In June 2019 a leak of MiniDiscs went down, with demos & live takes from the time of the recording of "OK Computer". Lift pops up many times on said release, with one version on the 15th disc, MD125 standing out for particular acclaim.
Lift
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sit down, you're safe now
You've been stuck in a lift
We've been trying to reach you, Thom
This is the place
It won't hurt ever again
The smell of air conditioning
Empty all your pockets
Because it's time to come home
This is the place
Remember me?
I'm the face you always see
You've been stuck in a lift
In the belly of a whale
At the bottom of the ocean
The smell of air conditioning
The fish are belly up
Empty all your pockets
Because it's time to come home
The smell of air conditioning
The fish are belly up
Let it go
Today is the first day
Of the rest of your days
So lighten up, squirt
Radiohead's "Lift" may be interpreted in many ways, and the song may be seen as a representation of human emotions and experiences. The song's title may mean many things, including the literal sense of a lift or elevator or a lift to one's mood after overcoming an emotional or personal dilemma. With the initial lyrics, "This is the place, sit down, you're safe now, you've been stuck in a lift, we've been trying to reach you, Thom, this is the place, it won't hurt ever again," the song sets a picture of a space of safety, a place to decompress, and be relieved from the pain and troubles one has felt for a long time. As listeners dive further into the tune, it is suggested that the singer is speaking to someone who has 'been stuck in a lift' for some time, representing a period of stress, fear, or isolation, which the singer is helping them overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the place
You have arrived at a destination
Sit down, you're safe now
It's time to relax and feel secure
You've been stuck in a lift
You have been confined and unable to move
We've been trying to reach you, Thom
We have been attempting to connect with you personally
It won't hurt ever again
The pain is over and won't return
The smell of air conditioning
The air has a sterile, mechanical scent
The fish are belly up
The fish are lifeless and floating on the surface
Empty all your pockets
Remove everything you carry with you
Because it's time to come home
It's time to return to a place of comfort
Remember me?
Do you recall who I am?
I'm the face you always see
I am the one who is constantly with you
In the belly of a whale
You are trapped inside a great beast
At the bottom of the ocean
You are submerged in deep water and darkness
Let it go
Release your burdens and troubles
Today is the first day
A new day and an opportunity for change
Of the rest of your days
Of the time left in your life
So lighten up, squirt
Relax and enjoy yourself
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Colin Charles Greenwood, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Edward John O'brien, Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@futuristicguy6769
For you guys who want the lyric
This is the place
Sit down, you're safe now
You've been stuck in a lift
We've been trying to reach you, Thom
This is the place
It won't hurt ever again
The smell of air conditioning
The fish are belly-up
Empty all your pockets
'Cause it's time to come home
This is the place
Remember me
I'm the face you always see
You've been stuck in a lift
In the belly of a whale
At the bottom of the ocean
The smell of air-conditioning
The fish are belly-up
Empty all your pockets
'Cause it's time to come home
The smell of air-conditioning
The fish are belly-up
Let it go
Today is the first day of the rest of your days
So lighten up, squirt
@haise12
This is the place
Sit down, you're safe now
You've been stuck in a lift
We've been trying to reach you, Thom
This is the place
It won't hurt, ever again
The smell of air conditioning
The fish are belly up
Empty all your pockets
Cause it's time to come home
This is the place
Remember me
I'm the face you always see
You've been stuck in a lift
In the belly of a whale
At the bottom of the ocean
A smell of air conditioning
The fish are belly up
Empty all your pockets
Cause it's time to come home
Today is the first day of the rest of your days
So lighten up, squirt
@catalyst4385
Interesting things I've noticed so far:
There a fake plastic tree on each floor.
On 3:33 the 01 floor number flickers briefly and changes to OK.
The guy on 2:52 resembles the Paranoid Android character. The fish bowl he's drinking out of is also a reference to the music video.
The 10th floor (2:20) kinda reminds me of the High and Dry music video, I could be wrong though. Same goes for the 11th floor.
I'll update more speculations when possible. Was there anything else I missed?
EDIT: So here's a little update of what other possible references I got based on the replies.
There's a shopping cart on 1:03, perhaps another possible reference to Fake Plastic Trees.
The bald men in suits on 1:38 could either be a reference to the Just music video. It could also be reference to the lyric "the yuppies networking" from Paranoid Android or the man in the suit from the music video. OR maybe there's a Phil Selway cosplay going on....
The old man on 2:35 highly resembles the guy from the Karma Police music video.
At 2:51, perhaps that's a reference to Kid A? Maybe that's too far fetched though...
At 2:57, the women kinda resemble the women from Street Spirit.
Someone mentioned a possible reference to No Surprises on 3:00, I'm assuming he/she is referring to the lighting? IMO, that seems too obscure. Surely they must be a better reference somewhere...
Also, anyone found any explanations to floors on 1:30, 3:11 and 3:26?
@uberlover5098
What a cool video, a gift for Radiohead diehard fans! Loads of references to Thom's life and previous Radiohead music videos. Ones I picked out:
00:20 Dajana (his girlfriend) and Agnes (his daughter)
1:04 shopping trolley reference to Fake Plastic Trees video
1:17 trees crawling in corridor reference to There There video 2:53Robin from Paranoid Android video goldfish scene
2:57 dancers from Street Spirit music video
3:13 floor no. 3 girl in bed on wall reference to Climbing Up The Walls from album no.3
3:33 the lyrics " today is the first day of the rest of your days" , possible reference to fear of growing old (&bald!) looking back at his life etc.
May be reading too much into those but I'm sure there's loads more. Still trying to work out the significance of the bald estate agents (reference to Phil?!) and the old lady with the purple coat...
@NickelCityPixels
In Daydreaming Thom visits many rooms, in Lift, many rooms visit you.
@thbltmusic
NickelCityPixels He goes through sliding doors, secret doors, he pulk/pushes revolving doors, doors that let him in and out...
@WickedLiquid
In soviet russia, rooms visit you!
@xydamage9754
@@thbltmusic don't forget barn doors and doors in the rudders of big ships
@torrent02
Radiohead - Daydreaming (USSR Mix)
@nickolasokeefe9348
Ha...Deep.. ;)
@sunshinybean1179
This song feels like the last day of a trip and you dont want to leave
@MrSandManGiveMeADream
well said.
@laurenzpelster2499
It's time to come home...
@iamizumi1
truth :,(