Paranoid Android
Radiohead栀 Lyrics
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I'm trying to get some rest
From all the unborn chicken voices in my head
What's that?
What's that?
When I am king, you will be first against the wall
With your opinion which is of no consequence at all
What's that?
Ambition makes you look pretty ugly
Kicking, squealing Gucci little piggy
You don't remember
You don't remember
Why don't you remember my name?
Off with his head, man
Off with his head, man
Why don't you remember my name?
I guess he does
Rain down, rain down
Come on rain down on me
From a great height
From a great height, height
Rain down, rain down
Come on, rain down on me
From a great height
From a great height
Rain down, rain down (that's it, sir, you're leaving, the crackle of pigskin)
Come on rain down on me (the dust and the screaming, the yuppies networking)
From a great height (the panic, the vomit, the panic, the vomit)
God loves his childrean
God loves his children, yeah
The lyrics of Radiohead's song "Paranoid Android" depict a chaotic and disturbed state of being. The singer begs for some silence, urging those around him to stop the noise as he tries to rest. The "unborn chicken voices" in his head are a metaphor for the oppressive and overwhelming thoughts that prevent him from finding peace. The subsequent lines, "When I am king, you will be first against the wall / With your opinion which is of no consequence at all," highlight a sense of powerlessness and the need for control that dominates the singer's thoughts. He wants to silence those who oppose him, viewing their opinions as irrelevant.
The lyrics then take a darker turn, expressing frustration and disgust with ambition, which is portrayed as ugly and destructive. The image of a "kicking, squealing Gucci little piggy" conjures up a violent and grotesque image of greed and excess. The refrain "Why don't you remember my name?" is a plea for recognition and validation, further emphasizing the singer's sense of alienation and powerlessness. The final lines of the song, "God loves his children," offer a faint glimmer of hope amidst the chaos and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Please could you stop the noise
I am trying to rest, but there are so many thoughts and distractions in my head
I'm trying to get some rest
I just want some peace and quiet so that I can calm my mind
From all the unborn chicken voices in my head
All the trivial, meaningless, and nonsensical thoughts in my mind are keeping me from sleeping
When I am king, you will be first against the wall
If I had power, I would silence all those who don't hold any value or importance
With your opinion which is of no consequence at all
Your thoughts and ideas are meaningless and irrelevant
Ambition makes you look pretty ugly
Being overly focused on achieving success can lead to losing sight of what's important
Kicking, squealing Gucci little piggy
Those who pursue success without concern for others are like spoiled and selfish pigs
You don't remember
You've forgotten what's truly important in life
Why don't you remember my name?
You don't value me or my ideas
Off with his head, man
Those who don't share the same views or values should be removed from power or silenced
Rain down, rain down
I need something to break me out of my mental state
Come on rain down on me
I need a change, even if it's unpleasant or uncomfortable
From a great height, height
I want this change to come from a significant impact, something that will shake me out of my current state
God loves his children, yeah
Even when everything is chaotic and unsettling, there is still a source of love and hope in the world
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