Heads Will Roll
Yeahs Lyrics

The lyrics of Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Heads Will Roll" depict a dystopian world where the people are controlled by a ruler or authority figure who demands that they dance until they're dead. The song talks about a society that is going through an upheaval with lots of shimmering and glistening lights- “glitter on the wet streets, silver over everything”. The ruler is represented by the characters “looking glass” and “mirror” who spread lies and distortions.

The first verse, “Off with your head, dance 'til you're dead, heads will roll, heads will roll, heads will roll, on the floor” is a reference to a phrase attributed to Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the French Revolution. When she was told that the peasants were starving, supposedly she said "let them eat cake." She was ultimately beheaded by the revolutionaries. The phrase “off with your head” in the song could mean the same thing, and the excessive dancing demanded could be seen as a form of distraction to keep people from noticing their problems and rising up against their oppressors.

The chorus of the song features the repetition of the phrase “Heads will roll” which might mean that people will suffer the consequences of their compliance, and the power of the establishment will crush any attempts of rebellion. The song appears to be a warning to the audience to be cautious of their environment and leadership, urging them to question authority and demand accountability. Overall, the song is a commentary on the dangers of societal complacency and the importance of being aware of and fighting against oppressive forces.