There’s a band I really love called The Smile and they just released a video for their new single “Wall of Eyes.” It’s amazing and not just because, deep down, I know it was written for me (don’t question this). My take:
It opens with Thom Yorke seeming to look in a mirror, though at times it’s only a big giant eyeball staring back. He’s perhaps not recognizing himself (but trying to?), he’s self-analyzing. He’s also hyping himself up to face the world. Hashtag relatable. The lyrics mention “hollow eyes” and a “turn to black and white,” which I take to signify a negative thing, maybe a loss of creativity or hope, an inability see himself creatively.
Once he does venture out there are some anxious, choppy shots as he’s surrounded by people and traffic, with bursts of color here and there. At one point, the lyrics speak of raising a glass to (fill in the imposter syndromed blank) what we don’t deserve or are not worthy of, as disembodied, Twilight Zone hands clap on-screen. There’s another visually stunning, surrealist shot of a sort of literal wall of eyes, all blinking and moving against a black background, breaking the fourth wall- something Yorke does here and there in the video, as well, making eye contact with the audience.
It wraps up visually with Yorke sitting with a drink at a booth, next to another Yorke sitting and laughing, next to another Yorke…it goes on. Maybe he’s ruminating on how he perceives himself as acting in past social interactions, maybe it’s how he really did act in past social interactions, maybe it’s something else altogether. It’s a sort of funny scene to me, because he alternates between animated hand-talker, somewhat paranoid-looking nervous wreck, and stand-offish.
This is what I like about so much of Yorke’s/Radiohead’s/The Smile’s songwriting - there’s a sometimes snarky self-criticism and, I presume, self-awareness that pops up on at least one song per album (is this accurate?). I think there’s a sense that the work is primarily sad music, or downer music, but I see a lot more funny, sort of satirical moments that really balance out whatever sad there is- maybe the heavier, existential lyrics.
I will probably definitely say more about The Smile, Yorke, and Radiohead in the future. For now, I’m going to copy-paste a poem from poetry.com called The Smile, by William Blake. Did you know that’s where the band name came from? I didn’t til they said so in an email newsletter.
EDIT: I have resolved to never mention Radiohead without also mentioning author David Dark of Nashville, who has written about Radiohead (read his work, please) and whose writings introduced me to their music. I have nothing but gratitude.
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The Smile, by William Blake
There is a Smile of Love
And there is a Smile of Deceit
And there is a Smile of Smiles
In which these two Smiles meet
And there is a Frown of Hate
And there is a Frown of disdain
And there is a Frown of Frowns
Which you strive to forget in vain
For it sticks in the Hearts deep Core
And it sticks in the deep Back bone
And no Smile that ever was smild
But only one Smile alone
That betwixt the Cradle & Grave
It only once Smild can be
But when it once is Smild
Theres an end to all Misery