Radiohead

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
You really messed up everything
You really messed up everything
If you could take it all back again
Strike up the tinderbox
Why should I be good if you're not?
This is a foul tasting medicine
A foul tasting medicine
To be trapped in your full stop

[Verse 2]
Truth will mess you up, truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up, truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up, truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up, truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up (All the good times)
Truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up (All the good times)
Truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up (All the good times)
Truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up (All the good times)
Truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up (All the good times)
Truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up (All the good times)
Truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up (All the good times)
Truth will mess you up
Truth will mess you up (All the good times)
When you take me back
Take me back again
Will you take me back
Take me back again
[Outro]
You really messed up
You really messed up
You really messed up
You really messed up this time
You really messed up
You really messed up
You really messed up
You really messed up this time
You really messed up
You really messed up
You really messed up
You really messed up this time

Radiohead has been one of the most important musical acts of the last few decades. They have gone through several different stages, blending rock, electronic music, and experimental sounds in a unique and compelling way. Their ninth studio album, A Moon Shaped Pool, released in 2016, was no exception. Ful Stop is one of the most significant tracks on that album, and in this article, we will explore its musical and lyrical qualities.

About Ful Stop

The song begins with a pulsating bassline and edgy guitar notes that create a sense of tension and unease. In typical Radiohead fashion, the melody builds up slowly, with layers of percussion, synths, and Thom Yorke's haunting vocals. The lyrics are sparse, but they carry a sense of impending doom and disorientation. Yorke sings lines like "You really messed up everything," "You really messed up everything, everything, everything," and "You know when you should." The chorus, which is almost a chant, goes: "This is a foul tasting medicine to be trapped in your full stop."

Ful Stop was first played live during Radiohead's 2012 tour, months before the release of A Moon Shaped Pool. Fans were immediately captivated by its dark and hypnotic sound, which evokes both the band's earlier works like Kid A and newer influences like krautrock and post-punk. The song's title is intriguing, as it seems to play with the spelling of "full" and "ful" and hint at multiple layers of meaning. It is unclear what exactly is the "full stop" that the lyrics refer to, whether it is a metaphorical or literal end. Nevertheless, the song's atmosphere of claustrophobia and exhaustion is palpable.

In terms of musical structure, Ful Stop showcases Radiohead's mastery of dynamics and arrangement. The song alternates between sparse and densely textured sections, with jittery drum patterns, distorted synths, and cascading vocals. The guitar solo towards the end is particularly impressive, as it breaks through the sonic wall with screeching feedback and bending notes. The whole song is a tour de force of tension and release, uncertainty and catharsis.

One of the most striking aspects of Ful Stop is how it manages to be both cryptic and emotional. The lyrics, while sparse, convey a sense of regret, frustration, and despair. The idea of being "trapped in your full stop" is both oppressive and poignant, suggesting a complete loss of agency and hope. At the same time, the music, with its pulsing rhythms and soaring melodies, carries a sense of defiance and resilience. The song seems to be a reflection on a personal or collective trauma, a moment when things fell apart, but also a statement of survival and creativity.

Overall, Ful Stop is a powerful and enigmatic song that showcases Radiohead's continuing evolution as one of the most innovative and influential bands of our time. Its fusion of electronic and rock elements, its intricate arrangement, and its existential lyrics make it a standout track on A Moon Shaped Pool and a fan favorite in live performances. It is a song that invites you to dive deep into its sonic and emotional depths and be consumed by its spell.

• Release Date: May 8, 2016
• Artist: Radiohead