It could be applied to aging baby boomers who used to protest the government (You were so tired, happy, bring down the government, they don't, they don't speak for us) who have resignated themselves to high-stress jobs where they are subjected to heart disease or exposed to dangerous chemicals that are killing them (a job that slowly kills you), eating foods that clog their arteries and smoke and drink so that their body is full of poisons (A heart that's full up like a landfill), and they are slowly coming down with cancer, strokes, and heart attacks (some cancers have symptoms of bruises that don't go away and heart attacks and strokes can be brought on by blood clots blocking blood vessels and don't move), so they deal with businesses that poison the air (I'll take the quiet life, a handshake of carbon monoxide) such as the automobile industry. No longer arguing or protesting (Silent, silent). They may be on their death bed with a terminal disease caused by their lifestyle of the aforementioned or it could be their last time mentioning their dissent before taking in a life of pure acquiescence (This is my final fit, my final bellyache). They trade in the thrill and flavor of their life for the security of assimilation and in exchange for acceptance they get their house in the suburbs complete with a yard and 2.5 children (Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden). And they don't want any stirring up of their past excitement (No alarms and no surprises, please).
I like the way you used "applied" as well. Maybe this isn't THE interpretation of the song, but just something these lyrics could be applied to. These lyrics aren't specific or direct, but just capture a general feeling.
I like the way you used "applied" as well. Maybe this isn't THE interpretation of the song, but just something these lyrics could be applied to. These lyrics aren't specific or direct, but just capture a general feeling.
Interesting interpretation, most of which I think could be very right.
Interesting interpretation, most of which I think could be very right.
However, my interpretation of the 'pretty house, pretty garden' lyric, is that it is used as a metaphor for depression. Many people who suffer greatly with this hide it in different ways. In this song, the character is hiding it in the form of creating a beautiful house and garden for him/herself. When others look at the house, they think they see a perfect life, but in reality on the inside it is broken and falling apart; but in places people cannot see.
However, my interpretation of the 'pretty house, pretty garden' lyric, is that it is used as a metaphor for depression. Many people who suffer greatly with this hide it in different ways. In this song, the character is hiding it in the form of creating a beautiful house and garden for him/herself. When others look at the house, they think they see a perfect life, but in reality on the inside it is broken and falling apart; but in places people cannot see.
Thom Yorke singing about poltical pity for aging boomers? That's a good one. You know he's English right? You know this was written in the nineties right?
Thom Yorke singing about poltical pity for aging boomers? That's a good one. You know he's English right? You know this was written in the nineties right?
@Imani110 No no no no no. This song is clearly about hipsters, who are all trying so hard to look different they all look exactly alike (so tire - unhappy). The part about "bring down the government is a reference to the Occupy Wall Street movement. The real genius here is that it was written a decade and a half before any of that stuff happened!!!!
@Imani110 No no no no no. This song is clearly about hipsters, who are all trying so hard to look different they all look exactly alike (so tire - unhappy). The part about "bring down the government is a reference to the Occupy Wall Street movement. The real genius here is that it was written a decade and a half before any of that stuff happened!!!!
@Imani110 I like your interpretation. Some have said it might not be relevant to English society, but it is from my perspective as a middle-england suburbanite.
@Imani110 I like your interpretation. Some have said it might not be relevant to English society, but it is from my perspective as a middle-england suburbanite.
The idea of the "American dream" or indeed, the suburban dream in any western nation can be intoxicating, and often where we direct our search for happiness.
The idea of the "American dream" or indeed, the suburban dream in any western nation can be intoxicating, and often where we direct our search for happiness.
Maybe we have a "job that slowly kills you" instead of the job you really wanted to do in life, because it was stable and less risky. Maybe we have "such a pretty house and such a pretty garden" but feel empty inside. Maybe "no alarms and no surprises" is the way to reconcile the lying to yourself about what actually makes you happy.
Any time someone shakes anything up, it intrudes into that imaginary version of what life should be like. And it stops the numbness to the pain that you were otherwise feeling. The pain becomes real again.
I've got to say, at 35, I interpret differently than I first did at 17. I think maybe "no surprises" is how I have tried to live my life sometimes.
@Imani110 I think this nails it. The key line is "This is my final fit, my final bellyache." It's about complainers who are powerless to do anything about their grievances. After complaining for a while they decide to focus on their house and garden and perfect little private life with no alarms and no surprises, please.
@Imani110 I think this nails it. The key line is "This is my final fit, my final bellyache." It's about complainers who are powerless to do anything about their grievances. After complaining for a while they decide to focus on their house and garden and perfect little private life with no alarms and no surprises, please.
@Imani110 I think you nailed it man but considering when it was written I don't think Thom is talking directly about baby boomers it can apply to alot of younger people in western society as well.
@Imani110 I think you nailed it man but considering when it was written I don't think Thom is talking directly about baby boomers it can apply to alot of younger people in western society as well.
It could be applied to aging baby boomers who used to protest the government (You were so tired, happy, bring down the government, they don't, they don't speak for us) who have resignated themselves to high-stress jobs where they are subjected to heart disease or exposed to dangerous chemicals that are killing them (a job that slowly kills you), eating foods that clog their arteries and smoke and drink so that their body is full of poisons (A heart that's full up like a landfill), and they are slowly coming down with cancer, strokes, and heart attacks (some cancers have symptoms of bruises that don't go away and heart attacks and strokes can be brought on by blood clots blocking blood vessels and don't move), so they deal with businesses that poison the air (I'll take the quiet life, a handshake of carbon monoxide) such as the automobile industry. No longer arguing or protesting (Silent, silent). They may be on their death bed with a terminal disease caused by their lifestyle of the aforementioned or it could be their last time mentioning their dissent before taking in a life of pure acquiescence (This is my final fit, my final bellyache). They trade in the thrill and flavor of their life for the security of assimilation and in exchange for acceptance they get their house in the suburbs complete with a yard and 2.5 children (Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden). And they don't want any stirring up of their past excitement (No alarms and no surprises, please).
Genius interpretation.
Genius interpretation.
Indeed amazing.Completely changed my view on the song.
Indeed amazing.Completely changed my view on the song.
Definitely, one of the better interpretations I've seen on this site
Definitely, one of the better interpretations I've seen on this site
your interpretation is brilliant. i am glad that there are still some intellectuals around.
your interpretation is brilliant. i am glad that there are still some intellectuals around.
Sweet baby Jesus I second what everyone else said- the most genius, well thought through interpretation of a song I've ever read. Well done. :)
Sweet baby Jesus I second what everyone else said- the most genius, well thought through interpretation of a song I've ever read. Well done. :)
Great interpretation.
Great interpretation.
I like the way you used "applied" as well. Maybe this isn't THE interpretation of the song, but just something these lyrics could be applied to. These lyrics aren't specific or direct, but just capture a general feeling.
I like the way you used "applied" as well. Maybe this isn't THE interpretation of the song, but just something these lyrics could be applied to. These lyrics aren't specific or direct, but just capture a general feeling.
Interesting interpretation, most of which I think could be very right.
Interesting interpretation, most of which I think could be very right.
However, my interpretation of the 'pretty house, pretty garden' lyric, is that it is used as a metaphor for depression. Many people who suffer greatly with this hide it in different ways. In this song, the character is hiding it in the form of creating a beautiful house and garden for him/herself. When others look at the house, they think they see a perfect life, but in reality on the inside it is broken and falling apart; but in places people cannot see.
However, my interpretation of the 'pretty house, pretty garden' lyric, is that it is used as a metaphor for depression. Many people who suffer greatly with this hide it in different ways. In this song, the character is hiding it in the form of creating a beautiful house and garden for him/herself. When others look at the house, they think they see a perfect life, but in reality on the inside it is broken and falling apart; but in places people cannot see.
Thom Yorke singing about poltical pity for aging boomers? That's a good one. You know he's English right? You know this was written in the nineties right?
Thom Yorke singing about poltical pity for aging boomers? That's a good one. You know he's English right? You know this was written in the nineties right?
@Imani110 cool but its not clear why you conclude it's a baby boomer thing, I'll say this apply to many modern generations and not just baby boomers.
@Imani110 cool but its not clear why you conclude it's a baby boomer thing, I'll say this apply to many modern generations and not just baby boomers.
@Imani110 No no no no no. This song is clearly about hipsters, who are all trying so hard to look different they all look exactly alike (so tire - unhappy). The part about "bring down the government is a reference to the Occupy Wall Street movement. The real genius here is that it was written a decade and a half before any of that stuff happened!!!!
@Imani110 No no no no no. This song is clearly about hipsters, who are all trying so hard to look different they all look exactly alike (so tire - unhappy). The part about "bring down the government is a reference to the Occupy Wall Street movement. The real genius here is that it was written a decade and a half before any of that stuff happened!!!!
@Imani110 I like your interpretation. Some have said it might not be relevant to English society, but it is from my perspective as a middle-england suburbanite.
@Imani110 I like your interpretation. Some have said it might not be relevant to English society, but it is from my perspective as a middle-england suburbanite.
The idea of the "American dream" or indeed, the suburban dream in any western nation can be intoxicating, and often where we direct our search for happiness.
The idea of the "American dream" or indeed, the suburban dream in any western nation can be intoxicating, and often where we direct our search for happiness.
Maybe we have a "job that slowly kills you" instead of the job you really wanted to do in life, because it was stable and less risky. Maybe we have "such a pretty house and such a pretty garden" but feel empty inside. Maybe "no alarms and no surprises" is the way to reconcile the lying to yourself about what actually makes you happy.
Any time someone shakes anything up, it intrudes into that imaginary version of what life should be like. And it stops the numbness to the pain that you were otherwise feeling. The pain becomes real again.
I've got to say, at 35, I interpret differently than I first did at 17. I think maybe "no surprises" is how I have tried to live my life sometimes.
Cheers for your thoughts. Enjoyed reading.
Cheers for your thoughts. Enjoyed reading.
@Imani110 I think this nails it. The key line is "This is my final fit, my final bellyache." It's about complainers who are powerless to do anything about their grievances. After complaining for a while they decide to focus on their house and garden and perfect little private life with no alarms and no surprises, please.
@Imani110 I think this nails it. The key line is "This is my final fit, my final bellyache." It's about complainers who are powerless to do anything about their grievances. After complaining for a while they decide to focus on their house and garden and perfect little private life with no alarms and no surprises, please.
@Imani110 I think you nailed it man but considering when it was written I don't think Thom is talking directly about baby boomers it can apply to alot of younger people in western society as well.
@Imani110 I think you nailed it man but considering when it was written I don't think Thom is talking directly about baby boomers it can apply to alot of younger people in western society as well.