"Houses in Motion" is the second and final single from Remain in Light, the fourth studio album by American new wave band Talking Heads. An alternate mix of the song was released in vinyl form on 5 May 1981 and peaked at number 50 on the UK Singles Chart.
Talking Heads frontman and chief lyricist David Byrne remixed the song created with Remain in Light producer Brian Eno at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas in the summer of 1980. "Houses in Motion" features brass performances by Jon Hassell. The B-side "Air" is from the band's third studio album Fear of Music. The cover artwork is by designer Thomi Wroblewski.
A faster paced version of the track performed by Helen White was featured in the Plunkett & Macleane soundtrack (scored by Craig Armstrong).
Phish covered Houses in Motion at the Omni Coliseum during their 1996 Halloween show. At this show they played the entire Remain in Light album for their second set.
For a long time I felt without style or grace
Wearing shoes with no socks in cold weather
I knew my heart was in the right place
I knew I'd be able to do these things
And as we watch him digging his own grave
It is important to know that was where he's at
He can't afford to stop, that is what he believe
He'll keep on digging for a thousand years
I'm walking a line, I'm thinking about empty motion
I'm walking a line, just barely enough to be living
Get out of the way, no time to begin
This isn't the time, so nothing was done
Not talking about, not many at all
I'm turning around, no trouble at all
You notice there's nothing around you, around you
I'm walking a line, divide and dissolve
Never get to say much, never get to talk
Tell us a little bit, but not too much
Right about then, is where she give up
She has closed her eyes, she has give up hope
I'm walking a line, I hate to be dreaming in motion
I'm walking a line, just barely enough to be living
Get out of the way, no time to begin
This isn't the time, so nothing was done
Not talking about, not many at all
I'm turning around, no trouble at all
I'm keeping my fingers behind me, behind me
I'm walking a line, divide and dissolve
I'm walking a line, visiting houses in motion
I'm walking a line, just barely enough to be living
Get out of the way, no time to begin
This isn't the time, so nothing was done
Not talking about, not many at all
I'm turning around, no trouble at all
Two different houses surround you, 'round you