Last I Heard (He Was Circling The Drain)

Thom Yorke's 'Last I Heard (He Was Circling The Drain)' is a haunting exploration of urban alienation and existential dread. The repetitive nature of the lyrics, particularly the line 'I woke up with a feeling I just could not take,' underscores a sense of inescapable anxiety and disillusionment. This repetition creates a cyclical feeling, mirroring the relentless and often monotonous grind of city life. The phrase 'circling the drain' is a metaphor for a downward spiral, suggesting a sense of hopelessness and impending doom.

The imagery in the song paints a bleak picture of urban existence. Lines like 'Taken out with the trash' and 'Swimming through the gutter' evoke a sense of being discarded and dehumanized. The city is depicted as a consuming force, 'swallowed up by the city,' where humans are reduced to the size of rats, emphasizing the insignificance and vulnerability of individuals in a vast, indifferent metropolis. The mention of 'opportunity cracks' and 'opportunity stutters' highlights the fleeting and unreliable nature of chances in such an environment, where success is elusive and often out of reach.

Yorke's use of high heels as a motif adds another layer of meaning. High heels can symbolize the struggle to maintain appearances and the effort to navigate societal expectations. The lines 'Walking in high heels' and 'Trying hard to leave' suggest a painful and difficult journey, both physically and metaphorically. This struggle is compounded by the relentless feeling of waking up with an unbearable sensation, indicating a deep-seated dissatisfaction and a desire to escape. The song captures the essence of feeling trapped in a cycle of despair, making it a poignant commentary on modern urban life and the emotional toll it takes on individuals.