Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime

Step into the early 1980s with the instantly recognizable music video for Talking Heads' 'Once in a Lifetime'. This wasn't just a song; it was a cultural moment, largely defined by David Byrne's unforgettable, jerky, preacher-like performance and the video's groundbreaking, low-budget visual style directed by Toni Basil. Inspired by religious rituals and utilizing then-innovative chroma key effects, the video's repeating imagery and surreal aesthetic made it a staple of early MTV and a defining piece of art-pop. It captured the anxieties and introspection of the era, asking profound questions about life and routine against a backdrop of quirky, mesmerizing visuals. For many, watching this video was a shared experience, sparking conversations and cementing the band's status as pioneers of new wave and art rock. It remains an iconic representation of the fusion of music, performance, and visual art that characterized the best of the early MTV generation.