15 Step itemprop=offers
Radiohead Lyrics


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How come I end up where I started
How come I end up where I belong
Won't take my eyes off the ball again
You reel me out then you cut the string

How come I end up where I started
How come I end up where I belong
Won't take my eyes off the ball again
You reel me out then you cut the string

You used to be alright
What happened?
Did the cat get your tongue
Did your string come undone
One by one
One by one
It comes to us all
It's as soft as your pillow

You used to be alright
What happened?
Etcetera etcetera
Facts for whatever
Fifteen steps
Then a shear drop

How come I end up where I started
How come I end up where I belong




Won't take my eyes off the ball again
You reel me out then you cut the string

Overall Meaning

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.


Line by Line Meaning

How come I end up where I started
Why do I always find myself back where I began?


How come I end up where I belong
Why do I always end up where I feel comfortable?


Won't take my eyes off the ball again
I won't lose focus again.


You reel me out then you cut the string
You pull me into something and then abandon me.


You used to be alright
You were once a decent person.


What happened?
What caused you to change?


Did the cat get your tongue
Are you unable to speak?


Did your string come undone
Did you lose control?


One by one
One after the other.


One by one
One by one.


It comes to us all
We all face difficult situations at some point in our lives.


It's as soft as your pillow
It may seem comforting at first, but can ultimately lead to complacency.


Etcetera etcetera
And so on, and so forth.


Facts for whatever
Concrete evidence to support any argument.


Fifteen steps
A journey with a specific number of stages.


Then a shear drop
Followed by a sudden steep decline.




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
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