Million Dollar Question
Radiohead Lyrics


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Was always waiting for the crush
The car to drive right through the shops
To call in sick and late at work
And take a holiday..

Was always tangled up in knots
To keep myself from speaking up
But no-one's listening anyway
Just trying to bribe me..

And if it's alright, then what am I doing here?
And if it's alright, this place is gassed by fear
And if it's alright, I'll tell you, 'cause you never understand
And if it's alright, I'll beg you, 'cause I'm a begging kind of man

Today I wrote a bad check
Packed a bag and took a jet
But no-one's looking anyway
I hope they miss me


I just think maybe I'm making a mistake.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Radiohead's song Million Dollar Question convey a sense of disconnection and alienation from the world around oneself. The opening lines refer to a desire for something disruptive to happen, for a car to crash through a shopping area. This can be interpreted as a desire to be free of the mundane routine of everyday life. The next few lines touch upon the feeling of being unable to speak up and having one's opinions disregarded. The mention of someone trying to bribe the singer suggests that they are being ignored or marginalized in some way.


The chorus of the song seems to question the current state of affairs. The singer is unsure if everything is okay in the world and if they themselves are where they should be. There is a sense of fear and unease pervading the environment, which is hinted at in the line 'this place is gassed by fear'. The subsequent lines suggest a willingness to communicate and a desire for understanding and compassion.


The final lines of the song refer to the singer's decision to leave and start anew. This is perhaps a bold move, but also one that may not be entirely thought through. The final line indicates lingering doubts and reservations about this choice.


Overall, the lyrics of Million Dollar Question are somewhat cryptic but convey a general sense of dissatisfaction with the way things are.


Line by Line Meaning

Was always waiting for the crush
I was always waiting for something big or catastrophic to happen.


The car to drive right through the shops
I was waiting for a car or any vehicle to crash through the shops.


To call in sick and late at work
I always wanted to call in sick or come late to work, so I can take a break.


And take a holiday..
I wanted to take a holiday to escape from the daily grind.


Was always tangled up in knots
I was always conflicted and confused with my thoughts.


To keep myself from speaking up
I tried to prevent myself from expressing my opinions.


But no-one's listening anyway
I felt like no one was paying any attention to what I had to say.


Just trying to bribe me..
People only showed interest in me when they wanted something from me.


And if it's alright, then what am I doing here?
If everything is okay, then why do I feel so out of place?


And if it's alright, this place is gassed by fear
If everything is alright, why does everyone seem so afraid and anxious?


And if it's alright, I'll tell you, 'cause you never understand
I would tell you if everything was alright, but I know you won't understand.


And if it's alright, I'll beg you, 'cause I'm a begging kind of man
If everything is alright, I would beg for your understanding because that's the kind of person I am.


Today I wrote a bad check
Today I knowingly wrote a check that I knew would bounce.


Packed a bag and took a jet
I packed my bag and left town.


But no-one's looking anyway
No one is noticing my actions or my absence.


I hope they miss me
I want someone to notice my absence and miss me.


I just think maybe I'm making a mistake.
I am starting to question the decisions I have made and whether they were the right ones.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN CHARLES GREENWOOD, EDWARD JOHN O'BRIEN, JONATHAN RICHARD GUY GREENWOOD, PHILIP SELWAY, PHILIP JAMES SELWAY, THOMAS YORKE, THOMAS EDWARD YORKE

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Me me


on No Surprises

The way i interpret the lyrics: ; Once excitement of youthful perspective,, hopes, dreams are broken, into an almost nihilistic acceptance of patterns world, we coast,….. become a part of the dull hum we swore we never would become part of. Time pulls us forward, wears and tears until we accept. Can not fight against the current yet knowing we swore we would never.

no


on Radio Head - no surprises

heylo aaa