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Talk Talk — Life's What You Make It
Album: The Colour of Spring
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2673









Released: 1986
Length: 4:15
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Baby, life's what you make it
Can't escape it
Baby, yesterday's favourite
Don't you hate it?

(Everything's alright) life's what you make it
(Everything's alright)

Baby, life's what you make it
Don't backdate it
Baby, don't try to shade it
Beauty is naked

(Everything's alright) life's what you make it
(Everything's alright) what you make it

Baby, life's what you make it
Celebrate it
Anticipate it
Yesterday's faded
Nothing can change it
Life's what you make it

(Everything's alright) life's what you make it
(Everything's alright) life's what you make it
(Everything's alright)
(Everything's alright) yeah, heh
(Everything's alright) make it, make it
(Everything's alright) life's what you make it
Comments (190)add comment
Great follow-up to "I Still Believe."  DJ-curated radio?  I still believe.
Posted 3 days ago by knitmills    [ Reply ]
 Talus1 wrote:

Back in the early 90s, when this song was still relatively new, I lived in a pretty crappy apartment building in Toronto - not the worst neighbourhood, but far from the best. The building’s tenants represented a fair cross-section of local humanity and there was the usual amount of human drama. One summer weeknight, around 2am, a couple was having a loud argument on the front lawn, right beneath my open windows. The gist seemed to be that the guy had done something the girl found unforgivable. She kept yelling “You treat me despicable!” and he, somewhat more quietly, was yelling that he was sorry and she should forgive him. This went on for probably half an hour. Other tenants eventually started yelling at them to shut up, but the argument kept going. I finally threw The Colour of Spring on my turntable and cranked Life’s What You Make It up loud. I don’t know if they could hear it, but the argument ended shortly afterwards. I have no idea who they were or if they stayed together, but I like to think that Mark Hollis’s advice helped her make her mind up.



Awesome solution! Cool story to share.
Posted 4 weeks ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Back in the early 90s, when this song was still relatively new, I lived in a pretty crappy apartment building in Toronto - not the worst neighbourhood, but far from the best. The building’s tenants represented a fair cross-section of local humanity and there was the usual amount of human drama. One summer weeknight, around 2am, a couple was having a loud argument on the front lawn, right beneath my open windows. The gist seemed to be that the guy had done something the girl found unforgivable. She kept yelling “You treat me despicable!” and he, somewhat more quietly, was yelling that he was sorry and she should forgive him. This went on for probably half an hour. Other tenants eventually started yelling at them to shut up, but the argument kept going. I finally threw The Colour of Spring on my turntable and cranked Life’s What You Make It up loud. I don’t know if they could hear it, but the argument ended shortly afterwards. I have no idea who they were or if they stayed together, but I like to think that Mark Hollis’s advice helped her make her mind up.
Posted 1 year ago by Talus1    [ Reply ]
This is a 10. Turn it up!
Posted 1 year ago by wanderinglevel    [ Reply ]
truer word have never been said so beautifully 
Posted 1 year ago by admascott    [ Reply ]
Mark Hollis.. A legend.
Gone, but never forgotten.
Posted 2 years ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
One of, if not THE, most underrated bands of the 80s. 
Posted 2 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
The colour of spring..  Well worth a listen.
Posted 2 years ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Suddenly ripped from my office chair and transported back to my last year as a teenager-a tough time in life but made better by endless days racing around the countryside lost in the incredible sounds of the 80's.  Life's what you make it, Can't escape it. 
Posted 3 years ago by Kingsized    [ Reply ]
WOOOHOO!!!! 
Posted 3 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
I don't usually compare, but I really thought this was Pete Townshend.
Posted 3 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
 igor wrote:

Allen_Saunders said that.



Aye
Posted 3 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 CCSandman wrote:

Everything about this track is awesome




I Agree! The more I hear it, the more I like it!!  Thanx RP!
Posted 3 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Everything about this track is awesome
Posted 3 years ago by CCSandman    [ Reply ]
Excellent!!  I never heard this tune before.  Thanx RP!
Posted 4 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
favorite song from them! {#Music}
Posted 4 years ago by miamizsun    [ Reply ]
Pure sublime perfection!
Posted 4 years ago by xc.farmer.antoine486    [ Reply ]
Steve Winwood runs thru this...
Posted 4 years ago by earthpages.org    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

Album cover art reminds me of Miro.


If you haven't been, and you get the chance, visit the Fundació Joan Miró Museum in Barcelona.  Stunning.
Posted 4 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:
Life's what you make it. 

True!

But John Lennon was also right 

so is death...

Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:

HELL YEAH! That confident, daringly discordant piano, that screaming guitar, that cathartic percussion and ultimate bad-assed vocals!

gosh, and here I thought it was the gin talkin'...just bumped it up

Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
It seems I overlooked this band at the time but this has really grown on me.
Posted 4 years ago by NoisyMiner    [ Reply ]
Just listen to the opening track of Eden. The best ever. A genius.
Posted 4 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
The anthem of my youth. A time machine. The smell of mown grass on a summer morning. This song is magic for me.
Posted 4 years ago by bforr    [ Reply ]
This is an interesting listen

https://open.spotify.com/album...

Artists inspired by and covering Talk Talk
Posted 5 years ago by Dan888    [ Reply ]
They were gods amongst musicians!
Posted 5 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]

An amazing concert version of the song .

https://youtu.be/B_E-B6982s0
Posted 5 years ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
Love this tune! Truth is spoken.

RIP Mark.  Such a voice.  Early MTV favorite.
Posted 5 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Life's what you make it. 

True!

But John Lennon was also right 

Posted 5 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
This song always made me happy. I remember pounding the speakers out of my little 1982 Ford Escort hatchback, flying down the highway to some TAlk TAlk. Love is what you make it. 
Posted 5 years ago by MavenofMayhem    [ Reply ]
This simply does not age, still great! 
Posted 5 years ago by Pickiwicki    [ Reply ]
I'm young again. 
Posted 6 years ago by annds    [ Reply ]
 Easyrider wrote:
This album is simply incredible,RIP Mark🙏
 

+1 - one of the absolute best albums of all time - as beautiful as its cover and title.

a landmark
Posted 6 years ago by saellig668552    [ Reply ]
This album is simply incredible,RIP Mark🙏
Posted 6 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Stupendous album, start to finish.  Massively underrated.
Posted 6 years ago by dfphillips1    [ Reply ]
There really should be an award handed out to Talk Talk, posthumously for Mark Hollis (RIP), of course. For Most Severely Underrated Act/Band Of Kinda All Time. Everything 9 or 10s always. 
Posted 6 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
RIP Mark Hollis.  You left us a masterpiece with this beautiful album.  
Posted 7 years ago by Dazzerb    [ Reply ]
Life is what you make it, alright. You certainly enriched mine, Mr Hollis. Thanks and good luck on your journey.
Posted 7 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Desert island disc for me. Never gets old. 
Posted 7 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
HELL YEAH! That confident, daringly discordant piano, that screaming guitar, that cathartic percussion and ultimate bad-assed vocals!

 
After that comment, there is nothing left to say!
Posted 7 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
{#Hearteyes}
Posted 8 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
Brilliant band!!
Posted 8 years ago by Lyndont    [ Reply ]
Love that guitar riff! {#Guitarist}
I miss the 80's {#Sorry}
Posted 8 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
{#Hearteyes} {#Crown} {#Good-vibes}
Posted 8 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
One of the best songs and videos of the era 
Posted 8 years ago by vanillagorilla    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy}     {#Notworthy}     {#Notworthy}
Posted 8 years ago by Noé    [ Reply ]
Probably their best song
Posted 8 years ago by alainh    [ Reply ]
{#Roflol}
Posted 8 years ago by spiritfla    [ Reply ]
HELL YEAH! That confident, daringly discordant piano, that screaming guitar, that cathartic percussion, and those totally bad-assed vocals -- such an immortal jam!
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
My favorite  !!!! {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 8 years ago by Noé    [ Reply ]
Album cover art reminds me of Miro.
Posted 9 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Yes. Perfect.
Posted 9 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
30 years later, such a simple sentiment, and yet I really need to hear it today.
Posted 10 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
I've been listening to the Color of Spring on loop for weeks. Love Mark Hollis!
Posted 10 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
Always loved this band, from the time the hypnotic video with the giraffes out on the veldt was all over MTV. I wonder if Yo La Tengo consciously sampled the piano from this in their delicious "Moby Octopad." In any case, everything here resonates so incredibly well...
Posted 10 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
One of the most under rated bands of all time!! Their early records before they got radio play were so experimental and way ahead of their time, and thus timeless!
Posted 10 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
 ddog wrote:
I under appreciated this band in the 80's..  {#Frown}

 
Me too!  {#Foot-in-mouth}
Posted 10 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
 ddog wrote:
I under appreciated this band in the 80's..  {#Frown}

 
Everybody did.    we should make up for it.
Posted 10 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
9    (really cool song imo : )
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
I under appreciated this band in the 80's..  {#Frown}
Posted 10 years ago by ddog    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

I totally get this, but...what, no soundtrack? Really? Like, everyone has a soundtrack. Or so I thought.

 
Oh?

Please explain.  
Posted 10 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
The Radiohead of the 80s perhaps?
Brilliant song from a unique band.
Posted 11 years ago by Padutarb    [ Reply ]
 igor wrote:

Allen_Saunders said that.

 
You sure it wasn't Custer?
Posted 11 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Aahh....Sophomore year....
 
Posted 11 years ago by hempmandan    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:

Well, not really.

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."

- John Lennon

 
Allen_Saunders said that.


Posted 11 years ago by igor    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

Women at twerk.

 
{#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by tragic_king    [ Reply ]
Such and unappreciated band.
Posted 11 years ago by akdavey    [ Reply ]
 oldsaxon wrote:

Life's what you make it.   :)

 
Well, not really.

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."

- John Lennon
Posted 11 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Going for the trifecta here...

I was only aware of Talk Talk's single "Talk Talk" before being exposed to the wide range of their work on RP. Reinforces why I listen to RP regularly.
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
One of the best bands no one has ever heard of 
Posted 11 years ago by tpwals    [ Reply ]
 Bazooka wrote:
Something is seriously wrong. Google =: 


 
Women at twerk.
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

I'll second that.  Was extremely busy in the late 1980s, early 1990s and missed a lot of music.

 
I totally get this, but...what, no soundtrack? Really? Like, everyone has a soundtrack. Or so I thought.
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

I'll second that.  Was extremely busy in the late 1980s, early 1990s and missed a lot of music.

 
Everything's alright. Life's what you make it.   :)
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Good song
But life is not only what you make it
You have some cards you are dealt (destiny).. you can change some things, far from all
Maybe 
Posted 12 years ago by OHMish    [ Reply ]
I so needed to hear this now! Thanks for playing it. :)
Posted 12 years ago by k1j2cat    [ Reply ]
Not to get all preachy and stuff - but a very wise life lesson....this awesome song!  {#Whisper}  
Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Enjoy the song very much. Anyone else hearing the enormous Who/Townsend elements permeating the song?
Posted 12 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]
This is the original - this is THE best version, hands down.

No other crap covers......{#No} 
Posted 12 years ago by d48m02h1918    [ Reply ]
Just a great band. Thanks for playing!
Posted 12 years ago by fiddler    [ Reply ]
I played this song over and over again on my cassette tape in my car for months, back in the 80's.  This song is timeless, could fit any age.
Posted 13 years ago by Gryn    [ Reply ]
It's interesting to follow this band through their progression of albums. Their first is one that I like to put on when I want to rock out. Their last, I put on when I dim the lights and lay on the couch as I ponder the universe. Quite a swath of musical emotions..
Posted 13 years ago by k-man    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:
i can't rate this any higher than a 10? one of my favs.
 
Sure you can....just try a little harder!
Posted 13 years ago by Rockit    [ Reply ]
Wow. I almost forgot about this one. Thanks!
Posted 13 years ago by von_Hayek    [ Reply ]
i can't rate this any higher than a 10? one of my favs.
Posted 13 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 k_trout wrote:
Thanks RP for introducing me to this terrific band.  I really really like everything I have heard from them and even bought me some of their music. 
 
I'll second that.  Was extremely busy in the late 1980s, early 1990s and missed a lot of music.
Posted 14 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Fine guitar-riff, and the singer squeezes it so high on the offbeats - nice to listen to! ( Norderney, Germany)
Posted 14 years ago by harmss    [ Reply ]
 justlistening wrote:
I find this to be so bland - musically, lyrically and vocally.
 

You nailed it. The late 80's in a nutshell... Most of the music was as vacuous as most of the early 60's- a cultural junkyard left to be mined by the great bands 10 years later for covers of the hits.
Posted 14 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP for introducing me to this terrific band.  I really really like everything I have heard from them and even bought me some of their music. 
Posted 14 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]
 Panama_Floyd wrote:
And I thought everyone had forgotten them.  

I must say I had until the first few measures of this tune...then BAM!  It just goes to show...memories aren't lost, we just forget the path.


Posted 14 years ago by DrCyKosis    [ Reply ]
These guys are great — should have enjoyed a lot more success. Some of the best stuff from the 80s. But unfortunately it wasn't widely heard until RP rescued it.


Posted 14 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
I find this to be so bland - musically, lyrically and vocally.
Posted 15 years ago by justlistening    [ Reply ]

more true than ever....{#Yes}


Posted 15 years ago by spiritfla    [ Reply ]

 Bazooka wrote:
Something is seriously wrong. Google =: 



 

That is really uncalled for.


Posted 15 years ago by Lumpy13    [ Reply ]
Yah!
Posted 15 years ago by derekd    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:
Yesterday's favorite — and forever a favorite for me!  {#Hearteyes}
 
Same here, perfect sound when at work !

Posted 15 years ago by bougui    [ Reply ]
Yesterday's favorite — and forever a favorite for me!  {#Hearteyes}
Posted 15 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
OH crap!
That was a harsh segue from Zero 7!  
Posted 15 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Bazooka wrote:
Something is seriously wrong. Google =: 



 
Yeah, life's what you make it.... while high on salvia divinorum and acting like a tart.

This song is excellent though.

Posted 15 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
 shawshank wrote:
love the the piano groove! {#Dancingbanana}
 
...and the drums!

Posted 15 years ago by df1489    [ Reply ]
GREAT MUSIC and GREAT COVERS!
Where the hell are they...?
Posted 15 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
LOVE TALK TALK LATECOMER TAKER-FOR-GRANTED-ER BACK WHEN LISTENING TO KLRB, LOVE TALK TALK GUSHING GODLIKE BRILLIANCE. FANK YOU FANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Posted 15 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
love the the piano groove! {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 16 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]
{#Cool}
Posted 16 years ago by stephanier    [ Reply ]
 j7 wrote:
Colours Of Spring is one of the 80's best
 
Without a doubt.

Posted 16 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
After Zero 7?  No no no... 
Posted 16 years ago by bobringer    [ Reply ]
The message in this song is quite true.....so why do so many of us make a mess of it? {#Stupid}

Posted 16 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 Bazooka wrote:
Something is seriously wrong. Google =: 



 
mommy, I'm frightened.
Posted 16 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
 j7 wrote:
Colours Of Spring is one of the 80's best
 

Agreed!
Posted 16 years ago by iscoot4peace    [ Reply ]
These guys along with Blue Nile sum up a huge part of the late '80's and '90's for me. Missing my youth!
Posted 16 years ago by starznhandz    [ Reply ]
Colours Of Spring is one of the 80's best
Posted 16 years ago by j7    [ Reply ]

a beauty


Posted 16 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Ooooooo love this song! {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 16 years ago by Bridieboo    [ Reply ]
Something is seriously wrong. Google =: 



Posted 16 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
 Pheral wrote:
Sorry, this one should have been left in the 80s where it belonged.
 
What..... left back in the 80s with the Yuppies, and the big hair, and the John Hughes films? That's too cruel! {#Mad}
Posted 16 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
oh i love this.
Posted 16 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 Pheral wrote:
Sorry, this one should have been left in the 80s where it belonged.
 
{#Ass} Amazing tune...amazing band, no matter the decade.

Posted 17 years ago by htowncoog    [ Reply ]
Sorry, this one should have been left in the 80s where it belonged.
Posted 17 years ago by Pheral    [ Reply ]
This guy sounds great, even though he sounds like he's suffering from motion sickness!  {#Smile}

Kudos again to RP for playing music by Talk Talk including some great stuff that, unlike this song, was not a big hit in the 80's.

Posted 17 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
And I thought everyone had forgotten them. Thanks, Bill...
Posted 17 years ago by Panama_Floyd    [ Reply ]
I I love love Talk Talk
Posted 17 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]