How come I end up where I started?
How come I end up where I went wrong?
Won't take my eyes off the ball again
You reel me out then you cut the string
How come I end up where I started?
How come I end up where I went wrong?
Won't take my eyes off the ball again
First you reel me out and then you cut the string
You used to be alright
What happened?
Did the cat get your tongue?
Did your string come undone?
One by one
One by one
It comes to us all
It's as soft as your pillow
You used to be alright
What happened?
Et cetera, et cetera
Fads for whatever
15 steps, then a sheer drop
How come I end up where I started?
How come I end up where I went wrong?
Won't take my eyes off the ball again
You reel me out then you cut the string
About This Song
"15 Step" is a hypnotic exploration of cyclical frustration and feeling trapped in repetitive patterns, with Thom Yorke's vocals expressing bewilderment at constantly returning to the same emotional starting point. The lyrics capture the disorienting experience of being manipulated in a relationship-"reeled out" like a fish only to have the "string cut"-while questioning what caused a fundamental change in someone once trusted. Musically, the song features Radiohead's signature blend of electronic and organic elements, with a distinctive 5/4 time signature that creates an unsettling, off-kilter rhythm that mirrors the lyrical themes of being thrown off balance. The track's intricate polyrhythms and layered percussion, combined with its placement as the opening song on *In Rainbows*, established it as a perfect entry point into the album's themes of fractured relationships and emotional uncertainty. Its innovative rhythmic structure and haunting atmosphere exemplify Radiohead's ability to translate complex emotional states into equally complex musical arrangements.
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