This song was inspired by some events that Thom Yorke witnessed at and after a star studded awards show. The lyrics "kicking, screaming, Gucci little piggy" are one of the more obvious references.
Singer Thom Yorke often refers to it as a "joke" song, though not derisively; the band continues to play it live at nearly every concert, usually toward the end of the set. The song's title refers to the depressed robot Marvin the Paranoid Android from Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
"Paranoid Android" was recorded in actress Jane Seymour's fifteenth-century mansion, a house that Yorke was convinced was haunted. Bassist Colin Greenwood said "On 'Paranoid Android' what we were into was the idea of a DJ Shadow meets The Beatles thing." Thom Yorke also compared the song to The Beatles' work, saying "it really started out as three separate songs and we didn't know what to do with them. Then we thought of 'Happiness Is a Warm Gun' — which was obviously three different bits that John Lennon put together — and said 'Why don't we try that?'"
Early versions of the song performed in 1996 had a different structure and varying lyrics. According to members of the band, "Paranoid Android" originally exceeded 10 minutes. It is unknown whether this long version, also fabled to include organ solos, was ever played live. However, it was possibly played by Radiohead at the Rock Werchter Festival in Belgium in July 1996, apparently the song's first live performance.
One month later, Radiohead began a brief tour as opening band for Alanis Morissette, in which they premiered many new songs that would go on to make up "OK Computer", and played "Paranoid Android" regularly. By this point, the song was six to eight minutes long, without extended organ solos. However, the ending differed markedly from the final version of "Paranoid Android." The third section originally had the lyrics "Hallelujah", where the final version has "Rain down...", and instead of the lyrics "God loves his children /God loves his children, yeah," the final line of the song was reportedly, "God loves his children / That's why he kills 'em, yeah," which was part of a different third section which also included other different lyrics and was extended longer, eventually returning to the opening theme and guitar riff of the song's first section, while the released version ultimately went straight into the final guitar solo. When played live since 1997, the song is performed as on the album, lacking these elements.
Jazz pianist Brad Mehldau has performed a cover of Paranoid Android on his album "Largo". It is also a live performance on his 2004 "Live in Tokyo" disc. Tribute and Radiohead cover albums also prominently feature the song; Christopher O'Riley's "Hold Me to This" features a version, as do Sia Furler on "Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads" and the reggae group Easy Star All-Stars on their cover album "Radiodread". Los Angeles rock band Phantom Planet has also covered the song; a version of it is on their album "Connect Sets", and they perform it live.
Paranoid Android
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm trying to get some rest
From all the unborn chicken voices in my head
What's that?
What's that?
When I am king, you will be first against the wall
With your opinion which is of no consequence at allWhat's that?
What's that?
Ambition makes you look pretty ugly
Kicking, squealing Gucci little piggy
You don't remember
You don't remember
Why don't you remember my name?
Off with his head, man
Off with his head, man
Why don't you remember my name?
I guess he does
Rain down, rain down
Come on rain down on me
From a great height
From a great height, height
Rain down, rain down
Come on, rain down on me
From a great height
From a great height, height
Rain down, rain down (that's it, sir, you're leaving, the crackle of pigskin)
Come on rain down on me (the dust and the screaming, the yuppies networking)
From a great height (the panic, the vomit, the panic, the vomit)
God loves his children
God loves his children, yeah
The lyrics of Paranoid Android by Radiohead seem to revolve around a few central themes - the chaos and confusion of modern society, a need for rest and escape from overwhelming noise, the desire for power and control, and questioning the worth of opinions. The opening lines set the stage for this with the plea to "stop the noise" and the references to "unborn chicken voices" which could represent the constant chatter and noise of society, the pressures and responsibilities of life, and the white noise that can fill our minds.
The lines proclaiming "when I am king, you will be first against the wall" and "off with his head" could be interpreted as statements of power, with the singer desiring to control and suppress those who disagree with them. This desire for control is echoed again in the lines "why don't you remember my name?" which could indicate a need for recognition and power even over those who don't matter. The chorus of "rain down" could be interpreted as a call for relief from the chaos and noise of modern life, but it could also be seen as a desire for a cleansing, destructive force to sweep away the problems of the world.
Overall, the lyrics of Paranoid Android seem to paint a picture of a chaotic and overwhelming world, where power and control are desired, and relief is sought from the endless noise and pressure of modern life. The song could be seen as a critique of modern society and its many complexities, but it could also be interpreted more personally as a call for rest and escape from the pressures of our own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Please could you stop the noise
I am distressed and tired, and the external noise is preventing me from resting.
I'm trying to get some rest
I need to recharge and rejuvenate myself from the inner turmoil.
From all the unborn chicken voices in my head
My mind is filled with disturbing thoughts and emotions that are as distressing as the sound of unborn chickens.
What's that?
I am startled and agitated by some external or internal stimulus.
When I am king, you will be first against the wall
At the height of my power, I will silence and eliminate those who oppose or disrespect me.
With your opinion which is of no consequence at all
Your views and beliefs are of no value or significance to me, and I will punish you for expressing them.
Ambition makes you look pretty ugly
Blind pursuit of success and power can distort one's self-image and appearance, making them unattractive.
Kicking, squealing Gucci little piggy
People who are obsessed with materialistic possessions and status symbols are like little pigs, kicking and squealing for more attention and recognition.
You don't remember
You have forgotten or ignored something significant or meaningful.
Why don't you remember my name?
You have failed to recognize or acknowledge my impact, influence, or significance.
Off with his head, man
I demand punishment and retribution, often in a violent or brutal way.
I guess he does
My expectation or demand has been met, and the person has complied or submitted to my will.
Rain down, rain down
I am asking for a release, a catharsis, or a cleansing from the negativity and distress that are affecting me.
Come on rain down on me
I need to feel the impact and intensity of the release or the change that I am seeking.
From a great height
I want the release or the change to be significant, profound, even overwhelming.
God loves his children
Despite all the distress and chaos in the world, there is still an underlying compassion and care from a divine entity.
God loves his children, yeah
This compassion and care are real and tangible, and I affirm and celebrate it.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Colin Charles Greenwood, Edward John O'Brien, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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