Radiohead

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I do not
Understand
What it is
I've done wrong
Full of holes
Check for pulse
Blink your eyes
One for yes
Two for no

[Chorus]
I have no idea what I am talking about
I am trapped in this body and can't get out

[Verse 2]
You killed the sound
Removed backbone
A pale imitation
With the edges sawn off

[Chorus]
I have no idea what you are talking about
Your mouth moves only with someone's hand up your arse

[Bridge]
Has the light gone out for you?
Because the light's gone out for me
It is the twenty-first century
It is the twenty-first century
It can follow you like a dog
It brought me to my knees
They got a skin and they put me in
They got a skin and they put me in
On the lines wrapped 'round my face
On the lines wrapped 'round my face
And for anyone else to see
And for anyone else to see
I'm a lie
[Outro]
I've seen it coming
They've seen it coming
They've seen it coming
They've seen it coming

Radiohead is a band that does not shy away from difficult subjects, and their song “Bodysnatchers” is no exception. This track explores the sense of feeling trapped, fake, and disconnected from oneself and others, culminating in a bleak narrative about the numbing monotony of life.

About Bodysnatchers

Inspired by Victorian ghost stories and the classic film The Stepford Wives, “Bodysnatchers” draws upon the idea of a false, manufactured existence. Although the song was written by lead vocalist Thom Yorke, the entire band helps to create a sense of overwhelming tension and unease throughout the track.

The guitar riff that opens the song serves as a persistent backbone, driving the song forward with a sense of urgency. The drumming provides a spiky counterpoint, while Yorke’s vocals are almost manic in their intensity, conveying a sense of desperation and fear.

Lyrically, the song is a masterclass in understated yet evocative storytelling. Rather than overtly describing a specific scenario, the lyrics are more impressionistic, painting a broad picture of a life that feels insincere and unfulfilling. “I have no idea what I am talking about / I'm trapped in this body and can't get out” Yorke sings, capturing the sense of alienation that the song explores so deeply.

The chorus is one of the song’s most memorable moments, with Yorke shouting the phrase “has the light gone out for you? / 'Cause the light's gone out for me.” Throughout the song, the characters struggle to connect with each other, and this is perhaps most clear in this chorus. The sense of searching for something that is always just outside their grasp is nearly palpable.

The bridge section of “Bodysnatchers” is one of its most haunting moments. A repeating line about “when your opinions are of violence” is paired with wordless vocalizations from Yorke, giving the impression of a mind unraveling under the weight of too much pressure. This is the moment when the song feels as though it has reached a breaking point, as though the tension that has been building throughout the track could snap at any moment.

Throughout the song, there is a sense of unease that is impossible to shake. The lyrics and instrumentation work together to create a portrait of a world where authenticity is elusive, and it is easy to feel trapped in a life that doesn’t feel like your own.

Despite the bleakness of the subject matter, “Bodysnatchers” is an undeniably compelling song. It is a testament to Radiohead’s ability to explore the complexities of the human experience, even when those complexities are uncomfortable or difficult to confront.

• Release Date: October 10, 2007
• Artist: Radiohead