Interference
Yorke Lyrics


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We stare into each other's eyes
Like jackdaws, like ravens
The ground may open up and swallow us
In an instant
An instant

But I don't have the right
To interfere
To interfere
I don't have the right
To interfere
To interfere

In the future, we will change our numbers
And lose contact
In the future, leaves will turn brown
When we want them

Ooh
Ooh
And I don't have the right
To interfere
To interfere
I don't have the right
To interfere
To interfere
I don't have the right




To interfere
To interfere

Overall Meaning

Thom Yorke's song "Interference" seems to be about a relationship that is shoehorned into a no-win situation. The opening lines, "We stare into each other's eyes/Like jackdaws, like ravens" suggest a dark and intense connection between two people that could easily fall apart at any moment. This is reinforced by the second stanza, "The ground may open up and swallow us/In an instant/An instant." They're both acutely aware of the volatile nature of their bond, but can't seem to pull themselves away.


The chorus – "But I don't have the right/To interfere/To interfere/I don't have the right/To interfere/To interfere" - implies that something is awry, but it's not clear what that is. It's not necessarily a love triangle; it could be any number of external forces that is pushing them together or driving them apart. It's also possible that one or both of them are in committed relationships with other people. Either way, Yorke is trying to emphasize that he shouldn't be meddling in someone else's affairs.


The final lines, "In the future, we will change our numbers/And lose contact/ In the future, leaves will turn brown/When we want them" reveal that this is likely a doomed romance. They'll eventually lose touch, and what was once beautiful will crumble into something sad and regretful. Perhaps they weren't meant to be together, or maybe it's just the cruel vicissitudes of life that are serving as a roadblock. It's unclear, and that's precisely what makes the song so haunting.


Line by Line Meaning

We stare into each other's eyes
We are sharing an intense moment of connection


Like jackdaws, like ravens
Our connection is reminiscent of two intelligent, dark birds observing each other


The ground may open up and swallow us
Our moment will be so intense that it feels like anything can happen


In an instant
Our intense moment will be fleeting


But I don't have the right
Despite this connection, I do not have permission


To interfere
To intervene or disrupt what is currently happening


In the future, we will change our numbers
Our connection will not last and our communication will cease


And lose contact
We will no longer keep in touch


In the future, leaves will turn brown
Time will continue its march towards decay and change


When we want them
We will not be able to control or halt the passage of time


And I don't have the right
Again, I acknowledge that I do not have the authority to interfere


To interfere
To interrupt or disturb the natural course of things


I don't have the right
For a third time, I recognize that I lack the permission or authority to interject


To interfere
To intervene or change the course of events




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Nigel Godrich, Thomas Edward Yorke

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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