Lyrics of Motion Picture Soundtrack — Cigarettes After Sex

Song Details and Overview

• Featuring Artist(s): Cigarettes After Sex
• Producer(s): Greg Gonzalez
• Writer(s): Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Jonny Greenwood, Philip Selway & Thom Yorke
• Release Date: December 12, 2023
• Label: Independent
• Musical Genre: Dream Pop, Indie Pop, Ambient Pop
• Instruments: Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums
• Language(s): English
• Album: Cover of "Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Radiohead
• Recorded At: Brooklyn, NY, June 2015

Exploring the meaning of "Motion Picture Soundtrack"

Cigarettes After Sex's cover of Radiohead's haunting classic, "Motion Picture Soundtrack," immerses listeners in the melancholy of unrequited love, emotional disarray, and the illusory nature of romance. This ethereal rendition captures both the isolation and tenderness embedded in the original while adding their signature dreamy aesthetic.

Theme and Narrative

The track reflects a narrative of emotional detachment and longing, painting a portrait of a lover seeking solace in temporary fixes—like "white wine and sleeping pills"—to numb the ache of separation. It contrasts the cinematic ideal of love with its more bitter reality, exposing the "little white lies" we tell ourselves about romance.

Composition and Production

The composition employs sparse instrumentation that mirrors the fragility of the song's themes. The use of soft electric guitar, airy keyboard lines, and understated percussion provides a hypnotic soundscape. Greg Gonzalez’s whispery vocals amplify the song's intimacy, wrapping the listener in a cocoon of sadness and nostalgia.

Meaning and Annotations

• [Verse 1] - Describes escapism through substances and ephemeral connections as a way to find solace from the emptiness of love. The lyrics juxtapose the mundane (cheap sex, sad films) with deeper emotional yearning.
• [Chorus] - A refrain of "I think you're crazy, baby" highlights the confusion and disillusionment in the relationship.
• [Verse 2] - Offers commentary on the futility of trying to reconcile love through traditional means, likening unkept promises and hollow gestures to "letters always [being] burned."
• [Bridge] - The promise to "see you in the next life" suggests a hope for redemption or closure beyond this existence, adding a spiritual undertone to the otherwise somber track.

Similar Songs

Fans of this composition might appreciate other tracks exploring themes of love, loss, and yearning. Some notable examples include:

• "Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Radiohead - The original haunting version from their *Kid A* album.
• "Affection" by Cigarettes After Sex - Another dreamy ballad about love and heartbreak.
• "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division - A post-punk classic grappling with romantic disillusionment.
• "Videotape" by Radiohead - A similarly emotional track exploring themes of mortality and memory.
• "Space Song" by Beach House - A hypnotic and ambient exploration of loss and distance in relationships.

Chart Performance and Awards

As a cover released in 2023, "Motion Picture Soundtrack" has not yet gained notable chart placements but has already garnered praise for its artistic depth and emotional resonance, positioning it as a standout addition to Cigarettes After Sex's discography.

Quotes

"I wanted our version to try to capture that feeling somehow and focus on the beautiful sadness and romance I felt in the lyrics."

Greg Gonzalez

"The ending is so heavenly, it feels like ascending into the clouds of heartbreak."

A fan comment