes" and facing "every complication." Byrne paints a picture of a world where people are constantly in motion, both physically and emotionally. The mention of "gesture and expression" and "imagination" suggests that communication and perception play crucial roles in how we navigate these complexities. The imagery of people searching through "the garbage" for inspiration or staring at the "ceiling of the subway station" evokes a sense of seeking meaning and purpose amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Byrne's collaboration with Ghost Train Orchestra adds a rich, orchestral layer to the song, enhancing its thematic depth. The music complements the lyrics by creating a sense of movement and rhythm, mirroring the constant flux of life. The song's structure, with its repetitive and rhythmic "hey" chants, invites listeners to join in the universal dance of life, where everyone is "going everywhere at once" and "back where everybody's from." This cyclical nature of life, where beginnings and endings are intertwined, is a central theme, reminding us of our shared journey and the interconnectedness of all people.