Oh, Banana Co.
We really love you, and we need you
And oh, Banana Co.
We'd really love to believe you

But everything's underground
We gotta dig it up somehow
Yeah, yeah

Oh, she said "No go"
She said she'd like to, she's seen you
And oh, Banana Co.
She knows if you die then we all do

And everything's underground
We've gotta dig it up somehow
Yeah, yeah

Everything's burning down
We gotta put it out somehow
Yeah, yeah



Lyrics submitted by shut

Track duration: 02:22

"Banana Co." as written by Thomas Edward/o'brien Yorke

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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Banana Co. song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment:It actually has to do with this, as told by Radiohead themselves: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
    Flag Terrancioon May 04, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I was thinking somewhere along the lines of consumerism, in which Banana Co. stands for the consumerism that we have today.

    Everyone is sucked into this and loves it, needs it.

    but there's a glimmer of hope, as we know that itisn't really what we want, how ever much we'd love to believe it.

    All these truths have been buried by the companies, but to regain some kind of release from the consumerism, we've got to dig up the truth: we don't need all this material crap.

    The next verse brings us a true brain-wash-ee. This girl says she'd love to join in with the tearing down of consumerism and all, but she is dependant on this consumerism: she must conform to everyone else.
    And so once again, we've got to dig for the truth we need.

    But it seems as though she's convinced us. Our 'rebellion' against consumerism has burned down. We've got to put out the fire and get back on track, but if everything is burning down, than it's a bit too late to salvage.
    But why salvage when you can just go to banana co. to solve all your materialistic needs?

    End of song.
    End of interpretation.
    Flag voice.of.reason?on December 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Just putting it out there, but Banana Co. sounds a lot like "been out of coke" when said out loud especially in this song. Now read the lyrics knowing that.

    The more you know!
    Flag toleratethison April 17, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i hate it when someone comes up with an explanation so sound it explains every aspect of the song, and someone else goes "maybe it has no meaning".
    Flag Bird Flewon June 05, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with the general comments... the bit with the girl saying "No go" is a bit confusing... perhaps she is speaking to a friend of hers (maybe a local leader) who is considering revolution. And "she'd like too" because she has seen him, but she says "no go" because if they lose this person/leader everything will be lost. The idea is that they want revolution and freedom, but it really isn't going to work because, despite Banana Co being bad... they need it.
    Flag Ani_Smithon March 24, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:A banana republic is a small country whose sole export is for example, bananas, and they're often under a dictator or military rule.

    I have a feeling he's implying that either the UK or west in general are sometimes akin to a banana republic. It wouldn't shock me if our export was war.
    Flag Gay Christmas Treeon October 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Anopheles has it right. This song was inspired by One Hundred Years of Solitude. But this part of the book was based on facts. "La Masacre Bananera" occurred in the late 1920's in Cienaga Colombia, where the national army paid off by The United Fruit Company killed hundreds or thousands of banana workers. columbiapoliticalreview.com/…



    "But everything is underground

    We got to dig it up somehow"

    Gabriel Garcia Marquez grew up hearing this story from so many people, so many times that it became almost a myth and the actual number of victims got lost somewhere in the oral tradition of the Colombian coast.



    "She knows [Ursula] if you die then we all do"

    The United Fruit Company got into the little Colombian town with promises of prosperity and wealth for its people. It became the center of all for this town, to the point that after The United Fruit Company left, the town was complete lost without a path to follow.
    Flag elGarzonon August 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"But everything's underground/ We've gotta dig it up somehow."
    I think that what this line means is that the revolution is "underground" and that: "we've gotta dig it up somehow" refers to the time when the revolution is set in motion.

    If that's the case, then the line "But everythings burning down/ We've gotta put it up somehow" means that the revolution has failed, better luck next time.
    Flag Citizen Painon July 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I've seen a live recording (youtube) and at the end Thom says "that was for Indonesia... (cough) and all the people who have money invested there."

    That seems to agree with the corrupt company idea, but in Indonesia not S. America. Anyone know if they grow bananas in Indonesia?!
    Flag Dr. Tchockon June 17, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I agree with someone. Radiohead's songs are hard to disect! I'm thinkging Banana co. justs sounds cool and means something completely unrelated. Or it has no meaning. Some songs are like that.
    Flag 41MorningBell41on August 15, 2006   Link

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