Meaning and Lyrics of High and Dry by Radiohead
Song Lyrics meaning of High and Dry by Radiohead
About Radiohead
Radiohead, the iconic British alt-rock outfit, emerged from the ashes of their schoolboy band On A Friday in 1985. Led by the haunting falsetto of Thom Yorke, the band carved out a niche with their melancholic yet innovative sound.
Their 1993 debut “Pablo Honey” spawned the grunge-tinged hit “Creep,” but it was 1995’s “The Bends” that truly showcased their potential. The mentioned track “High and Dry” exemplifies their early knack for crafting radio-friendly, emotionally charged rock ballads.
OK Computer (1997) catapulted Radiohead into the stratosphere, cementing their status as avant-garde rock pioneers. The band’s subsequent releases saw them pushing boundaries, experimenting with electronic elements and unconventional song structures.
From the glitchy electronica of “Kid A” to the lush orchestrations of “A Moon Shaped Pool,” Radiohead’s evolution has been nothing short of revolutionary. Their willingness to reinvent themselves with each album has earned them critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal fanbase.
Beyond their musical output, Radiohead has been at the forefront of industry disruption, notably releasing “In Rainbows” (2007) under a pay-what-you-want model. Their influence extends far beyond their discography, reshaping how we consume and perceive alternative music in the digital age.
Their 1993 debut “Pablo Honey” spawned the grunge-tinged hit “Creep,” but it was 1995’s “The Bends” that truly showcased their potential. The mentioned track “High and Dry” exemplifies their early knack for crafting radio-friendly, emotionally charged rock ballads.
OK Computer (1997) catapulted Radiohead into the stratosphere, cementing their status as avant-garde rock pioneers. The band’s subsequent releases saw them pushing boundaries, experimenting with electronic elements and unconventional song structures.
From the glitchy electronica of “Kid A” to the lush orchestrations of “A Moon Shaped Pool,” Radiohead’s evolution has been nothing short of revolutionary. Their willingness to reinvent themselves with each album has earned them critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal fanbase.
Beyond their musical output, Radiohead has been at the forefront of industry disruption, notably releasing “In Rainbows” (2007) under a pay-what-you-want model. Their influence extends far beyond their discography, reshaping how we consume and perceive alternative music in the digital age.
Meaning of High and Dry by Radiohead
“High and Dry” by Radiohead explores themes of vulnerability, abandonment, and the consequences of seeking external validation at the cost of one’s true self.
In the first verse, the lyrics depict a sense of bravado and risk-taking, with the protagonist engaging in reckless behavior like jumping on a motorcycle, seeking recognition at any cost. The mention of breaking a mirror symbolizes a fractured self-image, indicating the character is losing touch with their true identity and becoming someone they are not.
The chorus plea “Don’t leave me high, Don’t leave me dry” highlights a fear of being abandoned or rejected, emphasizing a longing for emotional support and stability. It portrays a cry for connection and intimacy, suggesting the character is afraid of being left alone.
The second verse delves deeper into the consequences of the character’s actions, portraying a sense of isolation and inability to communicate effectively. The line “All your insides fall to pieces” suggests an internal disintegration, possibly due to the inability to maintain genuine relationships. The character’s realization that they can no longer make love hints at a loss of emotional connection and intimacy.
The references to others hating and spitting at the character when their facade crumbles highlight the repercussions of living inauthentically and prioritizing shallow pursuits. The chorus repetition reinforces the plea for support and companionship, underscoring the character’s fear of being deserted.
The guitar solo adds to the emotional intensity of the song, serving as an expressive outlet for the turmoil and longing portrayed in the lyrics.
The bridge reflects on past happiness now lost and acknowledges the character’s realization that what they once considered the best thing in their life has now disappeared. The repeated plea in the final chorus “Don’t leave me high, Don’t leave me dry” underscores the character’s desperate need for connection and emotional security.
Overall, “High and Dry” by Radiohead is a poignant exploration of the struggles of maintaining authenticity in a world that often values superficiality and the potential loneliness that can result from prioritizing external validation over genuine connections.
In the first verse, the lyrics depict a sense of bravado and risk-taking, with the protagonist engaging in reckless behavior like jumping on a motorcycle, seeking recognition at any cost. The mention of breaking a mirror symbolizes a fractured self-image, indicating the character is losing touch with their true identity and becoming someone they are not.
The chorus plea “Don’t leave me high, Don’t leave me dry” highlights a fear of being abandoned or rejected, emphasizing a longing for emotional support and stability. It portrays a cry for connection and intimacy, suggesting the character is afraid of being left alone.
The second verse delves deeper into the consequences of the character’s actions, portraying a sense of isolation and inability to communicate effectively. The line “All your insides fall to pieces” suggests an internal disintegration, possibly due to the inability to maintain genuine relationships. The character’s realization that they can no longer make love hints at a loss of emotional connection and intimacy.
The references to others hating and spitting at the character when their facade crumbles highlight the repercussions of living inauthentically and prioritizing shallow pursuits. The chorus repetition reinforces the plea for support and companionship, underscoring the character’s fear of being deserted.
The guitar solo adds to the emotional intensity of the song, serving as an expressive outlet for the turmoil and longing portrayed in the lyrics.
The bridge reflects on past happiness now lost and acknowledges the character’s realization that what they once considered the best thing in their life has now disappeared. The repeated plea in the final chorus “Don’t leave me high, Don’t leave me dry” underscores the character’s desperate need for connection and emotional security.
Overall, “High and Dry” by Radiohead is a poignant exploration of the struggles of maintaining authenticity in a world that often values superficiality and the potential loneliness that can result from prioritizing external validation over genuine connections.
Lyrics of High and Dry by Radiohead
Verse 1
Two jumps in a week, I bet you
Think that's pretty clever, don't you, boy
Flying on your motorcycle
Watching all the ground beneath you drop
You'd kill yourself for recognition
Kill yourself to never, ever stop
You broke another mirror
You're turning into something you are not
Chorus
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Verse 2
Drying up in conversation
You will be the one who cannot talk
All your insides fall to pieces
You just sit there wishing you could still make love
They're the ones who'll hate you
When you think you've got the world all sussed out
They're the ones who'll spit at you
You will be the one screaming out
Chorus
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Guitar Solo
Bridge
Oh, it's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing that you've ever, ever had
It's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing you've had has gone away
Chorus
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Two jumps in a week, I bet you
Think that's pretty clever, don't you, boy
Flying on your motorcycle
Watching all the ground beneath you drop
You'd kill yourself for recognition
Kill yourself to never, ever stop
You broke another mirror
You're turning into something you are not
Chorus
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Verse 2
Drying up in conversation
You will be the one who cannot talk
All your insides fall to pieces
You just sit there wishing you could still make love
They're the ones who'll hate you
When you think you've got the world all sussed out
They're the ones who'll spit at you
You will be the one screaming out
Chorus
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Guitar Solo
Bridge
Oh, it's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing that you've ever, ever had
It's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing you've had has gone away
Chorus
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
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