Radio Radio
Sum 41 Lyrics


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I was tuning in the shine on the light night dial
Doing anything my radio advised
With everyone of those late-night stations
Playing songs, bringing tears to my eyes
I was seriously thinking about
Hiding the reciever when the
Switch broke cause it's old
Saying things that I can hardly believe
They really think we're getting out of control

Radio is the sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
They say you better listen
To the voice of reason
They don't give you any choice
Cause they think that it's treason
So you had better do as you were told
You better listen to the radio

I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I wannabite that hand so badly
I'm gonna make them wish they'd never seen me

Some of my friends sit around every evening
And then worry about the times ahead
While everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
And the promise of an early bed
You better shut up or get cut out
They don't wanna hear about it
Only inches on the reel to reel
And the radio is in the hands
Of such a lot of fools
Trying to anesthetize the way that you feel

Radio is the sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
They say you better listen
To the voice of reason
They don't give you any choice
Cause they think that it's treason
So you had better do as you were told
You better listen to the radio

Wonderful radio
Marvelous radio
Wonderful radio
Radio radio




Radio radio
Radio radio

Overall Meaning

In "Radio Radio" by Sum 41, the singer describes himself as a young person who is consumed by the world of late-night radio. He listens intently to every station and lets the music and programming dictate his emotions, even causing tears to his eyes at times. However, as he becomes more and more disillusioned with the messages he's hearing, he contemplates disconnecting his radio altogether. This internal conflict seems to center around the control that radio has over the nation's thoughts and opinions, believing that radio serves as a sort of brainwashing tool. The singer feels that it's necessary to push back against this dominant influence and to take control of his own thoughts and feelings.


The song also highlights the growing apathy and disinterest of young people in the world around them. While the singer's friends worry about the future and the state of the world, others are content to simply go to bed early, ignoring the problems that they face. In this way, the song suggests that radio serves as a numbing influence on society, masking important issues and encouraging individuals to be complacent.


Overall, "Radio Radio" is a call to action for young people to take back control of their thoughts and actions, encouraging critical thinking and questioning of authority. The song is a powerful commentary on the role that mass media plays in shaping culture and beliefs.


Line by Line Meaning

I was tuning in the shine on the light night dial
I turned on my radio at night and was scrolling through the options


Doing anything my radio advised
I listened to whatever songs my radio suggested


With everyone of those late-night stations
There were several channels to choose from during nighttime hours


Playing songs, bringing tears to my eyes
The music played by the radio stations was emotion-inducing


I was seriously thinking about
I was genuinely considering


Hiding the reciever when the
Concealing the radio when


Switch broke cause it's old
The old radio broke due to a faulty switch


Saying things that I can hardly believe
The radio hosts played music and made statements that were unbelievable


They really think we're getting out of control
The radio hosts believed that society is becoming uncontrollable


Radio is the sound salvation
The radio is a source of emotional healing and freedom


Radio is cleaning up the nation
The radio is making the country a better place


They say you better listen
The radio hosts demand that people tune in


To the voice of reason
To listen to the logical arguments presented on the radio


They don't give you any choice
The radio hosts refuse to provide alternatives


Cause they think that it's treason
They believe that to do otherwise is wrong or disloyal


So you had better do as you were told
To comply is necessary


I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I want to rebel against those who control the information being fed to me through the radio


I wannabite that hand so badly
I am eager to lash out against the oppressors


I'm gonna make them wish they'd never seen me
I will make a lasting impact on those who wish to maintain control


Some of my friends sit around every evening
Some of my companions spend their evenings passively


And then worry about the times ahead
They are concerned about the future


While everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
Others are apathetic and uninterested


You better shut up or get cut out
If you are not willing to conform, you will be shunned


They don't wanna hear about it
Conformists refuse to listen to alternative ideas or opinions


Only inches on the reel to reel
The radio is limited in its ability to accurately convey information


And the radio is in the hands
The control over the radio is held by


Of such a lot of fools
Incompetent and misguided people


Trying to anesthetize the way that you feel
They aim to numb one's emotions and senses


Wonderful radio
The radio is great


Marvelous radio
The radio is amazing


Radio radio
Radio, oh radio




Writer(s): Elvis Costello, Declan Mac Manus

Contributed by Aria W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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J-BOOT


on In Too Deep

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