Album: The BendsAvg rating:
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Length: 4:10
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I can feel their blue hands touching me
All these things into position
All these things we'll one day swallow whole
And fade out again and fade out
This machine will not communicate
These thoughts and the strain I am under
Be a world child, form a circle
Before we all go under
And fade out again and fade out again
Cracked eggs, dead birds
Scream as they fight for life
I can feel death, can see its beady eyes
All these things into position
All these things we'll one day swallow whole
And fade out again and fade out again
Immerse your soul in love
Immerse your soul in love
Don't want to say that it is a bad song but I find it depressing like many of their other songs...
There are a lot more great depressing songs than there are happy songs, I think.
Turn the volume down a tad.
Can't do that, not for this track, will just have to wipe my ears afterwards!I don't think I've ever heard a song by Radiohead that didn't make my ears bleed.
Turn the volume down a tad.
Jim Morrison - Indian Summer - UCP Berlin Bootleg
"'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...
Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack.
I can't believe we have fans that can deal emotionally with that song. That's why I'm convinced that they don't know what it's about. It's why we play it towards the end of our sets. It drains me, and it shakes me, and hurts like hell every time I play it, looking out at thousands of people cheering and smiling, oblivious to the tragedy of its meaning, like when you're going to have your dog put down and it's wagging its tail on the way there. That's what they all look like, and it breaks my heart. I wish that song hadn't picked us as its catalysts, and so I don't claim it. It asks too much. I didn't write that song."
— Thom Yorke*bump*
I think you are correct. I recently ordered it in vinyl from Amazon... can't wait for it to arrive.
I completely agree with The Bends as the pinnacle of Radiohead. While I love much of their later work. This whole album is just perfectly raw, haunting and inspiring.
And, up goes the volume. 8 becomes 9.
Same!
"Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack."
It seems to me, that if Yorke is going to evoke Christian imagery, he might want to be curious about what the bible says about "staring the fucking devil right in the eyes." In the Bible, the devil definitely does not get the last laugh.
"But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these men revile whatever they do not understand, and by those things that they know by instinct as irrational animals do, they are destroyed."--Jude 9-10, RSV
Jesus gave those who believe in him the power to cast out demons:
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons...--Mark 16:7
This is not me proselytizing. I'm not a practising Christian. I do love to read scripture (including the scripture of several world religions), though, and wonder why so many who call themselves "Christians" don't seem to follow the teachings. When I see Christians threatening to kill, and killing, one another (not to mention those not of their faith), this comes to mind:
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."--John 15:12
RH, and here they are. Thanks B & R!
Same here. I have seen it suggested that it would be fun to have a feature on RP with a custom-made list of bands that you never wanted to hear again get PSD'd automatically (for suscribers of course). I would take full advantage of that when it came to this band, since they get played waaaaayyy too much.
There's an RP channel already available for you: "My Favorites." I advise that you switch to it immediately. That way you can avoid any unpleasantness and remain in your bubble of perfection without interruption.
The tone makes it a match with Michael Oldfield's Tubular Bells which is, after all, tangential, considering the elements...
Still sounding great, 26 years later. I think Yorke is a pretentious but talented guy who sees more than is there. The only devils that exist are those in our own heads. That's why a rabbi once said that the kingdom of God is within you. Both God and the devil are manifestations of the human mind.
Same here. I have seen it suggested that it would be fun to have a feature on RP with a custom-made list of bands that you never wanted to hear again get PSD'd automatically (for suscribers of course). I would take full advantage of that when it came to this band, since they get played waaaaayyy too much.
No one is perfect.
"nah, fukkit, good enough....
Same here. I have seen it suggested that it would be fun to have a feature on RP with a custom-made list of bands that you never wanted to hear again get PSD'd automatically (for suscribers of course). I would take full advantage of that when it came to this band, since they get played waaaaayyy too much.
Long Live RP.
YAY! More RH on RP!
more RH on RP! more RH on RP! more RH on RP!
more RH on RP! more RH on RP! more RH on RP!
(oh, hadn't even rated this as Fade Out always paralizes me)
Before or after the Radiohead song ?
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Long Live RP!
Supergrass — St. Petersburg
They Might Be Giants — Istanbul Not Constantinople
Antonio Vivaldi — The 4 Seasons: Summer
Radiohead — Street Spirit (Fade Out)
and my mind just exploded...
Long Live RP!
I'm at a 9 now on this track. It amazes me how much I avoided the "new music" while I was in high school/college, in fact I wouldn't have known this album was from 1995 (my HS grad year) if it didn't say so in song info.
And....another request from the RH fans....how can I, a reluctant fan, best be introduced to the band? I've tried Kid A and had trouble. Maybe The Bends would be a good starting point for me? Long Live RP!!
I cried during their show. My emotions just erupted. Some shows and songs just touch where you live. Thanks for sharing. Love RH.
Long Live RP!
YAY! More RH on RP!
So you're more familiar with Steven Segal films than you are Radiohead albums? Ok, your comment makes sense. now. Happy New Year!
From what I wrote, you cannot extract any evidence for your conclusion that I am more familiar with Steven Segal movies than with Radiohead songs. In fact, I definitely know more Radiohead songs than Stevan Segal movies (belive it or not !)
In conclusion, your comment does not make sense at all !
What is more, based on the fact that you send me a "Happy New Year" mid of February one could come to the conclusion, that you are not quite up-to-date - unless you referred to the "Chinese New Year". In the latter case, I have to acknowledge your culture-bridging kindness, which compensates partly for the lack of logical reasoning.
Killer, killer song. I will never tire of it.
I've stopped dating girls who "don't get" radiohead. Deal breaker.
They remind me somehow of Steven Segal:
Steven Segal: one face fits all scenes
Radiohead: one style fits all songs
Anyhow, I wish you all a Happy New Year !
So you're more familiar with Steven Segal films than you are Radiohead albums? Ok, your comment makes sense. now. Happy New Year!
They remind me somehow of Steven Segal:
Steven Segal: one face fits all scenes
Radiohead: one style fits all songs
Anyhow, I wish you all a Happy New Year !
Be like little children, form a HUGE circle
And instead of going under
IMMERSE YOUR SOULS IN ME
Because I AM LOVE
It may just not work for you or several others who post on this site. But if there were a poll of serious rock and roll fans of all ages and a poll of folks who listen to rock and roll for a living (aka critics) and most of all a poll of rock and roll musicians who have started their careers since Radiohead put out their first record, their percentage in each category of like would, I suspect, be as high as any band with the exception of the Beatles, the Stones,and very few others.
I think they are the best band to have emerged from the nineties and still putting out fantastic product.
Exactly - this is by far their best song, and I just raised from a 4 to a 5. It doesn't suck.
Most of the time, I hit PSD for Radiohead, I am afraid to say.
"'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...
Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack.
I can't believe we have fans that can deal emotionally with that song. That's why I'm convinced that they don't know what it's about. It's why we play it towards the end of our sets. It drains me, and it shakes me, and hurts like hell every time I play it, looking out at thousands of people cheering and smiling, oblivious to the tragedy of its meaning, like when you're going to have your dog put down and it's wagging its tail on the way there. That's what they all look like, and it breaks my heart. I wish that song hadn't picked us as its catalysts, and so I don't claim it. It asks too much. I didn't write that song."
— Thom YorkeI was trying to explain to my very scientific 9-year-old why I believe in a God and I guess this quote sums it up. It's not an old man with a great beard in the sky, but a match in your pocket. Thom says, "It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end," but what he doesn't realize is that the light doesn't have to be at the end. It can be there within you — and yet it's not you. There's no way you can do it. It's something bigger than you that gives you hope when hope doesn't exist. Thom says, "'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes" and he's right, the devil will win every time. Unless there's a match in your pocket, a match you never put there.
^^ well put.
I find myself consciously resisting the Siren's pull into Radiohead's plodding path into moping and whining and.... well... you get what I mean.
On the other hand when Radiohead comes on and I haven't really noticed it I find myself humming and melting into the melody and really enjoying the damn stuff.
I'm just so damn conflicted!
May I suggest some high fidelity headphones? Sometimes immersing oneself totally helps to enlighten oneself.
I will say, however, it didn't work for me and "Wrecking Ball."
"'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...
Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack.
I can't believe we have fans that can deal emotionally with that song. That's why I'm convinced that they don't know what it's about. It's why we play it towards the end of our sets. It drains me, and it shakes me, and hurts like hell every time I play it, looking out at thousands of people cheering and smiling, oblivious to the tragedy of its meaning, like when you're going to have your dog put down and it's wagging its tail on the way there. That's what they all look like, and it breaks my heart. I wish that song hadn't picked us as its catalysts, and so I don't claim it. It asks too much. I didn't write that song."
— Thom YorkeThank you for the insight on this song. I have thought about this and looked up a number of references on dealing with the devil.1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. James 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Not an easy proposition so gird your loins my brothers and sisters.
WE DO NO THROW PEARLS TO SWINE
We you should try to not spell like any swine, either.
You tell him.
Erp, what was that?!? Oh, Thom Yorke's painful horrible very bad voice.
PSD.
..WE DO NO THROW PEARLS TO SWINE
We you should try to not spell like any swine, either.
Well said brother--and it is Sunday!
WE DO NO THROW PEARLS TO SWINE
please make it stop...Our fans "T.....don't realize that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes... and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh...and it's real...and true."
Wow
Whatever you think of the quote, you have to admit it's pretty interesting.
Thanks, David. I really enjoyed that. When I have more time, I would like to comment more on this topic.
Whatever you think of the quote, you have to admit it's pretty interesting.
Please make it go away.——————————————————————————————————————————-
Sorry I beg to disagree. This is one man's observation of the futility he sees in the great cosmic cycle, without proselytizing. Take it or leave it but to label his music as drivel would be a self-imposition to a minuscule and trite group of one.
Please make it go away.david927 wrote:
"'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...
Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack.
I can't believe we have fans that can deal emotionally with that song. That's why I'm convinced that they don't know what it's about. It's why we play it towards the end of our sets. It drains me, and it shakes me, and hurts like hell every time I play it, looking out at thousands of people cheering and smiling, oblivious to the tragedy of its meaning, like when you're going to have your dog put down and it's wagging its tail on the way there. That's what they all look like, and it breaks my heart. I wish that song hadn't picked us as its catalysts, and so I don't claim it. It asks too much. I didn't write that song."
— Thom YorkeThere is music after 1980. Just saying by checking your 10 ratings.
Please make it go away.david927 wrote:
"'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...
Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack.
I can't believe we have fans that can deal emotionally with that song. That's why I'm convinced that they don't know what it's about. It's why we play it towards the end of our sets. It drains me, and it shakes me, and hurts like hell every time I play it, looking out at thousands of people cheering and smiling, oblivious to the tragedy of its meaning, like when you're going to have your dog put down and it's wagging its tail on the way there. That's what they all look like, and it breaks my heart. I wish that song hadn't picked us as its catalysts, and so I don't claim it. It asks too much. I didn't write that song."
— Thom Yorke"'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...
Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack.
I can't believe we have fans that can deal emotionally with that song. That's why I'm convinced that they don't know what it's about. It's why we play it towards the end of our sets. It drains me, and it shakes me, and hurts like hell every time I play it, looking out at thousands of people cheering and smiling, oblivious to the tragedy of its meaning, like when you're going to have your dog put down and it's wagging its tail on the way there. That's what they all look like, and it breaks my heart. I wish that song hadn't picked us as its catalysts, and so I don't claim it. It asks too much. I didn't write that song."
— Thom YorkeWOW! Thanks so much for sharing. Where did you find that excerpt? I'd love to know b/c I imagine there must be more juicy insights there too.... Please share!
david927 wrote:
"'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...
Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack.
I can't believe we have fans that can deal emotionally with that song. That's why I'm convinced that they don't know what it's about. It's why we play it towards the end of our sets. It drains me, and it shakes me, and hurts like hell every time I play it, looking out at thousands of people cheering and smiling, oblivious to the tragedy of its meaning, like when you're going to have your dog put down and it's wagging its tail on the way there. That's what they all look like, and it breaks my heart. I wish that song hadn't picked us as its catalysts, and so I don't claim it. It asks too much. I didn't write that song."
— Thom Yorke"'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...
Our fans are braver than I to let that song penetrate them, or maybe they don't realise what they're listening to. They don't realise that 'Street Spirit' is about staring the fucking devil right in the eyes, and knowing, no matter what the hell you do, he'll get the last laugh. And it's real, and true. The devil really will get the last laugh in all cases without exception, and if I let myself think about that too long, I'd crack.
I can't believe we have fans that can deal emotionally with that song. That's why I'm convinced that they don't know what it's about. It's why we play it towards the end of our sets. It drains me, and it shakes me, and hurts like hell every time I play it, looking out at thousands of people cheering and smiling, oblivious to the tragedy of its meaning, like when you're going to have your dog put down and it's wagging its tail on the way there. That's what they all look like, and it breaks my heart. I wish that song hadn't picked us as its catalysts, and so I don't claim it. It asks too much. I didn't write that song."
— Thom YorkeI need a cigarette...
Oh, yes, same here. And it's been 7 years since I
I need a cigarette...
No you need a joint. LOL.
I need a cigarette...
LOL
Welcome Fred!!!!
I don't think I've ever heard a song by Radiohead that didn't make my ears bleed.
Well, at least you're feeling something, and that's a start.