| David Bowie – The Man Who Sold the World Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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First off, the Nirvana cover is nothing more than an absolute copy of Bowie's version. I don't mind cover songs if they bring a new perspective to the lyrics but Cobain did nothing more than try to reproduce it. Well, I always thought it was an encounter with the devil. 'we spoke of was and when Although I wasn't there, he said I was his friend' Devil is talking about some of the evils that have occurred. Because Bowie wasnt there and didnt help ie. looked the other way, he indirectly helped the devil get away with it. 'he said I was his friend'. Bowie thinks that such historic atrocities were things of the past 'I thought you died alone, a long long time ago'. But the devil tells him no. Evil still remains. And then in the final verse and chorus, Bowie switches it round to say - well actually the devil is inside all of us. Evil comes from within. We are the ones who sold the world. Before anyone starts complaining about religious interpretations, I see the devil as only a symbol of evil. And evil could be anything - capitalism, war, hate etc. My interpretation at least... |
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| Radiohead – Planet Telex Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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You can force it but it will stay stung You can crush it as dry as a bone You can walk it home straight from school You can kiss it, you can break all the rules But still Everything is broken Everyone is broken Everyone is, everyone is broken Everyone is, everything is broken Why can't you forget? Why can't you forget? Why can't you forget? The first verse is about fear and rejection and doubt. All those dark feelings. Could be any one of them. 'You can taste it but it will not form' - i think here he's trying to form words but can't express what he really wants to say. 'Chasing you home' supports this. The second verse seems to be about love. 'You can walk it home straight from school, You can kiss it'. 'It will stay stung' perhaps reveals that he has 'stung' someone in the past causing them to break up with him and though he would do anything to take it back, he can't. ----------------------------------------------------------- Many interpretations. But basically, Thom's saying that people on this Planet want what they can't have. Always. Whether thats love, happiness, to turn back time, to change regretful events etc etc. Everything is broken because we look at what we don't have instead of what we do. Thom's saying that it shouldn't be this way. We will never be completely satisfied and surely this is a malfunction in the human race. |
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| Radiohead – Thinking About You Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Translation: He's thinking about her and remembering all the time they spent together (eyes on the wall, teeth over there) Now she's become a success (star) He still imagines her in his life even though she no longer is (still see you in bed) He questions whether he should continue loving her (should I still love you?) Though the answer is probably no, he cant help it. But getting back together is never gonna happen (I'm playing with myself) He thinks he doesn't live up to his competitors (other men are far far better) But he was so nice to her (all the things you need) These new friends just want a slice of her success. (paid to kiss your feet) But why should she care what he thinks? (why should you care?) He would do anything for her. (Ive bled and I bleed to please you) - deperation at its finest. |
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| Radiohead – Creep Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Translation: She's amazing. (so fuckin special) I'm not. I dont fit in. (Im a creep) I would do anything to be like her. (dont care if it hurts). I want her to make me feel like I'm wanted. (notice when I'm not around). But I'm not. I dont fit in (dont belong here) But she's left me (she's running out the door) I would do anything for her (whatever you want) A break-up song through and through. He still thinks she's the dog bollocks. |
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| Radiohead – You Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Translation: She means everything to him (sun moon and stars) She doesn't see the relationship as straightforward as Thom thinks it is (working out chaotic things) But he asks himself why he can't understand what she's saying. (Why should I believe myself, not you?) And this is because he loves her too much. He knows he should just get over her (The world is gonna end) But again he can't. He feels as though his world (aka his relationship with her - it meant so much to him) has been destroyed (caught in the fire). |
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| Radiohead – Blow Out Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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The album is all about a break-up. And the different emotions you go through. This is a fitting ending. He's saying that everything he does is destructive. Even with best intentions. He's feeling sorry for himself basically. Because nothing has turned out like he hoped. |
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| Radiohead – Lurgee Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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He's over her. But then the last four verses reveal that really he's only trying to kid himself and deep down he wants to hear that she loves him (tell me something). And I got something. Means he still has feelings for her... |
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| Radiohead – I Can't Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| I Can't ... change what I've said. | |
| Radiohead – Prove Yourself Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Again this fits the Christ story well. It reminds me of Stop Whispering. Both are about Thom feeling low and him encouraging himself to Start Shouting/Prove himself. Very positive message though overall. It is about someone (Thom?) feeling low to the point of suicide. And the need to Prove Yourself is a reason to live. Prove to yourself to others that you can survive, that you can make a difference, that you can be a success. |
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| Radiohead – Vegetable Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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The Christ meaning is good. Fits. I think that Thom has broken up with someone and is angry at them. Translation: I was happy. (never wanted anything but this) Worked hard for it, but I was happy. (fought hard) But when you left... (everytime you're running out of here) I didnt want to be hurt by you. (scarred face) But you said some really mean things. (asphyxiate) And I use hate as a fuel. (burn all hate) Dont expect me to sit here and do nothing (chorus) The anger is flowing. (the waters break) Revenge time! (and this time youre gonna pay) |
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| Radiohead – Ripcord Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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A thousand miles an hour In politics and power That you don't understand The answer to your prayers will drop you anywhere. Great line. Be Careful what you wish for. Soul destroyed with clever toys is saying the same thing. You're free until you drop. In the plane you're comfortable zooming along and then you want more. So you jump out and you're no longer in control and its tragic. Thats about all I could suck out of it... |
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| Radiohead – Anyone Can Play Guitar Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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No. I took my tmie making my mind up but i've come to my conclusion. Whilst Thom probably does hate the idea of rock icons, tying it in with the rest of the album - and the whole sense of being worthless (Creep, Thinking About You, You, Stop Whispering), he sees music as a way to power and status. Doesnt mean he sees this as a serious and viable option for himself but more of a daydream. This is Thom's 'Wanna be a rock'n'roll star' daydream. And come on, who hasnt had one of those? Or it may well be tongue in cheek. And he could be expressing anger at his ex - the girl ('youre now a star') described in Thinking About You. Or he could be looking back at how he used to feel... |
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| Radiohead – Thinking About You Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Your eyes on my wall, your teeth over there To me means he's remembering the time they sat and used to just be able to sit and stare at the wall and enjoy each others company. and the teeth - he's remembering past fights theyve had. But again "What do you care when the other men are far, far better?" He feels he's not good enough. It echoes Creep and I think its a recurring theme throughout the album. You - Why should I believe myself Creep - I dont belong here Thinking About You - Other men are far far better etc etc |
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| Radiohead – Stop Whispering Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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hmm think I need some elaboration on this 'just speak your mind theory'. i mean i can see it in the chorus but in lines such as 'it doesnt matter anyway' it sounds like you can say whatever the hell you want and noone cares. Maybe thats it. I kinda thought of it as rejection - from the wise man, the thin man, his mum, the complaint and the world. I personally thought this was criticism aimed at the band. And because of this his inspiration dries up 'I can't find the song'. Basically, he has no encouragement. But then my interpretation doesnt leave the chorus clear as to what it means. Maybe, he's fed up of them whispering behind his back and he wants them to say it to his face. Or maybe its aimed at himself. He's encouraging himself to get out there and say what he has to say to the world. |
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| Radiohead – How Do You? Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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He could be aiming it at himself. Follows on from Creep. And sometimes it seems he really hates himself. Probably not but an idea. The How Do You? bit. I alwasy took it as an abbreviated How Do You Do. But thats stupid. I think Thoms saying either 'How can you be such a twat?' kinda like How do you do it? or could be as someone else mentioned How do you get just a nice/stupid kid growing up to be such a powerful/bastard of a man |
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| Radiohead – You Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Simple but like always said so well. She means everything to him. But she's rejected him. And he can't come to terms with it. To her it isn't straight-forward love. Its chaotic. she needs to figure out her feelings. Why should I believe myself, not you? He's berating himself for wanting the relationship to continue when she's telling him it can't. The world is gonna end so soon. Again he's telling himself off. he should just get over her. but he can't because he loves her so much and so his life goes up in flames. |
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| Radiohead – No Surprises Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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When I was younger I always thought the lyrics were ironic, that it was saying 'Who wants a quiet life really, with all its monotony and beigeness?' and the unpleasant imagery kinda shows this. NO Surprises. The surprises being a good thing. A quiet life being dull. But now, I think that its a song of acceptance. He's fed up of protesting about the flaws of life and is willing to lay back and let the world do as it will. (and this could be acceptance through death for all you who think its a suicide note). The 'surprises' from this perspective are often bad and 'the quiet life' he wants is an escape from it all. |
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| Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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The line that always stood out to me was "My fake plastic love". I always thought that was the core of the song. My interpretation was that he's in a relationship and he so desperately wants to be in love with her. So much so that he's trapped. And all this effort he's putting in and not getting anything back is wearing him out. I was thinking everything else he mentions in the song as being fake was merely to emphasize how fake it is. I doubt this is the original intented meaning after doing my research (Canary Wharf) and reading others opinions, more a comment on modern life (I think winkyone said it best "I, for one, still feel, at times, like it's all somehow unreal, a show we all put on and, somehow, manage to unite in") But as Mwalte2 said the song is just bursting with love. |
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