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The Daily Mail Lyrics
The moonies are up on a mountain
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
Waiting on the rapture
Singing, "We're here to keep your prices down
We'll feed you to the hounds
To the daily mail, together, together"
You made a pig's ear, you made a mistake
Paid off security and got through the gate
You got away with it but we lie in wait
Hey hey, hey hey hey hey
Where's the truth, what's the use
In hanging around, lost and found
And when you're here, innocent
Fat chance, no plan
No regard for human life
Keep trying, you've no right
Fast to lose, win or lose
Jumped the queue, you're back again
President for life, lord of all
That flies in the sky, the beasts of the earth
The fish in the sea, you've lost command
Hey hey, hey hey hey hey
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
Waiting on the rapture
We'll feed you to the hounds
To the daily mail, together, together"
Paid off security and got through the gate
You got away with it but we lie in wait
Hey hey, hey hey hey hey
In hanging around, lost and found
And when you're here, innocent
Fat chance, no plan
No regard for human life
Fast to lose, win or lose
Jumped the queue, you're back again
That flies in the sky, the beasts of the earth
The fish in the sea, you've lost command
Hey hey, hey hey hey hey
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
I picture big business owners caught with their pants down.
More of a threat than anything else. Do it. Just do it. Nothing's stopping you.
More of a threat than anything else. Do it. Just do it. Nothing's stopping you.
oops, the "together, together" should be part of the quote. it's in reference to both the hounds and the daily mail.
the daily mail is a british tabloid that pretends to be journalism, similar to fox news in the states.
the song is about the eventual accountability of the insane egotistic sociopaths with power ("lord of all"), like those responsible for the financial crisis, who will justify ("to keep your prices down") any egregious acts ("no regard for human life")
@vexing Fox News is the only news channel in the states that actually tells the truth. I guess that what nations around the globe say about England is true. They’ve been taken over by Marxist extremists and can no longer discern truth from fiction. No freedom of speech, only propaganda on their networks, etc. Compared to England, the U.S. is paradise even with everything that’s going on. I hope England gets their basic human rights back, soon.
@vexing Fox News is the only news channel in the states that actually tells the truth. I guess that what nations around the globe say about England is true. They’ve been taken over by Marxist extremists and can no longer discern truth from fiction. No freedom of speech, only propaganda on their networks, etc. Compared to England, the U.S. is paradise even with everything that’s going on. I hope England gets their basic human rights back, soon.
@Separator94 Ah yes, Fox News, the network that has literally admitted in court that they lie to their viewers. The same network that had to pay nearly a billion dollars for knowingly spreading election fraud lies. If that’s your gold standard for truth, no wonder you’re out here ranting about imaginary Marxist takeovers. Meanwhile, the UK, for all its issues, isn’t drowning in mass shootings, forced birth laws, and a political party that actively tries to dismantle democracy. But sure, keep telling yourself the U.S. is "paradise." Delusion is a hell of a drug.
@Separator94 Ah yes, Fox News, the network that has literally admitted in court that they lie to their viewers. The same network that had to pay nearly a billion dollars for knowingly spreading election fraud lies. If that’s your gold standard for truth, no wonder you’re out here ranting about imaginary Marxist takeovers. Meanwhile, the UK, for all its issues, isn’t drowning in mass shootings, forced birth laws, and a political party that actively tries to dismantle democracy. But sure, keep telling yourself the U.S. is "paradise." Delusion is a hell of a drug.
@applescruff909 Ah yes, the Marxist programmed Englander who has no freedom of speech, and will get a prison sentence for posting a retweet that their Muslim run Parliament finds offensive, want’s to flame and name call someone online for speaking the actual truth. Go figure. You have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about and then proceed to flaunt your extreme ignorance. Try getting off TikTok and Reddit for a little while. All the conversations with bots has clearly affected your ability to think critically.
@applescruff909 Ah yes, the Marxist programmed Englander who has no freedom of speech, and will get a prison sentence for posting a retweet that their Muslim run Parliament finds offensive, want’s to flame and name call someone online for speaking the actual truth. Go figure. You have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about and then proceed to flaunt your extreme ignorance. Try getting off TikTok and Reddit for a little while. All the conversations with bots has clearly affected your ability to think critically.
@Separator94 Not British. Not on TikTok. Haven't been on Reddit in ages. Didn't call you any names. Simply stated facts about Fox News and The Daily Mail, which you conveniently ignored. You're really batting zero today.
@Separator94 Not British. Not on TikTok. Haven't been on Reddit in ages. Didn't call you any names. Simply stated facts about Fox News and The Daily Mail, which you conveniently ignored. You're really batting zero today.
Odd that you're peddling this nonsense on a Radiohead song meaning page. Evidently, you're unaware, or willfully ignorant, of their politics and worldview. To quote another Radiohead song, "You have not been paying attention."
Odd that you're peddling this nonsense on a Radiohead song meaning page. Evidently, you're unaware, or willfully ignorant, of their politics and worldview. To quote another Radiohead song, "You have not been paying attention."
I'm leaving this conversation right here. Your asinine takes and comments can sit here in perpetuity. Have fun shouting at clouds.
I'm leaving this conversation right here. Your asinine takes and comments can sit here in perpetuity. Have fun shouting at clouds.
@applescruff909 And now you’re gaslighting by saying you never name called. Calling someone “delusional” is name calling. This is the whole reason some people have a low opinion of Radiohead fans. You find someone’s comment you disagree with and instead of ignoring it in stride you instead decide to start an argument. After observing your demeanor, I have absolutely no reason to take anything you’re saying about yourself at face value. If you’re not from England, you absolutely sound like someone who lives there. So I apologize for making that assumption but England is well known for hating on Americans....
@applescruff909 And now you’re gaslighting by saying you never name called. Calling someone “delusional” is name calling. This is the whole reason some people have a low opinion of Radiohead fans. You find someone’s comment you disagree with and instead of ignoring it in stride you instead decide to start an argument. After observing your demeanor, I have absolutely no reason to take anything you’re saying about yourself at face value. If you’re not from England, you absolutely sound like someone who lives there. So I apologize for making that assumption but England is well known for hating on Americans. Same goes for Canada but they’re another completely screwed up nation who have been under a Marxist dictatorship with Trudeau for the last decade. No offense but you do not come across like someone who understands what’s going on. More like an activist. Not saying you are one, only that you come across that way with how you were triggered enough by my comment that you had to interject yourself. Also, no mainstream media outlet is fully honest, and I don’t put my full trust in any of them, but Fox (overall but not always) shares more truth than any of the leftist networks and it’s not even close. Either way, all of them are controlled, to some degree and the only reason there’s a two party system in the first place is to divide people so that they’re not strong enough to overthrow a tyrannical government.
I'm sure it begins "the moonies are up on the mountain", a reference to the religous sect.
*loonies
*loonies
@deryk It’s a reference to people in the highest places of government and corporations. “Up on the mountain” referring to being at the top of the pyramidal power structure.
@deryk It’s a reference to people in the highest places of government and corporations. “Up on the mountain” referring to being at the top of the pyramidal power structure.
the Moonies are up on their mountain the lunatics have taken over the asylum waiting on the rapture
singing "we to keep your prices down feed you to the hounds to the Daily Mail" together, together
you made a pig's ear you made a mistake paid off security and got through the gate you got away with it but we lie in wait hey hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey, hey hey hey hey hey
where's the truth what's the use i'm hanging around lost and found when you're here innocent fat chance no plan no regard for human life keep on trying you've no right fast and loose you will lose jumped the queue go back again president for life lord of all the flies in the sky the beasts of the earth the fish in the sea you've lost command hey hey, hey hey hey uh uh, uh uh uh uh uh uh
From the first go, I heard this as a reply to pink floyd's "brain damage" from Dark Side of the Moon. The lunatic is on the grass The lunatic is on the grass Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs Got to keep the loonies on the path The lunatic is in the hall The lunatics are in my hall The paper holds their folded faces to the floor And every day the paper boy brings more And if the dam breaks open many years too soon And if there is no room upon the hill And if your head explodes with dark forbodings too I'll see you on the dark side of the moon The lunatic is in my head The lunatic is in my head You raise the blade, you make the change You re-arrange me 'till I'm sane You lock the door And throw away the key There's someone in my head but it's not me. And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear You shout and no one seems to hear And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
@yourgottisttod Can you elaborate on this idea? What is this song saying in response to "Brain Damage"? Most of us already know the lyrics to "Brain Damage". What else do you have? This is an intriguing idea.
@yourgottisttod Can you elaborate on this idea? What is this song saying in response to "Brain Damage"? Most of us already know the lyrics to "Brain Damage". What else do you have? This is an intriguing idea.
It's about Wall Street, the banks and the corporate greed that provoked the crisis we're currently living and got away with it. Thom participated in the Occupy! movement in London. Brilliant song.
The reference about 'hounds' and 'the Daily Mail'... I think it's all about populism and opium to the people... but the people is waking up.
i agree hes talking about living in reality in a sense
i agree hes talking about living in reality in a sense
In the UK there is an immensely popular tabloid newspaper called the Daily Mail - it also publishes in the US and Australia I believe, but is owned by News International, based in London. It is regularly criticised and sued for aggressive breaches of privacy, innacuracy and lies, although these are also the reason this rag is as popular as it is.\n\nAs well as being a promoter of rumours and pop culture it is also known for pushing racism and bigotry. It legitimises stupidity and ignorance by putting it in print nationally.\n\n"Where\'s the truth what\'s the use"\n\nIn 2005 an investigation began into News Corp International (News of the World and the Daily Mail) which found that journalists had been hacking i to the voicemails of celebrities, members of the Royal Family, and dead and missing children, and family members of dead members of the armed forces, as attempts to get info for news stories. As well as a breach of privacy, it also complicated the police\'s ability to track missing children (messages were listened to and deleted after they had disappeared).\n\n"No regard for human life"\n\nNews Corp journos were proven to have committed this crime and an apology was published in their papers.\n\n"You made a pig\'s ear, you made a mistake"\n\nThe enquiry also investigated bribes paid to police to obtain non-public information.\n\n"Paid off security and got through the gate"\n\nAlthough Rupert Murdoch (majority owner), Rebekah Brooks and her husband (CEO) and dozens of others were required to explain themselves to Parliament, arrested, or had their homes raided, I don\'t know if any of them were ever found guilty of anything. Rebekah Brooks and her husband were even caught hiding evidence (laptops, phones, etc) and I believe they got away with it.\n\n"You got away with it but we lie in wait, eh"\n\nThis song is about a parasitic corporation that will publish anything to incite a strong response from readers, whether it\'s racist, untruthful, or just ignorant. This paper was following the Donald Trump playbook when Trump was still just a reality TV host. They operate with little regard for the law or decency and when necessary they just pay fines and continue doing what they\'ve always done. \n\nIt\'s a song about pure evil operating unchecked and abobe the law with an unnatural disregard for humanity and decency. The Daily Mail.
Here's the excellent comment above, reformatted for readability, removing slashes and correcting a couple of minor typos:
Here's the excellent comment above, reformatted for readability, removing slashes and correcting a couple of minor typos:
In the UK there is an immensely popular tabloid newspaper called the Daily Mail - it also publishes in the US and Australia I believe, but is owned by News International, based in London. It is regularly criticised and sued for aggressive breaches of privacy, inaccuracy and lies, although these are also the reason this rag is as popular as it is.
In the UK there is an immensely popular tabloid newspaper called the Daily Mail - it also publishes in the US and Australia I believe, but is owned by News International, based in London. It is regularly criticised and sued for aggressive breaches of privacy, inaccuracy and lies, although these are also the reason this rag is as popular as it is.
As well as being a promoter of rumours and pop culture it is also known for pushing racism and bigotry. It...
As well as being a promoter of rumours and pop culture it is also known for pushing racism and bigotry. It legitimises stupidity and ignorance by putting it in print nationally.
"Where's the truth what's the use"
In 2005 an investigation began into News Corp International (News of the World and the Daily Mail) which found that journalists had been hacking into the voicemails of celebrities, members of the Royal Family, and dead and missing children, and family members of dead members of the armed forces, as attempts to get info for news stories. As well as a breach of privacy, it also complicated the police's ability to track missing children (messages were listened to and deleted after they had disappeared).
"No regard for human life"
News Corp journos were proven to have committed this crime and an apology was published in their papers.
"You made a pig's ear, you made a mistake"
The enquiry also investigated bribes paid to police to obtain non-public information.
"Paid off security and got through the gate"
Although Rupert Murdoch (majority owner), Rebekah Brooks and her husband (CEO) and dozens of others were required to explain themselves to Parliament, arrested, or had their homes raided, I don't know if any of them were ever found guilty of anything. Rebekah Brooks and her husband were even caught hiding evidence (laptops, phones, etc) and I believe they got away with it.
"You got away with it but we lie in wait, eh"
This song is about a parasitic corporation that will publish anything to incite a strong response from readers, whether it's racist, untruthful, or just ignorant. This paper was following the Donald Trump playbook when Trump was still just a reality TV host. They operate with little regard for the law or decency and when necessary they just pay fines and continue doing what they've always done.
It's a song about pure evil operating unchecked and above the law with an unnatural disregard for humanity and decency. The Daily Mail.
I hear the lyrics differently during the climax of the song, compared to those listed above. Here's what I've got. Bold text denotes a change.
Where′s the truth? What's the use
In hanging around, lost and found
With your head in the sand
Fat chance, no plan
No regard for human life
You keep time with no rhyme
Fast and loose, win or lose
Jump the queue, go back again
President for life
Lord of all that flies in the sky
The beasts of the earth
The fish in the sea
You've lost command...
The combination of the loud music plus Thom Yorke's tendency to mumble makes it tricky to discern, but this is what I gathered from listening to the song carefully ad infinitum and watching the From the Basement video of its recording.
For what it's worth, listening to this again in 2025, I can't help but think of the Trump regime in the US.
"Win or lose, jump the queue" = Rigging the election
"No plan, no regard for human life" = Self-explanatory. All about himself.
"You keep time with no rhyme, fast and loose" = Makes me think of the nonsense logorrhea that comes out of his mouth and his inability to create a lucid, complete sentence, yet he always jumps at any chance he can to speak, even if he doesn't make any fucking sense or isn't answering a direct question.
"President for life, lord of all..." = He wishes, and he's said as much publicly.
"You've lost command" = He's not really the one in charge. He's a puppet for Putin.
[Removes foil hat.]
Having a malleable meaning that changes with the times and is open to interpretation like this is one of the song's many strengths. It's amazing, especially for being recorded live, and it's one of their best songs, full stop.
[Edit: Explanatory text.]
Thought this was veery juicy, and keep in mind I don't use the word juicy often, as I just found posted by an anonymous tip a little after this song was written.....
"Some of the less slavish sycophants will notice some classic narc behaviour over time, and maybe some of the women involved who aren't scared of his lawyers will come forward and compare notes. And out of the rest of the band, their relatives, friends, acquaintances, management, lawyers, publicists, media dahlings... maybe one of them may recall that they were born with a fucking spine. Maybe the rank hypocrisy around rich establishment figures manipulating the public for their own ends and profit, who Lord yorke claims to hate, will be addressed. Or nothing more than when it does come out, I will relish the upvotes [referring to Reddit]. If nuclear war hasn't fucked us all off by then. Either way, I'm right and you're wrong. After all, this is the internet in the twenty-first century."
Now I'm afraid I can't unsee the real meaning of the song.