Intially part of the Manic Hedgehog demo, this touching love song focuses o… Read Full Bio ↴Intially part of the Manic Hedgehog demo, this touching love song focuses on the experience of being left behind by someone who has achieved fame. It exposes Thom's ability to offer very different but realistic perspectives on issues. In its original form, the tune was very heavily guitar-oriented with a much faster tempo than the acoustic version found on Pablo Honey. This rocking version also appears on the Drill EP and Itch.

Thinking About You
Radiohead Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Been thinking about you, your records a hit
Your eyes are on my wall, your teeth are over there
But I'm still no one, and you're not a star
What do you care?

Been thinking about you, and there's no rest
Shit, I still love you, still see you in bed
But I'm playing with myself

What do you care when the other men are far, far better?

All the things you got
All the things you need
Who bought you cigarettes
Who bribed the company to come and see you, honey

I've been thinking about you, so how can you sleep?
These people aren't your friends, they're paid to kiss your feet
They don't know what I know
Why should you care, when I'm not there?

Been thinking about you, and there's no rest
Shit, I still love you, still see you in bed
But I'm playing with myself?
What do you care when I'm not there?

All the things you got
That you'll never need
All the things you got
I've bled and I bleed to please you

Been thinking about you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Radiohead's "Thinking About You" explore the feelings of unrequited love and the power dynamics in relationships. The singer is obsessed with someone who is famous and successful, but still feels like a nobody compared to them. The line, "Your records a hit, your eyes are on my wall, your teeth are over there" captures the idea that the object of their affection is untouchable and out of reach. The singer is fully aware that they are not a star and is left wondering why the other person would even care about them.

The repeated line, "Been thinking about you, and there's no rest, shit I still love you, still see you in bed" is a nod to the idea of being haunted by someone who is not actually present. The singer is consumed by their thoughts of the other person and can't escape their memories of being with them. The line "But I'm playing with myself, what do you care when the other men are far, far better?" highlights the singer's feelings of inadequacy and the idea that they are not good enough for the other person.

Overall, the song is a raw and emotional exploration of one-sided love and the power dynamics that exist in relationships between people with vastly different levels of success.

Line by Line Meaning

Been thinking about you, your records a hit
I can't stop thinking about you, even though you have become successful in your music career.

Your eyes are on my wall, your teeth are over there
I have posters of you on my wall and even a toothbrush that I bought with your picture on it.

But I'm still no one, and you're not a star
Despite my obsession with you, I am still a nobody compared to your celebrity status.

What do you care?
You probably don't care about me or my feelings since we have no personal relationship.

All the things you got
You have achieved so much success and fame in your life.

All the things you need
You have probably acquired more than what you actually need to live comfortably.

Who bought you cigarettes
I wonder who provides you with the little things you need in life, like cigarettes.

Who bribed the company to come and see you, honey
I suspect that someone paid to get you where you are now, even though you are still talented.

I've been thinking about you, so how can you sleep?
I cannot stop thinking about you, even though you may be sleeping soundly without any worries.

These people aren't your friends, they're paid to kiss your feet
The people you surround yourself with are only in it for the money and fame that comes with being associated with you.

They don't know what I know
No one understands the depth of my love and obsession for you.

Why should you care, when I'm not there?
Since I am not actually present in your life, you have no reason to care about my thoughts and feelings.

All the things you got
You continue to accumulate more possessions while I struggle to get your attention.

That you'll never need
You have luxuries that you don't even need, while I am constantly wanting for your affection.

I've bled and I bleed to please you
I have sacrificed so much just to gain your attention and affection, even though it is unlikely to happen.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 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

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