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
Unless
Atoms for Peace Lyrics
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I couldn't care less
Careless
I couldn't care less
Careless
I couldn't care less
Such a mess
I know it's useless
I couldn't care less
Careless
I couldn't care less
While my heart keeps returning
I am lost, I am weightless
With my arms by my side
I am hope, I can break this
I am rust, I am waiting
I am here, I am weightless
I am rust, rust,
Rust
Rust
Careless
I couldn't care less
Careless
I know it's useless
I couldn't care less
Careless
I know it's useless
Careless
Couldn't care less
I know it's you, I guess
Couldn't care less
The lyrics to Atoms for Peace's "Unless" are repetitive and evocative, expressing a sense of detachment and purposelessness. The repeated phrases "Careless, I couldn't care less" suggest a lack of concern or investment in the world around the singer. The line "Such a mess, I know it's useless" drives home a feeling of futility, as if the singer is aware of the chaos and confusion in their life but acknowledges that they are powerless to do anything about it.
However, amidst this sense of apathy, there are glimmers of hope and redemption. The lines "While my heart keeps returning / I am lost, I am weightless" suggest that despite feeling adrift and directionless, the singer still has a connection to their emotions and inner self. The repeated phrase "I am rust, rust, rust" suggests decay and stagnation, but also hints at the possibility of renewal and rebirth.
Line by Line Meaning
Careless
I am indifferent to the situation
I couldn't care less
I have no concern or interest in the matter at hand
Such a mess
The situation is chaotic and disorganized
I know it's useless
I am aware that there is no point in what is happening
While my heart keeps returning
Although I am drawn to the situation emotionally
I am lost, I am weightless
I feel directionless and without purpose
With my arms by my side
I am passive and not taking action
I am hope, I can break this
I have an optimistic outlook and believe that change is possible
I am rust, I am waiting
I am stagnant and not actively pursuing progress
I am here, I am weightless
I am present but detached from the situation
Rust Rust Rust
The stagnancy and decay of the situation continue
I know it's you, I guess
I am aware that a particular person is responsible for the situation
Couldn't care less
I am still indifferent to the situation despite knowing who is responsible
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