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Paranoid Android Lyrics
Please could you stop the noise, I'm trying to get some rest
From all the unborn chicken voices in my head What's that, what's that? When I am king you will be first against the wall With your opinion which is of no consequence at all What's that, what's that? Ambition makes you look pretty ugly Kicking, squealing, Gucci little piggy You don't remember, you don't remember Why don't you remember my name? Off with his head, man, off with his head, man Why don't you remember my name? I guess he does Rain down, rain down, come on rain down on me From a great height, from a great height, height Rain down, rain down, come on rain down on me From a great height, from a great height, height That's it sir, you're leaving The crackle of pig skin The dust and the screaming The yuppies networking The panic, the vomit The panic, the vomit God loves his children God loves his children, yeah |
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04-04-2003
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04-17-2003
sooo...now i understand why radiohead just adopted the idea of going along with the whole roman emperor idea... i think if they tried to explain it, they'd just sound really dumb....like i did.
anywho...i really like this song. it's one of my favorites.
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04-23-2003
the panic, the vomit/the panic, the vomit" (football on TV at the bar, the slick LA yuppies networking, the alcohol creating a sense of panic and vomit). At the same time that this picture is being painted of the seedy night scene, the so-called "paranoid android" of the song has things tormenting him in his head to the point where he cannot let go and enjoy the night because he sees through the desperation of it. Creating fantasies of warped reality wherein he puts people "against the wall" and screams the refrain about the loss of true personal contact (and ultimately self-doubts even this with the line "I guess he does") "You don't remember...". As an introvert of sorts who doesn't enjoy the nightlife scene, I am probably projecting my own meaning onto the song, but I can see a disollusioned, somewhat insecure "paranoid android" having this cacophony echoing in his head while he puts on a face for the crowd. Just my two cents...
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04-24-2003
you can get it off kazaa if you got it
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05-01-2003
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05-04-2003
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05-05-2003
I suppose the individual Mr. York alludes to in this song is tired of the news of tension and fear between the communists and those who follow the free enterprise system. "When I am King, you will be first against the wall;" this line states that the individual expressed in this song fabricates an ideal world in his mind in which he is a ruler and there is no longer any chaos. In addition to this "And your opinion which is of no consequence" states that there will no longer be any disagreements between his ideal country and the rest of the world. However, "You Don't Remember! You don't remember my name! Off with his head man! Off with his head man!" states that the individual denies his true lack of political power and lashes out at somebody violent for pointing it out. However, the individual realizes that his dreams are flawed and that he will never see this perfect world. However, in the grand scheme of things, he realizes that no matter what breed of chaos humanity devises, God will always love them for they are His children.
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05-07-2003
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06-10-2003
We interpret it as a sequel to 'Airbag'. Airbag, from what we can tell, is an introduction: the author has a near-fatal accident that causes a revalation.
Taken in that context, interpret 'Paranoid Android' as the details of that accident.
In the first third, the author (recently pulled from the car wreck) is in a semi-conscious state, being taken to the hospital. "Please could you stop the noises, I'm trying to get some rest?", as the emergency team is retreiving him and moving him to the hospital.
This revalation outlined in 'Airbag' is fully realized in this song. He was the driver of a 'fast German car' (Airbag) -- synonymous with money, status, power.
In this first third of the song, he is reacting to the 'annoyances' of the emergency team in the standard money/status/power way: "When I am king/you will be first against the wall". See, he's just sitting there dying, and when you're dying, all those people making a commotion around you are really annoying. In the modus operandi of a money/status/power person, you threaten those who annoy you.
The next bit, "Ambition makes you look pretty ugly/Kicking squealing gucci little piggy" could be a reaction (in the newfound clarity of his near-death experience) to either a) the medical staff helping him, or b) more likely, himself. In that 'moment of truth', you reflect upon the self. The driver of the 'fast German car' (airbag) would also be the guy with the Gucci shoes, no? And in perfect self-reflection, he would see himself as a 'kicking, screaming, gucci little piggy' -- in car-accident-induced pain, kicking, screaming, like a pig, but wearing gucci shoes.
With those two lines, the shock of trauma turns into the panic of near-death; it proceeds with "You don't remember ... Why don't you remember my name?"
Anyone who's ever been in an ER knows the staff refers to you as "the patient", not by your name.
At "Rain down...", the painkillers kick in. The dischordant panic of the preceding segment are abruptly replaced by a detached expression of sensations. Anyone who has ever been on serious painkillers will recognize the "Rain down ... From a great height" feeling.
As that drifts off, the background vocals paint out the rest of the scene:
"That's it sir, you're leaving"
Good night, the anasthesia is kicking in.
"The crackle, of pigskin"
Pig skin is used as a treatment in severe emergency burn treatment. It is applied to the injured area.
"the dust and the screaming
the yuppies networking"
As you fade away, flashbacks about your life hit you, part of the near-death revalation.
"the panic, the vomit"
Victims of severe accidents can vomit from pain.
"God loves his children"
Something medical staff would say to a patient to calm them.
I dunno about y'all, but I'm convinced. I've listened to this song for years. This revalation came tonight, with the added input of my girlfriend.
Thoughts?
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06-10-2003
We interpret it as a sequel to 'Airbag'. Airbag, from what we can tell, is an introduction: the author has a near-fatal accident that causes a revalation.
Taken in that context, interpret 'Paranoid Android' as the details of that accident.
In the first third, the author (recently pulled from the car wreck) is in a semi-conscious state, being taken to the hospital. "Please could you stop the noises, I'm trying to get some rest?", as the emergency team is retreiving him and moving him to the hospital.
This revalation outlined in 'Airbag' is fully realized in this song. He was the driver of a 'fast German car' (Airbag) -- synonymous with money, status, power.
In this first third of the song, he is reacting to the 'annoyances' of the emergency team in the standard money/status/power way: "When I am king/you will be first against the wall". See, he's just sitting there dying, and when you're dying, all those people making a commotion around you are really annoying. In the modus operandi of a money/status/power person, you threaten those who annoy you.
The next bit, "Ambition makes you look pretty ugly/Kicking squealing gucci little piggy" could be a reaction (in the newfound clarity of his near-death experience) to either a) the medical staff helping him, or b) more likely, himself. In that 'moment of truth', you reflect upon the self. The driver of the 'fast German car' (airbag) would also be the guy with the Gucci shoes, no? And in perfect self-reflection, he would see himself as a 'kicking, screaming, gucci little piggy' -- in car-accident-induced pain, kicking, screaming, like a pig, but wearing gucci shoes.
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06-10-2003
We interpret it as a sequel to 'Airbag'. Airbag, from what we can tell, is an introduction: the author has a near-fatal accident that causes a revalation.
Taken in that context, interpret 'Paranoid Android' as the details of that accident.
In the first third, the author (recently pulled from the car wreck) is in a semi-conscious state, being taken to the hospital. "Please could you stop the noises, I'm trying to get some rest?", as the emergency team is retreiving him and moving him to the hospital.
This revalation outlined in 'Airbag' is fully realized in this song. He was the driver of a 'fast German car' (Airbag) -- synonymous with money, status, power.
In this first third of the song, he is reacting to the 'annoyances' of the emergency team in the standard money/status/power way: "When I am king/you will be first against the wall". See, he's just sitting there dying, and when you're dying, all those people making a commotion around you are really annoying. In the modus operandi of a money/status/power person, you threaten those who annoy you.
The next bit, "Ambition makes you look pretty ugly/Kicking squealing gucci little piggy" could be a reaction (in the newfound clarity of his near-death experience) to either a) the medical staff helping him, or b) more likely, himself. In that 'moment of truth', you reflect upon the self. The driver of the 'fast German car' (airbag) would also be the guy with the Gucci shoes, no? And in perfect self-reflection, he would see himself as a 'kicking, screaming, gucci little piggy' -- in car-accident-induced pain, kicking, screaming, like a pig, but wearing gucci shoes.
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06-10-2003
We interpret it as a sequel to 'Airbag'. Airbag, from what we can tell, is an introduction: the author has a near-fatal accident that causes a revalation.
Taken in that context, interpret 'Paranoid Android' as the details of that accident.
In the first third, the author (recently pulled from the car wreck) is in a semi-conscious state, being taken to the hospital. "Please could you stop the noises, I'm trying to get some rest?", as the emergency team is retreiving him and moving him to the hospital.
This revalation outlined in 'Airbag' is fully realized in this song. He was the driver of a 'fast German car' (Airbag) -- synonymous with money, status, power.
In this first third of the song, he is reacting to the 'annoyances' of the emergency team in the standard money/status/power way: "When I am king/you will be first against the wall". See, he's just sitting there dying, and when you're dying, all those people making a commotion around you are really annoying. In the modus operandi of a money/status/power person, you threaten those who annoy you.
The next bit, "Ambition makes you look pretty ugly/Kicking squealing gucci little piggy" could be a reaction (in the newfound clarity of his near-death experience) to either a) the medical staff helping him, or b) more likely, himself. In that 'moment of truth', you reflect upon the self. The driver of the 'fast German car' (airbag) would also be the guy with the Gucci shoes, no? And in perfect self-reflection, he would see himself as a 'kicking, screaming, gucci little piggy' -- in car-accident-induced pain, kicking, screaming, like a pig, but wearing gucci shoes.
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06-10-2003
We interpret it as a sequel to 'Airbag'. Airbag, from what we can tell, is an introduction: the author has a near-fatal accident that causes a revalation.
Taken in that context, interpret 'Paranoid Android' as the details of that accident.
In the first third, the author (recently pulled from the car wreck) is in a semi-conscious state, being taken to the hospital. "Please could you stop the noises, I'm trying to get some rest?", as the emergency team is retreiving him and moving him to the hospital.
This revalation outlined in 'Airbag' is fully realized in this song. He was the driver of a 'fast German car' (Airbag) -- synonymous with money, status, power.
In this first third of the song, he is reacting to the 'annoyances' of the emergency team in the standard money/status/power way: "When I am king/you will be first against the wall". See, he's just sitting there dying, and when you're dying, all those people making a commotion around you are really annoying. In the modus operandi of a money/status/power person, you threaten those who annoy you.
The next bit, "Ambition makes you look pretty ugly/Kicking squealing gucci little piggy" could be a reaction (in the newfound clarity of his near-death experience) to either a) the medical staff helping him, or b) more likely, himself. In that 'moment of truth', you reflect upon the self. The driver of the 'fast German car' (airbag) would also be the guy with the Gucci shoes, no? And in perfect self-reflection, he would see himself as a 'kicking, screaming, gucci little piggy' -- in car-accident-induced pain, kicking, screaming, like a pig, but wearing gucci shoes.
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06-11-2003
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06-12-2003
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06-12-2003
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06-21-2003
Since this was made, I don't think I've heard a song that's been better(and I'm not even a Radiohead fan). Killer bass line, like when he says "Kickin screamin gucci little piggy", and a couple bad ass heavily distorted solos.
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06-21-2003
I think "Paranoid Android" is about a megalomanical dictator, or someone's fantasy of being "the king." He hears voices in his head. (schizophrenia?) Maybe the voices are who he's talking to when he says "what's that" (like he can't understand what they're saying)
He is paranoid; he suspects everyone of treason. His paranoia leads him to see people all around him who are plotting against him ("ambition makes you look pretty ugly") He wants to get rid of all challengers to his throne ("you will be first against the wall"). He wants complete power - others' opinions "are of no consequence at all."
Above all, he wants to be remembered and feared, which is why he asks "why won't he remember my name" and orders the executions of those who don't show him respect. Perhaps the voices are the ones who respond "I guess he does" to his question.
The comparison to a "kicking squealing Gucci little piggy" could be the 'traitors' being dragged out into the street. And "the crackle of pigskin" could be those traitors suffering his wrath. "The dust and the screaming" and "the panic, the vomit" could describe a scene of soldiers coming into a town to root out the traitors, tearing apart families and killing all who get in their way. Sort of like what I imagine Serbia, Iraq and other countries under the heel of a despot experienced. Hitler's Holocaust is another example - remember the scenes from "Schindler's List" and other Holocaust movies where the Nazis go through the ghettoes rounding up Jews.
The "rain down" part might be the dictator standing out in the rain by himself, yelling at the heavens. Dictators are known to be pretty insane. The lyrics reminded me for some reason of Roman Emperor Nero, playing his fiddle as Rome burned.
The lyric "God loves his children" reflects the dictator's belief that he is the son of God, just as the Roman emperors claimed divine descent.
Of course, as others have suggested, the "dictator" could be anyone, including the Roman empire/emperors, or America, or Saddam Hussein, or Thom Yorke, or me. Some of the lyrics could have personal meaning for the songwriter, like the "Gucci little piggy" story above. Anyway, this is what I thought of when I listened to the song on repeat about 15x because it is such a great song.
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06-21-2003
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07-01-2003
Thom must've seen some movie when he was young about lovers in the rain. He's been forever entranced with romantic notions of it since. Like in this song, and so many others (See "Sit Down. Stand Up," for real reference to raindrops, so many others mentioning water- "Lucky," "Pyramid Song," "Sail To the Moon," and so on and so forth)
This songs makes me feel shitty, in a shitty way, so I tend to space out during it and try not to think about the words too much- only the music if I can. this song makes me feel sorry- its about being sorry and maybe thinking youre going to pay for what you get (but in less obvious terms that "Karma Police." Thom's vegetarianism (or is he a vegan now???), the guilt of the killing chickens, echoing in his head. "When I am king,you will be first against the wall." More you get what you pay for and such things. He must've felt like an asshole for a few years there. It sucks feeling like an asshole, when you know youre being a jerk- or maybe with the you'll be first on the wall line, he feels like hes the only un-asshole around, surrounded by gucci wearing motherfuckers who suck out chicken brains through straws and laugh as they pick the bones from their teeth.
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07-06-2003
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04-30-2004
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05-19-2004
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06-08-2004
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06-23-2004
From a great height, from a great height, height
Rain down, rain down, come on rain down on me
From a great height, from a great height, height."
beautiful portion of the song.
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