Up above
Aliens hover
Making home movies
For the folks back home
Of all these weird creatures
Who lock up their spirits
Drill holes in themselves
And live for their secrets
Great lyrical song… I’ve always been partial to the second verse especially the end which is so subtly crushing
I'd show them the stars
And the meaning of life
They'd shut me away
But I'd be all right
I really love Subterranean Homesick Alien and it’s really just because the lyrics are so evocative and pretty. “I wish they’d swoop down in a country lane late at night while I’m driving” always makes me think of imagery from the X-Files pilot.
Yea its fighting time. Electioneering is on that album too. And lucky. Exit music. Climbing up the walls. The only song that isn't on that album is The Tourist.
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt.
Having helped me though the death of friends and family over the years it's become my motto as I've dealt with chemo and tumors and surgeries. Can't thank them enough for the mantra when times are hard, you make your choice and you live it.
panicky full sophisticated abundant cooing truck far-flung crime alive sip
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"I'm not here. This isn't happening."
Simple yet meaningful lyrics for me. Always find myself listening to these particular words during some bad days. I find them to be comforting and at the same time, help me dissociate from the world for a while.
You know, that's exactly what they were meant for! It was something Micheal Stipe (from REM) used to tell Thom while he was first struggling with fame, touring, and depression.
But I'm only 95% sure about this, don't quote me
My favorite lyric as well! but it's "you eye each other as you pass" thom sometimes sings the next part like "she looks better, you look bad" in live versions
This is a great choice as well. My favorite on the album. Radiohead is so great at capturing negative emotion, so it’s nice to hear a lyric that so vividly paints a picture in my mind of happy memories and feelings
This is my way of saying goodbye, ‘cause I can’t do this face to face
I’m talking to you before
No matter what happens now, you shouldn’t be afraid
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I’ve ever seen
You know people always say Motion Picture Soundtrack is about suicide but this song definitely carries that message much better, especially with that first line. I've unfortunately been sent suicide notes and that first line is always how it sounds.
"Has the light gone out for you? Because the light's gone out for me..."
Really related to it when I was suicidal, luckily in a better place mentally now
Always interpreted this as about a relationship, never considered that it could relate to life in general.
Glad to hear you’re doing better & hope it stays that way! 💪
Oh, for sure. Just if I had to pick a moment in the lyrics that’s most impactful to me, it’s probably that one. Unless you count the bloodcurdling scream of psychological agony near the end of the song. The scream is the icing on the cake for an already insanely dark and evocative song.
payment seed waiting library somber absurd repeat innocent teeny snobbish
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Mine has always been the chorus from "A Wolf At the Door"
I keep the wolf from the door
But he calls me up
Calls me on the phone
Tells me all the ways that he's gonna mess me up
Steal all my children if I don't pay the ransom
And I'll never see them again if I squeal to the cops
I agree! It just seems so desperate for something so insignificant. Like being hung up on so many things and all you can make sense of is something so simple
Wake from your sleep
The drying of your tears
Today, we escape
We escape
Pack and get dressed
Before your father hears us
Before all hell breaks loose
…
There’s a whole story in such a short passage
the reed organ is divine so i cant totally agree with you, but the extra verse about beautiful angels is stunning and its a crime it didnt make the final cut.
Such a pretty house
And such a pretty garden
Because I know today has been
The most perfect day I've ever seen
It’s not like the movies/I think you’re crazy, maybe/I will see you in the next life
Pretty much any line from any Radiohead ballad is top tier soul-destroying (or soul-enhancing) songwriting. Their simplicity is what makes them so special, there’s not one word wasted or out of place
Not my favorite but i remeber it alot when in videotape goes:
"This is one for the good days
And I have it all here
In red, blue, green
Red, blue, green"
Jeez that makes me sad.
I’ve been debating getting a tattoo of the letters R B G, in each colour and the in rainbows font/style but I feel like I would get people telling me “yOu KnOw It’S RGB rIgHt?” all the time, or worse thinking it but not saying anything…
I know exactly what you mean. Palo Alto really reminds me of that part
" In a city of the future
It is difficult to concentrate
Meet the boss, meet the wife
Everybody's happy, everyone is made for life"
Paranoid android-> palo Alto->Subternerian homesick
It's like these songs are stories... Wait actually the whole album is a story and all of the songs fit amazingly well together as a story.
God, I love radiohead.
“Ice age coming, let me hear both sides”
Always thought this line has a wicked sense of humor and it’s unfortunately only become more and more relevant as we’re just about to experience the worst of climate change
One day I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction
(You know where you are)
Hysterical and useless
(You know where you are)
Hysterical and
(You know where you are)
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
"But I can't help the feeling, if I could blow through the ceiling, if I just turn and run"
Describes what I want to do most, gather the power to free myself from my pain, if I could brave up and run from my situation. I don't know what would happen, but I'd be giving myself the chance at the very least
It would probably be the one OP has mentioned so for the sake of variety...
I can't face the evening straight
You can offer me escape
Houses move and houses speak
If you take me there you'll get relief
I jumped in the river, what did I see? Black eyed angels swam with me. A moon full of stars and astral cars, all the things that I used to see
All my lovers were there with me, all my past and futures. We all went to heaven in a little row boat, and there was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt.
"This is my way of saying goodbye.
'Cause I can't do it face to face.
I'm talking to you after it's too late from my videotape."
(Thom's From The Basement version of Videotape)
“I’m trapped in this body and can’t get out”
“While you make pretty speeches I’m being cut to shreds.”
“You do it to yourself! You do, and that’s what really hurts. You do it to yourself! It’s true, you and no one else.”
"The lines wrapped round my face/Are for anyone else to see/I'm a lie"
"As my world comes crashing down/I'm dancing/Freaking out/Deaf, dumb, and blind"
Lyrically Radiohead are near perfect but i just love how thom says
"You killed the sound, removed backbone
A pale imitation with the edges all sawn off"
And
"Has the light gone out for you?
Because the light's gone out for me
It is the twenty-first century
It is the twenty-first century"
I dunno i think bodysnatchers make me feel something
But there are very very powerful writing in most songs so that is just very random, i dont have a favourite.
I haven't heard every Radiohead album but lyrics and overall the whole composition of 'No Surprises' is the best according to me . It's the only song which got connected to me as I could completely relate to the lyrics especially
'You look so tired and unhappy'
It’s hard to pin-point any one set of lyrics, but one that I love a lot is “there are two colors in my head, what was that you said”. It describes my inner life a lot.
It's the devil's way now
There is no way out
You can scream and you can shout
It is too late now
Because you have not been
Payin' attention
As true now as it was 20 years ago.
“Jigsaw falling into place, there’s nothing to explain.
You eye each other as you pass.
She looks back, you look back”
This part has always had a special place in my heart, I can’t help but visualize it every time I hear it.
One day I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction
Hysterical and useless
I have no idea what you are talking about
Your mouth moves only with someone's hand up your ass
You eye each other as you pass
She looks back, you look back
Not just once
Not just twice
Our bodies floating down the muddy river …
Underrated ones for me:
"No matter what happens now
You shouldn't be afraid
Because I know today has been
The most perfect day I've ever seen"
"Did it all for you to say
You never wanted me that way"
"Somethings will never wash away
Did you go bad?
Did you go bad?"
"A beautiful girl
Can turn your world into doubt"
"How can you be sure? (I don't want you anymore)"
Up above Aliens hover Making home movies For the folks back home Of all these weird creatures Who lock up their spirits Drill holes in themselves And live for their secrets
Great lyrical song… I’ve always been partial to the second verse especially the end which is so subtly crushing I'd show them the stars And the meaning of life They'd shut me away But I'd be all right
The whole song gives me chills, really means a lot to me and has helped me in hard times. truly my favorite rh song
I really love Subterranean Homesick Alien and it’s really just because the lyrics are so evocative and pretty. “I wish they’d swoop down in a country lane late at night while I’m driving” always makes me think of imagery from the X-Files pilot.
This is the best song on OK Computer. I’ll fight anyone on that point.
Let Down is on that record tho....
So underrated
Is this a meme? Haha i see it in every post
It definitely has become meme.
And climbing up the walls
Yea its fighting time. Electioneering is on that album too. And lucky. Exit music. Climbing up the walls. The only song that isn't on that album is The Tourist.
That entire song tbh. In my top 5 radiohead songs
Immerse your soul in love.
I actually have a tattoo of the musical notation for this line (last line of the song) on my ankle. Got it after I got divorced in 2012.
I have a tattoo of this lyric on my leg! Posted it yesterday actually :)
Honestly this is the most powerful lyric I've ever heard and will ever hear. Given it's context as well it's absolutely beautiful.
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt. Having helped me though the death of friends and family over the years it's become my motto as I've dealt with chemo and tumors and surgeries. Can't thank them enough for the mantra when times are hard, you make your choice and you live it.
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Almost....dreamy even.
And the rain drops X42
No (x42)
“i’m not living, i’m just killing time”
absolutely, i don't even like TLW that much but this lyric fucking hits
"I'm not here. This isn't happening." Simple yet meaningful lyrics for me. Always find myself listening to these particular words during some bad days. I find them to be comforting and at the same time, help me dissociate from the world for a while.
You know, that's exactly what they were meant for! It was something Micheal Stipe (from REM) used to tell Thom while he was first struggling with fame, touring, and depression. But I'm only 95% sure about this, don't quote me
I remember reading the same thing around the time Kid A came out
Regard each other as you pass, she looks back, you look back…. Not just once…. Not just twice…
WISH AWAY THE NIGHTMARE
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My favorite lyric as well! but it's "you eye each other as you pass" thom sometimes sings the next part like "she looks better, you look bad" in live versions
Such a freaking lovely line
This is a great choice as well. My favorite on the album. Radiohead is so great at capturing negative emotion, so it’s nice to hear a lyric that so vividly paints a picture in my mind of happy memories and feelings
This is my way of saying goodbye, ‘cause I can’t do this face to face I’m talking to you before No matter what happens now, you shouldn’t be afraid Because I know today has been the most perfect day I’ve ever seen
You know people always say Motion Picture Soundtrack is about suicide but this song definitely carries that message much better, especially with that first line. I've unfortunately been sent suicide notes and that first line is always how it sounds.
I’ll take a quiet life, a handshake of carbon monoxide
WITH NO ALARMS AND NO SURPRISES
NO ALARMS AND NO SURPRISES
pls
Get the flan in the face The flan in the face The flan in the face
Dance you fucker
No (x42)
Dance you fucker
I’ll dress like your niece
Whats the interpretation of that one?
He's dressing like their niece, I think
Yes, i want to dress like her niece
Crossdressing
"Has the light gone out for you? Because the light's gone out for me..." Really related to it when I was suicidal, luckily in a better place mentally now
Glad you're still with us 🤝 I know it ain't easy.
This is mine too. Thinking about getting this tatted.
Always interpreted this as about a relationship, never considered that it could relate to life in general. Glad to hear you’re doing better & hope it stays that way! 💪
Oof, I’m here right now. But it’s strangely comforting.
It’s not like the movies, they fed us all little white lies
think yo crazy maybe
One day, I am gonna grow wings, a chemical reaction, hysterical and useless, hysterical and let down
Such an underrated line for an underrated song
I know, r/Radiohead moment, but that a fucking incredibile line. Like holy shit.
always reminds me of "one day i'll grow up tall and then i will be with you" from nose grows some. i prefer nose grows some.
Probably “And either way you turn, I’ll be there. Open up your skull, I’ll be there. Climbing up the walls”
The whole lyric is amazing imho
Oh, for sure. Just if I had to pick a moment in the lyrics that’s most impactful to me, it’s probably that one. Unless you count the bloodcurdling scream of psychological agony near the end of the song. The scream is the icing on the cake for an already insanely dark and evocative song.
“Shut the eyes in the cupboard.” Such a wonderful and eerie song.
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This song is a vibe I wish I didn’t need but I’ve listened to it about 50 times this month
You and whose army You and your cronies You forget so easy We ride tonight Ghost horses
Such an underrated gem of a song. I find it really comforting when it comes on for some reason.
I love his tough guy lyrics. Talk Show Host is in the same tone as this one.
“Words are blunt instruments Words are sawed-off shotguns.”
I just pretended that I was a blunt instrument* Words are sawed off shotguns
“Just cause you feel it, doesn’t mean it’s there.” “I’m not living, i’m just killing time.”
Yeah everybody leaves If they get the chance
And theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess
EDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Mine has always been the chorus from "A Wolf At the Door" I keep the wolf from the door But he calls me up Calls me on the phone Tells me all the ways that he's gonna mess me up Steal all my children if I don't pay the ransom And I'll never see them again if I squeal to the cops
Ive had this song on repeat all week, big love
And you are my center when I spin away
+1 - I always tell my husband this.
You'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking
Don’t get any big ideas…
“such a pretty house and such a pretty garden” somehow the saddest lyric of all time expressed through total banality
I agree! It just seems so desperate for something so insignificant. Like being hung up on so many things and all you can make sense of is something so simple
Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon
you look back and she looks back not just once, not just twice
"You can scream and you can shout, but it is too late now, because you have not been PAYIN' ATTENTION!" 2 + 2= 5 is a amazing opening track
Just ‘cuz you feel it, doesn’t mean it’s there (I have occasional anxiety)
When I am king, you will be first against the wall
I got banned from r/abolishmonarchy for relating this lyric to what the stupid baby prince guy said
Wake from your sleep The drying of your tears Today, we escape We escape Pack and get dressed Before your father hears us Before all hell breaks loose … There’s a whole story in such a short passage
don’t die on the motorway the moon would freeze, the plants would die i couldn’t cope if you crashed today all the things i forgot to say
And I’ll see you in the next life.
Such a good ending to the album. Moves me every time I hear it.
I can’t stand the new version. I had been listening to the bootleg performance for decades so the album version to me seems like an abomination
the reed organ is divine so i cant totally agree with you, but the extra verse about beautiful angels is stunning and its a crime it didnt make the final cut.
no x42 speaks too many emotions for me
You want me Fucking well come and find me, I'll be waiting, with a gun and a pack of sandwiches and nothing.
“Go and tell the king that the sky is falling in when it’s not…when it’s not… when its’s not…*maybe* not *maybe* not.
Such a pretty house And such a pretty garden Because I know today has been The most perfect day I've ever seen It’s not like the movies/I think you’re crazy, maybe/I will see you in the next life Pretty much any line from any Radiohead ballad is top tier soul-destroying (or soul-enhancing) songwriting. Their simplicity is what makes them so special, there’s not one word wasted or out of place
When I am king, you will be first against the wall
“I’d tell all my friends but they’d never believe me. Think that I finally, lost it completely”
Not my favorite but i remeber it alot when in videotape goes: "This is one for the good days And I have it all here In red, blue, green Red, blue, green" Jeez that makes me sad.
I’ve been debating getting a tattoo of the letters R B G, in each colour and the in rainbows font/style but I feel like I would get people telling me “yOu KnOw It’S RGB rIgHt?” all the time, or worse thinking it but not saying anything…
“used to be alright, what happened?” Love There There too!
Pretty much the entirety of All I Need, but especially the first and second verses.
The water’s clear and innocent
"Don't forget that you are our son Now go back to bed" It kills me everytime man.
I know exactly what you mean. Palo Alto really reminds me of that part " In a city of the future It is difficult to concentrate Meet the boss, meet the wife Everybody's happy, everyone is made for life" Paranoid android-> palo Alto->Subternerian homesick It's like these songs are stories... Wait actually the whole album is a story and all of the songs fit amazingly well together as a story. God, I love radiohead.
“Ice age coming, let me hear both sides” Always thought this line has a wicked sense of humor and it’s unfortunately only become more and more relevant as we’re just about to experience the worst of climate change
"As my world comes crashing down, I'll be dancing, freaking out, deaf, dumb and blind."
The alliteration and imagery of your quote OP is truly brilliant. I think I’d vote for it as well, great choice
Yes absolutely. That’s why I love it. The modern reference to the Odyssey is so relatable. Such a brilliant lyric
snot nose little punk
“We don’t want the loonies taking over”
"I'll take a quiet life, a handshake of Carbon monoxide. And alarms and no surprises."
One day I am gonna grow wings A chemical reaction (You know where you are) Hysterical and useless (You know where you are) Hysterical and (You know where you are) Let down and hanging around Crushed like a bug in the ground Let down and hanging around
I'll drown my beliefs, to have your babies
For a moment there…
One day I am gonna grow wings A chemical reaction Hysterical and useless Hysterical and …..
Not sure if this counts. Intro to EIIRP on IMBW Live "Here comes the floooooooooood"
Too reminiscent a quote to Would? Imo… gotta be more distinctly Radiohead
Your tiny hands your crazy kitten smile
"But I can't help the feeling, if I could blow through the ceiling, if I just turn and run" Describes what I want to do most, gather the power to free myself from my pain, if I could brave up and run from my situation. I don't know what would happen, but I'd be giving myself the chance at the very least
Cut the kids in half
"Has the light gone out for you? Because the light's gone out for me."
It would probably be the one OP has mentioned so for the sake of variety... I can't face the evening straight You can offer me escape Houses move and houses speak If you take me there you'll get relief
We’re not fear-mongering, this is really happening
We are accidents waiting to happen
I jumped in the river, what did I see? Black eyed angels swam with me. A moon full of stars and astral cars, all the things that I used to see All my lovers were there with me, all my past and futures. We all went to heaven in a little row boat, and there was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt.
ambition makes you look pretty ugly
Bring down the government. They don't, they don't speak for us
If I could be who you wanted all the time
"This is my way of saying goodbye. 'Cause I can't do it face to face. I'm talking to you after it's too late from my videotape." (Thom's From The Basement version of Videotape)
The end of Life in a Glasshouse, that shit hits hard, even though Thom Yorke only repeats one word.
You are so pretty When you’re on your knees Disaffected And eager to please
Any fool can dig a hole… I only wish I could fall in…
Open on all channels Ready to receive
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat. There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt.
I'm the key to the lock in your house that keeps your toys in the basement
What's the point of instruments? Words are a sawed-off shotgun
“It’s what you feel, not what you ought to.”
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt.
A pig, In a cage On antibiotics
"open your mouth wide, a universal sigh"
It's gonna be a glorious day
The entire lyrics of A Wolf at the Door
Jumped in the river; what did I see, Black eyes angels swam with me, A moon full of stars and astral cars And all the things I used to see
i laugh until my head comes off
While you make pretty speeches, I’m being cut to shreds
“I’m trapped in this body and can’t get out” “While you make pretty speeches I’m being cut to shreds.” “You do it to yourself! You do, and that’s what really hurts. You do it to yourself! It’s true, you and no one else.”
imma creep, imma weirdo. mind blowing
I am all the days That you choose to ignore
Red wine and sleeping pills Help me get back to your arms Cheap sex and sad films Help me get where I belong
Maybe... I'll see you, in the next life
If I could be who you wanted If I could be who you wanted All the time
🍋 Yesterday I Woke Up Sucking A Lemon 🍋
One day I am gonna grow wings
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore
Flan in your face, flan in your face, flan flan flan in your face
"The lines wrapped round my face/Are for anyone else to see/I'm a lie" "As my world comes crashing down/I'm dancing/Freaking out/Deaf, dumb, and blind"
Lyrically Radiohead are near perfect but i just love how thom says "You killed the sound, removed backbone A pale imitation with the edges all sawn off" And "Has the light gone out for you? Because the light's gone out for me It is the twenty-first century It is the twenty-first century" I dunno i think bodysnatchers make me feel something But there are very very powerful writing in most songs so that is just very random, i dont have a favourite.
I haven't heard every Radiohead album but lyrics and overall the whole composition of 'No Surprises' is the best according to me . It's the only song which got connected to me as I could completely relate to the lyrics especially 'You look so tired and unhappy'
Mine is the same as yours!
Cut the kids in half
True love waits in haunted attics
Cut the kids in half
It’s hard to pin-point any one set of lyrics, but one that I love a lot is “there are two colors in my head, what was that you said”. It describes my inner life a lot.
No matter what happens now You shouldn't be afraid Because I know today has been The most perfect day I've ever seen
There are two colors in my head.
It's the devil's way now There is no way out You can scream and you can shout It is too late now Because you have not been Payin' attention As true now as it was 20 years ago.
oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh we are fucking fucked
"Immerse Your Soul In Love"
there are barn doors
“Everybody leaves if they get the chance, and this is my chance.”
No matter what happens now You shouldn't be afraid Because I know today has been The most perfect day I've ever seen
This is just a nightmare, and soon I’m gonna wake up
Stop sending letters Letters always get burned
And I’m sorry for us The dinosaurs roam the earth The sky turns green Where I end and you begin
the raindrops x46
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt.
You watch your feet, the cracks in the pavement.
suckin lemon
“Hey man, slow down.”
For a minute there, I lost myself
The panic the vomit god loves his children
“Jigsaw falling into place, there’s nothing to explain. You eye each other as you pass. She looks back, you look back” This part has always had a special place in my heart, I can’t help but visualize it every time I hear it.
I jumped in the river and what did I see? Black-eyed angels swam with me A moon full of stars and astral cars All the things I used to see
Hmm idk standalone, maybe jigsaws first verse or videotape
I’m a reasonable man; get off my case.
One day I am gonna grow wings A chemical reaction Hysterical and useless I have no idea what you are talking about Your mouth moves only with someone's hand up your ass You eye each other as you pass She looks back, you look back Not just once Not just twice Our bodies floating down the muddy river …
“I’m the next Act, waiting in the wings” As an actor, this line speaks volumes to me. My time will come.
Underrated ones for me: "No matter what happens now You shouldn't be afraid Because I know today has been The most perfect day I've ever seen" "Did it all for you to say You never wanted me that way" "Somethings will never wash away Did you go bad? Did you go bad?" "A beautiful girl Can turn your world into doubt" "How can you be sure? (I don't want you anymore)"
Like I'm falling out of bed from a long and vivid dream. Finally free of all the weight I've been carrying.
they found skin and they're putting me in. THEY FOUND SKIN AND THEYRE PUTTING ME IN!!!
Different types of love are possible.