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)
Arpeggi
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The bottom of the sea
Your eyes
They turn me
Why should I stay here?
Why should I stay?
Follow where you lead
Your eyes
They turn me
Turn me on to phantoms (way out)
I follow to the edge of the Earth (way out, way out)
And fall off
Yeah, everybody leaves (way out)
If they get the chance (way out)
And this is my chance (way out)
I get eaten by the worms
And weird fishes
Picked over by the worms
And weird fishes
Weird fishes
Weird fishes
I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape
I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape
The opening lines of the song ‘Weird Fishes/Arpeggi’ by Radiohead talks about the unknown depths of the ocean, and how the eyes of a certain someone captivate and draw the singer towards them. The singer then contemplates why they should stay, but realizes they would be foolish not to follow the person they’re drawn to. The chorus talks about the singer getting lost in the allure of these phantoms and following them to the ‘edge of the Earth.’
The second verse of the song takes a darker turn, where the singer realizes that following blindly can lead to doom as they mention getting ‘eaten by the worms’ and ‘picked over by the weird fishes.’ Despite this realization, the chorus repeats, but this time with a different ending. Instead of talking about falling off or being lost in the abyss, they talk about hitting the bottom and escaping, taking control of their destiny.
The song is open to interpretation and can be seen as a metaphor for an individual's desire for a purpose, something that drives them forward. It can also be seen as a warning that diving headfirst into something without a clear understanding of what one is getting into can lead to destruction. The song encourages individuals to take charge of their lives and escape from the pitfalls and traps set by life.
Line by Line Meaning
In the deepest ocean
We are diving deep into a vast and unknown ocean, representing the uncertainty and mystery of life.
The bottom of the sea
We are exploring the crux of humanity, where emotions lie deep and buried within us.
Your eyes
The eyes represent the singer's obsession and infatuation with a person.
They turn me
The artist is irresistibly drawn to this person's gaze.
Why should I stay here?
The artist is questioning why they should stay in their current state of being, perhaps contemplating change or escape.
Why should I stay?
The singer is emphasizing their desire for change and new experiences.
I'd be crazy not to follow
The singer is acknowledging the risks of following this person, but believes it is worth it regardless.
Follow where you lead
The artist is entrusting their fate to this person they are drawn to, no matter where it may take them.
Turn me on to phantoms (way out)
The artist is entranced by illusions and fantasies, a manifestation of their desire to escape reality and follow this person.
I follow to the edge of the Earth (way out, way out)
The artist is indicating their willingness to go to great lengths and distances, even if it means risking their life.
And fall off
The singer recognizes the danger inherent in their chase of this person - it may lead them to a place of no return.
Yeah, everybody leaves (way out)
The artist is acknowledging that people are always changing and leaving, but still desires to pursue a relationship with this person.
If they get the chance (way out)
The singer is acknowledging the fickle and uncertain nature of relationships and how circumstances may influence them.
And this is my chance (way out)
The singer recognizes that this is their opportunity to pursue a relationship with this person, and is willing to take the risk.
I get eaten by the worms
The worms represent both physical and metaphorical death, the consequence of the risks the singer is taking.
And weird fishes
The weird fishes are a symbol for strange and otherworldly creatures - perhaps representing the unknown or unexpected consequences of risk-taking.
Picked over by the worms
The artist is acknowledging their own mortality and how they will eventually succumb to it.
Weird fishes
The strange and unknown consequences of risk-taking continue to haunt the singer, blurring the line between fascination and fear.
I'll hit the bottom
The singer is preparing themselves for the inevitable consequences of their risky behavior, accepting the worst possible outcome.
Hit the bottom and escape
The artist recognizes that hitting bottom is not the end - it is only the beginning towards rebuilding and creating a better life.
Escape
The artist is emphasizing their desire to break free from their current state of being and start anew.
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
@soulflower89
In the deepest ocean
The bottom of the sea
Your eyes
They turn me
Why should I stay here?
Why should I stay?
I'd be crazy not to follow
Follow where you lead
Your eyes
They turn me
Turn me on to phantoms
I follow to the edge of the earth
And fall off
Everybody leaves
If they get the chance
And this is my chance
I get eaten by the worms
Weird fishes
Get towed by the worms
Weird fishes
Weird fishes
Weird fishes
I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape
I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape
@mrrooneygeorgee6524
One person told me I wasn't "Good enough" and you won't find the one.
I told him there's a lot of weird fishes in the sea you just gotta find the right one.
He said "You won't".
I walked off in the rain, put my earphones in and listen to this song.
I Am Good Enough.
@ILoveMagic15
I know it's impossible to name the best Radiohead song but this one is a strong contender.
@markfinn6345
it's mine. easy.....
@adriancordova9346
same here one of my favorite all times
@Scrappycoco14
+ilovemypiano my favourite Radiohead song.
@TY_2020
+ilovemypiano One of my favorites, along with Pyramid Song, High And Dry and Optimistic.
@DVR693
to me, this, paranoid android and reckoner are just beautiful pieces of art, i agree with you, is impossible to choose one
@maatstampij
Never forget that night. laying on the ground, listen to this for the first time... Yeah we where so chill... Rob still missing you... R.I.P. Mate
@virgilram4678
Love towards you 🙏
@williammasser2848
A soul never forgotten may he live on in your heart man
@melekey
Are u gay?