Radiohead – Prove Yourself

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Send "Prove Yourself" Ringtone to Cell

I can't afford to breathe in this town
Nowhere to sit without a gun in my hand
Look back up to the cathode ray
I'm better off dead
I'm better off dead
I'm better off

Prove yourself
Prove yourself
Prove yourself

I want to breathe, I want to grow
I'd say I want it but I don't know how
I work, I bleed, I beg, I pray

I'm better off dead
I'm better off dead
I'm better off

Prove yourself
Prove yourself
Prove yourself

I'm better off dead
I'm better off dead
I'm better off

Prove yourself

Send "Prove Yourself" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by piesupreme

Track duration: 02:25

"Prove Yourself" as written by Thomas Edward/o'brien Yorke

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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Prove Yourself song meanings
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28 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I can totally relate to this song. Its about feeling like your a failure in life and that you are capable of so much more than what your doing. In a sense you have to "prove yourself" that you are worth much more than the life your living. Its either you shape up, prove yourself and "grow" because if you don't you might as well be dead. He wants to change and live up to the potential he has, but doesn't know how. Its hard to get a start in life. You don't know the best road to take.
    Flag livinthingon March 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me , it somes up how I felt when I was in my teens (but thankfully , even though I contemplated ending it, I never did.....its amazing what 20 years has done to my wise old head)

    The expectation that is thrust upon you by your peers, when you are at a major crossroads in your life (so many important decisions that you have to make) The expectation that you are going to know which decisions are the right ones, and all the while those very same peers are pushing you for answers and decisions.

    Its about frustration, indecision, pressure, that leads ultimately to the thought of just finishing it all
    Flag spesh73on December 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm only posting because my interpretation is different to other peoples on here. I believe this song is about how ever since you are born you are asked by everyone to prove yourself, and that You never have any room to breathe. Everyone wants to prove themselves but they don't know how, and if you don't prove yourself in the eyes of society you are better off dead. That's my interpretation anyway.
    Flag sky93on October 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:A kid living in a miserable town, against his choosing. I think he has to keep a figurative "gun" on him at all times, to be on his guard, but he's wasting his life in front of the "cathode ray" (TV).
    Flag bernlin2000on October 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:why does everyone automatically assume that "prove yourself" is a positive line? i see it as thom basically saying, if you're better off dead, prove it. get it over with, then. and in that message is the fact that 90% of people who say "i'm better of dead" don't actually mean it, so the song is a challenge. if you're better off dead, then kill yourself, but otherwise quit your bitching. that's my interpretation, anyway.
    Flag sortileguson September 05, 2009   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:it sounds to me like it's about someone (maybe thom?) telling someone, "look if you're gonna do it, DO IT! stop fucking around."
    Flag monticelloon June 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it is partly about Thom growing up in Oxford. In particular the toff elitist students from Oxford University.
    Flag Al_radioon July 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i love this one actually.

    my only complaint is that the verses sound a lit like Heart of Gold by Neil Young, an influence of Thom's.
    Flag Bird Flewon April 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I really love this song, actually. I used to have a different interpretation of it, like many others on here, but after reading radioheadhead's, that really makes sense, too. It does get old...people 'threatening' the thought of something as serious as suicide when they don't even realize what it feels like to be truly depressed with life.

    And, oh yeah-- on the radiohead myspace it did say he worked as an orderly in a mental hospital...that could have inspired a lot of his writing. Must have been a pretty scary, harsh job, I'd imagine.

    ...we're all trying to prove ourselves...
    Flag severalwayson July 15, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think, like the previous posters, it refers to suicide, "the gun in a hand" and the "cant afford to breathe"...
    but in the end he cant do it, so he just watches tv (hooked back up to the cathode ray)
    then later he feels that he has to do something with his life, "wanna breathe, wanna grow" instead of watching tv...
    and he realises he has to prove to himself that he can do the things he wants to do, instead of sinking into depression and spending the whole day watching the "cathode ray" (TV)....
    Flag sianzon March 29, 2007   Link

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