Pirates
David Byrne · Grown Backwards [2004]
Like starin' at the ceiling
My sleepy eyes, you smell so nice
It's such a funny feeling
Got no idea, what time it is
Delightfully confusing
The trees outside, the morning light
Arrives, like pirates on parade
Surprise, it's pirates on parade
A ray of light, between the blinds
I lie there in a stupor
I hear a thud, and then a flush
Guess it must be the neighbors
I blink my eyes, I laugh inside
Imagine what they're saying
I see your shape and through the night
Here come, those pirates on parade
Ahoy, it's pirates on parade
Through the rough and stormy weather
On a search for buried treasure
There's an island to explore
Ev'ry wave that whispers softly
"Stay in bed, 'cause it's still early"
Dolphins frolic by the shore
And the phone never rings when the pirates are singing
Well there's 16 men on a dead man's chest
In this hallucination
The map we got, x marks the spot
We're following directions
The 7 seas, the balmy breeze
The pleasure of surrender
The end is nigh, the sun is high
It's late, for pirates on parade
Too late, for pirates on parade
Traffic noises down below me
A helicopter circles slowly
Monsters sink into the deep
Mountainous and downy billows
Float among those fluffy pillows
Maybe I'll go back to sleep
And the phone never rings when the pirates are singing
This wicked life
So what's in store behind that velvet curtain?
The night is gone
And the day is here
The stupid sun is shinin'
The moon reflects
Your hair's a mess
Its lovely imperfections
My crew and I
The clear blue skies
Sail on, with pirates on parade
Sail on, you pirates on parade
Pirates
David Byrne's "Pirates" appears on his 2004 album Grown Backwards, a record that marked a distinct shift toward a more experimental and eclectic sound. Following his departure from Talking Heads, Byrne continued to explore the intersection of art, technology, and global rhythms. This track reflects the album's broader themes of personal reinvention and the complexities of modern life. Musically, the song showcases Byrne's signature post-punk sensibilities while incorporating the layered textures and unconventional arrangements that define this period of his solo career. It stands as a compelling example of his ability to blend introspective songwriting with innovative production techniques, maintaining his status as a vital voice in alternative music.