Just

Radiohead

About Just

"Just" is a single by English alternative rock band Radiohead, released in 1995. It is the seventh track on their 1995 album The Bends. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke wrote the song about a narcissistic friend of his, which on closer inspection is showcased by the imagery in the lyrics - a parallel to earlier My Iron Lung EP track "Lewis [Mistreated]". He also says that it was something of a competition between him and Jonny Greenwood to see who could fit the most chords into a song. The chorus section contains a clear use of the octatonic scale—Jonny Greenwood's favourite scale—on an ever-ascending path which harmonises against a four-chord progression. In the UK, this single was available as two CDs: the first one featured different tracks, and the colour of the cover art on the second single was inverted. In 2007, NME placed "Just" at number 34 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever. In 2008 it entered the Radiohead: The Best Of collection. 


Year:
1995
3:54
304 
#7

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Can't get the stink off
He's been hanging around for days
Comes like a comet
Suckered you but not your friends

One day he'll get to you
And teach you how to be a holy cow

You do it to yourself, you do
And that's what really hurts
Is you do it to yourself, just you
You and no-one else
You do it to yourself
You do it to yourself

Don't get my sympathy, hanging out the fifteenth floor
You've changed the locks three times
He still comes reeling through the door
One day I'll get to you
And teach you how to get to purest hell

You do it to yourself you do
And that's what really hurts
Is you do it to yourself, just you
You and no-one else
You do it to yourself
You do it to yourself

You do it to yourself you do
And that's what really hurts
Is you do it to yourself just you
You and no-one else
You do it to yourself
You do it to yourself, whoa

Say, hey

You do it to yourself, you do it to yourself
Yeah, yeah, you do it to yourself, yes-yes, you
Do it to yourself

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Radiohead

Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwood (bass), Phil Selway (drums, percussion) and Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals). more »

6 fans

Written by: Colin Charles Greenwood, Edward John O'Brien, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Album Classification
"Just" by Radiohead is a track from their second album, "The Bends", which was released in 1995.
Song Identity
This song is known for its distinctive layered melody, intricate arrangements, and the mysterious narrative in its lyrics and music video.
Music Video
The music video for "Just" was directed by Jamie Thraves and is famous for its suspenseful narrative that includes subtitles.
Genre Classification
"Just" belongs to the "Alternative Rock" genre and showcases the band’s shift from their initial grunge-inspired sound to more experimental and layered compositions.
Chart Performances
The song reached No. 19 in the UK Singles Chart upon its release, demonstrating the band's growing popularity.
Critical Reception
"Just" is often praised by critics as one of Radiohead's best works. It's known for Jonny Greenwood's innovative use of guitar effects.
Influence on Future Works
The complex arrangement and musical depth of "Just" became a signature style for Radiohead in their later albums like "OK Computer" and "Kid A".
Inspirations
Thom Yorke, Radiohead’s lead vocalist, once mentioned that "Just" was inspired by the band's ambition to write the "Malcolm McLaren band's ideal pop song", a nod to the songwriter and manager of the Sex Pistols.
Iconic Music Video Ending
The music video for "Just" ends with a man lying on the pavement refusing to reveal why he is unhappy, leading to several fan theories about the unspecified reason.
International Recognition
This song further solidified Radiohead's international recognition and is often regarded as one of their signature songs.
Live Performances
Despite its popularity, "Just" is performed sporadically in live concerts due to its complex arrangement and difficulty to recreate accurately on stage.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered "Just", including Mark Ronson, featuring Phantom Planet’s Alex Greenwald on vocals for the cover version. The song also featured on the compilation album "Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads", a tribute to Radiohead.

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