Radiohead

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Transport, motorways and tramlines
Starting and then stopping
Taking off and landing
The emptiest of feelings
Disappointed people
Clinging on to bottles
And when it comes it's so, so disappointing

[Chorus]
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around

[Verse 2]
Shell smashed, juices flowing
Wings twitch, legs are going
Don't get sentimental
It always ends up drivel

[Pre-Chorus]
One day I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction
Hysterical and useless
Hysterical and
[Chorus]
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around

[Bridge]
Let down again
Let down again
Let down again

[Verse 3]
You know, you know where you are with
You know where you are with
Floor collapsing
Floating, bouncing back

[Pre-Chorus]
And one day
I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction
(You know where you are)
Hysterical and useless
(You know where you are)
Hysterical and
(You know where you are)
[Chorus]
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around

If you are a true alternative rock aficionado and you haven't listened to Radiohead's 1997 album, OK Computer, then you are missing out on one of the most iconic rock albums of all time. Featuring on this masterful album is an enchanting track that will immediately strike a chord with anyone who hears it, the song is called "Let Down".

"Let Down" has an enduring appeal that has lasted well over two decades since it was first unleashed on the world by one of the most innovative bands of the alternative rock scene. The distinctive sonic landscape created by Radiohead in this track, is hauntingly beautiful and mesmerizing. The beautiful layers of arpeggiated guitars, electric piano, and unconventional time signatures, combined with the iconic 'Wall of Sound', create a musical landscape that defies explanation.

About Let Down

The making of "Let Down" is as mesmerizing as the song itself. No one can forget the incredible multi-layered arpeggiation on this track. The lead guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, composed the iconic arpeggio melody waking up in the middle of the night while staying in the ballroom of a house where they were recording. In interviews, the band explains that this unusual melody was composed on an old rhythm machine. This machine was programmed with an unusual rhythm pattern of seven bars instead of the usual four.

The track intimately captures the collective emotions of the band at that time. Some claim that the song was written when the group was on tour, and feeling isolated and disconnected from the rest of the world. This feeling of isolation is evident in the lyrics, whereby the lead vocalist and songwriter, Thom Yorke, sing about being let down by everything and everyone around him. As he sings, "Airbag" may have saved his life, but now he feels lost and alone, unable to connect with other people.

"Let Down" is a song borne from a disenchanted background, which is probably why it has such an enduring appeal, to this day. The genius behind this track is that it perfectly captures the collective sense of disillusionment and disorientation in modern life. Critics have described it as a cry for help, looking back at a world that has left us all behind.

This song has an impressive instrumentation that perfectly evokes its meaning. The sweeping, atmospheric sound created by Radiohead, one of the most inventive bands of their time, is an aural representation of the lyrics, caught between the desperation of the present and the hopelessness of the future. The melancholic guitar and piano arrangements, vocal harmonies, and powerful drumming all contribute to creating a musical landscape that lingers long after the track has ended.

"Let Down" is a deconstruction of human emotions. It is a song that speaks to all of us who have ever felt let down, isolated, or disenchanted. Thom Yorke, the songwriter behind "Let Down", once said that sentimentality is being emotional for the sake of it. The song is a commentary on our times, an ode to human frailty that speaks to anyone looking back at their life and feeling like they've been let down.

The band took their inspiration from an unlikely source, the iconic pop artist Andy Warhol. It is not a direct reference to him, but the band explains that the song is about feeling lost in a transit zone, surrounded by people, yet feeling completely alone. In the words of Jonny Greenwood, it is a song about enjoying one's boredom, accepting that life is just a collection of impressions that ultimately leave us all feeling vacant.

The Legacy of Let Down

Over the years, "Let Down" has become a beloved classic, and fans have picked up on its profound message. It is a song that has endured the test of time, and it remains one of the most hauntingly beautiful expressions of human frailty in the rock music canon. Its multi-layered soundscapes, lyrics, and overall emotional resonance have cemented Radiohead's place in musical history.

The song's message continues to resonate with countless fans around the world, and its themes of disillusionment, disconnect, and the mundanity of modern life continue to inspire countless artists across genres. "Let Down" will remain an enduring classic for years to come, and its timeless sound will continue to captivate new generations of music lovers.

Overall, "Let Down" is a shining example of Radiohead's genius. It is a song that defies expectations and boundaries, a song that speaks to the essence of what it means to be human. It is a song about the highs and lows of life, about our aspirations and our failures. It is a song that reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we are not truly alone.

• Release Date: May 21, 1997
• Artist: Radiohead