Lotus Flower

Radiohead's 'Lotus Flower' is a song that delves into themes of transformation, desire, and the struggle for freedom within the confines of one's own emotions. The lyrics, penned by the band's lead vocalist Thom Yorke, are known for their poetic ambiguity, leaving much to the listener's interpretation. The song is from the album 'The King of Limbs', which was released in 2011 and is characterized by its experimental sound, blending electronic music with Radiohead's alternative rock style.

The opening lines of the song suggest a willingness to conform and become invisible within someone else's space, indicating a loss of identity or a desire to please another at the expense of one's own self. This theme of self-effacement continues with the imagery of shrinking and disappearing, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for losing oneself in a relationship or in the face of external pressures. The repeated reference to an 'empty space inside my heart' where 'weeds take root' suggests a feeling of internal void or emotional neglect that the speaker is trying to address by setting themselves or someone else free.

The chorus of the song introduces the symbol of the lotus flower, which traditionally represents purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. The desire for 'the moon upon a stick' can be seen as a yearning for the unattainable or a quest for understanding beyond one's grasp. The song's refrain to 'listen to your heart' serves as a reminder to stay true to oneself amidst the chaos and the darkness that one might face. The lotus flower's slow unfurling is a metaphor for personal growth and the gradual process of coming into one's own, even when surrounded by darkness.