15 Step
Radiohead䠀 Lyrics

The lyrics to Radiohead's song "15 Step" seem to explore themes of repetition, frustration, and the feeling of being trapped or manipulated. The singer keeps ending up back where they started or where they "belong," suggesting a lack of control over their own path. The line "Won't take my eyes off the ball again" could be interpreted as a determination to stay focused and avoid being distracted or led astray by someone else. However, the following line "You reel me out then you cut the string" implies that this effort to stay on track may be futile, as someone else is still ultimately in control.

The second verse adds another layer to this, with the singer asking "What happened?" to someone who "used to be alright." This could be directed towards the same person who is reeling them in and cutting the strings, or towards someone else entirely. The repeated line "One by one" suggests that something has been lost or taken away, perhaps a sense of trust or connection. The phrase "Etcetera etcetera / Facts for whatever" may reflect a sense of disillusionment or disinterest in the trivial details of life. The final lines "Fifteen steps / Then a shear drop" bring a sense of danger and impending disaster, indicating that the repetitive cycle of being reeled in and cut loose could have serious consequences.