Banksters

BANKSTERS

who knows where we're going? / who knows where the flow is? // the unwinding boom and bust / your Ponzi schemes, in god we trust / in god we trust // who knows where the door is? / cause I know there's a floor here // when wall street devours main street / chip and pin us, given half a chance / yeah, you've not a chance // where did all the money go? // who knows where they're going? / and I know to say, no no no no // where did all the money go? / you fuck! // some days it just feels like heaven / and others it just feels like hell / moving in the superpowers, waiting for the world to turn / and everybody knows the reason, and everybody knows the score / they shoot you down when breaking out // we're breaking free

The Face: What was the first song you wrote that you thought was a keeper?

Ed: Probably Banksters. It’s an angry song. I was fucking angry around 2009 – austerity, why did that happen? Because of the fucking City. I was also angry with my best mate. I was in business with him and he stitched me up. But I must admit that’s the one song I feel hasn’t fulfilled its potential. I wanted it to be more Brazilian and we made it more electro at the end.

The Face, february 6th 2020

Billboard: Aside from working with Colin, did you consult with any of your other Radiohead bandmates about the album?

Ed: Colin came and played on the demo back in 2013 and initially I thought maybe some of these songs might be Radiohead songs for the next album. In 2014 we started A Moon Shaped Pool and for that first session, there was a little bit of ambivalence of everyone getting back together again. So I said, “Why don’t you come and play on my songs.” I spoke to [producer] Nigel [Godrich] about it and he thought it was a good way of getting everybody back together again. The first day we worked on “Banksters.” And I knew, after that first day, I knew it wasn’t right. My songs helped get everybody back together but I think we all realized, I certainly realized, it’s a different energy.

Billboard, april 17th 2020