Radiohead

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Where do we go from here?
The words are coming out all weird
Where are you now when I need you?
Alone on an aeroplane
Falling asleep against the windowpane
My blood'll thicken

[Verse 2]
I need to wash myself again
To hide all the dirt and pain
'Cause I'd be scared that there's nothing underneath
And who are my real friends?
Have they all got the bends?
Am I really sinking this low?

[Chorus]
My baby's got the bends, oh no
We don't have any real friends
No, no, no

[Post-Chorus]
Just lying in a bar with my drip feed on
Talking to my girlfriend, waiting for something to happen
I wish it was the '60s, I wish we could be happy
I wish, I wish, I wish that something would happen
[Verse 3]
Where do we go from here?
The planet is a gunboat in a sea of fear
And where are you?
They brought in the CIA
The tanks and the whole marines
To blow me away, to blow me sky high

[Chorus]
My baby's got the bends
We don't have any real friends

[Post-Chorus]
Just lying in a bar with my drip feed on
Talking to my girlfriend, waiting for something to happen
I wish it was the '60s, I wish we could be happy
I wish, I wish, I wish that something would...

[Bridge]
I wanna live, breathe
I wanna be a part of the human race
I wanna live, breathe
I wanna be a part of the human race, race, race, race

[Outro]
Where do we go from here?
The words are coming out all weird
Where are you now when I need you?

Radiohead's album The Bends is a masterpiece of modern rock music. The title track, which opens the album, paints a vivid picture of the physical and emotional pressures that come from the music industry and modern society. The song has multiple layers of meaning, and it's an engaging listen every time you spin it.

About The Bends

The Bends is a fascinating song that was first introduced as being about "knowing who your real friends are and when they're going to come to your gigs." However, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke later simplified this to "knowing who your friends are." This song reflects Radiohead's sense of humor, as it contains many ridiculous lines about the CIA and the Marines. This humor adds to the strange and exciting atmosphere of the song.

The track starts with a unique sound that Yorke recorded in the streets of the United States. It was this caterwauling mayhem outside a hotel, where a guy was training eight-year-old kids who were parading up and down with different instruments. The guy had a small microphone on his sweater and kept saying, "Yeah, keep it up, keep it up," to the children. Thom Yorke heard what was happening and ran out to tape it.

The Bends' opening riff is sharp, direct, and unforgettable. The band wisely chose to repeat the same chords throughout the song, building momentum with each repetition. The percussion is steady and restrained, allowing Yorke's haunting voice and guitar to take center stage. There is a real sense of urgency in the way Yorke delivers the vocals, and his lyrics are raw and emotional.

While the song has many interpretations, one common theme is the idea of pressure. This is reflected in the opening lines of the song, "Where do we go from here? The words are coming out all weird. Where are you now when I need you?" Yorke is asking himself where he stands in the music industry, where his band is heading, and who he can trust. He feels alone and under pressure to perform.

The lyrics of the song touch on many other topics, from lost love and isolation to politics and societal pressures. Yorke's voice changes in tone multiple times throughout the song, showing different emotions and adding to the experience of the track. The guitar solo is particularly powerful, showcasing the technical prowess of the band.

The Bends is a complicated and thought-provoking song that showcases the best of Radiohead. It's a song that rewards repeated listens, and each time you hear it, you might discover something new. It's a fascinating look into the mind of one of the most innovative and experimental bands of our time.

Conclusion

The Bends is a musical masterpiece that stands the test of time. Even though it was released over a quarter-century ago, the lyrics and melodies of the title track remain relevant today. The song reflects the many pressures that we face in modern society, from the pressures of the music industry to societal pressures to conform. The unusual mix of humor and raw emotion makes this track unforgettable.

Radianthead, one of the most successful and influential music bands of the modern era, perfectly captured the idea of pressure, confusion, and isolation in The Bends. The song's unique sound, intriguing lyrics, and impressive guitar work make it a must-listen for any rock music fan.

• Release Date: March 13, 1995
• Artist: Radiohead