Radiohead – 15 Step

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  My Interpretation:I think this song is basically about death. You start of dead and you end up dead. And like don't be scared in life and things you do which you find embarrassing or bad it does not really matter because after sometime you and everybody around you will be dead. So just do the best you can in life and just go for it don't be afraid that people will judge you because nobody will remember in the end.
  That'ts what I think anyway.

  Flag LYRICS28on May 18, 2013   Link

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  Song Meaning:The author of this piece has clearly just been overwhelmed by the evidence for Creation.
  
  "How come I end up where I started/ I belong" An obvious link to Adam been created from dust - Genesis 2:7.
  
  The title itself is a clear reference to the story of Japheth (who was tempted by the devil into walking 15 paces for Gold, leading to him falling from a cliff into the bowels of Hell itself).

  Flag GodWarrioron March 20, 2013   Link

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    could suggest so but not necessarily. I would never take this to be about Creation at all but I like how you see it.
    I wonder if he really does believe in Creation?

    Flag leavesintheriveron March 20, 2013  
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  General Comment:Are you sure it's "15 steps then a sheer drop."? I always thought it was "15 steps then a shoe drops." Meaning we try to move forward and advance yet there's a moment that always stops us and sends us back to where we started. Just my two cents.

  Flag mwanteroon February 26, 2013   Link

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  My Interpretation:I take it to be about karma. This is most obvious in the lines "one by one, it comes to us all", for what you get is what you give. Or something like that.

  Flag HeavyLidon December 14, 2012   Link

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  Song Meaning:How come I end up where I started
  (How come I will die just as I was dead before I was born)
  How come I end up where I belong
  (How come I am alive now)
  Won't take my eyes off the ball again
  (I will try a realise what life is about and get away from the systems of society)
  You reel me out then you cut the string
  (But in the end life always reels you out in hope and cuts the line with death)
  
  You used to be alright
  What happened?
  (You used to be alive why did you die)
  
  Did the cat get your tongue
  Did your string come undone
  (Did your life get cut off so you will never speak again)
  
  One by one
  One by one
  It comes to us all
  It's as soft as your pillow
  (One by one everyone on earth will die, but death is peaceful as falling asleep on a soft pillow)
  
  You used to be alright
  What happened?
  Etcetera etcetera
  (Etc to show this process happens over and over to us all)
  
  Facts for whatever
  ( Even if you do realise what life is about it doesn't even matter)
  
  Fifteen steps
  Then a shear drop
  (Because its 15 steps, either onto the gallows or 15 steps to wisdom which ever one you get to they both end up in a shear drop)

  Flag tkol88on November 19, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:I think of this song every time me and my wife get in a fight.

  Flag Genesisfanon October 26, 2012   Link

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  Lyric Correction:How come I end up where I started?
  How come I end up where I went wrong?
  Won't take my eyes off the ball again
  You reel me out, then you cut the string
  
  How come I end up where I started?
  How come I end up where I went wrong?
  Won't take my eyes off the ball again
  First you reel me out, then you cut the string
  
  You used to be alright, what happened?
  Did the cat get your tongue?
  Did your string come undone?
  
  One by one
  One by one
  It comes to us all
  It's as soft as your pillow
  
  You used to be alright, what happened?
  Et cetera, et cetera
  Facts for whatever
  Fifteen steps
  And then a sheer drop
  
  How come I end up where I started?
  How come I end up where I went wrong?
  Won't take my eyes off the ball again
  You reel me out, then you cut the string

  Flag paperbagwriteron February 27, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:WOAHHH read this about the 15 steps
  hypnotherapy.co.in/…
  
  i always thought this song was about death, but this is AMAZING

  Flag joacoon December 08, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:He's had enough. He feels as though he takes one step forward and then two back. To him he's being played. She draws him in with her words/actions and then cuts him off. Perhaps it's entitled "15 Steps" referring to Passover...once you peform the 15 steps of the Passover Seder your prayer will be answered. Perhaps he's hoping to stop caring...to get her out of his mind so he can move on. Great song. Even better band.

  Flag FatBottomedGurlon September 11, 2011   Link

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    Great band and song. I know what it's like to be used. And I hope he rots in hell

    Flag HairyPalmJoeon October 16, 2011  
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  General Comment:I think its just about finding yourself and loosing yourself again while your on your own little journey (particularly in your teen years).. its almost like the narrator is having a conversation with himself....
  How come I end up where I started?
  How come I end up where I went wrong?
  I won't take my eyes off the ball again
  First you reel me out and then you cut the string
  
  = ONE SIDE OF HIS THOUGHTS.. THINGS HE IS QUESTIONING..
  
  
  You used to be all right
  What happened?
  Did the cat get your tongue?
  Did your string come undone?
  ***
  You used to be all right
  What happened?
  Et cetera, et cetera
  Fads for whatever
  Fifteen steps
  Then a sheer drop
  
  = WHAT HE KNOWS OTHER PEOPLE WILL SAY/THINK.. AND WHAT HE KNOWS IS OBVIOUSLY HAPPENING, HE'S LOOSING HIMSELF AGAIN BUT DOESNT UNDERSTAND IT COS ITS WRITTEN LIKE SOMEONE ELSE SAID IT
  
  
  
  One by one
  In procession
  It comes to us all
  It's as soft as your pillow
  
  
  = THIS VERSE IS LIKE THE ALL-SEEING-EYE TALKING. ONCE HE SEE'S AND UNDERSTANDS.
  
  
  
  **** I also love how he laid out the lyrics... first he questions himself. then questions himself again.. then he questions himself from someone elses point of view very obviously thinking about what they would say.. then there is the 'truth' of the matter,... then other poeples views again... then he questions himself again and again... great anaology of us humans

  Flag bonita1on May 04, 2011   Link

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    I agree with what *Lanta* said about self awareness...
    
    but its mainly just again changes of circles of focus i think..

    Flag bonita1on May 04, 2011  

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    He's not questioning himself. He's questioning YOU. The story isn't told in a flat first person. They're are two groups here: him, and everyone else. You know the direct object in the third paragraph. You have to apply it to both possibilities. If its everyone to him, then he is being questioned. If its him to himself, then of course he's questioning himself. Assume the vague direct object is intentional. Here we have probable cause because Thome York is a genius. You were supposed to look at it both ways to see the progression in the two groups relationship.
    The song describes a real world perpetual cycle of doubt that engulfs culture.

    Flag funkitup4yaon July 22, 2011  

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