Electioneering
Radiohead Lyrics

The lyrics to Radiohead's song Electioneering are thought-provoking and multi-dimensional. The song criticizes the corrupt nature of modern politics and the way politicians manipulate voters by saying the right things during the election season. The first two lines convey a sense of desperation to win at any cost; the singer is ready to do whatever it takes to get elected, including lying to the public. However, he is not alone in this game. He needs the listener's vote and trusts them to support him.

The haunting chorus "When I go forwards, you go backwards and somewhere we will meet" highlights the cyclical nature of politics, where nothing fundamentally changes. Instead, politicians and voters move in opposite directions only to come full circle, meeting again without any substantial progress. The "Ha, ha, ha" at the end of the chorus is sarcastic and cynical, indicating the futility of the political process.

Moreover, the song's lyrics include an allusion to the economic policies of the Reagan era: "Voodoo economics," as well as social injustice and police brutality: "Riot shields," "Cattle prods." The lyric "It's life, it's just business" reinforces the idea that politics is a cutthroat business where nothing is off-limits to achieve one's goals. Overall, Electioneering exposes the ugly side of politics and the game of power.