Everybody Lies Through Their Teeth
Radiohead Lyrics


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In pitch dark I go walking in your landscape
Broken branches trip me as I speak
Just ‘cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there
Just ‘cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there
There's always a siren singing you to shipwreck
(Don't reach out, don't reach out)
(Don't reach out, don't reach out)
Steer away from these rocks, we'd be a walking disaster
(Don't reach out, don't reach out)
(Don't reach out, don't reach out)
Just ‘cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there
(There's someone on your shoulder)
(Someone on your shoulder)
Just ‘cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there
(There's someone on your shoulder)
(There's someone on your shoulder)
There there
Why so green and lonely?
And lonely, and lonely
Heaven sent you to me
To me, to me
We are accidents
Waiting, waiting to happen

We are accidents
Waiting, waiting to happen

Overall Meaning

The opening line of "In pitch dark I go walking in your landscape" sets the tone for a journey through a dark and uncertain landscape. The singer is walking through a metaphorical landscape of someone else's mind, one that is full of broken branches and trip hazards. The idea of a landscape is further emphasized when the second line is read in conjunction with the first - the singer is not only walking through this imaginary place, but they are also speaking to the person whose mind it is. The lines "Just 'cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there" and "There's always a siren singing you to shipwreck" suggest that the person they are speaking to is experiencing some kind of dissociation from reality, and they need to be careful not to be led astray by their emotions. The repetition of "don't reach out" reinforces the idea that the person should not act on their impulses, as they may lead them to disaster. The chorus continues this theme of misguided feelings, with the line "Just 'cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there" repeated twice. The final lines, "We are accidents waiting, waiting to happen" suggest that both the singer and the person they are speaking to are on the brink of some kind of catastrophe, and the only thing that can prevent it is self-awareness.


The overall message of "Everybody Lies Through Their Teeth" seems to be a warning about the dangers of relying too heavily on one's emotions. The landscape is dark and treacherous, full of potential pitfalls, and the person they are speaking to is not to be trusted, as they are lying to themselves about the reality of their situation. The idea that everyone lies through their teeth suggests that no one can be fully trusted, not even oneself. The repetition of "there there" at the end of the song serves as a kind of gentle reassurance, but the overall feeling is one of unease and uncertainty.


Line by Line Meaning

In pitch dark I go walking in your landscape
I explore your innermost thoughts and emotions, even when they are dark and difficult to confront.


Broken branches trip me as I speak
The obstacles and challenges that I encounter when I try to communicate with you reflect the ways in which we are disconnected from each other.


Just ‘cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there
Our feelings and perceptions can be deceiving, and we must be cautious not to trust them blindly without questioning and evaluating their validity.


There's always a siren singing you to shipwreck
There are forces and temptations in life that can lead us astray and toward our downfall, even when we think we are in control.


(Don't reach out, don't reach out)
I am cautioning and reminding myself not to be too vulnerable or dependent on you, because it could hurt me in the end.


Steer away from these rocks, we'd be a walking disaster
If we ignore the dangers and risks ahead of us, we will end up failing and causing damage to ourselves and others.


(There's someone on your shoulder)
I sense that there are influences and pressures around you that are affecting your decision-making and actions.


There there
I am trying to comfort and reassure you despite the uncertainties and doubts that we face together.


Why so green and lonely?
I wonder why you seem inexperienced and isolated, as if you are struggling with issues that you cannot share with others.


Heaven sent you to me
I feel fortunate and blessed to have you in my life, even if our connection is not always easy or straightforward.


We are accidents
We are products of the random and unpredictable forces of the universe, and we must make the most of our lives with the time that we have.


Waiting, waiting to happen
Our fate and destiny are uncertain, and we must be patient and open to the opportunities and challenges that arise as we move forward.




Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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