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)
Bangers
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You bit me, bit me, now I want more
Standing in the hall
Kicking out the wall
Its all been sent to recover hell
The bangers and the mash
The negatives for cash
Whatever turns you on
Whatever gets you off
Chief of police or vice-chancellor
Lord and lady, blah blah
The vicar or the judge
You are dancing to my little red book
Because you bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
I got the poison, poison, and I want more
If you are on top
Then it is a long drop
The pyramid is power
We're changing the hour
If you are on the top
Then it is a long drop
If you stare into the dark
The black will stare back
Back into your soul
The cheque came through
The cheque came through
The cheque, cheque, cheque
The cheque came through
The cheque came through
The cheque, cheque, cheque
The cheque came through
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down
When I go down
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down
I'm standing in the hall
I'm kicking at the wall
Because you bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
Poison, I got the poison, I got the poison now
I got the poison
The lyrics to Radiohead's song "Bangers + Mash" are enigmatic and open to interpretation. The song seems to be about asserting power over someone else while also being in a state of submission to them. The repeated refrain of "you bit me, bit me, ow, now I want more" could be seen as a representation of the seductive power one person can hold over another. They have bitten the singer and drawn blood, which could represent the pain and vulnerability that comes with being so entranced by another person's power. However, the singer also has "the poison" and "wants more," suggesting that they too have the ability to take control.
The lyrics also reference social hierarchies and power dynamics. The lines "standing in the hall, kicking out the wall, it's all been sent to recover hell" could be a commentary on the oppressive nature of society and the need to break down walls and challenge norms in order to enact change. The references to a "chief of police or vice-chancellor" and a "vicar or the judge" suggest that the song is about people in positions of power and how they use it to manipulate and control others.
The lines "if you stare into the dark, the black will stare back, back into your soul" suggest that the singer is aware of the darkness within themselves and within others. They seem to be warning against being too consumed by one's desires and power, as it can lead to a confrontation with one's own darkness.
Overall, "Bangers + Mash" seems to be a complex exploration of power dynamics, desire, and darkness. The repeated refrain of "you bit me, now I want more" suggests that the singer is both victim and aggressor, caught up in a cycle of seduction and submission.
Line by Line Meaning
You bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
The pain you caused me is unforgettable, like a bite that took a chunk of my skin.
You bit me, bit me, now I want more
Despite the pain I endured, I am craving for more of your attention.
Standing in the hall
I am standing in a hallway, feeling stuck or unsure of where to go next.
Kicking out the wall
I am taking out my feelings of frustration or anger by damaging the wall.
Its all been sent to recover hell
Everything seems to be falling apart, heading towards destruction.
The bangers and the mash
The chaos and disorder that surrounds me seem to stem from unhealthy, mismatched relationships and power dynamics.
The negatives for cash
People are willing to compromise their values for money or material gain.
You're either in the club, baby, or you're not
The world seems to be divided into two groups: those who belong and those who don't.
Whatever turns you on
People have different preferences that make them feel good or fulfilled.
Whatever gets you off
People have various methods of achieving pleasure or satisfaction.
Chief of police or vice-chancellor
Both powerful positions are equally susceptible to corruption and greed.
Lord and lady, blah blah
Titles and status can be meaningless and dull.
The vicar or the judge
People in positions of authority can be flawed and make mistakes.
You are dancing to my little red book
I have some kind of power over you, and you are doing what I want you to do.
Because you bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
You have hurt me so much that I can't ignore it.
I got the poison, poison, and I want more
Despite the toxic effects of our relationship, I still want to experience it.
If you are on top
Being in a position of power comes with its own set of risks and dangers.
Then it is a long drop
There is a significant distance and difficulty in falling from a position of power.
The pyramid is power
The structures of power and hierarchy resemble a pyramid, with fewer people at the top and more at the bottom.
We're changing the hour
We are trying to shift the balance of power or make some significant changes.
If you stare into the dark
Looking at something unpleasant or uncomfortable can be challenging.
The black will stare back
The darkness and negativity can penetrate your being and affect you deeply.
Back into your soul
It can leave a mark on your innermost self and be difficult to shake off.
The cheque came through
Money has been received.
The cheque, cheque, cheque
Repeated emphasis on the money that has been received.
I'm taking you down
I am trying to bring you down or take revenge.
When I go down
If I fall, I will take others with me.
I'm standing in the hall
I am still in the same place, feeling stuck or indecisive.
Because you bit me, bit me, bit me, ow
I cannot let go of the hurt you have caused me.
Poison, I got the poison, I got the poison now
I am aware of the toxicity of our relationship, and yet, I am still holding onto it.
I got the poison
I have something dangerous and unhealthy.
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