Talk Show Host
Radiohead Lyrics


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I want to
I want to be someone else or I'll explode
Floatin' upon this surface for the birds
The birds
The birds

You want me?
Fuckin' well, come and find me
I'll be waitin'
With a gun and a pack of sandwiches
And nothin'
Nothin'
Nothin'

You want me?
Well, come and break the door down
You want me?
Fuckin' come and break the door down
I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready




I'm ready,
I'm ready

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Radiohead's Talk Show Host open with a yearning to be someone else or to escape from oneself to avoid exploding. The 'floating upon the surface for the birds' metaphor could be interpreted as feeling stuck and helpless, unable to fly like a bird and escape from one's mundane life. The repeated mention of birds might also reference the idea of freedom and the desire to break free from constraints.


The second half of the song becomes more aggressive, with a challenge to the person addressed in the song. The singer dares them to 'come and find me' or to 'come and break the door down.' This indicates a readiness to confront the situation, to fight for what they believe in or desire. The lyrics even mention having a gun and a pack of sandwiches, which possibly indicates that there is a willingness to face any challenge put before them.


Overall, the song seems to be about the desire for change, either to escape a mundane existence or to confront something that is holding the singer back. It is about the willingness to take aggressive action to achieve this change, even if it means risking danger.


Line by Line Meaning

I want to
I desire to change my identity


I want to be someone else or I'll explode
I feel the need to transform myself or else I'll have an emotional outburst


Floatin' upon this surface for the birds
I'm floating around in a meaningless state, like a bird on the surface of the water


The birds
I'm surrounded by emptiness and meaningless distractions


You want me?
Do you really want me?


Fuckin' well, come and find me
Then come and search for me


I'll be waitin'
I'll be here waiting for you


With a gun and a pack of sandwiches
I'll be prepared for anything, even if it means using a gun and having food with me


And nothin'
I won't have anything else with me


Nothin'
Absolutely nothing


Well, come and break the door down
If you really want me, then break the door down to find me


I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm fully prepared for whatever comes my way, mentally and emotionally


I'm ready
I am ready for this challenge




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, 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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