Radiohead’s “Fitter Happier” offers an opportunity to reflect on unrealistic expectations of progress:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFitter Happier,\u201d<\/strong> the album\u2019s most anomalous track and most difficult listen, incorporates a computer text generated voice to paint a picture of an ideal society in the future. <\/strong>Dissonant and jarring piano chords have an unpleasant effect on the listener and accompany the computerized narrating voice, which lists in rapid succession unreasonable expectations for both personal and societal progress.<\/strong> Such expectations of the narrator include \u201cSleeping well, no bad dreams, no paranoia \/ No longer afraid of the dark or midday shadows \/ Nothing so ridiculously teenage and desperate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The seemingly positive lyrics are instantly stripped of their deceptive facade as the song\u2019s ominous and discomforting sound takes a more looming presence. The clashing piano, strings, and electronic instruments all convey an atmosphere of despair and false hope<\/strong> through irregular time signatures and asymmetric sections. The hidden overarching theme present in \u201cFitter Happier\u201d is a society driven by consumerism and advertisements.<\/span> Much of the song portrays an ideal lifestyle<\/strong>\u2014a society preoccupied with \u201ceating well,\u201d \u201cnot drinking too much,\u201d and \u201ca safer car\u201d\u2014while being oblivious to the fact that there is \u201cno chance of escape\u201d from the rituals and routines they have been accustomed to.<\/strong> (Hong, 2017, paras. 9, 10)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n