Radiohead

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Just as you take my hand
Just as you write my number down
Just as the drinks arrive
Just as they play your favourite song
As your bad day disappears
No longer wound up like a spring
Before you've had too much
Come back in focus again
The walls are bending shape
They've got a Cheshire cat grin
All blurring into one
This place is on a mission
Before the night owl
Before the animal noises
Closed circuit cameras
Before you're comatose

[Verse 2]
Before you run away from me
Before you're lost between the notes
The beat goes 'round and 'round
The beat goes 'round and 'round
I never really got there
I just pretended that I had
Words are blunt instruments
Words are sawn-off shotguns
Come on and let it out
Come on and let it out
Come on and let it out
Come on and let it out
Before you run away from me
Before you're lost between the notes
Just as you take the mic
Just as you dance, dance, dance
[Chorus]
A jigsaw falling into place
So there is nothing to explain
You eye each other as you pass
She looks back, and you look back
Not just once, and not just twice
Wish away your nightmare
Wish away the nightmare
You got the light, you can feel it on your back
A light, you can feel it on your back
Your jigsaw falling into place

Jigsaw Falling into Place by Radiohead is a song that was released in 2008, becoming the third single from the album In Rainbows. It was ranked #69 in the US Modern Rock Charts and #30 in the UK singles chart. It tells a story of a night out, capturing the moments of flirtation, consummation, and regret in a doomed relationship.

About Jigsaw Falling into Place

The song, according to Thom Yorke and Adam Buxton who directed the video, is based on the messy drunken nights out that the band had fond memories of, especially from their university days. During an NME interview in December 2007, Thom Yorke clarified that although the lyrics were based on observations, the song was not 100% autobiographical. The song also says a lot about the chaos that happens in Oxford over the weekend.

The opening lyrics of the song “Just as you take my hand, just as you write my number down, just as the drinks arrive, just as they play your favorite song” describes the beginning of a night out. The song has a storytelling tone that reveals the events of the night. The lyrics describe a woman entering a club, attracting the singer's attention, and after dancing together, they share a kiss. The song later describes the deteriorating state of the relationship, with lines like “the walls abandon shape, you’ve got a Cheshire cat grin, all blurring into one, this place is on a mission”.

“Jigsaw Falling into Place” captures the emotional state of a person who is enjoying the chaos of a night out but is trying to cope with the aftermath of the actions taken during the night.

Writer Josh Tyrangiel captures the essence of the song when he says that it is "a journey through flirtation, consummation, and regret that gets close to summing up a doomed relationship in four minutes." He emphasizes that the song's lyrics convey the message of a woman who decides to take a chance only to realize after the night that the relationship is unsure and headed towards its end.

“Jigsaw Falling into Place” is a song that has enjoyed growing popularity since its release. Its unique composition and storytelling are a potent combination that highlights the potential of Radiohead as songwriters. The sound of the song is haunting, and the lyrics don't tell the story but evoke emotions that take the listeners on a journey. The beat is catchy, and the melody creates a mood that takes the listeners through the journey of the song.

The song is considered one of the highlights of In Rainbows, and it continues to be played during various Radiohead concerts. It is a song that reminds the listeners of their own experiences, and it captivates them with the insight into the emotional states that come with falling in and out of love.

In summary, “Jigsaw falling into Place” by Radiohead is an excellent example of how storytelling can be used to evoke emotions that take the listeners on a journey. The song shows the potential of Radiohead as songwriters, and its composition has continued to be popular since its release due to its uniqueness and haunting sound. Its popularity proves that listeners can relate to the emotions of the song, and it continues to be a classic in contemporary rock music.

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