Radio Radio
The Kids Lyrics


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[Originally by Elvis Costello]

I was tuned into the light of the late 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 receiver
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
Say you better listen to the Voice of Reason
But they don't give you any choice
Cause they think that it's treason
You had better do as you were told
Better listen to the radio

I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I wanna bite that hand so badly
I wanna make them wish they'd never seen me
Some of my friends sit around every evening
And they worry about the times ahead
Everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
And the promise of an early bed

You either shut up or get cut out
They don't wanna hear about it
It's only inches on the reel to reel
The radio is in the hands
Of such a bunch of fools
Trying to anesthetize they way that you feel

Radio is the sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
Say you better listen to the Voice Of Reason
But they don't give any choice
Cause they think that its treason
So you had better do as you were told
Better listen to the radio

Radio




Radio
Radio

Overall Meaning

The Kids's song Radio Radio is originally created by Elvis Costello. The song talks about the power of the radio and how it can influence and control people's emotions and actions. The lyrics emphasize that radio is seen as salvation and it claims to be cleaning up the nation, but it also makes people feel like they don't have any choice rather than to follow what is being broadcasted. The song challenges the role of the radio and its content and shows the negative impact it may have on people and their thoughts.


The singer tells us about his relationship with his radio that is always by his side late at night, to provide him with a source of comfort and inspiration through the music that brought tears to his eyes. The singer is frustrated by the lack of control he has over what he listens to on the radio and the opinions it imposes on him. He wants to rebel against the constant imposition of these opinions and defy the people controlling the air time.


In general, the song is a commentary on the ability of mass media to shape public opinion, and a call to resist this influence and assert one's individuality. The song invites the listener to think critically and question the information they're being fed.


Line by Line Meaning

I was tuned into the light of the late night dial
I was listening to the radio late at night


Doing anything my radio advised
I was taking the music and the messages to heart


With everyone of those late night stations playing songs bringing tears to my eyes
The songs played by a variety of stations made me feel emotional


I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver
I wanted to stop listening to the radio


When the switch broke cause it's old
The radio broke when I tried to turn it off


Saying things that I can hardly believe
The radio hosts were saying things that were hard to believe


They really think we're getting out of control
The hosts think that society is out of control


Radio is the sound salvation
Radio provides comfort and solace to listeners


Radio is cleaning up the nation
Radio is making things better for society


Say you better listen to the Voice of Reason
Listeners should pay attention to what is reasonable and logical


But they don't give you any choice
The hosts do not give listeners a choice in the matter


Cause they think that it's treason
Changing one's viewpoint is seen as being disloyal


You had better do as you were told
You should listen to the radio and obey its messages


I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I want to rebel against the source of my information


I wanna make them wish they'd never seen me
I want to shake up the system


Some of my friends sit around every evening and they worry about the times ahead
My friends are anxious about the future


Everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference and the promise of an early bed
Most people are apathetic and just want to go to sleep early


You either shut up or get cut out
You either conform or are excluded


They don't wanna hear about it
The radio hosts do not want to hear dissenting opinions


It's only inches on the reel to reel
The radio is just a recording on a tape machine


The radio is in the hands of such a bunch of fools
People who are not wise or qualified are in charge of the radio


Trying to anesthetize they way that you feel
The radio is trying to dull your emotions and critical thinking


Radio
Radio


Radio
Radio


Radio
Radio




Contributed by Michael S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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