Girl, don't do yourself dirty like that, you're not shallow just because you didn't quite undedrstand the meaning behind these lyrics. You clearly feel the vibe, that's the important bit 😉👌
I'm a long time fan of Radiohead and at times being confounded by their lyrics comes with the territory, just enjoy the music, even though this live version isn't exactly my favourite rendition of the song, felt a bit like Thom wasn't really too bothered doing it, still, it is a great song, hope it gave you an appetite for more from them.
@@oberynredviper7828 Well, I was more referring to this particular performance. The Jools Holland live performance for example of this sing is fantastic.
This song is about alienation. He chose paranoid android because in literature he's intelligent and depressed. He has emotional complexity but the world around him suffocates and alienates him. So you see him withdraw (chicken voices in my head) and go into an imaginary world (When I am King you will be first against the wall). In his imagination or fantasy world he has power to right wrongs. First he condemns materialism (ambition makes you look pretty ugly) the kind of people that put money and ambition before their own humanity (squealing kicking Gucci little piggy). This also references another song on OK Computer, "Fitter Happier" where he describes the conditions of humanity as "A pig, in a cage, on antibiotics". The line is also a real life reference from something that happened in an LA bar where a woman dressed in labels got a drink accidentally spilled on her and she freaked out like a Karen. The last part about the rain is about rebirth. In the video (not the live performance) you see the boy being saved by an angel in a helicopter and at the same time a corrupt politician starts destroying himself with his own hands. He tears himself apart and the bird's come and put him in a tree and start to nurture him back to life (Rain down on me, from a great height). They allow the politician (corruption) to be born again, after atoning for his sins (tearing himself apart). So our hero android has lost his mind to fantasy because he can't stand the corruption and pettiness of the real world and the politician keeps hurting people, tearing himself apart and being reborn in an endless loop. In this world the good have to hide to protect their psyches and while the good hide the corrupt do their worst and are born again to do it again and again. Then at the end he throws everyone together. "That's it, sir, you're leaving." (The empaths (androids) escaping to their fantasies). "The crackle of pig skin" (the normies dying on the treadmill or in the rat race or whatever it is we have set up). "The dust and the screaming (the suffering from the streets or the underprivileged), "The yuppies networking" (People who ignore it all and just keep chasing their dollars.) "The panic, the vomit" (He's admitting his own feelings, I think here. The idea of how corrupt and out of sync the world is makes him feel sick and panicky Thom is known to have a lot of anxiety) "God loves his children, yeah" I think he's questioning how people assume God's love in these conditions because a lot of people aren't seeing a whole lot of God in the real world scenario. It's a great song. You can interpret it anyway you like, it's art and whatever moves you about the piece, it's for you. Street Spirit next! Creep's been over done unless you do the live version for that one crazy note.
Well explained. And that last line "God loves his children, yeah" is a huge sarcastic "yeah"... the original lyrics were "God loves his children, that's why he kills them"
I had seen Radiohead live three times in the 90s before I moved to New York. One day I walked past my roommate on the street and her eyes were pure glass. I said to her, "hey, you ok love?" She looked at me blankly and asked, "have you seen the news today?" I hadn't yet. She said, turn on our TV when you get home. That's when I saw the footage of the second tower collapsing. I got into my car to go to work that night and this CD was in my car already and this is the song that came on as I watched the dust and and the screaming around me. I have never cried that hard, ever. Thank you for connecting with this music and with me, even if we are technically strangers. That day in New York, none of us were strangers anymore.
Highly recommend studio versions while you're trying to get into RH. They take a lot of artistic liberties during the live performances. Which as a fan, I freaking love. But it can def throw people off hearing for the first time
Love how honest and open you are when it comes to hearing new music. Radiohead is def a vibe. I don’t know what the best method is to request a song but check out their “in the basement” sessions.. they’re stunning and you really hear all the musicians shine especially weird fishes, reckoner,nude, house of cards ❤
When I saw Radiohead....it was at an outdoor amiptheater (Alpine Valley) and I was standing on the hill/grass section behind the fancy seats. Next to me was a a very beautiful girl/total stranger - and without exchanging any words, we just started holding hands for the duration of the show. Thats what good music does.
Thom has said at times he hates that his voice is so angelic. I think at times he’s felt it’s got in the way of the message he wants to convey… which is often one of hatred of many things about the modern world, politics and society, and I sense he would like to come across more spiteful and aggressive. I get the sense he’s come to terms with this dichotomy more later in his career, but I think in those times when he was unsatisfied by his voice he was missing the impact that someone singing such pointed lyrics in such an angelic voice actually has. And when he sings lines like “kicking, squealing, Gucci little piggy” or “god loves his children, yeah” he for sure infuses them plenty of bile and feeling.
Radiohead describes all the ways to express emotion in a dystopian world - in the face of rejection, isolation, hopelessness, totalitarian tyranny, hate & fear -- Maybe try Subterranean Homesick Alien by these guys, it's actually pretty - or The Tourist
paranoid android is a reference to the hitchiker's guide to the galaxy, which was written decades before cell/mobile phones. so definitely not just a song about phones.
Speaking of the crowd, if this was one of the Glastonbury shows, it makes sense because they are MASSIVE and super energetic. Frankly, as an American I’m really jealous of how the UK does it’s concerts, because they feel like a life-changing experience in comparison to most shows here. There’s just an energy and mood in the crowd that I’ve always noticed in UK shows that i have rarely seen in the US (NOT saying never, just that they tend to be way more passionate and emotional toward the music, which i love!).
The lyrics "I may be paranoid, but not an android" were confusing because you only hear them in the studio version of the song, and even then it's done very softly in the background by a computer's voice. It's adds some atmosphere to the song, but not enough that they bothered bringing it over to the live version.
I can always instantly "get" the mood of a Radiohead song, but a lot of them, like this one, if you said you understood the lyrics in an informational or logical kinda way, I'd be worried about you.
I hope you get to read this comment. Thom Yorke is also a visual artist. He collaborates with another guy on the creation of all o Radiohead album artworks. His approach to songwriting might probably be understood a bit better once you know this. His lyrics try to portray an image. They try to express some feelings. They tell a story. But they might sound abstract to people who are unaware of his influences. He is a literature buff. He is an activist. He often wrote songs that are describing a particular scene he happened to witness. Thankfully there are plenty of interviews, reviews, articles and even books, which old fans like me have had the chance to explore. This song is describing the shock and the various feelings he experienced when he once was in a bar in america, probably L.A., were a very entitled woman went totally crazy when someone spilled a drink on her. Thom said that he could not believe the pure evil coming out of that person, for such a trivial problem. As it's often the case with him, this led him to reflect on other deep stuff and to write this song about it all. The official video at some point shows a bit of the situation that inspired him to write the song.
A lot of their lyrics are kind of "nonsense on a theme". Each song usually has an underlying idea to the lyrics, but there is no coherent story being told. Thom just comes up with some 1 line phrases that he likes while thinking about the topic and loosely sews them together. More is usually said through the music itself than through the lyrics.
Saying it's the best alternative song and band isn't uncommon. I feel good about how much music I've explored in my life... OK Computer is probably, still, my favorite album.
He is all hyped up and does not sing this all that well he may be wired (coked up) I am not sure but he sings this flawlessly from Jools Holland live as well but he is a bit more calm and composed he has a habit of jumping around a lot and he gets out of breath from jumping around ect.
If this is your first inroad into Radiohead, how delightful. You will enjoy this rabbit hole. Musically, they are rock composition gods. I have them up there with Queen and you may also really love Rage Against the Machine. I would love to see you react to Rage. Start with Down Rodeo.
Definitely not shallow to not understand Radiohead lyrics 😂 they tend to go obscure more often than not. And I love that, make the song more open to interpretation and/or just vibes. And at some point in their career (Kid A era, the album after this), they basically chose lyrics at random, Dada-style. Another thing I love about their lyrics is that they’re usually talking about social and political issues, mental health, etc… way more interesting (to me) than albums full of love songs. I hope you explore more Radiohead!
Radiohead is the greatest band ever in many people's opinion. I would recommend not pausing the video so much, which you did about 12 times here. Radiohead songs are more than songs, they are an experience to be taken in.
Love the channel and your openness to music. Radiohead on your channel prolly not going to get a ton of likes, however after a few listens the lyrics start to make sense. Keep it up!
You should always listen to the album version of a song first (no matter what people may say). The album version is how the band intended it and you miss a lot with a live version.
I love that you love this song but can you please let me know if you’ve heard the album version? And if not, can you react to it? It is sooo much better. Radiohead can be amazing live too, but every other live song I’ve heard from them has exceeded the version you reacted to IMO.
To this day I have no idea why "reactioners" listen to live versions before album versions but at least you're reacting to Radiohead, which sadly, there are very few of. I respect live music as much as anyone else, and they can be absolutely fantastic for sure, but without first listening to the album versions first you have ZERO frame of reference from which to learn and/or grow with.
I enjoy the music of Radiohead, but I have always struggled to appreciate Thom Yorke's vocals and this is not his best rendition. The performances on Later With Jools Holland and at Glastonbury in 1997 are better.
American obsession with lyrics baffles me. It’s first and foremost about the music, vocals are just an instrument, words aren’t important. Imo, at least.
Girl, don't do yourself dirty like that, you're not shallow just because you didn't quite undedrstand the meaning behind these lyrics. You clearly feel the vibe, that's the important bit 😉👌
thank you!!
I'm a long time fan of Radiohead and at times being confounded by their lyrics comes with the territory, just enjoy the music, even though this live version isn't exactly my favourite rendition of the song, felt a bit like Thom wasn't really too bothered doing it, still, it is a great song, hope it gave you an appetite for more from them.
@@voiceover2191 Agreed. I think you'd be better off reacting to the studio version of Radiohead. May I suggest "Jigsaw Falling into Place"
@@oberynredviper7828 Well, I was more referring to this particular performance. The Jools Holland live performance for example of this sing is fantastic.
@@voiceover2191 Yea, Thom was a little haphazardly lackadaisical in his vocal delivery here. So yea, not my favorite performance either.
This song is about alienation. He chose paranoid android because in literature he's intelligent and depressed. He has emotional complexity but the world around him suffocates and alienates him. So you see him withdraw (chicken voices in my head) and go into an imaginary world (When I am King you will be first against the wall). In his imagination or fantasy world he has power to right wrongs.
First he condemns materialism (ambition makes you look pretty ugly) the kind of people that put money and ambition before their own humanity (squealing kicking Gucci little piggy). This also references another song on OK Computer, "Fitter Happier" where he describes the conditions of humanity as "A pig, in a cage, on antibiotics". The line is also a real life reference from something that happened in an LA bar where a woman dressed in labels got a drink accidentally spilled on her and she freaked out like a Karen.
The last part about the rain is about rebirth. In the video (not the live performance) you see the boy being saved by an angel in a helicopter and at the same time a corrupt politician starts destroying himself with his own hands. He tears himself apart and the bird's come and put him in a tree and start to nurture him back to life (Rain down on me, from a great height). They allow the politician (corruption) to be born again, after atoning for his sins (tearing himself apart).
So our hero android has lost his mind to fantasy because he can't stand the corruption and pettiness of the real world and the politician keeps hurting people, tearing himself apart and being reborn in an endless loop. In this world the good have to hide to protect their psyches and while the good hide the corrupt do their worst and are born again to do it again and again. Then at the end he throws everyone together. "That's it, sir, you're leaving." (The empaths (androids) escaping to their fantasies). "The crackle of pig skin" (the normies dying on the treadmill or in the rat race or whatever it is we have set up). "The dust and the screaming (the suffering from the streets or the underprivileged), "The yuppies networking" (People who ignore it all and just keep chasing their dollars.) "The panic, the vomit" (He's admitting his own feelings, I think here. The idea of how corrupt and out of sync the world is makes him feel sick and panicky Thom is known to have a lot of anxiety) "God loves his children, yeah" I think he's questioning how people assume God's love in these conditions because a lot of people aren't seeing a whole lot of God in the real world scenario.
It's a great song. You can interpret it anyway you like, it's art and whatever moves you about the piece, it's for you.
Street Spirit next! Creep's been over done unless you do the live version for that one crazy note.
Well explained. And that last line "God loves his children, yeah" is a huge sarcastic "yeah"... the original lyrics were "God loves his children, that's why he kills them"
In your opinion
Paranoid Android is a reference to Marvin the Paranoid Android in Douglas Addams "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy"
just sent a friend, a list of why she always needs to know where her towel is.
@@rickb.4168 My gaming name is Lunkwill.
thanks for the info!
@@brittreacts " Here I am, brain the size of a planet, and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper"
I love Radiohead and I have learnt that it's best just to let the music take you on a ride and it will mean something new to you every trip!
I had seen Radiohead live three times in the 90s before I moved to New York. One day I walked past my roommate on the street and her eyes were pure glass. I said to her, "hey, you ok love?" She looked at me blankly and asked, "have you seen the news today?" I hadn't yet. She said, turn on our TV when you get home. That's when I saw the footage of the second tower collapsing. I got into my car to go to work that night and this CD was in my car already and this is the song that came on as I watched the dust and and the screaming around me. I have never cried that hard, ever. Thank you for connecting with this music and with me, even if we are technically strangers. That day in New York, none of us were strangers anymore.
Highly recommend studio versions while you're trying to get into RH. They take a lot of artistic liberties during the live performances. Which as a fan, I freaking love. But it can def throw people off hearing for the first time
I agree. I’m not sure why but for some reason, she rarely does studio versions it seems like
Love how honest and open you are when it comes to hearing new music. Radiohead is def a vibe. I don’t know what the best method is to request a song but check out their “in the basement” sessions.. they’re stunning and you really hear all the musicians shine especially weird fishes, reckoner,nude, house of cards ❤
This song is one of the most beautiful, engaging, emotional songs ever in my mind.
When I saw Radiohead....it was at an outdoor amiptheater (Alpine Valley) and I was standing on the hill/grass section behind the fancy seats. Next to me was a a very beautiful girl/total stranger - and without exchanging any words, we just started holding hands for the duration of the show. Thats what good music does.
Thom has the voice of an angel, and they are all outstanding musicians. More Radiohead!
Thom has said at times he hates that his voice is so angelic. I think at times he’s felt it’s got in the way of the message he wants to convey… which is often one of hatred of many things about the modern world, politics and society, and I sense he would like to come across more spiteful and aggressive.
I get the sense he’s come to terms with this dichotomy more later in his career, but I think in those times when he was unsatisfied by his voice he was missing the impact that someone singing such pointed lyrics in such an angelic voice actually has. And when he sings lines like “kicking, squealing, Gucci little piggy” or “god loves his children, yeah” he for sure infuses them plenty of bile and feeling.
Definitely recommend their From The Basement show for In Rainbows. Specifically "Nude", "Reckoner" "Weird Fishes" and "15 Step".
The From The Basement version of "Reckoner" is one of the most beautiful things ever recorded.
You should listen to whole "OK Computer" album, its considered one of the top 10 albums of all time.
Radiohead describes all the ways to express emotion in a dystopian world - in the face of rejection, isolation, hopelessness, totalitarian tyranny, hate & fear -- Maybe try Subterranean Homesick Alien by these guys, it's actually pretty - or The Tourist
"First against the wall" is a reference to being first to face the firing squad.
paranoid android is a reference to the hitchiker's guide to the galaxy, which was written decades before cell/mobile phones. so definitely not just a song about phones.
Yeah,
That’s how I feel.
A muscle masterpiece with ambiguous lyrics 😁👍
More Radiohead songs
No Surprises
Street Spirit
High & Dry
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Karma Police
Extraordinary….. these guys are on another level.
It almost doesn't matter what Thom Yorke is singing about. He has a way of sucking you into his labyrinthine narratives.
ig that is true bc i am confused lol
Speaking of the crowd, if this was one of the Glastonbury shows, it makes sense because they are MASSIVE and super energetic. Frankly, as an American I’m really jealous of how the UK does it’s concerts, because they feel like a life-changing experience in comparison to most shows here. There’s just an energy and mood in the crowd that I’ve always noticed in UK shows that i have rarely seen in the US (NOT saying never, just that they tend to be way more passionate and emotional toward the music, which i love!).
The lyrics "I may be paranoid, but not an android" were confusing because you only hear them in the studio version of the song, and even then it's done very softly in the background by a computer's voice. It's adds some atmosphere to the song, but not enough that they bothered bringing it over to the live version.
I can always instantly "get" the mood of a Radiohead song, but a lot of them, like this one, if you said you understood the lyrics in an informational or logical kinda way, I'd be worried about you.
haha
I hope you get to read this comment. Thom Yorke is also a visual artist. He collaborates with another guy on the creation of all o Radiohead album artworks.
His approach to songwriting might probably be understood a bit better once you know this. His lyrics try to portray an image. They try to express some feelings. They tell a story. But they might sound abstract to people who are unaware of his influences. He is a literature buff. He is an activist. He often wrote songs that are describing a particular scene he happened to witness.
Thankfully there are plenty of interviews, reviews, articles and even books, which old fans like me have had the chance to explore. This song is describing the shock and the various feelings he experienced when he once was in a bar in america, probably L.A., were a very entitled woman went totally crazy when someone spilled a drink on her.
Thom said that he could not believe the pure evil coming out of that person, for such a trivial problem. As it's often the case with him, this led him to reflect on other deep stuff and to write this song about it all. The official video at some point shows a bit of the situation that inspired him to write the song.
Marvin the paranoid Android is a character from Douglas Adams' wonderful book... The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
Beautiful song
Yes, yes, yes!
glad you enjoyed it!
The Radiohead back catalogue is a goldmine!
Discovering things for the first time is amazing
You should see the basement session of this band
It's great when you speak the lyrics over the song so the fans who are looking for reactions to the song get it explained them
A lot of their lyrics are kind of "nonsense on a theme". Each song usually has an underlying idea to the lyrics, but there is no coherent story being told. Thom just comes up with some 1 line phrases that he likes while thinking about the topic and loosely sews them together. More is usually said through the music itself than through the lyrics.
Yeaaah... One of the greatest bands ever. And this album is the greatest ever. IMO. And so are you. Peace.
Saying it's the best alternative song and band isn't uncommon.
I feel good about how much music I've explored in my life...
OK Computer is probably, still, my favorite album.
Radiohead is a studio band.
Weird fishes, from the basement
Well, it seems that you never heard before about Marvin, the Paranoid Android from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"
As its an attempt to mimic the thought process of someone struggling with reality - its probably good you dont automatically get it 😀
haha maybe so
You don't half find them! Radiohead's Paranoid Android is a 90s classic (in the UK anyway) but they are an acquired taste. Great reaction
thank you!
I don't think anybody knows what he's talking about, but it's great anyhow :)
haha thank you!
Subbed!! Please do more Radiohead! "Reckoner" from the basement live could be next? 😍
He is all hyped up and does not sing this all that well he may be wired (coked up) I am not sure but he sings this flawlessly from Jools Holland live as well but he is a bit more calm and composed he has a habit of jumping around a lot and he gets out of breath from jumping around ect.
Need to do Creep
🔥🙏
Do karma police at Lollapalooza, you'll love it. Radiohead are amazing live.
Please react to Nude or Reckoner from the basement if you want to really want to see and hear him sing no copyright issues either.
the video was wild! great album to!
I'm gonna be honest: This is one of the few bands where i MOST of the time prefer the Album versions from the live ones...
If this is your first inroad into Radiohead, how delightful. You will enjoy this rabbit hole. Musically, they are rock composition gods. I have them up there with Queen and you may also really love Rage Against the Machine. I would love to see you react to Rage. Start with Down Rodeo.
Definitely not shallow to not understand Radiohead lyrics 😂 they tend to go obscure more often than not. And I love that, make the song more open to interpretation and/or just vibes. And at some point in their career (Kid A era, the album after this), they basically chose lyrics at random, Dada-style. Another thing I love about their lyrics is that they’re usually talking about social and political issues, mental health, etc… way more interesting (to me) than albums full of love songs. I hope you explore more Radiohead!
💜
❤️
Radiohead is the greatest band ever in many people's opinion. I would recommend not pausing the video so much, which you did about 12 times here. Radiohead songs are more than songs, they are an experience to be taken in.
Love the channel and your openness to music. Radiohead on your channel prolly not going to get a ton of likes, however after a few listens the lyrics start to make sense. Keep it up!
Wonderful musicians!! Include me being confused but I enjoyed this!!😅
haha glad you enjoyed it!
I was there, but it didn't sound this good on the night!
You should always listen to the album version of a song first (no matter what people may say). The album version is how the band intended it and you miss a lot with a live version.
Not sure Yorke's lyrics are that easy to understand first time through. Don't beat yourself up lol
Well done, good reaction. Wait until you've listened to it 100 times like most gen xers and Radiohead fans...nothing like it before or since.
I love that you love this song but can you please let me know if you’ve heard the album version?
And if not, can you react to it?
It is sooo much better.
Radiohead can be amazing live too, but every other live song I’ve heard from them has exceeded the version you reacted to IMO.
To this day I have no idea why "reactioners" listen to live versions before album versions but at least you're reacting to Radiohead, which sadly, there are very few of. I respect live music as much as anyone else, and they can be absolutely fantastic for sure, but without first listening to the album versions first you have ZERO frame of reference from which to learn and/or grow with.
because usually listening to the original gets you copyrighted.
I enjoy the music of Radiohead, but I have always struggled to appreciate Thom Yorke's vocals and this is not his best rendition. The performances on Later With Jools Holland and at Glastonbury in 1997 are better.
would be better reaction to studio version
We want to see keep the video, not your comments, or whatever you said.
American obsession with lyrics baffles me. It’s first and foremost about the music, vocals are just an instrument, words aren’t important. Imo, at least.
I think you paused enough to avoid any video blocks but maybe a bit too much to enjoy the song
Pause to much rattle after.And you don't need to explan the words.
Your yammering on non stop ruins stuff
Only good Radiohead song is "Creep" and even then i prefer just about any cover of it over the original.
🤡🤡
You funny.😂