Laurie Anderson, "Language is a virus"

Paradise


Is exactly like

Where you are right now

Only much much

Better.

I saw this guy on the train

And he seemed to have gotten stuck

In one of those abstract trances.

And he was going: “Ugh . . . Ugh . . . Ugh . . . “

And Fred said:

l 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 friend

And 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 practicing

For 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.

Becaure 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 saying

That I’m sorry. (It’s a job.)

Language! It’s a virus!

Language! It’s a virus!

Paradise

Is exactly like

Where you are right now

Only much much (It’s a shipwreck)

Better. (It’s a job.)

You know? I don’t believe there’s such

a thing as TV. I mean -

They just keep showing you

The same pictures over ond over.

And when they talk they just make sounds

That more or less synch up

With their lips.

That’s what I think!

Language! It’s a virus!

Language! It’s a virus!

Well I dreamed there was an island

That rose up from the sea.

And everybody on the island

Was somebody from TV.

And there was a beautiful view

But nobody could see.

Cause everybody on the island

Was saying: Look ot me! Look at me!

Look at me! Look at me!

Because they all lived on an island

That rose up from the sea

And everybody on the island

Was somebody from TV.

And there was a beautiful view

But nobody could see.

Cause everybody on the island

Was screaming: Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!

Look at me! Look at me! Why?

Paradise

Is exactly like

Where you are right now

Only much much

Better.