Traffic

Thom Yorke's song "Traffic" delves into the complexities and contradictions of modern life, particularly focusing on themes of materialism, freedom, and societal pressures. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where people are submerged and trapped, yet paradoxically told they are free. This contradiction is highlighted through the repeated phrases like "No body, no body" and "But you're free," suggesting a sense of disconnection and emptiness despite the illusion of freedom.

The chorus, with lines like "Show me the money" and "Party with a rich zombie," critiques the superficiality and moral decay associated with wealth and consumerism. The reference to a "rich zombie" symbolizes individuals who are alive in a physical sense but spiritually and morally dead, driven by materialistic desires. The mention of affluent areas like Kensington and Chelsea further emphasizes the disparity between the wealthy and the rest of society, pointing to the moral compromises and amends that people feel compelled to make in such an environment.

Yorke's repetition of "I can't breathe" and "There's no water" evokes a sense of suffocation and desperation, possibly alluding to the overwhelming nature of societal expectations and the lack of genuine freedom. The imagery of a "drip feed" and "foie gras" suggests a force-feeding of consumer culture, while the "brick wall" represents the barriers and limitations imposed by this lifestyle. Despite these constraints, the repeated assertion that "you're free" serves as a bitter irony, questioning the true nature of freedom in a world dominated by materialism and superficial values.