The band shares a name with both the 1953 speech by American president Dwight D. Eisenhower and a song from Yorke's debut solo album The Eraser. On their website, under their name, is the phrase "Nerth Nuclerek? Na Vynnav" which is in the Cornish language and can be translated as Nuclear Power? No Thanks. This is the text from the Smiling Sun anti nuclear power logo, which has been translated into at least 49 languages, including Cornish.
Thom Yorke has stated that the members of Atoms for Peace bonded over a shared love of the music of afrobeat, and said in an interview that the debut album was "the product of getting together, getting wasted and listening to Fela Kuti."
http://www.atomsforpeace.info
Ingenue
Atoms for Peace Lyrics
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Who let 'em in?
You got me into this mess
You get me out
You know like the back of your hand
Your bell jar
Your collection
Ingenue
You got me into this mess
Fools rushing in, yeah
And they know it
The seeds of the dandelion you blow away
In good time, I hope I pray
If I'm not there now, physically
I'm always before you, come what may
And you know it
Fools rushing in, yeah
Well you know it
Who let them in?
Yeah well you know it
Gone with a touch of your
Gone with a touch of your hand
Move through the moment
Though it betrays
transformations
Jackals and flames
If I knew now what I knew then
Just give me more time I hope and pray
I mistake all you say
The seeds of the dandelion you blow away
The song "Ingenue" by Atoms for Peace is a love song about a person who knows their partner very well. The first verse is addressed to the lover who is responsible for getting them into the predicament, but also who is capable of getting them out of it. The metaphor of a bell jar and a collection relates to the partner's knowledge about the other person, just as if they are collected inside a jar. The chorus repeats the lyrics "Fools rushing in," which could indicate that the situation arose out of impulsive behavior of the lovers.
The second verse conveys an idea of transcendence from earthly constraints. The singer hopes that the scattered dandelion seeds that represent fleeting moments of happiness might take root and grow into something more profound. And so, despite not being together currently, the singer still holds hope for a shared future. The final verse refers to the emotions that the singer has felt in the past, but now feels like those are gone. The word "Jackals" could signify predators or obstacles that might destroy the love.
Line by Line Meaning
You know like the back of your hand
You are very familiar with everything about me
Who let 'em in?
Who allowed this situation to occur?
You got me into this mess
You brought me into this difficult situation
You get me out
You have the ability to help me escape
You know like the back of your hand
You are very familiar with everything about me
Your bell jar
Your enclosed container
Your collection
Your group of things that you have gathered or acquired
Ingenue
A naive and innocent young woman
You got me into this mess
You brought me into this difficult situation
Fools rushing in, yeah
People making hasty and unwise decisions
And they know it
They are aware that their decision was unwise
The seeds of the dandelion you blow away
You let go of things easily
In good time, I hope I pray
I hope that eventually, things will work out for the best
If I'm not there now, physically
If I am not with you in person right now
I'm always before you, come what may
I am always here for you no matter what happens
And you know it
You are aware of this fact
Well you know it
You are aware of this fact
Who let them in?
Who allowed this situation to occur?
Yeah well you know it
You are aware of this fact
Gone with a touch of your
Disappeared or vanished due to your actions
Gone with a touch of your hand
Disappeared or vanished due to your physical touch
Move through the moment
Keep going and don't get stuck in one moment
Though it betrays
Even if it goes against what you believe
transformations
Changes or developments
Jackals and flames
Dangerous and destructive forces
If I knew now what I knew then
If I had been aware of what I know now in the past
Just give me more time I hope and pray
I hope for more time to make things right
I mistake all you say
I often misunderstand what you mean
The seeds of the dandelion you blow away
You let go of things easily
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL BALZARY, THOMAS EDWARD YORKE, NIGEL TIMOTHY GODRICH, JOEY WARONKER, MAURO C REFOSCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind