Karma Police (Song)

Karma Police is a song by the English alternative rock band Radiohead, featured on their 1997 third studio album OK Computer. The song addresses themes of resentment toward authority, justice, and individual anger.

Composition and Lyrics

The song was composed by the members of Radiohead, with lyrics written by vocalist Thom Yorke. In the lyrics of "Karma Police", the bureaucratic pressures of modern society, unethical behavior, and personal psychological reactions are conveyed through metaphorical language. Rather than narrating a specific event, the song offers listeners an emotional and psychological experience through imagery and symbols.

Musical Structure and Style

"Karma Police" blends elements of alternative rock and art rock. The track is distinguished by gentle piano chords, guitar effects, and Yorke’s vocal delivery. In the middle section, increasing guitar distortion and rhythmic shifts enhance the song’s dramatic intensity and thematic tension. This musical structure reinforces the themes of criticism toward modern society and individual rage.

Awards and Achievements

"Karma Police" received positive critical reception upon its release and contributed to the international success of the OK Computer album. It is regarded as one of the works that strengthened Radiohead’s artistic direction and their influence within the alternative rock genre.

Lyrics

Karma police, arrest this man

He talks in maths, he buzzes like a fridge

He's like a detuned radio

Karma police, arrest this girl

Her Hitler hairdo is making me feel ill

And we have crashed her party

This is what you'll get

This is what you'll get

This is what you'll get

When you mess with us

Karma police, I've given all I can

It's not enough, I've given all I can

But we're still on the payroll

This is what you'll get

This is what you'll get

This is what you'll get

When you mess with us

For a minute there

I lost myself, I lost myself

Phew, for a minute there

I lost myself, I lost myself

For a minute there

I lost myself, I lost myself

Phew, for a minute there

I lost myself, I lost myself

Turkish Translation

Karma polisi, bu adamı tutuklayın

Matematikle konuşuyor, buzdolabı gibi vızıldıyor

O, akordsuz bir radyo gibi

Karma polisi, bu kızı tutuklayın

Onun Hitler saç modeli midemi bulandırıyor

Ve biz partisini mahvettik

İşte sana ne olacağını göreceksin

İşte sana ne olacağını göreceksin

İşte sana ne olacağını göreceksin

Bizimle uğraştığında

Karma polisi, elimden geleni verdim

Yeterli değil, elimden geleni verdim

Ama hâlâ maaş bordrosundayız

İşte sana ne olacağını göreceksin

İşte sana ne olacağını göreceksin

İşte sana ne olacağını göreceksin

Bizimle uğraştığında

Bir an için

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Off, bir an için

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Bir an için

Kendimi kaybettim, kendimi kaybettim

Off, bir an için

Kendimi kaybettim, kendimi kaybettim