My Iron Lung

Album: The Bends (1995)
Charted: 24
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • An "Iron Lung" is a cumbersome medical device used to help sick people breathe in the '50s. The lyrics reflect how restrictive the band felt when they became known simply for their hit "Creep." The song was written the day they had to drop out of the Reading Festival because of Thom Yorke's strained vocal cords. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • The verses were recorded live from a 1994 MTV performance at the Astoria, London. These were then spliced together with the choruses from the earlier RAK studio version for the final recording.
  • This was featured in the 1995 movie Clueless when Tai meets Travis in the school cafeteria. The song was supposed to be used in a different scene when Alicia Silverstone's character criticizes Radiohead's music for being whiny, but "Fake Plastic Trees" was used instead.

Comments: 4

  • Bushpilot Bob from PhoenixThis song is about how Radiohead got damn sick of everyone pushing to hear Creep all the time, and they resented having to play it to make a living.
  • Joel2point0 from Nashville, Tnthis song also has metaphors on how we depend on machines
  • Bert from Pueblo, NmThis song reminds be of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box." At least the intro, and the way the chorus starts with the guitar and screams.
  • Robby from New York, NyI think this song also has strong references to religion, in which an individual can feel that his source of life and vitality is a source which constantly manipulates him to live subjected to the standards of its laws and without it, the individual feels lifeless.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?