Little by Little
Radiohead Lyrics

The lyrics of Radiohead’s “Little By Little” can be understood as a reflection on the complexities of relationships and the struggles of maintaining intimacy. The song starts off in a black space, where the singer alludes to a deep psychological struggle that he experiences - perhaps a reference to a dark period in the singer’s life. The “pillar of my soul” is shown to be a dark and uncomfortable place, from which the singer is emerging. He is the “last one out of the box” who, after being hurt and broken, is finally able to break the spell.

As the song progresses, the singer speaks about the difficulties in maintaining relationships when both parties have been hurt before. He describes himself as a “tease” and the other party as a “flirt” - an intricate game of cat and mouse where both parties are tempted to test the waters but hesitant to commit. He advises against getting too serious or judging each other, and instead advocates for taking things little by little.

The lyrics are ultimately concluded with haunting references to the destructive aspects of obsession, and the need to maintain a certain distance in order to avoid the trap of routine and addiction. The chorus that repeats “little by little by hook or by crook” seems to suggest that the singer is aware of the sinister forces at play but feels that change must happen gradually in order to achieve a concrete resolution.

Overall, the song can be interpreted as an exploration of the dynamics of intimacy, and the complex games that people play when they attempt to connect with each other. The title of the song “Little By Little” emphasizes the idea that growth and change must be incremental - a steady progression from a dark place towards the light.