Maryland Folk Artist Danah Denice Covers Talking Heads Classic

Denice's piano ballad interpretation of 'Once in a Lifetime' offers a gentle, emotional take on the iconic song.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:38am

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An abstract composition of stark, jagged black and white geometric shapes, conceptually representing the introspective nature of Danah Denice's piano cover of 'Once in a Lifetime.'Danah Denice's piano ballad cover of the Talking Heads' 'Once in a Lifetime' offers a gentle, emotional interpretation of the iconic song.Stevensville Today

Danah Denice, a folk artist from Stevensville, Maryland, has released a cover of the Talking Heads' classic song 'Once in a Lifetime.' Denice's version transforms the track into a tender, soft-spoken piano ballad, giving the lyrics a more introspective and emotional tone.

Why it matters

Denice's cover provides a fresh interpretation of the Talking Heads' iconic song, exploring the deeper meaning behind David Byrne's lyrics through a slower, more contemplative arrangement. The cover showcases Denice's artistry and ability to reinterpret well-known songs in a unique way.

The details

In her own words, Denice explains that she heard Byrne's lyrics as a plea to appreciate the present moment and the people in our lives, rather than a mocking of materialism. This perspective led her to slow down the tempo and transform the song into a piano ballad, aiming to capture a sense of gentleness and emotion.

  • Denice's cover of 'Once in a Lifetime' was released on March 30, 2026.

The players

Danah Denice

A folk artist from Stevensville, Maryland, who has released a cover of the Talking Heads' classic song 'Once in a Lifetime.'

David Byrne

The lead singer and songwriter of the Talking Heads, whose lyrics for 'Once in a Lifetime' inspired Denice's interpretation of the song.

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What they’re saying

“Many people interpret David Byrne's lyrics as mocking 'yuppies' and materialism. I hear Byrne pleading with us to appreciate all we have, where we live, the people in our lives. That idea took the song to a different place in my head. Byrne and Eno seem to be asking us to slow down: 'How did I get here?' So, I thought I'd slow the song down and see where it takes us.”

— Danah Denice, Folk Artist

The takeaway

Denice's cover of 'Once in a Lifetime' offers a fresh perspective on the Talking Heads classic, transforming it into a gentle, emotional piano ballad that explores the deeper meaning behind the lyrics. Her interpretation showcases her artistry and ability to reinterpret well-known songs in a unique way.