The song features a prominent sample from "Track page: Mild und Leise" - an experimental computer piece from 1973 by electronic music pioneer Paul Lansky.
Idioteque
Radiohead Lyrics
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Women and children first, and the children first, and the children
I'll laugh until my head comes off
I'll swallow 'til I burst
Until I burst, until I
Who's in the bunker? Who's in the bunker?
I have seen too much, I haven't seen enough
I'll laugh until my head comes off
Women and children first, and children first, and children
Here I'm alive
Everything all of the time
Here I'm alive
Everything all of the time
Ice age coming, ice age coming
Let me hear both sides, let me hear both sides, let me hear both
Ice age coming, ice age coming
Throw it in the fire, throw it in the fire, throw him on the
We're not scaremongering
This is really happening, happening
We're not scaremongering
This is really happening, happening
Mobiles squirking, mobiles chirping
Take the money and run, take the money and run, take the money
Here I'm alive (-n first, and children)
Everything all of the time (-n first, and children)
Here I'm alive (-n first, and children)
Everything all of the time (-n first, and children)
Here I'm alive (-n first, and children)
Everything all of the time (-n first, and children)
Here I'm alive (-n first, and children)
Everything all of the time (-n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and ch-)
(-n first, -n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and ch-)
(-n first, -n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
(-n first, and children)
The lyrics to Radiohead's song "Idioteque" capture a sense of impending doom and chaos in society. The repeated refrain of "who's in a bunker" and references to an "ice age coming" suggest a world on the brink of disaster. The line "women and children first, and children first, and children" calls to mind the old adage of "women and children first" when evacuating a sinking ship, but the repetition of "children first" seems to emphasize the vulnerability of the young in such a dangerous situation.
The line "I'll laugh until my head comes off, I'll swallow 'til I burst" and the repetition of "everything all of the time" create a sense of excess and the need to constantly fill a void. The reference to "mobiles squirking" and "take the money run" suggest a society consumed by technology and materialism, with a disregard for the consequences.
Overall, the lyrics to "Idioteque" paint a bleak picture of a society on the brink of collapse, consumed by excess and disconnected from the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's in a bunker, who's in a bunker?
Who is currently in a bunker, seeking refuge from a danger?
Women and children first, and the children first, and the children
The order of evacuation from a danger is females and minors first, and minors first again.
I'll laugh until my head comes off
I will not take life too seriously, and will find ways to enjoy it to the fullest extent possible.
I'll swallow 'til I burst, until I burst, until I
I will consume all the pleasures and joys of life until I can no longer handle it.
I have seen too much, I haven't seen enough
I have experienced a lot, but I still feel that there is much more to explore and discover.
You haven't seen it
There are still so many things that you have not yet experienced or witnessed.
Here I'm alive, everything all of the time
I am grateful for my existence, and I cherish every moment of my time on this earth.
Ice age coming, ice age coming
A period of frigid temperatures is approaching.
Let me hear both sides, let me hear both sides, let me hear both
I want to hear all perspectives on this matter, not just one side or point of view.
Throw it in the fire, throw it in the fire, throw it on the
Discard the old ways and ideas that have become useless or outdated.
We're not scaremongering, this is really happening, happening
We are not trying to frighten people, this is a real situation that is taking place right now.
Mobiles squirking, mobiles chirping
Mobile phones are constantly making noise and distracting us from the present moment.
Take the money run, take the money run, take the money
People are too concerned with earning wealth and financial security, and they will do anything to achieve it.
Here I'm alive (the first of the children), everything all of the time (the first of the children)
As one of the first generations to experience the modern world, I am grateful for my existence and the opportunities that come with it.
(The first of the children)
As one of the first people to grow up in the current era, I have a unique perspective on life and the world.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Lansky, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Colin Charles Greenwood, Edward John O'Brien, Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke
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