The band was shown the final thirty minutes of the film and were instantly driven to inspiration. According to Thom Yorke, “When we saw the scene in which Claire Danes holds the Colt .45 against her head, we started working on the song immediately.”
The result was “Exit Music (For A Film)”, a chillingly gentle song that bursts into a haunting crescendo of emotion. Because of its inclusion on OK Computer, it was withheld from the film’s soundtrack and instead a remix of “Talk Show Host” took its place.
Appropriately, the song plays during the film’s closing credits.
Exit Music
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the cold enemy all around
And it can't escape what it’s found
Living in a glasshouse
You're a mess
But that is gonna come and clean it up
Like you always no one caresNo one notices when you're not there
Living in a glasshouse
Well of course I’d like to
Sit around and chat
Well of course I'd like to
Stay and chew the fat
Well of course I'd like to
Sit around and chat
Well of course I'd like to
Stay and chew the fat
But something's breaking in breaking in
Breaking in breaking in
The lyrics to Radiohead’s song Exit Music are deeply emotional and represent a longing for freedom from oppressive forces. The song starts with a powerful command to the listener to “wake from your sleep” and escape from a difficult and perhaps limiting situation. The imagery of drying tears implies that the listener has been struggling for some time, and that the time has come to break free.
The next verse imparts a sense of urgency, indicating that the escape must happen before it is too late. The line “Before your father hears us, before all hell breaks loose” suggests that there may be negative consequences for leaving, and portrays a situation of fear and danger. The repetition of “breathe, keep breathing” is a reminder to stay calm and focused in the midst of chaos and it also suggests that this is not just an escape, but a journey towards something new and hopeful.
The following stanza is a plea for warmth and comfort during this transition. The request to “sing us a song, a song to keep us warm” brings to mind the idea of finding solace in music and the human connection that it brings. The line “there’s such a chill, such a chill” could be interpreted as a physical chill, but it could also represent the emotional coldness of the situation. The final lines are a powerful expression of defiance, indicating that the oppressive forces will not be missed, and that the escape has led to unity and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake from your sleep
Rise from a state of being unaware and passive
The drying of your tears
Stop crying and being emotional
Today, we escape, we escape
Today we finally leave and break free from oppression
Pack and get dressed
Get ready to leave quickly and discretely
Before your father hears us
Before the authority figure finds out about our plan
Before all hell breaks loose
Before chaos and destruction happen
Breathe, keep breathing
Remain calm and keep taking deep breaths to manage stress
Don't lose your nerve
Don't become too scared or anxious to carry out the plan
I can't do this alone
I need your help and support to carry out the plan
Sing us a song
Perform an act that will keep us feeling calm and positive
A song to keep us warm
Something that will bring us comfort and a sense of security
There's such a chill, such a chill
There is an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty
And you can laugh
Make yourself appear non-threatening by feigning happiness
A spineless laugh
A laugh that lacks conviction and sincerity
We hope your rules and wisdom choke you
The oppressive authority figure will face the consequences of their own actions
Now we are one in everlasting peace
After escaping, we will experience a sense of unity and calm that lasts forever
We hope that you choke, that you choke
A phrase expressing disdain for the person or group that caused the suffering
We hope that you choke, that you choke
A repetition of the phrase expressing the intensity of emotion
We hope that you choke, that you choke
A final repetition of the phrase emphasizing the hope for the oppressors to suffer
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Me me
on No Surprises
The way i interpret the lyrics: ; Once excitement of youthful perspective,, hopes, dreams are broken, into an almost nihilistic acceptance of patterns world, we coast,….. become a part of the dull hum we swore we never would become part of. Time pulls us forward, wears and tears until we accept. Can not fight against the current yet knowing we swore we would never.
no
on Radio Head - no surprises
heylo aaa