Critics commented on the uniqueness and fragility of Yorke's voice. "The Eraser" was produced, arranged and engineered by Nigel Godrich. The title track, "The Eraser" was co-written with Radiohead member Jonny Greenwood. The second track "Analyse" is featured in the ending credits of the film 'The Prestige.'
The Eraser
Thom Yorke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you only being nice
Because you want something?
My fairytale arrow pierces
Be careful how you respond
Because you'd not end up in this song
I never gave you an encouragement
And it's doing me in
Doing me in
Doing me in
Doing me in
Doing me in
The more you try to erase me
The more, the more
The more that I appear
The more, the more
The more you try the eraser
The more, the more
The more that you appear
You know the answer so why do you ask?
I am only being nice
Because I want someone, something
You're like a kitten with a ball of yarn
And it is doing me in
Doing me in
Doing me in
Doing me in
Doing me in
The more you try to erase me
The more, the more
The more that I appear
The more, the more
The more I try to erase you
The more, the more
The more that you appear
No, you're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong
The lyrics to Thom Yorke's The Eraser appear to be a conversation or dialogue where one person is questioning the motives behind another's kindness. The singer in the first stanza asks if the recipient of their kindness is only being nice because they want something. The singer then warns the other person to be careful how they respond because they might end up in a song, implying that the singer is a songwriter and might use their response as inspiration for a song. The singer then reveals that they never gave the recipient of their kindness any encouragement and that it's hurting them.
In the second stanza, the recipient of the kindness responds by saying that they are only being nice because they want someone or something. The singer then compares the recipient to a kitten with a ball of yarn, implying that they are playing with the singer's emotions. The repetition of the line "Doing me in" suggests that the singer is being emotionally drained by the situation.
The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear", which could have multiple interpretations. It could mean that the recipient is trying to push the singer away, but their efforts are only making the singer more present in their mind. Alternatively, it could suggest that the singer is trying to erase the recipient from their mind or their life, but their efforts are only making the recipient more prominent.
Overall, the lyrics to The Eraser are open to interpretation and could be related to various situations where two people are involved in a complicated and possibly toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Please excuse me but I got to ask
I apologize for interrupting, but I need to inquire
Are you only being nice
Are you showing kindness for a specific reason?
Because you want something?
Is there a motive behind your amiability?
My fairytale arrow pierces
My optimistic view has been shattered
Be careful how you respond
Choose your words wisely, think before you speak
Because you'd not end up in this song
Your actions won't be documented in this piece of music
I never gave you an encouragement
I haven't given you any incentives or motivation
And it's doing me in
It's causing me distress
The more you try to erase me
The harder you attempt to remove me from your life
The more, the more
The stronger the effect
The more that I appear
The more I become present in your thoughts or actions
You know the answer so why do you ask?
You already know the solution, so why would you question it?
I am only being nice
My kindness is genuine
Because I want someone, something
Because I desire a connection or object
You're like a kitten with a ball of yarn
You're like a playful, innocent creature caught up in something insignificant
And it is doing me in
But it's causing me stress
No, you're wrong, you're wrong
No, (in response to an unknown statement or accusation) you are mistaken
Lyrics © Springstoff GmbH, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: THOMAS EDWARD YORKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind