Radiohead

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Faith, you're driving me away
You do it every day
You don't mean it, but it hurts like hell
My brain says I'm receiving pain
A lack of oxygen
From my life support, my iron lung

[Verse 2]
We're too young to fall asleep
Too cynical to speak
We are losing it, can't you tell?
We scratch our eternal itch
Our twentieth century bitch
We are grateful for our iron lung
[Chorus]
The headshrinkers, they want my everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon
The headshrinkers, they want my everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon

[Verse 3]
Suck, suck your teenage thumb
Toilet trained and dumb
When the power runs out, we'll just hum
This, this is our new song
Just like the last one
A total waste of time, my iron lung
[Chorus]
The headshrinkers, they want my everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon
The headshrinkers, they want my everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon

[Bridge]
And if you're frightened, you can be frightened
You can be, it's okay
And if you're frightened, you can be frightened
You can be, it's okay

[Guitar Solo]

[Chorus]
The headshrinkers, they want my everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon
The headshrinkers, they want my everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon

Radiohead is an English rock band formed in 1985, often hailed as one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time. With a discography spanning over three decades, they have explored a wide range of musical genres, from alternative rock to electronic music, and have become known for their introspective and politically charged lyrics.

About My Iron Lung

"My Iron Lung" is a song by Radiohead, released as a single in 1994 and later included on their second album, The Bends. The song is often referred to as a response to their breakthrough hit, "Creep", which had gained widespread popularity after its release on their first album, Pablo Honey. The title of the song refers to a negative pressure ventilator, also called an iron lung, which was used to assist breathing in polio patients with paralyzed lungs.

The song's lyrics describe the band's relationship with "Creep" and how it had become a burden to them. The chorus includes the line "This is our new song, just like the last one, a total waste of time", which was a sentiment echoed by singer Thom Yorke in interviews at the time. Yorke has described the song as a "whinge", a term used in British slang to indicate complaining or moaning about something.

The song's structure is similar to "Creep", with a soft verse and a loud chorus, but with a more aggressive and distorted guitar sound. The band has said that the song was an attempt to move away from the sound of "Creep" and to further explore their musical potential.

"My Iron Lung" has been widely praised by critics and has become a fan favorite, with its angry and sarcastic lyrics resonating with many listeners. The video for the song features the band playing in a stark industrial setting, interspersed with images of tetraplegic patients using iron lungs, which further emphasizes the metaphorical meaning of the song.

The B-sides for the single include acoustic versions of "Creep" and "Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was", highlighting the band's ability to deconstruct and rearrange their own songs in new and interesting ways. The single was a commercial success, reaching number 24 in the UK charts, and helped to establish Radiohead as a serious and innovative band.

Overall, "My Iron Lung" is a powerful and emotionally charged song that showcases Radiohead's talent and willingness to experiment with their music. Its themes of artistic struggle and the pressure of success are relatable to many musicians and artists, making it a timeless anthem for anyone trying to break free from expectations and limitations.

• Release Date: September 26, 1994
• Artist: Radiohead