Radio
Billie Joe Armstrong and Elvis Costello Lyrics


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I was tuning in the shine on the late night dial
Doing anything my radio advised
With every one of those late night stations
Playing songs bringing tears to my eyes
I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver
When the switch broke 'cause it's old
They're saying things that I can hardly believe
They really think we're getting out of control

Radio is a sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
They say you better listen to the voice of reason
But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason
So you had better do as you are told
You better listen to the radio

I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I wanna bite that hand so badly
I want to make them wish they'd never seen me

Some of my friends sit around every evening
And they worry about the times ahead
But everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
And the promise of an early bed
You either shut up or get cut up, they don't wanna hear about it
It's only inches on the reel-to-reel
And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools
Tryin' to anesthetize the way that you feel

Radio is a sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
They say you better listen to the voice of reason
But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason
So you had better do as you are told
You better listen to the radio

Wonderful radio
Marvelous radio
Wonderful radio
Radio, radio
Radio, radio
Radio, radio
Radio, radio
Radio, radio
Radio, radio




Radio, radio
Radio, radio

Overall Meaning

The song "Radio Radio" by Billie Joe Armstrong and Elvis Costello is a criticism of the media industry, particularly radio stations. The singer describes how he used to listen to the radio for guidance, taking the advice of the late-night DJs who played songs that moved him to tears. However, he soon realizes that the messages being delivered by these stations are not always truthful or helpful. His frustration reaches a boiling point when he tries to turn off the radio and the switch breaks, forcing him to continue listening to the propaganda being spread by the industry.


The lyrics suggest that the radio is a powerful tool that can be used for good, but it is currently being controlled by people who are more interested in promoting their own agenda than in serving the public. The line "Radio is cleaning up the nation" is sarcastic, meant to call out the hypocrisy of those who claim to be using the medium for positive change. Instead, the singer argues that the radio is "anesthetizing" its listeners, numbing them to the real issues at hand.


Overall, "Radio Radio" is a powerful critique of the media industry and its ability to manipulate the masses. It encourages listeners to think critically about the messages they receive through the radio and to question authority when necessary.


Line by Line Meaning

I was tuning in the shine on the light night dial
I turned on the radio at night and was listening to the different radio stations available


Doing anything my radio advised
I was blindly following whatever the radio was playing or suggesting to listen to


With every one of those late night stations
There were many radio stations playing music at night


Playing songs bringing tears to my eyes
The songs being played were so emotional that they were making me cry


I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver
I was considering turning off the radio or ignoring it completely


When the switch broke 'cause it's old
The radio was old and the switch broke, making it difficult to turn off the radio or change the station


They're saying things that I can hardly believe
The radio DJs were discussing topics or playing music that were unbelievable or hard to comprehend


They really think we're getting out of control
The DJs believe that the general public is becoming uncontrollable or behaving badly


Radio is a sound salvation
Radio is considered to be a savior or remedy for people


Radio is cleaning up the nation
Radio is seen as a way to improve the country, perhaps by sharing important news or giving people a sense of community


They say you better listen to the voice of reason
The DJs are suggesting that it's necessary to listen to people or sources they consider to be reasonable


But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason
The DJs don't give people a choice about what to listen to because they believe it would be traitorous to question or ignore their advice


So you had better do as you are told
The DJs are telling people to do what they say without question or hesitation


I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I want to rebel against the source of knowledge or authority that I am relying on to provide me with information


I wanna bite that hand so badly
I want to do it desperately or with a lot of emotion


I want to make them wish they'd never seen me
I want to do something so radical or extreme that the source of my frustration or authority will regret ever encountering me


Some of my friends sit around every evening
Some of the people I know spend their evenings discussing and worrying about the future


And they worry about the times ahead
They are concerned or anxious about upcoming events or the future in general


But everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
Most people are too apathetic or uncaring to be concerned about anything


And the promise of an early bed
They would rather go to sleep early than think or talk about anything important or concerning


You either shut up or get cut up, they don't wanna hear about it
Either stop talking about controversial or challenging topics or be excluded or shunned by others


It's only inches on the reel-to-reel
The difference between the music or topics played on the radio is very small or insignificant


And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools
The individuals controlling or influencing the radio stations are seen as foolish or foolishly ignorant


Tryin' to anesthetize the way that you feel
The radio is attempting to numb or dull the emotions that people are feeling


Wonderful radio
Radio has the potential to be wonderful or great


Marvelous radio
Radio can also be spectacular or impressive


Radio, radio
The idea of radio as both good and bad, valuable and dangerous is emphasized




Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Vincent Del Nero

Simply amazing

Jason Nadle

Costello invented punk, Billie took it and ran with it.

Steve Buroojy

Coming up on the anniversary of this show in Atlantic City NJ....UNBELIEVABLE!!! May 19th 2006

J B

Um, WOW! Awesome!

Thorn Dela

I hope this opened the eyes of lots of young fans. Punk rock has been around for a while!

Pete

Um yeah...everyone knows punk rock started in the 70's

Joe Louis-Arena

@PeteThanks Didn’t know that

pannacotta sweet. D

I'm waiting for this thanks :))

YabbilyDoobily

Billie's reading the lyrics.

Akash Ichagutu

I've never seen this before.

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