The Hollow Earth
Thom Yorke Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Without a conscience
A hollow ring
Lost in a maze
Forgetting
Throwing firecrackers
And dancing
Lost in a maze
A hollow ring

A dereliction
Of duty
A pitiful
Display
Stamping the hollow earth
A pity




And throwing firecrackers
Hopelessly

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Thom Yorke's song "The Hollow Earth" suggest themes relating to detachment and nihilism as a consequence of feeling lost and in a maze. With the use of metaphors and imagery, the song paints a picture of a person without cause or conscience, insensible and apathetic to their surroundings. The "hollow ring" suggests an absence of depth or substance, as if the person doesn't care about anything, and the "maze" a state of confusion and disorientation, like they've lost their way.


The lines "throwing firecrackers and dancing" can be seen as a futile attempt to mask the emptiness inside, as if they're putting on a show to distract from their lack of purpose. The repetition of "lost in a maze" and "hollow ring" reinforces the idea of being stuck in a cycle of meaninglessness. The lyrics also reference a "dereliction of duty" and "stamping the hollow earth", which could refer to a lack of responsibility towards the environment and society, or a sense of futility and pointlessness in all actions.


Line by Line Meaning

Without a conscience
Absence of moral sense or sensitivity


A hollow ring
Emptiness or lack of substance


Lost in a maze
Confused or unsure of direction


Forgetting
Failing to remember or recall


Throwing firecrackers
Causing chaos or disruption


And dancing
Moving joyfully, without a care


A dereliction
Negligence or avoidance of responsibilities


Of duty
Responsibilities or obligations that must be fulfilled


A pitiful
Deserving pity or sympathy


Display
An action or performance meant to be observed


Stamping the hollow earth
Creating a meaningless disturbance


A pity
Deserving of disdain or disappointment


And throwing firecrackers
Creating chaos without purpose or meaning


Hopelessly
Without the possibility of success or improvement


Lost in a maze
Confused or unsure of direction


A hollow ring
Emptiness or lack of substance




Contributed by Gavin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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