Ripcord

Album: Pablo Honey (1993)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • At the 1993 Gothenburg Festival in Sweden, lead singer Thom Yorke said: "This is about signing on a label, having a lot of money, and having no idea of what to do with one's life."
  • A Ripcord is the string that a jumper uses to open his parachute. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2

Comments: 1

  • Jordan from Toronto, OnI find that this song is about doing something (drugs being a perfect example) and thinking you have control over it. You keep going further, and further, until you realize that you no longer have control over what you're doing. You desperately try to slow yourself down before yuo crash, but sadly, there is no ripcord.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."