Song Meaning
Yorke is reported to have written this song in the shadow of their 1997–1998 OK Computer tour. Specifically, as he recalled in an interview, it was their show in Birmingham, England, that affected him the most, as he was beginning to fully realize the band's sudden and unexpected fame. Yorke reportedly left the stage for his dressing room, feeling burned out and helpless.
The song's title references an C17th proverb as detailed in The Oxford Book Of Quotations. Yorke studied English & Fine Arts at Exeter University.
The line, "Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon", apparently refers to the face one makes in reaction to a lemon's sourness. Yorke revealed in an interview that while promoting OK Computer, he was told he frequently exhibited a sour-faced look. Other lyrics are said to have been drawn randomly from a hat in a process inspired by artist Tristan Tzara, whose instructions for "How to make a Dada poem" appeared on Radiohead's website at this time.
Another line, "There are two colors in my head", is a reference to the paintings of Mark Rothko, of whom Yorke would reference as an influence in interviews leading up to its release.
Read more about this topic: Everything In Its Right Place
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