The music video for "Zero" is directed by Barney Clay. It was filmed in the San Francisco neighborhoods of Tenderloin , North Beach , and Chinatown . It features lead singer Karen O walking down a road and dancing, whilst wearing a PVC outfit throughout, whilst her bandmates remain as secondary characters throughout the video. Towards the end of the video, the band play up and down the aisles of a local discount store.
Zero
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Lyrics
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Makes me feel like a madman on the run
Find me never never far gone
So get your leather, leather
Leather on on on on
Your zero
What's your name?
Better find out where they want you to go
Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're
Crying, crying, crying oh oh
Can you climb, climb, climb higher
Shake it like a ladder to the sun
Makes me feel like a madman on the run
Now you're never, never far gone
So get your leather leather
Leather on on on on
Your zero
What's your name?
No one's gonna ask you
Better find out where they want you to go
Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're
Crying, crying, crying oh oh
Can you climb, climb, climb higher
Was it the cure? Shellshock!
Was it the cure? Hope not!
Was it the cure? Shellshock!
Was it the cure?
What's your name?
Your zero
What's your name?
No one's gonna ask you
Better find out where they want you to go
Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're
Crying, crying, crying oh oh
Can you climb, climb, climb higher
Was it the cure? Shellshock!
Was it the cure? Hope not!
Was it the cure? Shellshock!
Was it the cure? Hope not!
What's your name?
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' song "Zero", is a high-energy song that is marked by Karen O's powerful vocals and evocative lyrics. The song has a pulsating beat that is fueled by the guitar riffs, drums, synthesizer, and bass. The song evokes a sense of abandon and freedom, as if the singer is untethered from societal expectations and free to express themselves however they choose.
The lyrics of the song appear to address the idea of self-identity and societal expectations. The refrain "Your zero, what's your name?" seems to suggest that the singer is questioning the idea of identity and self-worth. The repetition of the line "no one's gonna ask you, better find out where they want you to go" implies that the singer is encouraging the listener to embrace their uniqueness and find their own path rather than adhering to societal expectations. The line "try to hit the spot, get to know it in the dark" suggests that self-discovery is a personal and private process that requires personal exploration.
The chorus, "shake it like a ladder to the sun, makes me feel like a madman on the run, now you're never, never far gone, so get your leather, leather, leather on on on on" has an almost primal quality that suggests that the singer is calling for a wild abandon and freedom from societal norms. The reference to "leather" suggests that the singer is encouraging the listener to embrace their raw and primal side, and to be unafraid of living life open and honestly.
Line by Line Meaning
Shake it like a ladder to the sun
Move your body as if you're climbing a ladder towards the sun
Makes me feel like a madman on the run
Makes me feel energized and like I'm sprinting away from something
Find me never never far gone
I'm always close by and not unreachable
So get your leather, leather
Put on your leather clothing
Leather on on on on
Keep putting on your leather
Your zero
You're starting from scratch
What's your name?
Who are you and what's your identity?
No one's gonna ask you
Nobody is interested in knowing who you are
Better find out where they want you to go
You have to figure out where everyone else wants you to go
Try and hit the spot
Attempt to achieve the right results
Get to know it in the dark
Become familiar with it even in difficult situations
Get to know it whether you're crying, crying, crying oh oh
Understand it even when you're distressed
Can you climb, climb, climb higher
Can you push yourself to higher heights?
Was it the cure? Shellshock!
Was it the solution or just more chaos?
Was it the cure? Hope not!
I hope it wasn't the solution
Your zero
Back to the start position
What's your name?
Who are you and what's your identity?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN CHASE, KAREN LEE ORZOLEK, NICHOLAS JOSEPH ZINNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@laikawea4771
[Verse 1]
Shake it like a ladder to the sun
Makes me feel like a madman on the run
Find me never, never far gone
So get your leather, leather, leather on-on-on-on
[Chorus]
You're a zero
What's your name?
No one's gonna ask you
Better find out where they want you to go
Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're a crime, crime, crime of love
Can you climb, climb, climb high up?
[Verse 2]
Shake it like a ladder to the sun
Makes me feel like a madman on the run
Know you're never, never far gone
So get your leather, leather, leather on-on-on-on-on
[Chorus]
You're a zero
What's your name?
No one's gonna ask you
Better find out where they want you to go
Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're a crime, crime, crime of love
Can you climb, climb, climb high up?
[Bridge]
Was it the cure?
Shell-shock
Was it the cure?
Hope not
Was it the cure?
Shell-shock
Was it the cure?
What's your name?
[Chorus]
You're a zero
What's your name?
No one's gonna ask you
Better find out where they want you to go
Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're a crime, crime, crime of love
Can you climb, climb, climb high up?
[Outro]
Was it the cure?
Shell-shock
Was it the cure?
Hope not
Was it the cure?
Shell-shock
Was it the cure?
Hope not
What's your name?
What's your name?
What's your name?
What's your name?
What's your name?
What's your name?
What's your name?
@IvanLendl87
That jacket should have its own display at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Iconic.
@blaznfattyz
Looks like something Madonna wore in the 80s
@maddiepinkrock3092
I like this jacket
@maddiepinkrock3092
I like this jacket
@howareyoumoreofaclownthanme
@ArtMusic8 Honestly it's kind of annoying when literally any eye motif is interpreted as Masonic. This is what Poppy was parodying when she was still in her pop phase.
@rsjones9303
That jacket has some serious character it deserves a place in the Smithsonian.
@thegreyalien
This song is an anthem for introverts who want to break free. Are you a Zero, a "crime of love", born with no purpose in life? Or can you "climb high up" by putting your leather on, shaking it like a ladder to the sun and breaking free to live your life to the absolute fullest? It's crazy how the coolest band on earth can relate and cater to all of us weirdos so perfectly. Love this band so much.
@blank.9301
Also Lorde green light
@caesarflickerman9880
What a cool explanation...it's changed my perspective. I found this band late and am in my 50s...it jams and makes me feel young!
@direwolf4874
Gimp SUit