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Vegetable
Radiohead Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I never wanted anything like this
I worked hard, tried hard
I ran around in domestic bliss
I fought hard, died long
Every time you're running out of here
Every time you're running I get the fear

I never wanted any broken bones
Scarred face, no home
Your words surround me and asphyxiate
And I burn all hate

Every time you're running out on me
Every time you're running I can see

I'm not a vegetable
I will not control myself
I spit on the hand that feeds me
I will not control myself

The waters spray, the waters run all over me
The waters spray, the waters run
And this time you gonna pay

I'm not a vegetable
I will not control myself
I spit on the hand that feeds me
I will not control myself

Overall Meaning

The song "Vegetable" by Radiohead seems to be about the singer feeling suffocated and controlled by someone else. The first stanza seems to speak to the singer's attempts to live a normal life, with a domestic upbringing complete with hard work, determination, and sacrifice. However, the singer still feels afraid every time the other person leaves, perhaps because their absence signifies a loss of control or because they fear retribution for acting against the wishes of the other person.


The second stanza depicts the singer's desire for independence and resistance to the other person's attempts to control them. The reference to broken bones and a scarred face suggests that the singer has been physically hurt, possibly as a result of standing up for themselves. The "waters" in the following lines may refer to a cleansing or cathartic experience, as the singer seems to be ready to take back control and "spit on the hand that feeds" them.


Overall, "Vegetable" is a song about the struggle for personal autonomy and the desire to break free from the control of others. The repeated refrain of "I will not control myself" underscores this message and highlights the resistance felt by the singer.


Line by Line Meaning

I never wanted anything like this
The singer didn't want the current situation they are in.


I worked hard, tried hard
The singer put in a lot of effort but still ended up in this undesired situation.


I ran around in domestic bliss
The singer tried their best to find happiness in their everyday life.


I fought hard, died long
The singer endured a lot of struggles and hardships.


Every time you're running out of here
The singer feels uneasy and fearful when someone leaves the situation.


Every time you're running I get the fear
The singer is scared when people exit the situation.


I never wanted any broken bones
The singer didn't want any violence or harm inflicted upon them.


Scarred face, no home
The singer has been physically harmed and has no place to call their own.


Your words surround me and asphyxiate
The singer is overwhelmed and suffocated by the words of those around them.


And I burn all hate
The singer is trying to let go of anger and resentment.


Every time you're running out on me
The singer feels abandoned and hurt when someone leaves the situation.


Every time you're running I can see
The singer can see the people leaving and it causes them distress.


I'm not a vegetable
The singer is declaring that they're not a passive follower and have their own agency.


I will not control myself
The singer won't allow others to control them or their actions.


I spit on the hand that feeds me
The singer rejects the idea of being dependent on someone else for their well-being.


The waters spray, the waters run all over me
The singer feels overwhelmed by a flood of emotions.


And this time you gonna pay
The singer is angry and plans to seek revenge.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Colin Charles Greenwood, Edward John O'Brien, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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