how i made my millions

By SR

I believe that this song's main theme is that of a teacher lamenting the loss of a student and reflects the state of modern-Britain's state school system. The lines "I was stronger I was better" are in the past tense to show that before his intervention the student was the teacher's inferior and the lyrics "now don't yell out no don't say a word" reflect the teacher trying to preach modesty to his pupil, the "nevermind" showing his feeling of defeat at his pupils refusal to heed his words. The "let you out let you back stay on sit down" section is the point at which the teacher is giving the pupil a choice between taking what he has learned already and facing the world from where he came no better equipped than before he started his education or learning the skills it takes to combat life's problems. The teacher is trying to tell the student that he has to weather the emotional strains he is experiencing and keep his head down so to gain from all he has learnt so far. The end of the song (the "Let it fall" bit) shows that the teachers hands are tied and is almost like another voice intervenes and tells the teacher that he can do nothing to get his pupil to listen, so damning another generation to self inforced ignorance. I don't believe that this song has any much relevance to Thom Yorke in person but is more of an observational piece, written in the third perspective, not from choice but because of his detachment from the issue (Thom was privately educated).

By Devin Henderson

some find this song very vague and hard to interpret or understand, but it seems very clear to me. the title "how i made my millions" refers to the way the song is the story of thom's life. he was stronger, he was better, then he picked out this special person. having picked this person out, he no longer says a word. doesn't yell out. "never mind." this person has humbled him. he lets this person out, and then back in, but he wants her to stay, to sit down.

or i could be completely off. either way, an amazingly beautiful song. perfect.
By Mark M

i think ths is a rejection of fame and glory...even the recording style is evidence of that...a piano, a four track..a girlfriend in the kitchen..lfe is simple life is plain...let it fall, let it fall. let your ego and your wallet drop away..and you're left singing into a microphone in your living room...and thats what you hold close.
By Chemi

How I Made My Millions is, at first glance, a very difficult song to try and interpret. I've thought about what it could mean a lot and eventually came to this theory.
The song is all about control and how there are people who are always helping others but are never able to find someone to help them, when they need it. It's extremely similar to "Lozenge Of Love" and its meaning. Thom always seems interested in this concept of wanting to be helped, which makes me believe this is a valid theory.

"I Was Stronger, I Was Better
"I Picked You Out"

The language suggests being able to help someone, being able to have the strength to select a problem and be calm and in control. To be "stronger" and "better", to have the good inside to help another when they are in trouble.

"Now Don't Shout Out
No Dont Yell Out"

This is possibly a critique of corporations who control bands. They order them around and manipulate their image to further their market credential. However, for this theory, we can look at it as a guiding hand by this "stronger" person. To warn them that their problem cant be solved by what they think, but by listening to this "stronger" person.

"Never Mind"

I've focused on this line, because it shows the loss of control. How this "stronger" person suddenly loses control and consequently loses his strength. Possibly, when this "stronger" person suffers and cannot help another anymore. He is looking for someone himself, he is no longer "stronger" because he is the same as the person he is trying to help.

"Led You Out
Led You Back
Stay On
Sit Down"

This stanza is much more complicated. Thom sings it at a quicker pace than he does the previous two, which suggests the loss of control again. The controller is no longer "stronger" and is desperately trying to help himself and this other person, shown by the contradicting orders. A hint of insanity is found in these lines.

"Let It Fall
Let It Fall
Let It Fall
Let It Fall"

This line can mean an array of things, deciding the fate of our subject.
We can see it in the sense that our narrator changes viewpoints, from the "stronger" man to the person he was helping. However, instead of seeing a similar wish to help, the man merely gives up hope and refuses to help. The use of the pronoun "it" is a perfect example of this, the fact that our "stronger" man has lost his use and now he is not worth bothering with. By "Let It Fall" we could say that this means that our "stronger" man will just be left with his problems stored deep within. However, it suggests suicide as well, the repetition of "Let It Fall" suggesting how our "stronger" man has fallen in many ways, rather than physically.

As for the title, we can look at the "millions" as something different. With our helping, "stronger" character dead maybe it suggests a sort of happy ending in a way. The fact that, in terms of karma, he is a millionaire because of how he helped others.

I could be miles off but it seems to suggest that to me at least.
By Angry Midget

some people are a bit too cerebral on this site...

the song sounds very impromptu to me, i dont really try to rationalize it too much
however, i really like that part where he sings 'no dont yell out', thats an interesting line

the first time i heard this song, the first thing that popped into my mind was the film, 'boxing helena'
By notanotherday

This song to me is the easiest song to iterpret. A man has come into something very big, posibly not earning it. He feels quilt about it but at the same time it has become to important to him he just can't lose it. This is true of almost every human being (me included).
"let it fall" I think is thoms little way of saying "fuck it, just let it be"