Lyric Lounge
Radiohead's Thom Yorke tells listeners they might be wrong
August 2001 - Seventeen Magazine
by Laura Morgan and Holly Richmond

Grammy winners Radiohead are noted for their far-out experimentation. On the
band's latest single, "I Might Be Wrong," Thom Yorke's high, hushed tones
occupy a dense soundscape of throbbing bass and atmospheric beats. It takes a
few listens to figure out what Yorke is actually saying, but even when the
lyrics are deciphered, the song's meaning remains cryptic. We asked four
southern California teens to try and get to the bottom of this sonic head
scratcher, and then had Yorke critique- and rate- their responses.

The Actual Lyrics
I might be wrong. I could have sworn I saw a light coming on./ I used to
think there was no future left at all.../ Open up and let me in. let's go
down the waterfall./ Think about the good things and never look back...

What You Thought It Meant...

Tess Enright, 18
"It's about a past relationship that was really bad. But Yorke's getting over
it. When he sees the light, he decides to move on w/ someone new. The
waterfall symbolizes a rebirth for him so he's able to forget about the past.
And the 'open up and let me in line' is kinda of sexual."

Yorke's response: "Well done! You have one side of it correct. There are, as
always, other aspects. I'm just a receiver being beamed messages from the
cosmos. Who am I to reason w/ them?" Rating: 9/10

Max Greene, 18
"Yorke is talking about a relationship that he realizes he's sabotaged. If he
just goes down the waterfall and lets things happen as they may, he'll have a
lot more fun. Thought he's been through a serious breakup, he is pretty
optimistic about the future."

Yorke's response: "Trying to be optimistic, yes, but it's not as personal as
you imagine. Confusing, Max. Sorry." Rating 5/10

Jamal Thomas, 18
"I think the song is about alcohol. When Yorke says 'Open up and let me in,'
that's booze talking. He's going on another partying binge and the waterfall
symbolizes a trip he's on. He's drunk, so he's basically happy. But when he
stops drinking, he gets depressed."

Yorke's response: "Oops, I think you may have missed the point. Or hand on,
maybe not. The 'open up' but is sort of the rush you get, but it's also your
lover talking. it's about dancing and talking and forgetting. And it's the
time when you stop drinking get depressed and your brains turn to putty."
Rating: 6/10

Eric Reynolds, 18
"The song is about the merging of life and death and getting past your
mistakes. Yorke questions what comes in the afterlife. The waterfall
represents moving on to the next world, and when he sees the light he thinks
he may have seen death. but then he realizes there is a future and that he
wants to live life to the fullest."

Yorke's response: "That's good. I spent a lot of time
watching things die. Walking a lot in vast landscapes, watching the seasons
change, ancient rocks, rotting carcasses, flowers blossoming, rivers
gurgling. I was reading The Tibetan Book of the Dead as well." Rating: 11/10

The Real Deal
"It's funny, this song was first-take words and singing, and I can't even
remember doing it, except for having the feeling of someone watching over
me," says Yorke. "Regretting past actions is a trap that can destroy you.
mistakes make you realize that you always have to keep learning, and it's
only pride that stops you. So much for analysis. Was it good for you?"

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