Life in a Glasshouse
Radiohead Lyrics
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She is papering the window panes
She is putting on a smile
Living in a glass house
Once again packed like frozen food and battery hens
Think of all the starving millions
Don't talk politics and don't throw stones
Your royal highness's
Well of course I'd like to sit around and chat
Well of course I'd like to stay and chew the fat
Well of course I'd like to sit around and chat
But someone's listening in
Once again we are hungry for a lynching
That's a strange mistake to make
You should turn the other cheek
Living in a glass house
Well of course I'd like to sit around and chat
Well of course I'd like to stay and chew the fat
Well of course I'd like to sit around and chat
Only only only only only only only only only only
There's someone listening in
Radiohead's "Life in a Glass House" is a haunting and poignant song that explores themes of isolation, vulnerability, and the dangers of living in a world where everything is transparent. The song opens with the singer revealing that they are once again in trouble with their only friend, who is depicted as papering the window panes and putting on a smile. The phrase "living in a glass house" is used throughout the song to describe the singer's feeling of being constantly exposed and vulnerable.
The song goes on to address themes of politics, wealth, and power. The singer juxtaposes the image of being "packed like frozen food and battery hens" with the thought of "starving millions." This line is a powerful commentary on the unequal distribution of wealth and resources in the world. The singer goes on to caution against discussing politics or throwing stones, a nod to the idea that those in power should not be criticized or challenged.
The final verse of the song addresses the idea of public perception and the danger of being hungry for a "lynching" or a public shaming. The singer implores the listener to "turn the other cheek" and to resist the urge to participate in public shaming. The repetition of the phrase "Only only only only only only only only only only" at the end of the song creates a sense of urgency and desperation, emphasizing the importance of listening and understanding each other's experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Once again I'm in trouble with my only friend
I've had problems with my friend before, and it's happening again
She is papering the window panes
She's trying to hide something, to keep things from being seen
She is putting on a smile
She's pretending that everything is fine, even though it's not
Living in a glass house
We're living in a world where everything we do is on display and can be judged by others
Once again packed like frozen food and battery hens
We're all crowded together, like products on a shelf
Think of all the starving millions
There are people in the world who are struggling to survive, and we should be aware of their needs
Don't talk politics and don't throw stones
We shouldn't argue about political issues or criticize others because it can lead to more problems
Your royal highness's
This is a sarcastic reference to people who think they're better than others and don't understand what it's like to suffer or struggle
Well of course I'd like to sit around and chat
Of course I'd like to talk and socialize with others
But someone's listening in
But we can't really speak freely because there's always someone there who might hear what we say
Once again we are hungry for a lynching
Once again people are looking for someone to blame for their problems
That's a strange mistake to make
That's a strange and dangerous way to try to solve our problems
You should turn the other cheek
We should try to forgive and not retaliate when we're wronged
Only only only only only only only only only only
This repetition emphasizes that we are trapped and can't escape the surveillance of others
Living in a glass house
We're still living in a world where everything we do is on display and can be judged by others
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., 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