Judas

According to songfacts.com, [Frontman Richard Ashcroft told BBC DJ Steve Lamacq that one of the lines in this song was based on fact. He revealed: "I was in New York City and I always found it intriguing that in the big coffee shop, just on Columbus Circle, just because it was so busy they would always ask your name so they could write it on the cup and I'm always intrigued by the power of any word and specifically names obviously. There's not been many Adolf Hitlers born post the Second World War and there's also not been many Judases, perhaps none. It's a name that's been vilified, so when I was in this coffee shop I decided that I was going to order a latte, double shot and she said, 'What's your name?' I said, 'Judas,' because it was packed and I wanted to see the reaction when she said, 'Latte, double shot for Judas,' which she did and it does and it causes this like, 'Who on earth would be called that? You know, and it's incredible that that word two thousand years later could still have such power and at the end in the chorus of Judas it goes into, all it says is 'Let it go, let it go,' because surely that is the message and that's really the motivation for that song but it's an example of where, this is reality, this is just a funny social experiment, you know."]

Back to me, boboon, I thought this song might have been about an affair, but couldn't figure out the whole "New York" and "double shot for Judas" parts. After reading his explanation, it makes a bit more sense, but it's hard to understand what he's getting at with the "feelings, let them go."

its just a random idea but it could possibly be a reference to Judas Iscariot from the Bible. he betrayed Jesus and then felt horrible for causing his death; so Judas hanged himself. idk how it would tie into the song, but it's the only Judas i could think of. any other ideas?

classic verve, going back to A Storm In Heaven.

I have to agree, so far it's my favorite song on the new album. Which somehow does't live to my expectations.

I guess this song is fairly simple, just let go of your emotions let them ride you to someplace. Seems easy at the first glance, but in fact it's something really hard to do.

I just can't understand what judas has to do with all of this. Any teories on that?

I thought it was "the trip has just begun" at the end. Yeah, the Judas from the bible is the only one I can think of so I guess it has something to do with him.

Well, it seems that the lady whom he sat with in NY, said to him to "let go", and if he is Judas then obviously the guy in the song did something which he regrets, and for his dream to "come true" he needs to let go of the past and the guilt.

just trying to build some theory up with everything you've said so far.

judas is used as a metaphor.don't let life/situations spin so out of control that the only way out is suicide/death. just let go.

Ah! TThe Best song in this album. Chorus is awesome. This song... I should had played it when my gf dumped me... Let your feelings go, if they are worthless

I read the lines about "Judas" and "break our home" as being about a married man who's developed feelings for another woman. His wife brings it up with the Judas remark and the man is terribly guilty about the situation. He continues to remind himself that they're only feelings, he has to forget about them, because the journey he's on with his wife has only just begun.

The lyrics are vague, i think he is expressing the desire to let go of those lingering bad feelings that we all get. Sometimes those feelings come flooding back just when hearing that one particular word. For me.. i love this song just for the music. and McCabe's swirling guitars that drive the whole thing. Pure class. You gotta love this guy!