radiohead song interpretations

big ideas

like alot of the bands songs, Big Ideas seems to desribe the pain and dissatisfaction inherent in modern existence. "don't get any big idea, cuz they're not gonna happen" is a lyric that probably runs through the mind of every human being wasting away at jobs they hate, those words screaming out from every ruddy boss and water cooler and subway car and tax return etc. etc. etc. the whole fucking overwhelming resignation and forfeit of dreams for social stabability. "there'll be something missing" 40 years down the line, playing it by the book and never stepping outside the box, and your soul is fucking empty. but what is sadder is that, as thom puts it, "now that you've found it, its gone, now that you feel it, you don't", the idea that even if you do find what you yearn for it'll fade or simply won't fill that void thats been festering. if there's any redemption, i think the song says it can be found in women. it champions them. they can set you at ease and heal you. and she beckons you to bed, nude, physically and emotionally, and at peace.

By Kathryn R.

This song may be Thom playing the role of another character, but I'll just refer to the main character as "Thom" even though it might not be about Thom.

It seems that it is Thom's conscience narrating the song. Throughout the song the conscience is scolding Thom for being infatuated with another person.

Thom has feelings of love and affection for this other person, but their relationship isn't really advancing because the other person doesn't share the same feelings.

Thom's conscience speaks : Now that you've found it(found love), It's gone(relationship is pretty much gone/non-existent because other person does not love back.) Now that you feel it(feel love) You don't(this might be sexual as Thom feels love but cant feel person.)

So the desolate Thom goes on to fantasize about this person who he can't have: ("She stands stark naked/kisses you with toungues and beckons you to bed etc.") But Thom's conscience warns Thom that it is futile to keep wishing for the other person's love and he is setting himself up for a let down.

-Don't get those big ideas they're not gonna happen(stop dreaming about love, you aren't going to find it.)

Every other line in the song connects directly with the idea that Thom loves person, person doesn't love Thom. It is an EXTREMELY personal and honest song and I think it is one of radiohead's saddest.

By Rob P

In my opinion this one is about a man with a phobia of sex. Looking through the various versions of the lyrics on the guitar tabs my interpretation seems to be consistent.

Don't get any big ideas
They're not going to happen
{referring to thinking/fantasising about meeting a girl and all that that involves :) with a negative/self loathing tint}
You paint your smile
And fill the holes But there'll be something missing
{meaning you try to get on with your life and 'put on a brave face' but without the prospect of a healthy relationship you'll never be happy}
And now that you found it, it's gone
Now that you feel it, you don't
{referring to freezing up and blocking out the situation when it finally happens and the anxiety is overwhelming and hence, }
You got to feel
{meaning you need to relax and be natural}
She kisses you with tongues or She stands stark naked
And pulls you to the bed or And beckons you to bed
{describing the situation of a relationship getting as far as the bedroom}
Don't go,
{meaning don't lose your nerve and run away (a fight or flight response?)}
you'll only want to come back again
{meaning that you'll regret it if you do, replaying the situation in your mind, being troubled by hindsight}
You'll go to hell
For what your dirty mind is thinking
{referring to a feeling of guilt which comes from blaming yourself for a situation you can't control/feeling of inadequacy}

By Mark Williams

In essence, I think this song deals with the non-stereotypical subject of a woman being more sexual dominant and less emotional then a man in terms of a (potential?) relationship.

In this song, Thom extols the idea of a male who is unhappy and dispairingly with his current romantic situation. I get the strong feeling in this song that a woman has done worng by the subject and is now trying to woo her lover back by sex and complete unemotional means. The male of course, is tormented by his love for the other person, yet at the same time, is obviosuly still sickened at her past acts.

"You paint your smile And fill the holes, But there'll always be something missing..."

Here, the male here acknowledges the fact that he is lying to himself about his current relationship with his partner.

"Don't get any..... Big Ideas...... They're not going to happen...."

The chorus only re-enforces what he knows to be the real truth, i.e. that no matter what he does, he will still not be able to feel any sense of happiness while he is with this partner. And despite what he tells himself, deep down he knows it.

"You'll go to hell, For what your dirty mind is thinking."

Again, the male again re-enforces his anguish by giving in to the fact that his feelings towards the female will never be reciprocated. In an effort to justify her actions, he labels his feelings towards her as being of 'ill intention' and 'wrong'. He blames himself for the failure.

This song reflects the often unspoken notion that males can indeed be deeply hurt by rejection in relationships (One night stands? Unrequited love?) as females. This song is symbolic to me as I feel it highlights the private sadness, despair, hopelessness and anguish that many men feel when a woman rejects them for something 'better'.....it is the epitome of helplessness. It is also without a doubt my favourite Radiohead song.

By kellyann

i took the words from this song almost as a seduction that was taking place-but there was only a physical attraction. So to turn it into a relationship was not possible because there was not the mental connect

Also, i took it this way (my interpretations)
now that you found it, its gone (it means nothing to you)
and now that you feel it, you dont (want it anymore)

because sometimes its a challenge for us to want something so bad and then to get it we just dont want it anymore- it means nothing to us. -
maybe he has gotten what he had wanted , but wanted nothing more than that. and that is where the saying "dont get big ideas, they' re not going to happen" comes into play