Radio Radio
Elvis Costello / Attractions Lyrics

I was tuning in the shine on the late night dial
I was searching for the right radio station to listen to late at night. The static resembled a shine.

Doing anything my radio advised
I was listening to the radio for guidance on what to do or how to feel.

With every one of those late night stations
Each and every late night radio station had something to say or play.

Playing songs bringing tears to my eyes
The songs being played on the radio were emotional enough to bring tears to my eyes.

I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver
I was considering turning off or hiding the radio because of the messages being broadcasted.

When the switch broke 'cause it's old
The switch on the radio broke because it was old and worn out from use.

They're saying things that I can hardly believe
The radio stations are broadcasting messages that are difficult to believe or accept.

They really think we're getting out of control
The radio stations believe that society is losing control.

Radio is a sound salvation
The radio is a source of healing or redemption through sound.

Radio is cleaning up the nation
The radio is helping to improve and restore the nation through its broadcasting.

They say you better listen to the voice of reason
The radio stations are urging people to listen to reason and common sense.

But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason
The radio stations do not allow for any dissent because they believe it is a form of treason.

So you had better do as you are told
You are expected to do what the radio stations tell you to do without questioning it.

I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I want to rebel or lash out against the source that is controlling or influencing me.

I wanna bite that hand so badly
I am extremely motivated to rebel or lash out against the source that is controlling or influencing me.

I want to make them wish they'd never seen me
I want to cause so much trouble that the source that is controlling or influencing me regrets ever noticing or bothering with me.

Some of my friends sit around every evening
Some of my friends spend their evenings doing nothing in particular.

And they worry about the times ahead
They are concerned about the future and the events that may occur.

But everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
Everyone else is apathetic or uninterested in the future or the events that may occur.

And the promise of an early bed
They are more interested in getting to bed early than engaging in anything else.

You either shut up or get cut up, they don't wanna hear about it
Either keep quiet or face criticism and potential harm because no one wants to hear about your concerns.

It's only inches on the reel-to-reel
The issues or concerns being discussed are small or insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools
The radio stations are controlled by foolish or unwise people who do not have the best interests of society in mind.

Tryin' to anesthetize the way that you feel
The radio stations are attempting to numb or desensitize people's emotions or feelings.

Wonderful radio
The radio has the potential to be wonderful or enjoyable.

Marvelous radio
The radio has the potential to be marvelous or magnificent.

Radio, radio
The repetition of 'radio' emphasizes its importance in society and the influence it has on people's lives.