Kid A

Album: Kid A (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Thom Yorke, "Kid A" is his vision of the first cloned baby. The song is about technology - both the possibilities and dangers. Much of the Kid A album, questions what it means to be a human being in the context in which every relationship is mediated by technology and technical rationality. The song could be called "The Robot Child's Lament." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    James - Dartmouth, Canada
  • Sleeve artist Stanley Donwood told NME that Kid A's album artwork was inspired by a photo of the war in Kosovo, which ended in 1999. He added: "The overarching idea of the mountains was that they were these landscapes of power, the idea of tower blocks and pyramids."

Comments: 12

  • Olivia from Sydney, AustraliaI think this song, and the album in general, takes place in to completely different worlds. You can imagine a pitch black room, with nothing but a chair and a cd player, or you could imagine a wide open field with colour and fire, and the music would still make sense. Kid A really is magical.
  • Nathalia Juliana from Rio De Janeiro, BrazilI dont now, i see this song like a cute human baby abducted by some aliens and the aliens have to care about the baby, or even a cute little alien baby being observed by these aliens. i dunno
  • 8 Bit Orgy from Inverness, FlThis song feels like an alien abduction. Imagine a stereotypical "grey" alien silently standing in your bedroom at night; now read the lyrics.
  • Cryssie from El Paso, TxThis album seems to bring up kids a lot....it must mean something hmmmmmmmm
  • Alex from Huffman, Txthe line that supposedly says "andrew little must be shot" is in the beginning, when he says "i slipped away on a little white lie"
    when i listened to it, i didnt think it really sounded like that...
    but you be the judge.
  • Weslee from Hartsburg, IlI would have to say that the last lines of Rats and children follow me out of town sounds like a reference to The Pied Piper of Hamelin....Don't know why he threw that in there, but why not.
  • Dan from Sydney, AustraliaStanding in the shadows at the end of my bed...

    Damn, that's such a simple line but very creepy.
  • Ash from Mooroopna, Australiawho's Andrew Little? im definitely gonna listen to it backwards... are u sure? which bit?
  • Max from Sydney, Australiaaaron what part of the song (sing the lyrics that is says that) and i'll see
  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesI think that Radiohead were undergoing a bit of a change in direction when they releazed the Kid 'A' album. The high-octane guitrs of their previous releases was replaced by more of a techno-esque art-rock feel, reminiscent of the complex soundscapes of Rush's music in the early to mid-1980s
  • Aaron from Westfield, NjIf you play this song backwards, you hear Thom York say "Andrew Little must be shot," you dont even have to listen that carefully, its really bizarre.
  • Kendrick from Philadelphia, PaJohn Mayer did a cover of this song. Its interesting and can be found on file sharing networks.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.