“In the deepest ocean. The bottom of the sea. Your eyes; they turn me.” - Radio Head
"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" by Radiohead is a mesmerizing and intricate song that combines elements of rock, electronic, and experimental music. The track, released in 2007 on the album "In Rainbows," showcases the band's ability to create a unique and immersive experience. It is a profoundly beautiful song that exudes haunting melancholy and ethereal beauty. I was instantly captured by its intricate melodies, poignant lyrics, and evocative sonic landscapes (Ocean).
Musically, "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" is a complex composition that features intricate guitar work and layered vocal harmonies. The song's title refers to the arpeggi, or arpeggios, which are a series of notes played in rapid succession, creating a fluid and dynamic sound. This technique is used throughout the song, giving it an almost hypnotic quality. The song opens with a delicate arpeggiated guitar pattern that sets the tone for the introspective journey the music takes us on progressively. The overlapping, intertwining guitar lines create a sense of fluidity and movement, much like the ebb and flow of water, which is a fitting metaphor for the song's themes. The song's structure is also noteworthy, as it builds in intensity before reaching a climax and then slowly fades away. This ebb and flow mirrors the emotional journey of York’s lyrics as he grapples with doubt and uncertainty.
Thom Yorke's vocals are delivered with a sense of longing and introspection as he sings about being "in the deepest ocean, the bottom of the sea" and feeling "all wrapped up in the sea." You can’t help but feel you’re being submerged in a vast and mysterious expanse, both physically and emotionally. The song's lyrics explore the themes of self-doubt, fear, and the desire to escape from one's own mind or at least become numb from it. The chorus, "Why should I stay here? Why should I stay?" reflects an all-to-common desire to escape from the overload of one's own thoughts and emotions. As the song progresses, layers of instrumentation and vocal harmonies build and intertwine with depth and complexity that mirrors the emotional depth of the lyrics. The music swells and recedes like waves, carrying the listener through a sonic journey that is at once hypnotic and profoundly moving.
Thematically, the song explores the complexities of human connection and the depths of emotion. The "weird fishes" could be a metaphor for the strange and often unpredictable nature of our relationships with others. The arpeggiated guitar pattern, with its ascending (tensions) and descending (releases) notes, mirrors the rise and fall of these emotional connections. Further, The song's masterful composition and evocative lyrics invite us to contemplate the mysteries of human experience, fragile connections, and the transient nature of our emotional landscapes.
Through its sonic beauty and introspective depth, "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" is a stunning example of Radiohead's ability to blend innovative music and thought-provoking lyrics into a cohesive and unforgettable experience. The song's unique blend of musical styles and its powerful emotional themes make it a standout track on an album that is widely considered to be one of the band's best.
Listen to the hauntingly beautiful musical masterpiece live here:
