"Ingenue" means innocent young woman. I think this song is about Thom exploring an alternate reality where he isn't the legend that he is. Escaping the madness that he has created around him with the genius of his music. The female dancer represents an escape into innocence.
Words like "you got me into this mess so you'll get me out" shows he was innocent before radiohead and wants to be innocent again through this escapist dance.
"The seeds of the dandelion
You blow away in good time
I hope, I pray
If I'm not there now physically
I'm always before you
Come what may"
This is the idea that this fantasy of being innocent will never come true and blows away in good time. Thom is realizing it will never happen, not "physically" so he will always be first to face the world, but he always has this thought to fall back on whatever happens.
"Gone with a touch of your hand
Move through the moment
Though it betrays
Transformations, jackals and flames"
This part of the verse demonstrates Thoms view of what will happen once he has stopped thinking about this other reality. When he goes back there are transformations, jackals and flames which reinforces how comforting the fantasy of being a Ingenue is compared to reality.
Overall the song is about Thom confronting his fear of fame, through the alternate reality of being an Ingenue, and dealing with it in an artistic and poetic way.
@tkol88@tkol88 Your interpretation may not be that far off. I think Thom has a great deal of admiration for Sylvia Plath. It almost reminds me of the main characters arrival to Boston in "The bell jar " which I believe was an intended reference as part of the lyrics
@tkol88@tkol88 Your interpretation may not be that far off. I think Thom has a great deal of admiration for Sylvia Plath. It almost reminds me of the main characters arrival to Boston in "The bell jar " which I believe was an intended reference as part of the lyrics
"Ingenue" means innocent young woman. I think this song is about Thom exploring an alternate reality where he isn't the legend that he is. Escaping the madness that he has created around him with the genius of his music. The female dancer represents an escape into innocence.
Words like "you got me into this mess so you'll get me out" shows he was innocent before radiohead and wants to be innocent again through this escapist dance.
"The seeds of the dandelion You blow away in good time I hope, I pray If I'm not there now physically I'm always before you Come what may"
This is the idea that this fantasy of being innocent will never come true and blows away in good time. Thom is realizing it will never happen, not "physically" so he will always be first to face the world, but he always has this thought to fall back on whatever happens.
"Gone with a touch of your hand Move through the moment Though it betrays Transformations, jackals and flames"
This part of the verse demonstrates Thoms view of what will happen once he has stopped thinking about this other reality. When he goes back there are transformations, jackals and flames which reinforces how comforting the fantasy of being a Ingenue is compared to reality.
Overall the song is about Thom confronting his fear of fame, through the alternate reality of being an Ingenue, and dealing with it in an artistic and poetic way.
Well put.
Well put.
interesting interpretation
interesting interpretation
@tkol88 @tkol88 Your interpretation may not be that far off. I think Thom has a great deal of admiration for Sylvia Plath. It almost reminds me of the main characters arrival to Boston in "The bell jar " which I believe was an intended reference as part of the lyrics
@tkol88 @tkol88 Your interpretation may not be that far off. I think Thom has a great deal of admiration for Sylvia Plath. It almost reminds me of the main characters arrival to Boston in "The bell jar " which I believe was an intended reference as part of the lyrics