Staircase
Radiohead䠀 Lyrics
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Magnetic pull.
Back to the other place
That I cannot go.
I'm sending a chopper,
To steal you away.
The pot is full,
Let me take control.
The pot is full
Of secrets to be told,
Secrets to be told.
Out of orbit
And I always will.
The pot is full,
Let me take control,
Let me take control.
The pot is full
Of secrets to be told,
Secrets to be told
The lyrics to Staircase by Radiohead are layered and complex, with multiple interpretations possible. The first verse describes a person walking down a staircase, almost as if they are being drawn to something at the bottom. The line "magnetic pull" seems to suggest that the person is being pulled towards something they cannot resist, despite not wanting to go there. The second line, "back to the other place that I cannot go," hints at a sense of loss or longing for something that is now out of reach. Taken together, these lines suggest the idea of being pulled back to a place from the past that is no longer attainable.
The second verse introduces a new element to the song with the line "I'm sending a chopper, to steal you away." This shift in focus suggests that the song is written from the perspective of someone who is not just observing, but also actively trying to affect the situation. The use of the word "chopper" creates a sense of urgency and danger, which leads the listener to wonder who or what is being stolen away.
The repeated refrain of "the pot is full, let me take control" adds to the sense of urgency and desire for control over the situation. The "pot" could represent a variety of things, such as power, secrets, or knowledge that the singer wants to wield. Ultimately, the meaning of these lyrics is left up to interpretation, but they clearly suggest a sense of longing, loss, and a desire for control.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk down the staircase,
I am metaphorically descending into a subconscious state, drawn by a force beyond my control.
Magnetic pull.
The pull that draws me down the staircase is irresistible, as if a powerful magnetic field is guiding me.
Back to the other place
The staircase leads me back to a place in my mind that I cannot physically revisit, perhaps a past memory or a dream state.
That I cannot go.
Although I cannot physically go to the other place at this moment, I can access it through this descent.
I'm sending a chopper,
I am using a metaphorical helicopter to rescue someone from a situation, possibly related to the other place I am returning to.
To steal you away.
I want to physically remove this person from a difficult situation, as if abducting them from harm's way.
The pot is full,
A metaphor for a container of information or experiences that is overflowing.
Let me take control,
I want to take charge of the situation, possibly in regards to uncovering the secrets that the pot holds.
The pot is full
The metaphorical container of information or experiences is still overflowing, emphasizing its importance.
Of secrets to be told,
The container holds hidden knowledge or experiences that have yet to be revealed or understood.
Out of orbit
Another metaphorical image, signifying a departure from the norm or going astray from a set course.
And I always will.
The departure or deviation from the norm is a constant aspect of this person's life.
Let me take control,
Reiterating the desire to take charge of the situation, possibly in regards to the pot of secrets.
The pot is full
Emphasizing once again the importance of the container of information or experiences.
Of secrets to be told,
Repeating the idea that the container holds undiscovered knowledge or experiences that need to be shared or understood.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN CHARLES GREENWOOD, EDWARD JOHN O'BRIEN, JONATHAN RICHARD GUY GREENWOOD, PHILIP JAMES SELWAY, THOMAS EDWARD YORKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Max
Check out what else is new on HBO Max here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=761uRaAoW00
Anne Anneben
Would love to watch because of Colin Firth. But unfortunately we don't have HBO in Europe. WHY ????
calbassas87
Firth’s portrayal of Peterson is scary good. He completely embodies him. It’s well enough to get the look down but the voice was what blew me away. He perfected the exact tones and subtle mannerisms. He’s just one of the greatest actors we’ve ever seen.
ML T
I was going to make a similar comment. If you don't watch the documentary, you might think Firth's acting is over the top; but it is spot on.
Ryan M
Colin Firth is an incredible, experienced, and decorated actor who’s an Oscar winner. It’s no surprise that he plays this role perfectly.
calbassas87
@ML T exactly. You almost have to watch the doc before the series because if you didn’t, then it’s almost hard to believe Peterson could exist in real life. Which makes Firth’s portrayal that much more impressive.
daughterofolaf
I have to agree. It was almost a distraction how much he sounds like him!
FLdancer00
@daughterofolaf I closed my eyes during one his monologues and I would've sworn it's was Peterson speaking.
Tiffany Smith
Toni Collette is the most generous actress around I think. She’s never frightened of looking ‘ugly’, always goes for what looks real over her ego. And here’s another example. So proud of her. 🌹🇦🇺❤️
himora patosaye
True and that's why i love her