It primarily deals with disappointment, in all its forms. From one's disappointment with the monotony of modern life ('Transport, motorways and tramlines'), to the seemingly never-ending cycle of disappointment perpetuated by the places and people in your life ('You know where you are with'). And yet, you continue to interact with it all despite being aware of it ('... And hanging around'). A yearning to break this cycle is illustrated through the image of a swatted butterfly, awaiting a new metamorphosis. ('One day, I am gonna grow wings' / 'A chemical reaction' / 'Hysterical and useless' /' Hysterical and'). This theme is similar to another track on OK Computer, "No Surprises".
The “clinging on to bottles” line originated from an idea that Yorke thought was hilarious, explaining "I was pissed in a club, and I suddenly had the funniest thought I’d had for ages – what if all the people who were drinking were hanging from the bottles… If the bottles were hung from the ceiling with string, and the floor caved in, and the only thing that kept everyone up was the bottles? It’s also about an enormous fear of being trapped."
Let Down
Radiohead Lyrics
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Starting and then stopping
Taking off and landing
The emptiest of feelings
Disappointed people, clinging on to bottles
When it comes it's so, so, disappointing
Let down and hanging around
Let down and hanging around
Shell smashed, juices flowing
Wings twitch, legs are going
Don't get sentimental, it always ends up drivel
One day, I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction
Hysterical and useless
Hysterical and
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
Let down
Let down
Let down
You know, you know where you are with
You know where you are with
Floor collapsing, falling
Bouncing back and one day, I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction (you know where you are)
Hysterical and useless (you know where you are)
Hysterical and (you know where you are)
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
The Radiohead song Let Down contains lyrics that feel abstract but also deeply human. The song deals with disappointment in various forms, from expectations of the modern world to personal relationships. The opening lines seem to touch on the monotony of everyday life - "Transport, motorways, and tramlines, starting and then stopping, taking off and landing" - moments that feel like transitions but don't lead to anything profound. The triplet "So, so, disappointing" adds emphasis to the feeling of dissatisfaction.
The next verse starts with "Shell smashed, juices flowing, wings twitch, legs are going" which suggests a bird or insect. However, the outlook quickly turns bleak with the line "Don't get sentimental, it always ends up drivel". The disappointment here is not only the frustration of not being able to fly, but also the feeling that anything that feels like progress or hope will ultimately lead to nothing. The chorus repeats the phrase "Let down and hanging around" which adds to the sense of stagnation and not moving forward in life.
The song continues on this theme, with the lyrics ultimately expressing a kind of resignation towards disappointment. The final verse sums up this feeling of helplessness and frustration. The lyrics "Floor collapsing, falling, bouncing back" suggest a cyclical pattern, with the singer feeling powerless to break free. The final line "Hysterical and (you know where you are)" seems to acknowledge the futility of trying to resist this sense of being let down.
Line by Line Meaning
Transport, motorways and tramlines
The hustle and bustle of modern life represented by various modes of transport.
Starting and then stopping
The cycle of going through the motions and not making any real progress.
Taking off and landing
Starting and stopping again, without actually achieving anything meaningful.
The emptiest of feelings
A sense of profound emptiness and meaninglessness.
Disappointed people, clinging on to bottles
People trying to cope with the disappointment and disillusionment of life through alcohol and other vices.
When it comes it's so, so, disappointing
When something longed for finally arrives, it is often a letdown and not as fulfilling as anticipated.
Let down and hanging around
Feeling neglected and left behind.
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Feeling powerless and insignificant, like an insect that has been crushed underfoot.
Shell smashed, juices flowing
A metaphor for feeling emotionally vulnerable and exposed.
Wings twitch, legs are going
Feeling restless and trapped, yearning for liberation and escape.
Don't get sentimental, it always ends up drivel
Rejecting sentimentality as superficial and insincere.
One day, I am gonna grow wings
Expressing a longing for a transformative experience and a new sense of possibility.
A chemical reaction
The idea that profound change can occur through sudden, unpredictable events.
Hysterical and useless
The sense of frustration and impotence in the face of an uncertain and chaotic world.
You know, you know where you are with
A sense of familiarity and predictability can be comforting.
Floor collapsing, falling
The sudden collapse of familiar structures and routines, leading to a sense of disorientation and confusion.
Bouncing back and one day, I am gonna grow wings
The hope for eventual recovery and transformation despite setbacks and disappointments.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Colin Charles Greenwood, Edward John O'brien, Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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on Radio Head - no surprises
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