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)
The New Generation
Radiohead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here comes the big man, fat man
He's going to huff and puff and blow you out
Sooner or later
You're going to kiss the ground you watch
Open up and let the good man in
Here comes the big man
And he's going to lick in your bonesLike the kids at the door
And the killer comes down the lair
With 16 million greeting cards
Welcome to new generation (Hi)
It’s a colour addiction (Soda)
Welcome to new generation, yeah
It’s a colour addiction (Bubble)
Eight men play God right next to your country
Steal our children ask myself
I'd like to teach the world
To sing a brand new harmony
Skin them up and spit them out
And burn them with the trees
I want to paint the world on coke
I think that I need your help (Blah)
Welcome to new generation
It’s a colour addiction (Ah)
Welcome to new generation, yeah
It’s a colour addiction (Ah)
Smile for the cameras, boys and girls
Welcome to new generation
(Come to the new generation
Boys and girls in Europe)
Know colour addiction
(The whole new Norway of opportunity)
Welcome to new generation
(Just step right up and buy your chickens)
Cool, colour addiction
The lyrics to Radiohead's song "The New Generation" contain a mixture of surrealistic imagery and social commentary on consumerism, power, and the state of the world. The song opens with the image of a powerful and dominant figure, referred to as the "big man" or the "fat man," who is portrayed as a force that will ultimately bring destruction. The lyrics suggest that this figure represents the oppressive forces of society that will eventually bring everyone down to their knees.
The line "Here comes the big man, and he's going to lick in your bones" suggests that this dominant figure will consume and control the individual, leaving them vulnerable and submissive. The reference to "the kids at the door" could symbolize the innocent and naive individuals who are easily influenced and manipulated by those in power.
The song also criticizes the manipulation and exploitation of children, as seen in the line "Skin them up and spit them out, and burn them with the trees." This imagery conveys the dehumanization and disregard for the well-being of younger generations.
The chorus, "Welcome to new generation, it's a colour addiction," can be interpreted as a critique of the superficial and materialistic nature of modern society. The repetition of "color addiction" suggests that people are consumed by the allure and distraction of consumerism, losing sight of more meaningful connections and values.
Overall, "The New Generation" serves as a commentary on the destructive power dynamics, consumerism, and the loss of authenticity in contemporary society.
Line by Line Meaning
Boo check it out
Pay attention and listen to what is about to be said
Here comes the big man, fat man
A person in power or authority is approaching
He's going to huff and puff and blow you out
He will use his power to intimidate and exclude you
Sooner or later
Eventually, at some point in time
You're going to kiss the ground you watch
You will face adversity and struggle
Open up and let the good man in
Be receptive to positive ideas and change
Here comes the big man
Another powerful figure is approaching
And he's going to lick in your bones
He will exploit and control you
Like the kids at the door
Similar to how children approach your door (innocently)
And the killer comes down the lair
A dangerous person is descending upon us
With 16 million greeting cards
Using false pleasantries and empty gestures
Welcome to new generation (Hi)
This is an ironic welcome to a problematic era
It’s a colour addiction (Soda)
People are obsessed with superficial appearances and image
Welcome to new generation, yeah
An ironic welcome to a flawed and misguided time
It’s a colour addiction (Bubble)
Society is fixated on surface-level and temporary pleasures
Eight men play God right next to your country
A small group exercises control and dominance over your nation
Steal our children ask myself
Questioning the unethical actions of those in power
I'd like to teach the world
Expressing a desire to educate and enlighten humanity
To sing a brand new harmony
To embrace a fresh and harmonious way of living
Skin them up and spit them out
Exploiting and discarding people without remorse
And burn them with the trees
Destroying both individuals and nature
I want to paint the world on coke
Expressing a desire to see the world through distorted and artificial lenses
I think that I need your help (Blah)
Realizing the need for collective action and support
Welcome to new generation
An ironic welcome to a problematic era
It’s a colour addiction (Ah)
Society's obsession with superficial appearances and image
Smile for the cameras, boys and girls
Pretend to be happy and conform for public appearances
Welcome to new generation
An ironic welcome to a flawed and misguided time
(Come to the new generation
Boys and girls in Europe)
Invitation to embrace the flaws and issues of the current era
Know colour addiction
Recognize and be aware of society's fixation on surface-level pleasures
Welcome to new generation
An ironic welcome to a problematic era
(Just step right up and buy your chickens)
Sarcastic encouragement to blindly consume and obey
Cool, colour addiction
Emphasis on society's obsession with superficial appearances and image
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ravingdarkmage
Thom: trying to sing nicely
Colin: AAAAAAAAA
@chao3948
A whole new norway of opportunity!
@Bummerdrummer69
It's so bad. I love it.
@MurdahPivot
They should play this now.
@jer1ndie
I want this played at my funeral.
@sillysepia
thank you for the amazing vocals colin
@thedarknessfighter
I can't say I dislike this song, but only because it gives me a ragging fit of laughter that I love.
@CherryTama
I love Thoms laugh :]
@katenzcool
someone should ask radiohead what they think of this song now haha
@MB-gx9lz
Same