Christopher O'Riley is an American classical pianist and radio show host, w… Read Full Bio ↴Christopher O'Riley is an American classical pianist and radio show host, who is also known for his renditions of songs by the band Radiohead, Nick Drake and most recently Elliott Smith, using only a piano. O'Riley has produced many recordings of classical music and claims his renditions have introduced the music of Radiohead to a classical audience as well as introducing classical music to a wider audience, as he sometimes performs both his usual repertoire and Radiohead songs at the same concert.

Christopher O'Riley is also the host of the NPR Radio show 'From the Top' which features young classical musicians from all over the country. The show is to soon make its television debut on WTTW.

Black Star
Christopher O'Riley Lyrics

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I Get Home From Work And You're Still Standing In Your Dressing
Gown
Well What Am I To Do?
I Know All The Things Around Your Head And What They Do To
You
What Are We Coming To?
What Are We Gonna Do?
Blame It On The Black Star

Blame It On The Falling Sky
Blame It On The Satellite That Beams Me Home
The Troubled Words Of A Troubled Mind I Try To Understand
What Is Eating You
I Try To Stay Awake But Its 58hrs Since That I Last Slept With
You
What Are We Coming To?
I Just Don't Know Anymore
I Get On The Train And I Just Stand About Now That I Don't Think
Of You
I Keep Falling Over I Keep Passing Out
When I See A Face Like You

What Am I Coming To?
Im Gonna Melt Down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Christopher O'Riley's song Black Star is an observation of a troubled relationship that the singer is grappling with. The opening line describes the scene where the singer returns home from work, and his partner is still in her dressing gown. The sense of displacement and discord is palpable in his tone. He feels helpless as he tries to make sense of what's happening to his partner. The line "I know all the things around your head and what they do to you" indicates that he understands her struggles and what's causing her distress. Yet, he feels powerless to do anything to alleviate her pain.

He then blames it on the "black star," the "falling sky," and the "satellite that beams me home." This is a metaphor for external factors that are contributing to the decay of their relationship. He tries to comprehend what is bothering her and stay awake long enough to talk to her, but his sleepless nights and the distance between them seem to have done irreparable damage. He tries to keep himself occupied, but even little things like seeing someone that looks like her can make him pass out. The refrain 'What are we coming to?' conveys a sense of hopelessness, and 'I just don't know anymore' suggests that he has given up on trying to mend their relationship. The final line 'I'm gonna melt down' is an admission of defeat as he realizes that he's reached his limit.

Overall, Black Star is a poignant song that captures the tumultuous nature of relationships and the difficulty in understanding the struggle that someone close to us can be going through.

Line by Line Meaning

I Get Home From Work And You're Still Standing In Your Dressing Gown
Upon returning home from work, I find you still in your dressing gown.

Well What Am I To Do?
I feel helpless in this situation and don't know what to do.

I Know All The Things Around Your Head And What They Do To You
I am aware of the pressure and stress that surrounds you, and how it affects you.

What Are We Coming To?
I am questioning the state of our relationship and where it is headed.

What Are We Gonna Do?
I am uncertain about how we can improve our situation.

Blame It On The Black Star
I attribute the problems in our relationship to a black star.

Blame It On The Falling Sky
I attribute the problems in our relationship to a falling sky.

Blame It On The Satellite That Beams Me Home
I attribute the problems in our relationship to a satellite that brings me home.

The Troubled Words Of A Troubled Mind I Try To Understand
I attempt to comprehend the distressing thoughts of your troubled mind.

What Is Eating You
I wonder what is causing your distress and worry.

I Try To Stay Awake But Its 58hrs Since That I Last Slept With You
I struggle to stay awake, having been 58 hours since the last time we slept together.

What Are We Coming To?
Again, I am questioning the state of our relationship and where it is headed.

I Just Don't Know Anymore
I feel unsure and perplexed about our future together.

I Get On The Train And I Just Stand About Now That I Don't ThinkOf You
When I take the train and try to distract myself, I find that I still can't stop thinking about you.

I Keep Falling Over I Keep Passing Out When I See A Face Like You
I become overwhelmed and disoriented when I see someone who reminds me of you.

What Am I Coming To?
I question my own sanity and emotional stability.

Im Gonna Melt Down
I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakdown or emotional collapse.

Writer(s): GREENWOOD JONATHAN, GREENWOOD COLIN, GREENWOOD JONATHAN, GREENWOOD COLIN

Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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