Karma Police, like several other songs that would make up OK Computer, was debuted live in 1996, when the band briefly supported Alanis Morissette on an American tour. A live version of Karma Police, performed with a Rhodes piano on The Late Show with David Letterman, is captured in the Radiohead documentary Meeting People Is Easy. Today the song is usually an audience singalong when performed at live concerts, often as an encore.
Radiohead members used to tell one another that they would call "the karma police" on them if they did something wrong. The joke was incorporated as the title of the song. Thom Yorke explained the idea of the lyrics to The Independent in 2006, saying, "It's for someone who has to work for a large company. This is a song against bosses. Fuck the middle management!" He also said it was about those who are judgmental. The sound at the end of the song was created by Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien by "feeding sound through a digital delay machine".
The song was covered in 2003 by Christopher O'Riley on his first Radiohead tribute album True Love Waits: Christopher O'Riley Plays Radiohead. The song has also been covered by Panic at the Disco, The Dresden Dolls and Tori Amos. The song is also covered on the album Radiodread by the Easy Star All-Stars, sung by Citizen Cope.
..
Radiohead
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel (And I)
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special (Ah)
You're so very special
But I'm a creep (O oh) I'm a weirdo
(O oh) What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
(All I Want for Christmas is Youuu)
I don't care if it hurts
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body (And I)
I want a perfect soul i want you to notice
When I'm not around
You're so very special (Ah)
I wish I was spеcial
But I'm a creep (O oh) I'm a weirdo
(O oh) What the hell am I doing hеre?
I don't belong here
(All I Want for Christmas is Youuu) Oh, Oh
(You Baby) Oh, Oh
She's running out the door she's running out
She run, run, run, run (yeah)
Run (yeah, oh, oh)
Whatever makes you happy whatever you want
You're so very special (And I)
(O oh) I'm a weirdo
(O oh) What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
(All I Want for Christmas)
I don't belong here
(You, baby) i don't belong here
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
I don't belong here
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
The lyrics to Radiohead's song "Creep" depict the internal struggle and feelings of self-doubt and insecurity experienced by the singer. The opening lines suggest a sense of inadequacy in the presence of another person, perhaps a love interest. The mention of the angelic qualities and the impact of their appearance on the singer's emotions suggest a deep admiration and longing. However, the singer feels inferior and not deserving of their attention, wishing desperately to be special like them.
The chorus, with its powerful repetition of "I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo," expresses a strong self-judgment and a feeling of not belonging. The singer is haunted by their own perceived flaws and struggles to understand their place in the world. There is a sense of torment, where they are willing to endure pain and sacrifice their own happiness just to have some control over their emotions and surroundings.
The final verse adds another layer to the narrative, introducing the idea of the person they desire actually leaving them, running away. This further intensifies their feelings of not belonging and reinforces their self-doubt. The closing lines, repeating "I don't belong here," solidify the singer's belief that they are out of place and unwanted.
Overall, "Creep" explores themes of low self-esteem, yearning for acceptance, and the internal battle between longing and self-flagellation.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were here before
In the past, when you were present
Couldn't look you in the eye
I was unable to make eye contact with you
You're just like an angel (And I)
You possess qualities similar to those of an angel
Your skin makes me cry
The sight of your skin brings tears to my eyes
You float like a feather
You move gracefully, resembling the movement of a feather
In a beautiful world
Within a stunningly wonderful world
I wish I was special (Ah)
I desire to be unique and extraordinary
You're so very special
You are exceptionally special
But I'm a creep (O oh) I'm a weirdo
However, I feel like an outsider, someone peculiar
(O oh) What the hell am I doing here?
I question my purpose and reason for being in this situation
I don't belong here
I do not fit in or feel accepted here
(All I Want for Christmas is Youuu)
My only desire for Christmas is to have you
I don't care if it hurts
I am indifferent to any pain it may cause
I wanna have control
I desire to have power and authority
I want a perfect body (And I)
I long for a flawless physical appearance
I want a perfect soul i want you to notice
I yearn for an impeccable inner self, and I want to capture your attention
When I'm not around
During times when I am absent
You're so very special (Ah)
You continue to be remarkably special
I wish I was special
I desire to be extraordinary
She's running out the door she's running out
She hastily departs from the premises
She run, run, run, run (yeah)
She runs with great speed
Run (yeah, oh, oh)
She continually runs with enthusiasm
Whatever makes you happy whatever you want
I am willing to do or provide whatever brings you happiness and meets your desires
You're so very special (And I)
You are exceptionally special
I wish I was special but I'm a creep
Although I desire to be unique, I feel like an outsider
(O oh) What the hell am I doing here?
I question my purpose and reason for being in this situation
I don't belong here
I do not fit in or feel accepted here
(All I Want for Christmas)
All I desire for Christmas
I don't belong here
I do not fit in or feel accepted here
(You, baby) i don't belong here
With you, my love, I feel like I do not fit in or belong here
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
All I desire for Christmas is you, my love
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
All I desire for Christmas is you, my love
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
All I desire for Christmas is you, my love
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
All I desire for Christmas is you, my love
(All I want for Christmas is you, baby)
All I desire for Christmas is you, my love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mariah Carey, Walter N. Afanasieff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ceeme03
Ok' computer saved my life.
The day I was going to end it all, I listened to the album after promising a friend. It would be the last thing I did for anyone, I just didnt want to let him down.
This song hit me so hard I broke down, by the end of the album I felt reborn, new.. like everything just made sense.
My friend still doesn't know he saved my life with Radiohead album.
EDIT
Thank you, beautiful people, for the love, support and kind words! I'm still pushing forward and improving myself and life best I can, as I hope you all are as well.
I'm genuinely amazed that the comment I threw into the void has seemingly had such a positive reaction. From others sharing their experiences to people taking something away from it, I'm so pleased.
Even the comments thinking I'm baiting for engagement, I have no hate for you folks. I hope you're well.
Stay strong folks, love you all!!
@youngeuphoria02
Lyrics:
Karma police
Arrest this man
He talks in maths
He buzzes like a fridge
He's like a detuned radio
Karma police
Arrest this girl
Her Hitler hairdo
Is making me feel ill
And we have crashed her party
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
Karma police
I've given all I can
It's not enough
I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
@jass2889
Karma police
Arrest this man
He talks in maths
He buzzes like a fridge
He's like a detuned radio
Karma police
Arrest this girl
Her Hitler hairdo
Is making me feel ill
And we have crashed her party
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
Karma police
I've given all I can
It's not enough
I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
@aidenwhittingham3729
Fun Fact: Thom Yorke says that this music video was his favorite to have filmed because he was drunk the whole time.
@metalmask5
lmao
@CalridRobnor123srs
@@metalmask5 don't believe you: provide quotes and information. other wise it's the kharma police. :P
@KamisatoElias
haha love it
@tutan7814
XD
@enzoclark241
Lol
@amadzbalboa
I paused the video in the middle so the man can rest for a while
@priyadarshidash4353
We need more guys like you in this world 🤣😍❤
@Nobody-df4xg
Lmao I did the same thing
@enzoclark241
Yeah same and because i needed to eat my burger I paused it so he could rest he looks tiered