A Wolf At The Door by Radiohead

Album: Hail To The Thief (2003)

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Songfacts®:

The lyrics were written by Thom Yorke, who was on a train filled with obnoxious drunk rich boys, which is shown in the line, "City boys in first class... someone else is gonna come and clean it up."
The line "Flan in the face" is a reference to Clare Short, the UK overseas aid/development secretary who was once assaulted with a custard pie by anti-globalization activists and who later resigned Tony Blair's cabinet over the Iraq War.
The "Wolf" title and reference to Three Little Pigs has been seen as one of many fairy tale metaphors on the album, inspired by Yorke's status as a new father. Apparently, Yorke felt the lyrics were too bleak to use, until guitarist Jonny Greenwood came up with the jaunty, angular backing music. >>>
Suggestion credit:
gabriel - London, England, for all above

Comments: 2

Al from CtAmazing lyrics with mind-blowing instrumentals. In my opinion, there’s a lot to pick apart from the story. Many think “A wolf at the door” means sharks coming to claim dues otherwise “mess you up.” Parallel here is its an old door knocker where as the ring is in the wolves mouth. Rich housewife lifestyle where as fear of losing that soul sell overrides getting out to be independent. So leaving the wolf knock at the front door can mean she will always welcome him back...great song, but aren’t all of their songs great?
Kristen from Philadelphia, Pai love this song, (:

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