Paranoid Android
Rock Kirsty Lyrics

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Please could you stop the noise, I'm trying get some rest
From all the unborn chicken voices in my head
What's that?
([Incomprehensible])
What's that?
([Incomprehensible])

When I am king, you will be first against the wall

With your opinion which is of no consequence at all
What's that?
What's that?

Ambition makes you look pretty ugly
Kicking, squealing Gucci little piggy

You don't remember, you don't remember
Why don't you remember my name?
Off with his head, man, off with his head, man
Why don't you remember my name? I guess he does

Rain down, rain down
Come on and rain down on me
From a great height
From a great height, height

Rain down, rain down
Come on and rain down on me
From a great height
From a great height, height

Rain down, rain down
(That's it sir, you're leaving)
(The crackle of pigskin)
Come on and rain down on me
(The dust and the screaming)
(The yuppies networking)

From a great height
(And the panic, the vomit)

From a great height, height
(The panic, the vomit)

(God loves His children)
(God loves His children, yeah)

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics from Radiohead's song Paranoid Android are a mix of nonsensical phrases and dark imagery that make the song an enigmatic and intriguing piece. The opening lines express a desire for peace and quiet, but that isn't possible with the chaos of voices in the singer's head. The reference to "unborn chicken voices" speaks to the sense of anxiety and confusion that the singer feels, and it sets the tone for the rest of the song.

The lyrics take a turn towards the ominous with the lines, "When I am king, you will be first against the wall." The singer is presumably speaking to someone who has wronged them or whose opinion they don't value. The next few lines criticize ambition which, for the singer, seems to manifest as people who are superficial and obsessed with material possessions - the "Gucci little piggy" reference. The repeated line, "why don't you remember my name?" could be interpreted in a few different ways, but it seems to suggest a sense of frustration with feeling overlooked or ignored.

The repeated refrain of "rain down" throughout the song takes on different connotations throughout. At times, it seems like a plea for relief or cleansing; at others, it feels like a warning or a threat. The inclusion of references to "the panic, the vomit" and "God loves His children" add to the sense of unease and confusion that permeates the entire song.

Line by Line Meaning

Please could you stop the noise, I'm trying get some rest
I'm overwhelmed by the noise of many different voices in my head and I'm seeking some peace and quiet.

From all the unborn chicken voices in my head
My head is full of numerous ideas and thoughts that haven't yet come to fruition and they are all competing for my attention.

What's that?
I am struggling to understand or hear something and need clarification.

When I am king, you will be first against the wall
I will have power and control over others, and if you disagree with me, you will be punished and oppressed.

With your opinion which is of no consequence at all
I do not value opposing viewpoints or opinions that do not align with my own.

Ambition makes you look pretty ugly
Blindly pursuing success and power can make a person appear greedy and unattractive.

Kicking, squealing Gucci little piggy
People who ruthlessly seek success can be compared to spoiled and entitled pigs.

You don't remember, you don't remember
You have forgotten something that is important to me.

Why don't you remember my name?
I am feeling insignificant or overlooked by others who do not fully acknowledge my presence or worth.

Off with his head, man, off with his head, man
Someone has angered me or has done something to deserve punishment or death.

Rain down, rain down
I am waiting for something significant or great to happen in my life.

Come on and rain down on me
I am actively seeking inspiration or enlightenment.

From a great height
I am looking toward something beyond myself or beyond what is currently possible.

(That's it sir, you're leaving)
Someone has been dismissed or has reached their limit of usefulness.

(The crackle of pigskin)
There are sounds of chaos or confusion happening all around me.

(The dust and the screaming)
There is disorder and chaos happening in my world.

(The yuppies networking)
People who are self-absorbed and mainly focused on their own success are connecting with each other.

(And the panic, the vomit)
The intensity and fear of the situation has caused physical or emotional distress in individuals.

(God loves His children)
Despite all of the chaos and turmoil in the world, there is still a belief in a higher power who shows love and care toward people.

(God loves His children, yeah)
This belief is held strongly and affirmed by those who believe.

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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