Radiohead signed to EMI in 1991 and released their debut album, Pablo Honey, in 1993; their debut single, "Creep", became a worldwide hit. Radiohead's popularity and critical standing rose with the release of The Bends in 1995. Radiohead's third album, OK Computer (1997), brought them international fame; noted for its complex production and themes of modern alienation, it is acclaimed as a landmark record and one of the best albums in popular music.
Radiohead's fourth album, Kid A (2000), marked a dramatic change in style, incorporating influences from electronic music, jazz, classical music and krautrock. Though Kid A divided listeners, it later attracted wide acclaim. It was followed by Amnesiac (2001), recorded in the same sessions. Hail to the Thief (2003), with lyrics addressing the War on Terror, was Radiohead's final album for EMI.
Radiohead self-released their seventh album, In Rainbows (2007), as a download for which customers could set their own price, to critical and chart success. Their eighth album, The King of Limbs (2011), an exploration of rhythm, was developed using extensive looping and sampling. A Moon Shaped Pool (2016) prominently featured Jonny Greenwood's orchestral arrangements. Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Selway, and O'Brien have released solo albums; in 2021, Yorke and Jonny Greenwood debuted a new band, the Smile.
By 2011, Radiohead had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Their awards include six Grammy Awards and four Ivor Novello Awards, and they hold five Mercury Prize nominations, the most of any act. Seven Radiohead singles have reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart: "Creep" (1992), "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" (1996), "Paranoid Android" (1997), "Karma Police" (1997), "No Surprises" (1998), "Pyramid Song" (2001), and "There There" (2003). "Creep" and "Nude" (2008) reached the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Rolling Stone named Radiohead one of the 100 greatest artists of all time, and Rolling Stone readers voted them the second-best artist of the 2000s. Five Radiohead albums have been included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time lists. Radiohead were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead
Studio albums
Pablo Honey (1993)
The Bends (1995)
OK Computer (1997)
Kid A (2000)
Amnesiac (2001)
Hail to the Thief (2003)
In Rainbows (2007)
The King of Limbs (2011)
A Moon Shaped Pool (2016)
Tell Me Why
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out on the waves in the night
Still the searcher must ride the dark horse
Racing alone in his fright.
Tell me why, tell me why
Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself,
When your old enough to repay but young enough to sell?
Tell me lies later, come and see me
I'll be around for a while.
I am lonely but you can free me
All in the way that you smile
Tell me why, tell me why
Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself,
When your old enough to repay but young enough to sell?
Tell me why, tell me why
Tell me why, tell me why
The opening lines of Radiohead's song "Tell Me Why" are rich in symbolism and metaphors. The "sailing heart-ships" evoke an image of a tumultuous, emotional journey, and the "broken harbors" suggest a sense of abandonment or loss. The metaphorical language continues with the image of a "searcher" riding a "dark horse," racing alone in fear, navigating the unknown waters of life. The chorus, "tell me why, tell me why," adds to the sense of desperation and confusion. It's a plea for understanding, a need for answers to life's most pressing questions.
The second verse introduces another layer of meaning, with the lines "is it hard to make arrangements with yourself, when your old enough to repay but young enough to sell?" This could refer to the difficulty of finding one's identity as one grows older, or the challenge of reconciling inner conflict. The phrase "young enough to sell" perhaps suggests the temptation to compromise one's values or dreams in exchange for personal gain or societal acceptance.
The final lines of the song offer a glimmer of hope, with the singer expressing a sense of loneliness and a desire to be freed, all "in the way that you smile." The song leaves us with a sense of yearning, a desire for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Sailing heart-ships thru broken harbors
Navigating through the rough waters of life's challenges and disappointments
Out on the waves in the night
Facing the unknown and uncertain future
Still the searcher must ride the dark horse
Despite the difficulties, one must continue on their journey of self-discovery
Racing alone in his fright.
Confronting one's fears and insecurities, even if it means going at it alone
Tell me why, tell me why
Asking for deeper understanding and meaning from life's struggles
Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself,
Struggling to make decisions and choices that truly align with one's values and beliefs
When your old enough to repay but young enough to sell?
Feeling stuck between the pressure of meeting expectations and the desire to stay true to oneself
Tell me lies later, come and see me
Preferring temporary comfort and insincere reassurance over hard truths
I'll be around for a while.
Willingness to temporarily ignore problems and hold onto distractions or fleeting pleasures
I am lonely but you can free me
Yearning for deeper connections and relationships that can provide a sense of freedom from loneliness
All in the way that you smile
Recognizing the power of genuine connection and positive energy from others to uplift one's spirits
Tell me why, tell me why
Continuing to seek answers and understanding through life's journey
Tell me why, tell me why
Reiterating the desire for deeper clarity and meaning
Contributed by Gianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kKstoned
I was there for this--when they broke into this song I was blown away. This is still the best concert I've ever been to.
@johnvoight2176
Kevin Seo I would trade lives with you, just to have been there when they played this song.
@cloudbusting_
Is this their In Rainbows tour Hollywood Bowl show?
@thederbycitygirl
The Ultimate form of respect - one genius giving tribute to another - Long live Tom York and Neil Young - hey hey my my, rock and roll will never die!
@jamesirwin267
Spell his name properly if you love me grumpy
@travelsauras4704
Thanks for posting this concert. I was here also!!! Brings back sweet memories
@TLF1
Neil Youngs the greatest songwriter ever.
@shaunkelly9860
Thom's a massive Neil Young fan, you can feel the love here.
@branson9271
Neil Young fan you mean?
@ReeIndeed
i like how the mere absence of a word can turn a simple comment into something this funny