Weird Fishes / Arpeggi
Radiohead Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the deepest ocean
The bottom of the sea
Your eyes
They turn me

Why should I stay here?
Why should I stay?
I'd be crazy not to follow
Follow where you lead
Your eyes
They turn me

Turn me on to phantoms (way out)
I follow to the edge of the Earth (way out, way out)
And fall off
Yeah, everybody leaves (way out)
If they get the chance (way out)
And this is my chance (way out)

I get eaten by the worms
And weird fishes
Picked over by the worms
And weird fishes
Weird fishes
Weird fishes

I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape

I'll hit the bottom




Hit the bottom and escape
Escape

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Radiohead's "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi" are somewhat elusive, as is the case with many of the band's songs. But a central theme seems to be the compelling attraction and pull of a lover, which is likened to the depths of the ocean. The singer of the song is drawn inexorably by the magnetic force of his lover's eyes, and feels he would be crazy not to follow them, wherever they may lead. The line "turn me on to phantoms" suggests that this love interest is something otherworldly, with a dreamlike quality that seems to surround them.


Although the tone of the song starts out romantic and dreamy, it quickly takes a darker turn, as the singer imagines himself being consumed by "weird fishes" and "picked over by the worms." This may be a metaphor for being lost in the depths of the ocean, but it also has a more visceral quality that might suggest a fear of death or abandonment. Nevertheless, the song ends on an optimistic note, with the singer resolving to "hit the bottom and escape" from whatever unknown danger or darkness lurks below.


Line by Line Meaning

In the deepest ocean
The song begins with a metaphor of being in the deepest ocean, representing the feeling of being lost in a sea of uncertainty.


The bottom of the sea
This continues the metaphor of being at the lowest point and feeling trapped with no way to escape.


Your eyes
The focus shifts from the metaphorical deep sea to the literal, as the singer is drawn to the captivating gaze of another person.


They turn me
The power of the other person's eyes is so strong that the artist is compelled to follow them.


Why should I stay here?
Despite feeling trapped in the ocean metaphor, the artist questions why they would want to leave the person with the captivating gaze.


Why should I stay?
The questioning continues, with the singer considering the reasons for staying and reaffirming the initial pull they felt towards the other person.


I'd be crazy not to follow
The intensity of the attraction is too strong to ignore, so the singer acknowledges that they would be foolish not to pursue the other person.


Follow where you lead
This line confirms the willingness of the artist to submit to the other person's influence and follow them wherever they go.


Turn me on to phantoms
The artist describes feeling a sense of mysticism and being introduced to something otherworldly through the other person's influence.


I follow to the edge of the earth
The artist expresses their readiness to follow the other person to the end of the earth, emphasizing the extent to which they are under their spell.


And fall off
This line is a bit of a paradox, as the singer simultaneously acknowledges that their journey may have an end (suggesting they will fall off the edge of the earth), but also implies that they are willing to pursue the unknown, even if it leads to their demise.


Yeah, everybody leaves
This line is a bit of a downer, and suggests a sense of cynicism. The artist acknowledges that everyone they may encounter will eventually leave them behind.


If they get the chance
Continuing from the previous line, the singer implies that people will all eventually leave if given the opportunity to do so.


And this is my chance
The singer's final line in this stanza reveals their sense of urgency to pursue the person with the captivating gaze now, while they still have the opportunity to do so.


I get eaten by the worms
The metaphor of being lost at sea returns, with the singer describing themselves as being helpless and vulnerable to the elements.


And weird fishes
This line establishes a connection between the previous metaphor of being eaten by worms and a new one of being surrounded by strange and unfamiliar creatures.


Picked over by the worms
The helplessness and vulnerability of the artist are reinforced, as they are at the mercy of the worms and have no control over their fate.


Weird fishes
The strange and unfamiliar creatures continue to surround the singer, adding to the sense of being lost and alone.


I'll hit the bottom
The singer expresses a sense of resolve, indicating that they are not afraid to reach the lowest point.


Hit the bottom and escape
Despite acknowledging the depth of their current situation, the artist remains hopeful that they can eventually escape and find a way out of their predicament.


Escape
The final word of the song returns to the sense of urgency and desire to escape the current situation, emphasizing the artist's determination to find a way out.




Lyrics © 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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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@kaylafrost6140

In the deepest ocean
The bottom of the sea
Your eyes
They turn me
Why should I stay here?
Why should I stay?

I'd be crazy not to follow
Follow where you lead
Your eyes
They turn me

Turn me on to phantoms
I follow to the edge of the earth
And fall off
Everybody leaves
If they get the chance
And this is my chance

I get eaten by the worms
Weird fishes
Get towed by the worms
Weird fishes
Weird fishes
Weird fishes

I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape

I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape



All comments from YouTube:

@peterrobert3223

Amazes me how Ed's brief backing vocals matter so much to this...

@markscott4969

You are so right .. imagine in the studio Ed says ok right here I go AAAAAAAHHHHHH

@peterrobert3223

@@markscott4969 lol!!

@scottboyd3838

I love when the use Ed's vocals in certain tracks, big bloke too!!

@rolphy4338

I always think that

@michaellynch5637

@@markscott4969 lol i don't know why your comment was so funny

32 More Replies...

@moshrom3473

Imagine the pressure on that poor drummer.

@helenagutierrez284

Im not denying phill is an amazing drummer, i would Just like to point out how this drum pattern is way easier than it looks. Its Just about coordination, once u get that, its very easy. And im not a drummer, im a guitar player lol.

@philqrt1357

@@helenagutierrez284 hey, drummer here ! you're right the pattern isn't that hard but I'd like to point out that phil plays it pretty fast and carries it in an impressively steady way. that's to be expected from such an amazing drummer ;)

@helenagutierrez284

@@philqrt1357 ofc! Phill is an amazing drummer and his Playing is Just so neat. Seems like they are allergic to 4/4 lmao jk

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