Seen And Not Seen lyrics

Song information

Artist: Talking Heads
Album: Remain In Light

Lyrics

He would see faces in movies, on t.v., in magazines, and in books...
He thought that some of these faces might be right for him....and
That through the years, by keeping an ideal facial structure fixed in his
Mind....or somewhere in the back of his mind....that he might, by
Force of will, cause his face to approach those of his ideal....the
Change would be very subtle....it might take ten years or so...
Gradually his face would change it's shape....a more hooked nose..
Wider, thinner lips....beady eyes....a larger forehead

He imagined that this was an ability he shared with most other
People....they had also molded their faces according to some
Ideal....maybe they imagined that their new face would better
Suit their personality....or maybe they imagined that their
Personality would be forced to change to fit the new appear-
Ance....this is why first impressions are often correct..
Although some people might have made mistakes....they may have
Arrived at an appearance that bears no relationship to them...
They may have picked an ideal appearance based on some childish
Whim, or momentary impulse....some may have gotten half-way
There, and then changed their minds

He wonders if he too might have made a similar mistake