Expert: Gabe Johnson - 6/11/2004

Question
i have seen the high and dry video so many times but i cant for the life of me figure out what it means...if anything. also  what does the song mean?

Answer
I can tell you that Radiohead's videos most always mean next to nothing, and in this case High and Dry's video doesn't mean a thing. Radiohead's videos are nearly all artistic expressions of sorts, just unique photography in unique settings.

However, the song lyrics can mean quite a bit. The way I see it, the song is about selling your soul for success. Thom mentions someone who has given up his/her integrity for success. If you ever fall after having given up your integrity, then "they'll spit at you." I see it as that because of the repetition of "The best thing you ever had has gone away." which makes it clear that the person Thom is describing has given something up.

Hope this has helped, if you want other's opinions then go here: http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=571

Sincerely,
Gabe Johnson