The style and sound of the band is a unique, somewhat bizarre mix between Anastasio's jam band style, the bass-oriented funk metal music of Claypool, and the reggae-influenced beats of Copeland. To many, this is considered to be the bridge between the music of Phish and Primus. After the release of the band's only album, The Grand Pecking Order in 2001, the band's members returned to work of material with their main bands.
On February 10, 2006, it was announced that Oysterhead would be reuniting for one more set at the Bonnaroo Music Festival.
Radon Balloon
Oysterhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the day that came before
Drifting is a simple thing to do
To dance across the treetops with
Reflections in a spoon
In black and white or color
A step toward the craters on
The surface of the moon
In dreams he flies a tiny raft in a broken sky
Radon Balloon
Saw the sun in a chase to be
With the chosen one
Radon Balloon
Swung through town on a piece of twine
Radon Balloon
Disappeared a thousand times
Radon Balloon
The lyrics of Oysterhead's song "Radon Balloon" portray a sense of freedom and escapism. The singer of the song seems to be moving in a dream-like state to different places, from an island to the Tetons, and then to the surface of the moon. The idea of drifting is presented as an effortless and simple thing to do, as expressed in the line "drifting is a simple thing to do."
The song's mood is in line with the feeling of being lost in a dream, where anything can happen. The line "to dance across the treetops with reflections in a spoon" illustrates this sense of surrealism. The lyrics also introduce the idea of a "Radon Balloon," which appears to be a mode of transportation for the singer. The balloon is described as disappearing many times and being swung by a piece of twine, adding to the song's dream-like and whimsical atmosphere.
With its abstract imagery and playful tone, "Radon Balloon" seems to be about the joy of letting go and allowing oneself to drift away, physically or in one's imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
From an island, to the Tetons
The singer is talking about traveling from one place to another, a journey reminiscent of moving from an island to a mountain range.
To the day that came before
Reflecting on the past, specifically the day that has already passed.
Drifting is a simple thing to do
The act of drifting, or moving aimlessly without a specific direction, is an easy thing to do.
To dance across the treetops with
Imagery of dancing on top of trees, suggesting a carefree and perhaps whimsical attitude.
Reflections in a spoon
Possible metaphor about viewing oneself reflected in a small or distorted space.
In black and white or color
Possible reference to how memories or experiences can be remembered in different ways, similar to changing from black and white to color.
A step toward the craters on
The idea of taking a step towards exploring and discovering something new, possibly the surface of the moon.
The surface of the moon
Referencing the celestial body that humans have never failed to find fascinating.
Radon Balloon
Repeating phrase throughout the song that seems to serve as a title or anchor point.
In dreams he flies a tiny raft in a broken sky
The artist or a character in the song has a dream about flying in a small and fragile raft in a sky that is falling apart.
Saw the sun in a chase to be
There is some sort of competition or race involving the sun.
With the chosen one
The person the artist is rooting for to win the race or competition is the chosen one, implying that they've been predestined for success.
Swung through town on a piece of twine
The singer or another individual swings through a town while hanging on a piece of twine, giving off a playful and perhaps daring vibe.
Disappeared a thousand times
The idea of constantly leaving or disappearing, possibly referencing a change in identity or place.
Radon Balloon
Repeating phrase throughout the song that seems to serve as a title or anchor point.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: LES CLAYPOOL, STEWART COPELAND, ERNEST ANASTASIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind