How Do You
Radiohead Lyrics


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He's bitter and twisted, he knows what he wants
He wants to be loved and he wants to belong
He wants you to listen, he wants us to weep
And he was a stupid baby who turned into a powerful freak

But how do you?
How do you?
How do you?

He lives with his mother, but we show him respect
He's a dangerous bigot, but we always forget
And he's just like his daddy, 'cause he cheats on his friends
And he steals and he bullies, any way that he can





How do you, how do you, how do you?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Radiohead's song 'How Do You' describe a bitter and twisted individual who craves love and a sense of belonging. The singer is portrayed as someone who wants to be heard and understood, despite his cruel and bigoted behavior. The line, 'he was a stupid baby who turned into a powerful freak,' implies that the character's rough upbringing led to his current state of being.


The chorus, which repeats the question 'how do you,' seems to be directed at the listener, inviting them to question their own moral responsibility towards this kind of individual. It's as if Radiohead is asking, how do we engage with those who are lost in bitterness and need, yet also cause pain and harm to those around them? Do we pity and try to help them, or condemn them for their actions?


Overall, 'How Do You' is a powerful commentary on the complications of human nature and morality. It encourages listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and to reflect on their own actions and responses to challenging situations.


Line by Line Meaning

He's bitter and twisted, he knows what he wants
He's a discontented and resentful person who has a clear idea of what he desires.


He wants to be loved and he wants to belong
He craves being loved and having a sense of belonging.


He wants you to listen, he wants us to weep
He earnestly desires for others to pay heed and evoke emotions.


And he was a stupid baby who turned into a powerful freak
As a child he was naive, but as he grew up he became dominant and unpredictable.


But how do you?
But how can you do that or handle it?


How do you?
How can you accomplish this?


How do you?
What's your strategy or approach for doing that?


He lives with his mother, but we show him respect
He resides with his mother, but society still accords him dignity


He's a dangerous bigot, but we always forget
He's a prejudiced and intolerant person who poses a threat, but we tend to overlook that.


And he's just like his daddy, 'cause he cheats on his friends
He resembles his dad, in that he's disloyal to his friends.


And he steals and he bullies, any way that he can
He pilfers and intimidates through any means within his capability.


How do you, how do you, how do you?
How do you handle or manage these situations?




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
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