Classic Laurie Anderson song, riffing on the William Burroughs quote. (And, the Terrence McKenna idea that mushrooms came from outer space and helped to foster language, religion and general growth in early humans.)
Language Is A Virus
ParadiseIs exactly likeWhere you are right nowOnly much muchBetter.
I saw this guy on the trainAnd he seemed to gave gotten stuckIn one of those abstract trances.And he was going: "Ugh...Ugh...Ugh..."
And Fred said:"I think he's in some kind of pain.I think it's a pain cry."And I said: "Pain cry?Then language is a virus."
Language! It's a virus!Language! It's a virus!
Well I was talking to a friendAnd I was saying:I wanted you.And I was looking for you.But I couldn't find you. I couldn't find you.And he said: Hey!Are you talking to me?Or are you just practicingFor one of those performances of yours?Huh?
Language! It's a virus!Language! It's a virus!
He said: I had to write that letter to your mother.And I had to tell the judge that it was you.And I had to sell the car and go to Florida.Because that's just my way of saying (It's a charm.)That I love you. And I (It's a job.)Had to call you at the crack of dawn (Why?)And list the times that I've been wrong.Cause that's just my way of sayingThat I'm sorry. (It's a job.)
Language! It's a virus!Language! It's a virus!
ParadiseIs exactly likeWhere you are right nowOnly much much (It's a shipwreck,)Better. (It's a job.)
You know? I don't believe there's sucha thing as TV. I mean -They just keep showing youThe same pictures over and over.And when they talk they just make soundsThat more or less synch upWith their lips.That's what I think!
Language! It's a virus!Language! It's a virus!Language! It's a virus!
Well I dreamed there was an islandThat rose up from the sea.And everybody on the islandWas somebody from TV.And there was a beautiful viewBut nobody could see.Cause everybody on the islandWas saying: Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!
Because they all lived on an islandThat rose up from the sea.And everybody on the islandWas somebody from TV.And there was a beautiful viewBut nobody could see.Cause everybody on the islandWas saying: Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Why?
Paradise is exactly likeWhere you are right nowOnly much much better.
