Streets
Talis Lyrics


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Rows of houses, all bearing down on me
I can feel their blue hands touching me
cll these things into position
cll these things we'll one day swallow whole
cnd fade out again and fade out
This machine will, will not communicate
These thoughts and the strain I am under
Be a world child, form a circle
Before we all go under
cnd fade out again and fade out again
Cracked eggs, dead birds
Scream as they fight for life
I can feel death, can see its beady eyes
cll these things into position
cll these things we'll one day swallow whole
Fade out again
Fade out again




Immerse your soul in love
Immerse your soul in love

Overall Meaning

In the first stanza of the lyrics, the artist describes feeling overwhelmed by the pressures and expectations of society, represented by the rows of houses bearing down on them. The imagery of the houses having "blue hands" symbolizes a sense of suffocation and invasion, as if the structures themselves are reaching out to touch and influence the artist. The mention of putting things into position and eventually swallowing them whole can be interpreted as a metaphor for the consumption and eventual loss of identity that can occur in a society that values conformity.


As the lyrics progress, there is a sense of frustration and isolation expressed in the inability of the "machine" to communicate and connect with others on a deeper level. The artist feels the weight of their thoughts and the strain they are under, possibly alluding to the challenges of maintaining authenticity and individuality in a world that demands conformity. The call to "be a world child, form a circle" before going under suggests a longing for unity and connection before succumbing to the pressures of society and losing oneself.


The imagery of "cracked eggs, dead birds" and the screams of fighting for life paint a bleak picture of struggle and death, highlighting the harsh realities and violence present in the world. The artist can sense the presence of death and its chilling gaze, further emphasizing the dark themes of mortality and decay. The repeated calls to "fade out again" convey a sense of inevitability and resignation, as if the artist is resigned to the cyclical nature of life and death.


The closing lines of the lyrics bring a shift towards a more hopeful and uplifting tone, with the advice to "immerse your soul in love". This can be seen as a call to find solace and meaning in love and connection, despite the overwhelming pressures and struggles depicted earlier in the song. By immersing oneself in love, the artist suggests a path towards healing and redemption, offering a glimpse of hope amidst the darkness and despair portrayed in the preceding verses.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, 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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