Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
Reckoner
You can't take it with yer
Dancing for your pleasure
You are not to blame for
Bittersweet distractors
Dare not speak its name
Dedicated to all human beings
Because we separate
Like ripples on a blank shore
(In rainbows)
Because we separate
Like ripples on a blank shore
Reckoner
Take me with yer
Dedicated to all human beings
You can't take it with yer
Dancing for your pleasure
You are not to blame for
Bittersweet distractors
Dare not speak its name
Dedicated to all human beings
Because we separate
Like ripples on a blank shore
(In rainbows)
Because we separate
Like ripples on a blank shore
Reckoner
Take me with yer
Dedicated to all human beings
Lyrics submitted by autrefois, edited by yusnotyus, Paymaan, erinek, rejesterd, gjkatko, folkieokie, Tom1234, twstdwrds, ReckonerInRainbows, ben1022565, TheRadioheadz
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Yet how superb, across the tumult braided, The painted rainbow's changeful life is bending, Now clearly drawn, dissolving now and faded, And evermore the showers of dew descending! Of human striving there's no symbol fuller: Consider, and 'tis easy comprehending – Life is not light, but the refracted color.
-Faust II
The color of Goehte's masterpiece has rippled through the medium of Radiohead with their album, In Rainbows. The character, Faust, observes that life is not about some great search for divine light, but rather, it is about the practice of living with the enlightenment of God at your back; thus allowing it to guide you forward through your organic life, and not lead you down a dead-end path of obsession. This is essentially what the phrase "In Rainbows" means. It is the recognition that the source light which governs our world cannot really be seen nor fully understood by human beings ("dare not speak its name"). Although we have moments of clarity and deep understanding, these moments are generally temporary and don't last very long. As Thom Yorke said of the album, "It very much explores the ideas of transience. It starts in one place and ends somewhere completely different." This is the transient nature of human consciousness being described by the character Faust in the above passage.
So who is The Reckoner?
At a concert in Glendale, Arizona, Thom Yorke stated:
"..it [the song, Reckoner] was born out of a very trippy dream, one of those ones you wake up from and go, 'aww man, I don't want to wake up from that, ever.'"
The Reckoner is the one who wakes you up when you wish to remain in your current perceived reality or dream-state. It is the transient way of true nature that we all need to reckon with and accept. For Faust, this means that he must live up to his bargain with Mephistopheles, who represents the Devil. Note that Mephistopheles is mentioned by-name in another song on the album: Videotape.
As the story goes, Faust becomes so obsessed with discovering the true nature of life, he summons Mephistopheles to help him in this quest. Mephistopheles agrees to serve Faust right up until the moment he reaches the height of human wisdom/happiness/fulfillment; at which point, he will claim Faust's soul. Faust agrees to the deal because he actually thinks it would be impossible for him to reach that height.
Ultimately, however, Faust does experience a moment of pure happiness, and so Mephistopheles attempts to claim his soul... that is, Faust is woken up from his happy slumber. Luckily, Faust is ultimately rescued by a group of angels who escort him to heaven before Mephistopheles can take him.
The theme of transience can also be seen in the previous song on the album, Faust Arp ("it's on again, off again, on again")... another obvious reference to the tale of Faust. The sound of the music, like Reckoner, is also heavy with percussion and transient in that it folds over on itself between piano & guitar portions.
The most accessible metaphor that I can see for this idea is how people tend to want to escape from reality (that's the "bittersweet distractor"), and would rather call in sick on their day of reckoning. They, unlike The Reckoner (or Buddha, if you prefer) cannot overcome the division between self and other (i.e. subject and object, which make for the transient/dualistic ways of human beings). Again, we have moments of clarity and understanding, but they don't last.. "like ripples on a blank shore".
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Thank you for this. I had never read Goethe's Faust...but now I have a strong desire to do so.
The song is pretty clear in meaning. I'm not even Christian ;)
Overall - the song deals with Judgement day - or the end of the world. Also known as "Day of Reckoning" as referred to in the bible.
Therefore - the Reckoner is god. The first line is stating you can't take your life with you - whatever you had is gone, you're "transcending". Your life was about the whims of your programming, your programming to survive - all the emotions, reflexes, fears, tendencies, desires - all of that was your "dance for pleasure". You can't take it with you though.
But "you aren't to blame for that". No, of course not, because you were programmed to be that way. That's what life is. Just as a bacteria form colonies or bees do - humans were to do so inevitably as well. Our experiences were inevitable, as part of the human experience.....the senses, both good and bad, "Bittersweet distractor". With a nameless face - likely what Christians label the devil - but it's not manifested - it's nameless because it's our inner demons that he is referring to here.
We are not to blame for that. This is god's compassion for us and all our flaws...a statement that he understands that there was no way we could know better or do better. And thus he is "dedicated" to all human beings...he is loyal to humanity for the suffering and price it pays - the fear and horror of dealing with death - which is the "separation" from life...like "ripples on a blank shore" meaning it's just so matter of fact, so blunt, without explanation, without closure. It's god's message to us for the pain we live, the mistakes we have made, and the death we suffer.
In rainbow refers to the post-apocalyptic end of life...after the flood, a rainbow appears...this is the biblical symbol of the covenant between man and god - that god will never incur such calamity upon mankind again. Here I believe it refers more as a bridge from one life to another. But the covenant aspect also fits with the dedication theme - a symbol of god's loyalty to mankind.
It is a gift - the revelation - permanent afterlife, that god is offering ("take me with you") as he is dedicated to all human beings (not that the song is dedicated to us, but it might very well be). You can't take your previous existence with you, but you can take god with you to someplace else.
There ya go. Enjoy.
That's got to be the most perfect interpretation of "Reckoner" I ever read. And I don't doubt this is what it means to the artist who wrote it, since it ties in with the official video the band commissioned someone to make, only to decide not to release it. I think where most interpretations of this song (and the entire album) fail is in deciding that the album is meant as a judgment of whatever it is that happens in the album. It is quite the opposite. The album--to me--is about the bittersweet experiences that life is about, and it is not at all judgmental of whatever it is that pushes us to do what we do. The album reminds me of "Steppenwolf" by Hermann Hesse, but I believe it goes beyond what the book says. And only music and poetry could possibly do that.
I think you are right in your interpretation. However, I don't feel that the thought, feeling, gist etc. is limited to christianity. The thought of "dedicated to all human beings" is a heavily bhuddist concept. I do appreciate the reference to the old testament rainbow. Leads me to think that after the flood, and we are all gone... it will have been nature's reckoning for what we are doing to the planet right now.<br />
@MannyKiller I know I'm almost 15 years late, but... you can still have the gift of salvation in Christ. Put your faith in Him and He will lead you. Love your meaning you wrote btw!
This is about reckoning that you don't last forever, and LOVING living. Good things distract us from the truth. You know who you love the most. Thom Yorke gives me strength, thank you for your beautiful words in rainbows"
From Dante's "Paradiso" (Canto XIII):
I've always loved the parallel of the attempt here to comprehend the meaning of life, and our own attempts on this site to comprehend the meaning of the song. We are reckoners, and "squaring the circle" is a great way to describe trying to analyse Radiohead's lyrics. We are trying to measure something immeasurable.
Like much of this album, Thom Yorke seems to have written this song with Goethe's Faust in mind.
I like to think that this song specifically captures the odd relationship between Faust and Mephistopheles-where the later is cast as "the Reckoner", and the former is the narrator.
What the Reckoner can't take with him is Faust/Thom Yorke's soul, and throughout the play Faust was ostensibly "dancing for your (Mephistopheles') pleasure."
The second stanza/verse thing describes the way Faust felt on his death bed; accepting of his punishment. The "ripples on a black shore" may refer to the lapping waters of the river styx, by which Mephistopheles would remain in hell while Faust was spared and accepted into heaven. Specifically, I think that the ripples describe a disturbance in the flow of souls to hell. After all, Faust 's soul was thoroughly damned until God's last-minute verdict.
Even if I'm WAY off with all this, I still think that this song takes on an interesting meaning when interpreted as such.
Not sure I'm with you on the ripples bit, but I think you're right about Faust.
I like to believe your interpretation as it's so well thought out and I do love the Faustian legend (Only read Marlowe's version)
Official lyrics taken from the lyrics booklet:
Reckoner
Reckoner You can�t take it with yer Dancing for your pleasure
You are not to blame for Bittersweet distractor Dare not speak it�s name Dedicated to all human beings
Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore in rainbows Because we separate like ripples on a blank shoree
Reckoner Take me with yer Dedicated to all human beings
I don't know the exact meaning of this song, but I can tell you that it bears many allusions to Buddhism. Dedicated to all human beings, is the traditional way of ending a meditation, teaching, or other Dharmic practice in the Mahayana tradition. Thom is making a reference here, to the fact that some kind of spiritual truth is being imparted for the sake of others.
One of the many, many names the buddha is known by is the reckoner. Someone who has dealt with all the karma, habits, and things of the past. He has reckoned with himself, and can now see the outside world clearly. One of the qualities of a "Reckoner" is that he is able to overcome the division between self and other. This brings us to the lines,
Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore in rainbows Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore
When you listen to the song, Thom talks about seperation but it's overshadowed by the vocal of "In Rainbows" which is indistinguishable, because we are separating the sounds into units that we think make sense, but we aren't hearing the "In Rainbows" that is being extended past the point of conventional words and understanding. It points to a unity that is imperceptible to most people.
If the Reckoner is the Buddha(I personally think Thom is speaking of the Dalai Lama(check this link: shambhalasun.com/sunspace/) then the part where he talks about, "Dare not speak it's name" talks about the unspeakable ecstacy of enlightenment. This pleasure is not mentionable, because it is not experienced by others. The Reckoner must set it aside, as it's simply a product of altruism and complete dedication to others.
That's my take on it at least. :)
I think the same things when I read the lyrics, but maybe because I have read a lot about Buddhism and I'm really fond of some of the ideas behind it. However, this song is so open that it is like a mirror, each listener will have their own impressions, according to their own personal life history.
I have been studying about a year now Tibetan Buddhism, At first I didn't know if this song was about buddhism but the other day when randomly I heard this song it remembered me what I feel in the state of my contemplative practice (Samatha meditation state). When analyzing the lyrics in the buddhadharma context I think,<br /> <br /> Reckoner <br /> It’s somebody that…<br /> You can't take it with you <br /> Realizes about the impermanence of all things, beings and the detachment.<br /> Dancing for your pleasure <br /> When you meditate you have to let the thoughts pass, even the pleasure ones (Dancing for your pleasure).<br /> You are not to blame for <br /> You don’t have to feel guilty and not to fight against <br /> Bittersweet distractors <br /> all the distractors,<br /> Dare not speak its name <br /> and not to put names and concepts.<br /> Dedicated to all human beings <br /> When you finish your practice you have to dedicate the virtue, merit, and altruist thoughts to all beings (not only humans)<br /> <br /> Because we separate <br /> Like ripples on a blank shore <br /> This sounds like the dualistic mind that separate all conceptualizing in good and evil (in the true nature of us the buddhadharma says there’s no concept but we are all good by nature) <br /> In rainbows <br /> Rainbows are really important symbols for the tibetans, when some advanced Yogis that not yet attain the illumination, die. They say is the most important moment to recognize his nature and attain the illumination, in some funerals when this happens a incredible and beautiful rainbow appears.<br /> Because we separate <br /> The ripples on a black shore <br /> <br /> Reckoner, take me with you <br /> Maybe at this point this “somebody” realizes all that and can show us the way and then,<br /> <br /> Dedicated to all human beings <br /> Dedicate the virtue, merit, and altruist thoughts to all beings (not only humans).
I have been studying about a year now Tibetan Buddhism, At first I didn't know if this song was about buddhism but the other day when randomly I heard this song it remembered me what I feel in the state of my contemplative practice (Samatha meditation state). When analyzing the lyrics in the buddhadharma context I think,<br /> <br /> Reckoner <br /> It’s somebody that…<br /> You can't take it with you <br /> Realizes about the impermanence of all things, beings and the detachment.<br /> Dancing for your pleasure <br /> When you meditate you have to let the thoughts pass, even the pleasure ones (Dancing for your pleasure).<br /> You are not to blame for <br /> You don’t have to feel guilty and not to fight against <br /> Bittersweet distractors <br /> all the distractors,<br /> Dare not speak its name <br /> and not to put names and concepts.<br /> Dedicated to all human beings <br /> When you finish your practice you have to dedicate the virtue, merit, and altruist thoughts to all beings (not only humans)<br /> <br /> Because we separate <br /> Like ripples on a blank shore <br /> This sounds like the dualistic mind that separate all conceptualizing in good and evil (in the true nature of us the buddhadharma says there’s no concept but we are all good by nature) <br /> In rainbows <br /> Rainbows are really important symbols for the tibetans, when some advanced Yogis that not yet attain the illumination, die. They say is the most important moment to recognize his nature and attain the illumination, in some funerals when this happens a incredible and beautiful rainbow appears.<br /> Because we separate <br /> The ripples on a black shore <br /> <br /> Reckoner, take me with you <br /> Maybe at this point this “somebody” realizes all that and can show us the way and then,<br /> <br /> Dedicated to all human beings <br /> Dedicate the virtue, merit, and altruist thoughts to all beings (not only humans).
Masamoto99: "This is about reckoning that you don't last forever, and LOVING living. Good things distract us from the truth. You know who you love the most. Thom Yorke gives me strength, thank you for your beautiful words in rainbows"
Sometimes the most simple interpretations are the best ones.
Reckoner means 'an expert at claculation'. In the context of the album, where the narrators debate between doing what feels right vs. what one ought to, and also the consequences (Heaven vs. Hell, whether figuratively or literally), the one change between the first half of the album and the final part seems to be the decision to follow what one feels is right (be true to oneself) rather than do what others tell us is right. I think the line 'because we separate like ripples on a blank shore' fits in with that interpretation. I take that line to mean that though we are all in essence the same--as each molecule of water is part of a whole--in life we follow different paths. The 'freer' second half to the album makes me feel like that. The narrator (or narrators) has/have decided to follow his/their heart, no matter what the consequences are... even if it means going to Hell. But the part in "Reckoner" 'you can't take it with you' could mean that the narrator feels redeemed because he feels right about what he's doing, so the devil cannot take his soul.
Reckoner Can't take it with you Dancing for pleasure
You are not to blame for Bittersweet distractor Dare not speak its name Dedicated to all human beings
Because we separate Like ripples on a blank shore (in rainbows) Because we separate Like ripples on a blank shore
Reckoner Take it with you Dedicated to all human beings
from In Rainbows vinyl
I think you've got it, except that 'Because we separate/Like ripples on a BLACK shore' makes more sense to me when seen in context of the song itself, and Thom's world of imagery in general. If the 'Reckoner' is death and the repeated line 'Can't take it with you' is a reminder of the transitoriness of this world, then a black shore makes sense. Death is the great unknown, the undiscover'd country (to quote Hamlet), the darkness beyond life. Thom's preoccupation with death around the corner stretches back to the early tracks like Killer Cars (with a refrain in The Tourist), Street Spirit of course, and then newer ones like Reckoner and Videotape. Beyond that though, there is a beauty in these lines that is difficult to analyse or describe - like T.S. Eliot or dare I say it even Shakespeare's finest lines, they approach something holy. A 'blank' shore suggest that Thom's decided there is no life after death, but from the whole body of his lyrics I would conclude he is agnostic (death is an unknown) rather than atheist (death is the end).
That's a good way to look at it. It says "blank" on the sleeve...those lines sum up the whole concept of the album to me. The shore is blank (or calm), and ripples disturb the calm, causing chaos. But Thom is finding good in this chaos. We separate, but we separate "in rainbows." Beautiful! One of the greatest songs ever.
In rainbows…
I think this is related to the ripple separation bit – the whole separation of white light into a spectrum of color. While we think of rainbows as being fixed in the sky they are not. A rainbow has no physical location –Â they are optical effects and thus can never be reached.
In addition, Goethe thought of rainbows as something in a state of perpetual change (like rippling water): "Yet how superb, across the tumult braided, The painted rainbow's changeful life is bending, Now clearly drawn, dissolving now and faded, And evermore the showers of dew descending! Of human striving there's no symbol fuller: Consider, and 'tis easy comprehending –Â Life is not light, but the refracted color."
Any opinions on why "yer" is used? I've noticed that the Turkish "yer" has a lot of compelling meanings: place, position, and the planet earth just to name a few.
Hey Dross, this is one of the better looks at this song. Thanks for the thoughts. As for the "yer" question- it could be a stylistic choice. The beats used to shorten words just to give their tone a bit of an edge. Thom, never wanting things to be too pretty could very easily be softening the emotion that could be attached by the more formal "your."
In art, there is a thing called the golden ratio... Its the focal point, the most important part. The 'Because we separate...' occurs 68.8% of the way through the album... Which is the golden ratio. Those boys worked carefully...