By Sadie York
Released in May 1995 off Radiohead’s The Bends [Collectors Edition], “India Rubber” is written from the perspective of someone foolishly in love, putting all of their effort into someone who can’t reciprocate those feelings. This person is doing everything in their power to be noticed by this deeply desirable human, yet find themself constantly being toyed with.
Lyrics:
Did it all for you to say
You never wanted me that way
Now the dogs have had their meat
I think I’ll go plug in the mains
I tumble like a clown
Before your baying hounds
I supplicate myself
Into your hands
When you spare a make-up smile
I’m instantly your biggest fan
How I was to know that (how was I to know?)
You practised it beforehand?
I tumble like a clown
Before your baying hounds
I supplicate myself
Into your hands
The track ends with Jonny Greenwood (lead guitarist and keyboardist of Radiohead) laughing at one of his own jokes. The laughter begins to blend with the sounds of chatter, which becomes recognized as a party atmosphere.
Did it all for you to say
You never wanted me that way – All this effort, just for it to be an illusion.
When you spare a make-up smile
I’m instantly your biggest fan – You can do the bare minimum, and I will grovel at your feet.
You practised it beforehand? – It wasn’t genuine, it was forced.