At various times “Pyramid Song” has also been known as “Egyptian Song” and “Nothing to Fear,” from a lyric in its chorus.[5] It received its live début in 1999 at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Amsterdam, at which it was performed solo by Yorke on piano. Subsequently the full-band version became a part of Radiohead’s anticipated concert tours in 2000, both before and after the release of Kid A. “Pyramid Song” was one of several new songs played live but not included on that album, leading some to criticize the band for leaving off their most melodic new material.
Originally slated for a series of EPs or singles, “Pyramid Song” and the other unreleased songs (such as “You and Whose Army?” and “Knives Out”) eventually came together as the follow-up Amnesiac, along with other material that had been recorded during the marathon Kid A sessions. “Pyramid Song” was in fact recorded during this time, although not included on Kid A; for example, its string parts were performed by the Orchestra of St. John’s during the same day as those used in Kid A ‘s “How to Disappear Completely” (as well as Amnesiac ‘s “Dollars & Cents”). When “Pyramid Song” is performed live, Yorke usually sings along with O’Brien backing with electric guitar the parts assigned to the strings in the studio version.
In recent live performances Jonny has contributed guitar, played with a bow. The end of “Pyramid Song” is sampled by the band in “Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors,” the following track on Amnesiac.
The lyrics of “Pyramid Song” have been seen as largely based on Dante’s Divine Comedy with references to the Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise, though Yorke has mentioned the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol), the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha as other possible inspirations. The first two lines bear a resemblance to the beginning of the first verse of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” The line “and we all went to heaven in a little row boat” is nearly identical to a lyric found in Tom Waits’ 1985 song “Clap Hands,” which itself is taken from a 1965 hit by Shirley Ellis, “The Clapping Song.”
The video for “Pyramid Song”, directed by collective Shynola, features a combination of computer 3D and hand-drawn animation and was based on a dream that lead singer Thom Yorke once had. Following on from the more abstract Kid A promotional blips, it was the first Radiohead video not to feature any depiction of the band or singer (the animated “Paranoid Android” clip had briefly included a caricature of each member around a table in a pub). The video won several awards, including NME Carling’s best video of the year.
The song is infamous among fans for its time signature, which many find hard to discern or even nonexistent. However, one possibility is that “Pyramid Song” could be based around an uncommon subdivision of 8/8 time (3+3+2) in which the eighth notes are swung. This could also be expressed as 16/8 time subdivided as 3+3+4+3+3. Another interpretation which can be found be following the drum pattern is a cycle of 5/4-4/4-4/4-3/4 that repeats itself throughout the song.
Pyramid Song
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
And all the figures I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
I jumped into the river
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
And all the figures I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
The lyrics of Radiohead's song "Pyramid Song" are a reflection of the human desire for transcendence, for a connection with something beyond ourselves. The singer of the song has jumped into a river and is surrounded by black-eyed angels, perhaps representing a spiritual or mystical experience. The moon full of stars and astral cars evoke a sense of cosmic wonder and the figures which the singer used to see, perhaps ghosts or memories of the past, have reappeared.
All the singer's lovers, past and future, are there with them as they float in a little rowboat, on their way to heaven. The repetition of "nothing to fear, nothing to doubt" suggests a state of complete acceptance and surrender, where the singer is at peace with the present moment and ready to embark on a transcendental journey.
There are several possible interpretations of the song, such as a meditation on death and the afterlife, a reflection on the human condition and the search for meaning, or a commentary on the state of the world and the need for connection and unity. Whatever the interpretation, the song's haunting melody and poetic lyrics evoke a sense of melancholy and beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
I jumped in the river, what did I see?
The singer experienced something profound or surreal.
Black-eyed angels swam with me
The singer surrounded by something inexplicable and surreal, possibly spiritual.
A moon full of stars and astral cars
The setting of the experience is grand or other-worldly.
And all the figures I used to see
The presence of lost, loved ones or childhood memories in the surreal experience.
All my lovers were there with me
The presence and love of past romantic relationships.
All my past and futures
The experience included memories of the past and possibility of the future.
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
Everyone was unified and at peace, possibly leaving behind turmoil of life.
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
The experience was freeing and without worry.
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
A repetition to emphasize the peace and serenity of the experience.
Lyrics © 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
@jonathangonzalez588
I jumped in the river and what did I see?
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
All the things I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
I jumped into the river
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
And all the things I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
@estebantedesco1348
I jumped in the river and what did I see?
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
All the things I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt..
One of the best lyrics I've ever read
@nayth1999
each bar of this song has two dotted quavers, a crotchet, and two more dotted quavers. if you think about this in 16ths per bar, this equated to the notes equaling 3, 3, 4, 3, 3. a pyramid has four triangles and one square that make up the shape. this rhythm LITERALLY makes this song a pyramid i looooooove it i looooove radiohead
@danielrobinson2538
Nayth underrated comment!
@knittedrachael
interesting!
@lockyp204
Theyre so smart, and if you've figured this out yourself- you're not far behind them. Kudos
@KelseyOllis
Fuck yes.
@dannye7612
Just counted that out and yes that's correct and that is also crazy
@sij6169
8 years ago to the very day I took an overdose in an attempt to end my own life. This is the first song I listened to whilst in hospital and it has stayed with me. Life is fragile, I understand that now. Men don't keep the pain to yourself, talk to someone
@pomhubnz
If it wasn't for my dogs I'd kill myself and this is the second to last song I'd listen.
@btayzor
i’m glad you’re still here with us. it’s been four months since i lost my brother to an overdose. i made sure this song was played at his funeral. 🖤
@TheArtArq
I love you man