Radiohead

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Stay in the shadows
Cheer at the gallows
This is a round-up
This is a low-flying panic attack

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Sing the song on the jukebox that goes
[Chorus]
Burn the witch
Burn the witch
We know where you live

[Verse 2]
Red crosses on wooden doors
If you float, you burn
Loose talk around tables
Abandon all reason
Avoid all eye contact
Do not react
Shoot the messengers
This is a low-flying panic attack

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Sing the song of sixpence that goes
[Chorus]
Burn the witch
Burn the witch
We know where you live
We know where you live

Burn the Witch is a song that has a long history with Radiohead. It has been teased through the years, appearing in unfinished tracklists, snippets of “slow, sombre” piano chords performed at concerts, and phrases related to “Burn the Witch” first appeared in the cover art to 2003’s Hail to the Thief. According to reports, the lyrics were finished in 2005. Directed by Chris Hopewell, the official video was released on May 3, 2016, after a cryptic social media campaign in which all of Radiohead’s online presence was deleted, and promotional leaflets were sent to Radiohead fans in the UK.

About Burn the Witch

Radiohead's Burn the Witch is one of the most unusual songs the band has ever made, contrasting sharply with the far more subdued view of their classic music. Burn the Witch is much more intense and vibrant, with an upbeat melody that is reminiscent of '60s pop music. There is a lot of tension in the song that is built upon the lyrics and is accompanied by a fascinating video that is visually compelling in its own right.

The song's central theme deals with the ever-present danger of the outsider and the idea of not trusting anyone who is not a part of their community. According to the animator Virpi Kettu, Burn the Witch raises awareness about the refugee crisis in Europe and the “blaming of different people…the blaming of Muslims and the negativity” that led to sentiments like "burn the witch."

Tom Yorke's lyrics are as cryptic and nonsensical as ever, and seem to be the product of a clever wordplay more than a clear narrative. However, this is something that is very much in keeping with Radiohead's entire body of work, as the group has always focused more on the emotional impact of their music than the literal meaning of the words themselves.

The driving force of Burn the Witch comes from the tension between the music and its lyrics. The instruments and melodies are upbeat, almost cheerful, while the lyrics paint a darker picture of persecution and distrust. Despite the tension, the song manages to come together in a way that is both cohesive and compelling.

Moreover, the video for Burn the Witch is a masterpiece. Its style is very much in keeping with old-fashioned stop-motion animation, but its content is incredibly disturbing. The video is set in a picturesque village that begins to erode and is overtaken by the dark forces of its religious fervor. It is steeped in horror tropes that are masterfully executed. There is something deeply unnerving about the way in which the video manages to use playful animation to deliver a serious and unnerving message.

In the end, Burn the Witch is an excellent addition to Radiohead's highly regarded body of work. It's a song with a lot of depth and complexity, both in terms of its lyrics and its visuals. It manages to be both familiar and strange, and it remains an intriguing topic of discussion for anyone who is a fan of the band.

• Release Date: May 3, 2016
• Artist: Radiohead