"All I Need" is a song by Radiohead from their 2007 album In Rainbows. It was released as a promotional single in January 2009 and is widely recognized for its atmospheric, downtempo sound and emotionally intense lyrics3912.
Theme and Lyrics:
The song explores themes of obsession, longing, and unrequited love. The lyrics use vivid metaphors—such as being "an animal trapped in your hot car" and "a moth who just wants to share your light"—to convey a sense of desperation and emotional dependency35711. The narrator expresses a feeling of being invisible or insignificant, yearning for attention from someone who largely ignores them. The repeated line "You are all I need" is laden with irony, suggesting not romantic devotion but a kind of pathological need to fill an existential void11. The closing refrain, "It's all wrong, it's all right," encapsulates the contradiction between recognizing an unhealthy dynamic and resigning oneself to it114.
Musical Composition:
Musically, "All I Need" is noted for its lush, layered arrangement. Jonny Greenwood, aiming to capture the sensation of white noise from a loud band, had a string section play every note of the scale to create a dense, enveloping sound. Ed O'Brien used a guitar strung with four bottom E strings and effects to produce a thick, sustained texture. The final recording is a combination of four different takes, contributing to the song's rich atmosphere39.
Interpretation and Reception:
Critics and fans often interpret the song as a portrayal of limerence—the state of obsessive, unrequited passion for someone810. While some listeners have mistakenly seen it as a romantic song, many, including Thom Yorke himself, have described it as dark and desperate, highlighting the pain of feeling like a second choice or being invisible to someone you desire4811.
Music Video:
The official music video, directed by Steve Rogers, premiered in 2008 in partnership with MTV EXIT to raise awareness about human trafficking. It contrasts the lives of two boys from different socioeconomic backgrounds, further emphasizing the themes of longing and inequality present in the song3.
Credits:
The track was written by all five members of Radiohead—Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood, and Phil Selway—and produced by Nigel Godrich9.
Notable Performances:
"All I Need" debuted live in 2006 and has since become a staple in Radiohead's setlists, as well as in solo performances by Thom Yorke12.
