Stay with me on this: The first song is the angry "Psycho Killer," performed alone by David on a guitar, much like a protest singer upset at the status quo. However, he stumbles during it because he can't sustain its momentum on his own. Tina Weymouth arrives and performs "Heaven" with him, a more wistful and idealistic song, adding some depth to his anger. Now their movement can grow. The next song, "Thank You For Sending Me an Angel," introduces the drummer, Chris Frantz, who finally adds the rhythm and energy David lacked as their movement begins to build. Jerry Harrison arrives to complete the band's core members on "Found a Job," a song about banding together and collaborating, representing the power of community action.
The next few songs cover themes of chaos and revolution ("Slippery People," "Burning Down The House," "Life During Wartime") and "Swamp" is a straight-up Villain Song that feels like the anthem of the resident dictator. "What a Day That Was" sees this dictator overthrown, and the following songs ("This Must Be the Place," and "Once In a Lifetime") are about breaking from the old order and finding new meaning. Now this new community is large enough that they don't need David to do all their talking for them, leading to "Genius of Love," after which we find David's former protest leader character suffering an identity crisis (symbolized by his big suit, trapping him in a role he can't fill anymore) for "Girlfriend Is Better." But it all turns out ok, as "Take Me to the River" and "Crosseyed and Painless" extend the society to include the larger world, symbolized by the audience, who are welcomed joyously.
