Radiohead

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Glass Eyes album cover

Glass Eyes

Radiohead

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Hey, it's me, I just got off the train
A frightening place, the faces are concrete grey
And I'm wondering, should I turn around?
Buy another ticket? The panic is coming on strong
So cold, from the inside out
No great drama, message coming in
In the oh-so-smug glassy eyed light of day
Glassy eyed light of day

[Verse 2]
Where the path trails off and heads down the mountain
Through the dry bush, I don't know where it leads
And I don't really care
Where the path trails off and heads down the mountain
Through the dry bush, I don't know where it leads
And I don't really care

[Outro]
I feel this love to the core
I feel this love turn cold

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Radiohead is a British rock band that has been active for over three decades. The band's music is known for its unique style, experimental sounds, and socially conscious themes. Glass Eyes is a song from the group's ninth studio album, A Moon Shaped Pool, which was released in 2016. The song is a haunting piano ballad that explores themes of anxiety, isolation, and escape.

The song opens with a delicate piano melody that is soon joined by a stark string section accentuating the song's somber tone. The lyrics describe a character who is frightened by society and feels a deep sense of alienation. He longs to escape the unknown and find refuge in a place where he can be free from his fears.

About the Vignette

In addition to the song, Radiohead released a vignette to accompany Glass Eyes. The brief video was directed by Weirdcore and was shared on the band's Instagram page. The video is less than a minute long and features a series of surreal images that complement the song's introspective mood.

The video begins with a close-up shot of an eye that is rapidly blinking. This is followed by a series of abstract visuals that appear to be fragments of broken glass. The images are dark and disorienting, evoking the sense of anxiety and unease that permeates the song's lyrics.

The vignette concludes with a shot of what appears to be a figure walking towards a door. The image is blurry and indistinct, adding to the sense of mystery and ambiguity that surrounds the song's meaning.

Analysis of Glass Eyes

Glass Eyes is a song that expresses the feeling of vulnerability and disconnection that many people experience in today's society. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist feels overwhelmed by the complexity and uncertainty of the world, leading him to seek refuge in isolation. The use of water imagery throughout the song, with references to tears and drowning, reinforces the feeling of drowning in his emotions.

The song's minimalistic arrangement is an essential element in conveying the sense of introspection and anxiety that dominates the lyrics. The use of a single piano melody and a stark string section creates a somber tone, while also highlighting the fragility and vulnerability of the character described in the lyrics.

The vignette that accompanies the song further adds to its mood by presenting a series of abstract and surreal images. The use of broken glass, blinking eyes, and indistinct figures creates an additional layer of complexity and mystery to the song's meaning, stimulating the listener's imagination while fitting perfectly the mood of the song.

Conclusion

In summary, Glass Eyes is a haunting and introspective song that tackles themes of anxiety and isolation. The use of water imagery and a minimalistic arrangement create a somber tone, while the vignette adds an additional layer of complexity and intrigue to the song's meaning. Radiohead's unique style and socially conscious themes are well represented in this song, making it a powerful addition to their already impressive catalog.

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