Palo Alto

Radiohead

In a city of the future
It is difficult to concentrate
Meet the boss, meet the wife
Everybody's happy, everyone is made for life

In a city of the future
It is difficult to find a space
I'm too busy to see you
You're too busy to wait

But I'm okay, how are you?
Thanks for asking, thanks for asking
I'm okay, how are you?
I hope you're okay too

Every one one of those days
When the sky's California blue
With a beautiful bombshell I throw myself into my work
I'm too lazy, been kidding myself for so long

I'm okay, how are you?
Thanks for asking, thanks for asking
I'm okay, how are you?
I hope you're okay too


Lyrics submitted by shut

Palo Alto Lyrics as written by Edward John O'brien Thomas Edward Yorke

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Palo Alto song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentAnother negative utopia caused by high technology and the ideal lifestyle being empty. Basically the underlying theme of OK Computer.
    deadeye093on July 11, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General CommentI live in Palo Alto. Lots of people call it Shallow Alto.
    Rebs09on January 07, 2009   Link
  • +2
    My OpinionIt amazes me that a song attacking Palo Alto (a city which I actually like, but that's notwithstanding)could be written pre-Facebook. In that way, it's almost prophetic.
    Supremacyon July 29, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThis song reminds me of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Both the book and the song give the same feeling of being numb, drowned in conformist fake happiness.
    Alter-Egoon January 11, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThe piece that sticks out the most to me:

    I'm okay, how are you?
    Thanks for asking, thanks for asking
    But I'm okay, how are you?
    I hope you're okay too

    It shows how routine some people walk in and out of conversation without thought for the person. Yorke really nailed it.
    Lecalooon January 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentPalo Alto is a city in the Bay Area in California, and Radiohead said in an interview that they played a concert there and were astounded at how it seemed to be the "city of the future." They think America in general is weird. I used to live in Palo Alto, and I loved it!! --goodbyeskyharbor, are you at high school? Maybe we know some mutual ppl!
    Cherub Rockon August 06, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI haven't heard this song before, but was intrigued simply because I was born in Palo Alto. Ain't that somethin.
    ...No?
    Ok.
    starmandeluxeon January 17, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentComputer.
    Wallamanageon September 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWow this is a cool song. I just moved to Palo Alto, and it's my first year at Paly. in fact I live right by the high school. It's really tough bein the new guy there. Making friends at this school is a real hassle.. everyone seems to already have all the friends they coudl want already cuz they're all rich prep snobs. But not everyone. there are a few cool people there.
    VelvetKevorkianon March 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentMy favourite B-Side.

    Was supposed to be put on OKC, but wasn't. I wish it was. Amazing song.
    PulkPullon October 01, 2009   Link

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