In support of the MTV EXIT anti-human trafficking campaign, Radiohead produced a video for "All I Need", directed by Steve Rogers, which premiered on May 1, 2008. The clip, which contrasts the lives of two young boys—an average, well-off child from a developed environment, and a sweatshop worker—received critical acclaim and won numerous awards. On January 5, 2009, "All I Need" impacted the United States adult album alternative radio as the fifth and final single from In Rainbows.
All I Need
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting in the wings
I'm an animal
Trapped in your hot car
I am all the days
That you choose to ignore
You are all I need
I'm in the middle of your picture
Lying in the reeds
I am a moth
Who just wants to share your light
I'm just an insect
Trying to get out of the night
I only stick with you
Because there are no others
You are all I need
You're all I need
I'm in the middle of your picture
Lying in the reeds
It's all wrong
It's all wrong
It's all wrong
It's all right
It's all right
It's all right
It's all wrong
It's all right
It's all wrong
It's all right
The lyrics of Radiohead's song "All I Need" are written to express the feeling of unrequited love. The singer is someone who is in love with someone else, but that feeling is not reciprocated. The line "I'm the next act waiting in the wings" implies that the singer is waiting for his turn to be noticed, to be appreciated by the person they love. They see themselves as an animal, trapped in their love's hot car, further emphasizing the feeling of being trapped and helpless in the situation.
The next few lines of the song paint a picture of loneliness and longing. The singer is all the days that their love chooses to ignore, making them feel unimportant and insignificant. However, despite all of this, the singer declares that their love is all they need, as the chorus repeats "You are all I need, you're all I need." They see themselves as a moth, attracted to their love's light, and even though they may be just an insect trying to escape the darkness, they stick with their love because there are no other options.
The repeated lines of "It's all wrong, it's all right" show the conflicting feelings of the singer. They know that their love is not returned, but they still hold onto hope, knowing that it's all wrong but also trying to convince themselves that it's all right. The song ends with the repetition of these lines, leaving the listener with a sense of bittersweet resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the next act
I'm waiting for my turn to perform
Waiting in the wings
Waiting in the background for your attention
I'm an animal
I'm untamed and unpredictable
Trapped in your hot car
Stuck in your passion and desire
I am all the days
I am the moments and experiences you ignore
That you choose to ignore
You overlook my existence
You are all I need
You are the only one I require
You're all I need
I don't need anyone else but you
I'm in the middle of your picture
I'm part of your world
Lying in the reeds
Hiding and waiting for your notice
I am a moth
I am drawn to your light
Who just wants to share your light
I want to be near you, basking in your presence
I'm just an insect
I am insignificant in your eyes
Trying to get out of the night
Trying to escape from the darkness
I only stick with you
I am loyal to you
Because there are no others
There is no one else I desire
It's all wrong
Things are not going as planned
It's all right
Everything is okay
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas Edward Yorke, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Colin Charles Greenwood, Edward John O'brien, Philip James Selway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deubeulseveun
I'm the next act
Waiting in the wings
I'm an animal
Trapped in your hot car
I am all of the days
That you choose to ignore
You are all I need
You are all I need
I'm in the middle of your picture
Lying in the reeds
I am a moth
Who just wants to share your light
I'm just an insect
Trying to get out of the night
I only stick with you
Because there are no others
You are all I need
You're all I need
I'm in the middle of your picture
Lying in the reeds
It's all wrong
It's alright
It's all wrong
It's alright
@liprincessprincess
The piano coming in destroys me every time. EVERY TIME.
@nixonprod
EVERY TIME
@MisterCrookedNose
And then the voice on top
Oof
@gregszczepkowski2550
One of these songs that, depending on my mood, gives me hope or takes it away. My heart decides. What a song!
@Joao_000
You couldn't do a better description my friend.
@guitarbush05
It's all wrong. It's alright.
@hannahjo3252
beautifully put
@paulovcg10
exactly this feeling.
@Lee-sg9gz
That is the perfection description!!
@gerardozg9700
My wife and I picked this as our first dance at our wedding. It's been 8 years and still feels like a special moment when I heard it. So beautiful.