The National Anthem Lyrics
The reason that this song is so good is not cause of the lyrics, but because the music itself captures the essence of the song's meaning. The song's climax of the horns and synthesizer (last min.) and york's screaming of holding on...it builds up to show that the song is now out of control and one big mess (atleast its a beautiful mess)
Yeah it was actually composed to sound like a horrible traffic jam.
Yeah it was actually composed to sound like a horrible traffic jam.
I think this is more specifically about the culture of fear in our society and how politicians have created it. We are all so close to each other (geographically, socially) and yet we are scared of pulling back and being seen as individuals. The brass section reflects the different noises (soundbites) that we hear from politicians through the media which on their own might make sense yet because they are all contradictory (arguing among themselves) the result is utter confusion. I think the title refers to the fact that most of the UK (and elsewhere) is homogenised and therefore the message applies to EVERYONE. It reminds me of a Radiohead tee-shirt I have which is the UK map on its side with crying minotaurs all over it.
woooooooaaaaaaaaahhhh this song is like so SPACY makes me all float and stuff it takes me to the elfworld radiohead rocks
Lol yes.
Lol yes.
Well, noting the name of the song it's probably about government (national anthem?). "Everyone is so near"-everyone is use to each other, easy to control. "What's going on?"-I don't believe he says this, maybe it's just me. "Everyone has got fear"-either means the citizens suspect something of their government or are ruled by fear (common in most societies). The sudden trumpet is when things start going wrong. Soon other instruments begin to join, and the drums begin to change: riots, mayhem, chaos; people are overthrwoing government. He screams "It's holdin' on" to signify that there is still some control. The 3rd time he is drowned out. the instruments still play and take on their own rythms. Soon the bass guitar stops-government is no longer present. The instruments play freely and horribly. Society has fallen apart. (grin)...maybe there's more to this song, but that's the basic of what I got. And the album version is better. Like the live recording though.
yeah, if that's right though, then it seems there is some order at the end, there's the bit that sounds sort of like how you'd expect a national anthem to sound, just at the very end.
yeah, if that's right though, then it seems there is some order at the end, there's the bit that sounds sort of like how you'd expect a national anthem to sound, just at the very end.
Fuck, every countries anthem should be replaced by this. The bass-line is so fucking bad ass. And the brass at the end just...I dunno makes me all disoriented, but in a good way, of course. I can just imagine Radiohead playing this at the beginning of a baseball game or something. That would make my day.
The driving bass line in this song has so much violent energy, it gives me the impression of an angry crowd on the brink of rioting. The lyrics seem to support this to me, giving voice to the sort of 'mob mentality' that causes these things in the first place - group confusion and spreading fear reach the boiling point.
this song is so chill....pretty much like all of KID A best freakin radiohead album, everyone loves OK Computer but i like the experimental style much better on kid a.
fear overwhelming people, drawing them close and throwing them into confusion, living a life of confusion and chaos, and not understanding why.
our lovely national anthem.
this song is fucking AMAZING i love how its so experimental and just....incredible the sampling of trumpets....they way they start in the background and slowly become the main sound....they way they individually are chaotic but work together in a cohesive way.....kind of like democracy (it IS the naitonal anthem, after all)....it's just incredible. Thom Yorke is GOD
This is the sound of the world coming to an end...
I downloaded an MP3 of the SNL version and have barely listened to the studio version since. f'ing amazing.