Radiohead signed to EMI in 1991 and released their debut album, Pablo Honey, in 1993; their debut single, "Creep", became a worldwide hit. Radiohead's popularity and critical standing rose with the release of The Bends in 1995. Radiohead's third album, OK Computer (1997), brought them international fame; noted for its complex production and themes of modern alienation, it is acclaimed as a landmark record and one of the best albums in popular music.
Radiohead's fourth album, Kid A (2000), marked a dramatic change in style, incorporating influences from electronic music, jazz, classical music and krautrock. Though Kid A divided listeners, it later attracted wide acclaim. It was followed by Amnesiac (2001), recorded in the same sessions. Hail to the Thief (2003), with lyrics addressing the War on Terror, was Radiohead's final album for EMI.
Radiohead self-released their seventh album, In Rainbows (2007), as a download for which customers could set their own price, to critical and chart success. Their eighth album, The King of Limbs (2011), an exploration of rhythm, was developed using extensive looping and sampling. A Moon Shaped Pool (2016) prominently featured Jonny Greenwood's orchestral arrangements. Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Selway, and O'Brien have released solo albums; in 2021, Yorke and Jonny Greenwood debuted a new band, the Smile.
By 2011, Radiohead had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Their awards include six Grammy Awards and four Ivor Novello Awards, and they hold five Mercury Prize nominations, the most of any act. Seven Radiohead singles have reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart: "Creep" (1992), "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" (1996), "Paranoid Android" (1997), "Karma Police" (1997), "No Surprises" (1998), "Pyramid Song" (2001), and "There There" (2003). "Creep" and "Nude" (2008) reached the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Rolling Stone named Radiohead one of the 100 greatest artists of all time, and Rolling Stone readers voted them the second-best artist of the 2000s. Five Radiohead albums have been included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time lists. Radiohead were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead
Studio albums
Pablo Honey (1993)
The Bends (1995)
OK Computer (1997)
Kid A (2000)
Amnesiac (2001)
Hail to the Thief (2003)
In Rainbows (2007)
The King of Limbs (2011)
A Moon Shaped Pool (2016)
05 Sail To The Moon
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I spoke too soon
And how much did it cost
I was dropped from
Moonbeam
And sailed on shooting stars
Maybe you'll
But know right from wrong
Or in the flood
You'll build an Ark
And sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
In "Sail To The Moon," Thom Yorke, the lead vocalist and songwriter of Radiohead, uses the metaphor of sailing to the moon to imply idealism, ambition, and aspiration. He speaks of sailing towards unreachable goals and accomplishments that are beyond comprehension. However, the line "I spoke too soon" suggests that sometimes his statements may be premature, and this may have consequences that he did not expect. He may have committed himself to something that he didn't really want or couldn't handle. The line "And how much did it cost" further highlights the price one pays for ambitious dreams and goals.
In the next few lines, he addresses the listener with a kind of warning. He implores them to make ethical and moral decisions if they were to become the president. He warns of the imminent disaster that may arise if one doesn't stand for the right principles. The line "Or in flood, you'll build an Ark" is another biblical allusion to the character of Noah, who was commanded by God to build an Ark to escape the flood. It is a cryptic reference to being able to survive the consequences of your own actions and decisions. The refrain "Sail us to the moon" is reiterated on multiple occasions throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of reaching for the stars regardless of the adversities that must be faced.
Line by Line Meaning
I sail to the moon
I have a strong desire to achieve something that is almost impossible, like going to the moon
I spoke too soon
I made a decision before considering all the facts, which now seems premature
And how much did it cost
What was the price I had to pay to pursue this dream?
I was dropped from
Moonbeam
Someone or something I was relying on has let me down
And sailed on shooting stars
I found an alternative means to achieve my goal, although it was unpredictable and risky
Maybe you'll
Be president
You might be successful and influential in the future
But know right from wrong
Or in the flood
You'll build an Ark
It's important to have a clear moral compass to make good decisions, even in difficult circumstances
And sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
Let's work together to achieve great things, even if they seem impossible
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