I have a feeling that this song was what the CD cover was based on, and if a literal cymbal rush really does sound like crashing waves, that furthers that idea.
I think this song is about the end of the world. The world is ending because all the problems we humans, as a species, should have taken care of earlier (hence "you should've took me out when you had the chance") have all trickled together into one huge unstoppable wave, from which there is no escape.
Basically, I think Yorke is saying we need to turn things around now, before it's too late.
I have a feeling that this song was what the CD cover was based on, and if a literal cymbal rush really does sound like crashing waves, that furthers that idea.
I think this song is about the end of the world. The world is ending because all the problems we humans, as a species, should have taken care of earlier (hence "you should've took me out when you had the chance") have all trickled together into one huge unstoppable wave, from which there is no escape.
Basically, I think Yorke is saying we need to turn things around now, before it's too late.