Blow Out
radiohead and portishead Lyrics

Radiohead's Blow Out is a song that speaks to the disconnection the singer is feeling between themselves and the world around them. The lyrics "in my mind and nailed into my heels" provide a glimpse into the internal turmoil the singer is experiencing, which is further emphasized by "all the time killin' what I feel." It seems as though the singer is trying to protect themselves, perhaps from feeling too much or getting hurt, evidenced by "everything I touch turns into stone." This line is repeated multiple times throughout the song, almost as a mantra to remind the singer of their perceived inability to connect with the world in a meaningful way.

The chorus takes a different approach to the singer's feelings. Instead of focusing on the disconnect, the chorus seems to express a fear of what might happen if the singer were to let themselves really feel and connect with the world. "I am fused just in case I blow out, I am glued just because I crack out" suggests that the singer is afraid of losing control if they were to fully connect with the world. The repetition of "everything I touch turns to stone" reinforces the idea that the singer doesn't feel capable of sustaining meaningful connections with anything or anyone.

While the lyrics to Blow Out are open to interpretation, many fans of the band have speculated that this song is a reflection on the isolating nature of fame. Lead singer Thom Yorke has spoken in interviews about feeling disconnected and jaded after the success of Radiohead's first album, Pablo Honey. Yorke has also mentioned feeling like an outsider in the music industry, despite his success. With lines like "all wrapped up in cotton wool" and "all wrapped up in crinoline," it's possible that Yorke is referencing the insulation and protection that fame can provide, but at a cost to one's ability to connect with others.