Yorke formed Radiohead with schoolmates at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire. Their 1992 debut single, "Creep", made Yorke a celebrity, and Radiohead went on to achieve critical acclaim and sales of over 30 million albums. Yorke's early influences included alternative rock acts such as Pixies and R.E.M. With Radiohead's fourth album, Kid A, Yorke moved into electronic music, influenced by Warp acts such as Aphex Twin. With the artist Stanley Donwood, Yorke creates artwork for Radiohead albums and his other projects. He often incorporates "erratic" dancing into his performances.
Yorke's solo work comprises mainly electronic music. His debut solo album, The Eraser, was released in 2006. To perform it live, in 2009, he formed a new band, Atoms for Peace, with musicians including the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and the Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. They released an album, [album artist=Atoms for Peace Amok[/album], in 2013. Yorke's second solo album, Tomorrow's Modern Boxes, was released in 2014, followed by Anima in 2019. In 2021, Yorke debuted a new band, the Smile, with the Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and the jazz drummer Tom Skinner. Yorke has collaborated with artists including PJ Harvey, Björk, Flying Lotus and Modeselektor, and has composed for film and theatre. His first feature film soundtrack, Suspiria, was released in October 2018.
Yorke is an activist on behalf of human rights, animal rights, environmental and anti-war causes, and his lyrics incorporate political themes. He has been critical of the music industry, particularly of major labels and streaming services such as Spotify. With Radiohead and his solo work, he has employed alternative release platforms such as pay-what-you-want and BitTorrent. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Radiohead in 2019.
The Clock
Thom Yorke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you just move the hands upon the clock
You throw coins in the wishing well
For us
You just move your hands upon the wall
It comes to you begging you to stop
Wake up
Throw coins in the wishing well
For us
You make believe that you are still in charge
Thom Yorke's song The Clock depicts the urgency and the rapidity with which time is passing by. The singer is seemingly aware of the inevitability of time's passage, yet the ones in charge of the world around them continue to function like there's plenty of time to spare. The lines "Time is running out for us, but you just move the hands upon the clock, you throw coins in the wishing well for us, you just move your hands upon the wall," illustrate the fact that despite the growing sense of urgency, those in power are not taking any actions to deal with it. They continue to throw coins in the wishing well while time keeps ticking.
The singer implores that the ones in charge wake up to the reality of the situation. While time is running out, the solution lies in changing the way one functions. The line "You make believe that you are still in charge" conveys the sense of urgency for change. The responsibility is on those in charge to stop pretending that they have control and instead, act with urgency to address the pressing issue of rapidly passing time.
Line by Line Meaning
Time is running out for us
Our time is limited and we must act fast to make the most of it.
But you just move the hands upon the clock
You are too preoccupied with controlling time, rather than using it wisely.
You throw coins in the wishing well for us
You hope for good fortune to come our way, but don't take action to make it happen.
You just move your hands upon the wall
You use your power to control things, but don't realize its limitations.
It comes to you begging you to stop
Life is sending you signals to pause and reflect on your actions, but you ignore them.
Wake up
Realize the urgency of the situation and take action accordingly.
But you just move your hands upon the clock
You remain stuck in your old ways, refusing to adapt to new circumstances.
Throw coins in the wishing well for us
Passive actions won't lead to desired outcomes, we need to actively work towards them.
You make believe that you are still in charge
You falsely assume control over situations, when in reality, other forces are at play.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: THOMAS EDWARD YORKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lisabryant1062
Time is running out for us
But you just move the hands upon the clock
You throw coins in the wishing well
For us
You just move your hands upon the wall
It comes to you begging you to stop
Wake up
But you just move your hands upon the clock
Throw coins in the wishing well
For us
You make believe that you are still in charge
@TheSuckatash
Do you know why its not struggling or being affected by his guitar? Its because it flows out of him like a river.. its natural.. pure music. He doesn't have to think about cords, notes, pitch, words.. Thom is a rare talent.. Those of us who are able to appreciate his music are lucky. We are watching and listening to someone who has the same make up of a Mozart or Beethoven.. someone who can transcend cliche thoughts of how music "should" sound. What we are hearing is a manifestation of a soul.
@Gump1224
This is a truly indestructible performance.
@ManlyOBeeferton
+Tim I'm wondering what a destructible performance would be like.
@Gump1224
It would fall apart.
@Onmysheet
Yeah but I like the album version more.
@troygardner1610
That's not what the loving scuff marks on the guitar suggest
@MattmanFishgoose
I've love how he just seems to get lost in the music. He shakes himself out of it at the end of the song. Greatness
@thomasmusca8000
It's crazy to think that this man is the 3rd best guitarist in Radiohead. Can't wait for the new record
@jorgegaleano7054
+Thomas Musca That's crazy, man..
@halloweenvicg3
Ed is an amazing guitarrist but Thom is unique in guitar I think he might be the second best one, of course the first one being God aka Jonny Greenwood.