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Bangers + Mash
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You bit me, bit me, now I want more
Standing in the hall
Kicking out the wall
Its all been sent to recover hell
The bangers and the mash
The negatives for cash
You're either in the club, baby, or you're not
Whatever turns you on
Whatever gets you off
Chief of police or vice-chancellor
Lord and lady, blah blah
The vicar or the judge
You are dancing to my little red book
Because you bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
I got the poison, poison, and I want more
If you are on top
Then it is a long drop
The pyramid is power
We're changing the hour
If you are on the top
Then it is a long drop
If you stare into the dark
The black will stare back
Back into your soul
The cheque came through
The cheque came through
The cheque, cheque, cheque
The cheque came through
The cheque came through
The cheque, cheque, cheque
The cheque came through
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down
When I go down
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down
I'm standing in the hall
I'm kicking at the wall
Because you bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
Poison, I got the poison, I got the poison now
I got the poison
"Bangers & Mash" by Radiohead is a song that is open to interpretation, but it is widely believed to be about the power dynamics in society. The first verse talks about being bitten and wanting more, which is interpreted by some as representing the craving for power and control. The line "Standing in the hall, kicking out the wall" could represent a desire to break free from societal norms and expectations of behavior. The lines "The bangers and the mash, the negatives for cash, you're either in the club, baby, or you're not" could be interpreted as the different societal groups, with some being able to afford luxuries and others struggling to make ends meet.
The chorus, "Whatever turns you on, whatever gets you off, Chief of police, or vice-chancellor, Lord and Lady, blah, blah, The Vicar or the Judge, you are dancing to my little red book" seems to suggest that people in power have a hold over those who are not, and they have the ability to manipulate and control the masses. The lines "Because you bit me, bit me, bit me, ow, I got the poison and I want more" could be interpreted as the desire for more power and control.
The second verse further emphasizes the power dynamics in society, with the lines "If you are on top, then it is a long drop, the pyramid is power, we're changing the hour, if you stare into the dark, the black will stare back, back into your soul." It suggests that those who are in power are sitting on a precarious position, and if they fall, it's a long way down. The line "If you stare into the dark, the black will stare back, back into your soul" could represent the danger of power and the corrupting influence it can have on individuals.
Finally, the song ends with the repetition of "the cheque came through," which could represent the power that money holds in society and how it can lead to corruption.
Line by Line Meaning
You bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
You hurt me deeply and it stings.
You bit me, bit me, now I want more
Despite the pain, I'm attracted to you and want more of you.
Standing in the hall
I'm in a liminal space, between one place and another.
Kicking out the wall
I'm trying to break through barriers and challenge the status quo.
Its all been sent to recover hell
Everything has gone to chaos and disaster.
The bangers and the mash
The good and the bad, or the enjoyable and the necessary. Like food, we need both.
The negatives for cash
Some people will do anything, even sell their morals or dignity, for money.
You're either in the club, baby, or you're not
Society often creates strict binaries, and if you don't fit in one, you'll be excluded from the other.
Whatever turns you on
Do what makes you feel alive and fulfilled, regardless of what others think.
Whatever gets you off
Find the things that make you happy and satisfied, even if they're unconventional or taboo.
Chief of police or vice-chancellor
Both authoritative positions, but with different responsibilities and spheres of influence.
Lord and lady, blah blah
Titles and hierarchy are meaningless and superficial.
The vicar or the judge
Both positions seem righteous and powerful, but can be flawed and corrupt.
You are dancing to my little red book
You're under my control, and following my rules and desires.
Because you bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
You've hurt me again and it still stings.
I got the poison, poison, and I want more
The thing that hurts me, or the thing that's bad for me, is also the thing that I crave.
If you are on top
If you have power and control over others.
Then it is a long drop
You're one step away from losing everything and falling from grace.
The pyramid is power
Society is structured in a way that advantages some and disadvantages others based on their position in the hierarchy.
We're changing the hour
We're disrupting the status quo and challenging what's considered right or normal.
If you are on the top
Again, if you have power and control over others.
Then it is a long drop
The higher you climb, the harder you'll fall.
If you stare into the dark
If you confront your own darkness and flaws.
The black will stare back
Your fears and insecurities will begin to affect you and cause more pain.
Back into your soul
These negative feelings will challenge your sense of self and personal identity.
The cheque came through
I received my payment or reward.
The cheque, cheque, cheque
It's a simple and repetitive message, emphasizing the importance of financial transactions.
I'm taking you down
I'm challenging you and trying to defeat you.
When I go down
If I lose, or if I'm defeated.
I'm standing in the hall
Again, I'm in a transitional or liminal space, not sure what's next.
I'm kicking at the wall
I'm pushing back against obstacles and barriers, determined to overcome them.
Poison, I got the poison, I got the poison now
Again, I have the thing that hurts me, but I'm still drawn to it and want more.
Lyrics © 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