There are so many little nuances in this song and all of the songs from King of Limbs, you just have to pay really close attention. This is what I got out of it:
Basically, I think it's about how we let our "evil" sides slowly get in control of us. Especially today, in our society, most people do whatever to impress their boss, or in big corporate businesses they let their greed take control of them by getting involved in these stupid little games, (that's why the song sounds so dangerous and mischievous) even if playing games hurts them.
"Little by little by hook or by crook
I'm such a tease
And you're such a flirt
Once you've been hurt
You've been around enough"
Then you behave certain ways or ignore your own emotions/thoughts, (it could be done by taking drugs/alcohol or not) and even though you're not an idiot and you know how it's killing yourself and affecting others, you don't look. Your oblivious to your own ignorance.
The fourth part is like the breaking point because the all the messy sounds start to disappear, he starts singing slower, etc. You're stuck in this vicious cycle, following "Routines and schedules," and it's like you selling yourself ("Obligation") to the devil, letting your darker side take complete control over you, "The last one out of the box, The one that broke the seal" I also noticed here that the sound the folk guitar instrument thing makes in the beginning, is reversed here.
Lastly, the chorus repeats, and the distracting sounds come in place again:
Little by little by hook or by crook
Never get nervous
Never get judged
I'm no idiot
I should look
The person isn't an idiot so they should come to realization that they shouldn't simply put things past them and get away with things by hook/crook.
I know there must be many other things this song means, but I haven't looked that in depth into it yet. This is why I love Radiohead, and think they're an immediate classic. Their songs are always associated with important current issues but because the lyrics are abstract, and not too specific, you can connect to them from any time period.
So far, one of my favourites from the album. I love the dangerous, exotic sound.
There are so many little nuances in this song and all of the songs from King of Limbs, you just have to pay really close attention. This is what I got out of it:
Basically, I think it's about how we let our "evil" sides slowly get in control of us. Especially today, in our society, most people do whatever to impress their boss, or in big corporate businesses they let their greed take control of them by getting involved in these stupid little games, (that's why the song sounds so dangerous and mischievous) even if playing games hurts them.
"Little by little by hook or by crook I'm such a tease And you're such a flirt Once you've been hurt You've been around enough"
Then you behave certain ways or ignore your own emotions/thoughts, (it could be done by taking drugs/alcohol or not) and even though you're not an idiot and you know how it's killing yourself and affecting others, you don't look. Your oblivious to your own ignorance.
The fourth part is like the breaking point because the all the messy sounds start to disappear, he starts singing slower, etc. You're stuck in this vicious cycle, following "Routines and schedules," and it's like you selling yourself ("Obligation") to the devil, letting your darker side take complete control over you, "The last one out of the box, The one that broke the seal" I also noticed here that the sound the folk guitar instrument thing makes in the beginning, is reversed here.
Lastly, the chorus repeats, and the distracting sounds come in place again:
Little by little by hook or by crook Never get nervous Never get judged I'm no idiot I should look
The person isn't an idiot so they should come to realization that they shouldn't simply put things past them and get away with things by hook/crook.
I know there must be many other things this song means, but I haven't looked that in depth into it yet. This is why I love Radiohead, and think they're an immediate classic. Their songs are always associated with important current issues but because the lyrics are abstract, and not too specific, you can connect to them from any time period.
So far, one of my favourites from the album. I love the dangerous, exotic sound.
this was a wonderful description.
this was a wonderful description.