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Verse 1
G|-------------------|
D|------7~-----------|
A|-9~---------7~-----| x4
E|----------------0~-|
Verse 2
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------6-7~---7-6----------------6-------9-7~--7-6------666---------|
A|-9~---9------------7~---7---7~--7---9~--9--------------------9-7-----|
E|--------------------------7-------------------------0~-----------9-7-|
Chorus 1
G|-------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
D|-------------7~----77-7-----------------------------------7~-|----------------------|
A|-9~----99--------7-------7~----77---7----77----9~----99------|-7~----77---7----77---|
E|-----9----9------------------7----7----7----7------9----9----|-----7----7----7----7-|
[Verse 1] x3
[Verse 2]
Chorus 2
G|----------------------------------------------|
D|-------------7~----77-7-----------------------|
A|-9~----99--------7-------7~----77---7----77---| x4
E|-----9----9------------------7----7----7----7-|
[Verse 1] x2
[Chorus 2] x2
[Chorus 1]
End
G|----|
D|----|
A|-7~-|
E|----|
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No Picture
jared Wanna Be |
#1 by jared bobak at Oct 22, 1972 at 7:25 AM EST |
| The first time I heard this song it was an a capella version by the Cornell Hangovers (absolutely beautiful arrangement) and I couldn't get enough of it. Then I recently read the Ayn Rand novel "The Fountainhead" and it brought this song to a new level for me. The book is central on an architect in the twenties who wants to live for his art and works for no one but the justice of the structure he is creating. I see this as him talking to the friend he had in high school who was the quintessential people pleaser and would create replicas of classic structures just to get his day in the sun and universial acceptance of his work. The book itself is an amazing piece of literature, and I feel this song flowing through it (even though the book predates the song by some fifty years). The words are such a plea; you can feel the heartache the person has watching the other sell parts of himself until he is an empty vessel. On another note, the perfect sequel to this song is "Evaporated" by Ben Folds Five (while I prefer the original "High and Dry", I prefer the Hangovers version of "Evaporated"). It's the one who's sung to in this song coming to the realization that he *has* thrown everything away. Put these two together on a playlist and cry...because everyone relates to it in some way. | |
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Steve Average |
#2 by Steve at Oct 21, 1980 at 10:30 AM EST |
| ahem...this song is missing a few chunks. thats bad. | |
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Adam Rhythm Player |
#3 by Adam Vaughan at Dec 1, 1984 at 7:31 PM EST |
| This is a great song. I've listened to it so many times and still love it. | |
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Thorsten Average |
#4 by Thorsten Budelmann at Dec 15, 1984 at 11:05 AM EST |
| It's about someone telling someone to calm down and sort the way they veiw life out. You shouldn't go through life doing things to impress others, you just end up looking childish, showing off and acting the fool. The person will end up thinking your a fool. If you make yourself out to be more then you are you will probably end up being caught out. | |
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Johannes Wanna Be |
#5 by Johannes e at Jul 6, 1994 at 10:54 PM EST |
| this is my fav radiohead song. some people should come in here and talk about it with me! | |
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Shattered Dream Wanna Be |
#6 by Shattered Dreams Always at Feb 5, 1997 at 2:00 PM EST |
| I think it is about a close friend destroying a brotherhood between them, and Thom is literally saying 'well, you've blown it, sorry, but I did love you'. | |
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kyle Professional |
#7 by kyle mcdonough at Nov 22, 2000 at 12:06 AM EST |
| This songs written about Evil Canevil, well so Thom York says on radiohead site | |
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Justin Wanna Be |
#8 by Justin for-a-minute at Mar 23, 2003 at 11:27 AM EST |
| "sussed out" - finally grasping the concept of how the world works. I think this song is about thie guy who is trying to impress everyone, and wanting acceptance. But everyone sees through his disguise and don't bother with him and he's lonely so he's left high and dry. | |
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Ryan Wanna Be |
#9 by Ryan Beatty at Jun 14, 2003 at 10:29 AM EST |
| its about addiction and insanity | |
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mike Average |
#10 by mike o'brien at Jul 27, 2004 at 7:08 AM EST |
| amazing | |
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Jay Average |
#11 by Jay at Feb 6, 2006 at 12:03 AM EST |
| i think the character is fascinated with suicide and wants to help ppl with suicidal tendencies..as it goes on i think it becomes about someone wanting to cure the worlds depression but when the worlds depression sucks him in to, he decides to give up and put an end to his life "they're the ones who'll hate you when you think you got the world all sussed out, theyre the ones who will spit at you, you will be the one screaming out " sometimes when you try to help ppl it can backfire and the bring you down with them!!! | |
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mike Average |
#12 by mike o'brien at Mar 11, 2006 at 10:59 PM EST |
| What does 'sussed' mean? | |
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Davy Average |
#13 by Davy at Jun 13, 2006 at 1:50 AM EST |
| this song is a life changing (in musical terms) experience | |
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Zane Rhythm Player |
#14 by Zane Bardarson at Oct 8, 2006 at 3:40 AM EST |
| A friend of mine told me that this was inspired by the near death experience had by stunt rider Eddie Kidd. It makes sense when you go through the song:-" Two jumps in a week,..broke another mirror, drying up in conversation, insides fall to peices" etc.. Eddie is better now but still cant talk properly. I wonder if Tom knew him? | |
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Matt Average |
#15 by Matt Fraczek at Dec 16, 2006 at 10:36 PM EST |
| This song is about selling you soul. The narrator is talking about this person who has compromised his integrity for success. It talks about how you destroy your foundation when you sellout like this and that the people you have done this to impress will end up hating you if you fall. You will have nothing to support you when you fall and everyone will be against you. Anyway, that's what it means to me but it could also be about a relationship i guess. | |
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Jerad Wanna Be |
#16 by Jerad at Aug 15, 2007 at 1:58 AM EST |
| AMazing. One of Radiohead's best | |
