RADIOHEAD: The ‘Just’ Video Solved & Explained!

Radiohead's 1995 music video 'Just' has inspired countless arguments, debates and theories about what it means, and most of all, about what the un-subtitled dialogue at the end actually says.
Here, for possibly the first time, is what I believe to be the definitive answer.

Thanks!

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Many thanks, JH.

[TheReallyDamian]

At 2:11 on the official video here on YouTube, you can see 11 people gathering around the man on the ground. Then around 2:40 is when the cop joins the group, making it a total of 12 people who hear and "fall" for the story the man on the ground tells them...

Later, the camera pans over all the people on the ground and there are easily dozens, but I think there was 12 in the first group.

I'm pretty sure this interpretation is generally correct.

[TonyDeCoste]

I always thought he said "I'm listening to Radiohead" because they're jamming right above them, then everybody joins him in laying down to listen to Radiohead.

[lasststarr]

If you actually found out we'd all be lying down on the ground right now

[gabilecrack]

Knew someone who met Thom Yorke and asked him what the man in the Just music video said. Thom replied:
"If i told you, we would both be laying on the ground by now"

[moonsugar]

My take was that it was never about the man on the floor or what he said, it's about the people asking him. They won't leave him alone, they have to find out what's going on, even if they know it's not in their best interests. Hence, "You do it to yourself, you do." - The lyrics in the chorus.

[TCMcBiscuits]

What the man lying down is really telling them is what's in the briefcase in Pulp Fiction.

[StreetHierarchy]

"Radiohead is shooting a music video, lie down on the ground with me"

[MrMurph]

I think I found another piece of the puzzle to support your theory. The clock in the room where the band are playing is always stuck at 20:25. In the Bible - John 20:25 - is a passage about doubting Thomas (Thom) - "So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” . Video ends with Thom and the band looking out the window and seeing the messiah for themselves.

[Largecollectibles]

Just is one of my all-time favorite videos. When I saw this in 95, I thought the video was about people's curiosity. How curiosity can be so contagious and feed into a crowd. All the guy wanted to do is lay down but the mob wanted to know why. He then gives them what they want but curiosity killed the cat. But after watching this video, I see the religious theme. This was a great analysis of a great video.

[dorz]

He says "I've seen Oasis" True story

[Ryanookami]

Ooh, this is a super intriguing take on Just. I remember being so obsessed with the video when it came out that I enlisted my deaf mother to try and lip read the man, but she complained about the weird angles and also did not care about my fascination with the video enough to humour me. I love this take and I think there is more than enough evidence to support it, unlike a lot of theories I’ve seen over the years. Especially how the bath/baptism part fits, because that always felt like a bit of a loose thread in a lot of other takes. Excellent detective skills!

[arnesaknussemm]

The first guy literally says ‘Jesus, I’m sorry I didn’t see you there’.

[sunilcunningham]

I spoke to my sister, she was in the video, one of the crowd lying down. They filmed this outside Liverpool Street Station. When they discussed it was about, what if Jesus was to come again, and just be an ordinary bloke, how would life and those in it inadvertently treat him. Its almost says treat everyone like Jesus because you never know if he is incognito, quietly judging or taking note, making a list. Perhaps it judgement day.
Great theory though, l'm not sure if the man says I know a way. Maybe its f why?

[TwirlzWir]

This is an awesome video! 2 years too late for me to fully appreciate this. Currently writing an essay and while doing research on a dramatic piece, saw the director referenced the song to an actress. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Thank you!

[benl]

All your interpretations are so utterly convincing haha- from hidden deeper meanings to Noel Gallagher’s seemingly throwaway lyrics to the cleverly disguised religious undertones of Radiohead videos.. I believe them all now. Brilliant!

[smitcher]

Brilliant song and another great interpretation James and can't fault any of it - I think you are 100% spot on, great work as always!

[andrewrichards]

Saw the title and immediately thought, sarcastically, "of course you have!" and was prepared for some random nonsense, which would be uncharacteristic for this channel as I like the other videos I've seen.

Watching this breakdown and now I'm completely sold: good job. Most music videos are disposable but this one has always stuck with me, more than even some of the other Radiohead films.

[burningjdm]

I've been waiting for someone to do this for quite a while and there's always the chance you've cracked it. A thorughly good analyzation.

[bigneon_glitter]

This is *important.* Excellent breakdown, solid interpretation. In 1995, I'd viewed the video as a showcase for pre-millennium fears: the character on the ground had seen the future, it's miseries, & decided to abandon the charade (he wouldn't have been off).

[SovereignSpectre]

A well analyzed interpretation of the music video and song! This is a unique theory and one I never heard before. You could be very well be right sir! Some things to note is that if you seen any interviews of Radiohead during The Bends era, Thom said that what the man said in the MV is a secret between all the band members, the director and actor. So they only know what they said. Your theory also works well in the context in regards to the themes of The Bends. The Bends themes revolve around becoming famous and that rise to stardom quickly as Radiohead had become with “Creep.” This song made them become famous too quickly and they weren’t ready with critiques claiming they were “going to save rock.” Radiohead weren’t a fan of this and wasn’t sure how to react. This plays well into how celebrities become “false messiahs” and worshiped on the same level of Jesus. Radiohead weren’t really a fan of such fame and stardom thus The Bends was written as a reaction against that. A critique on American, Hollywood and Celebrity lifestyle. This theory makes sense when put into context with everything The Bends album is about. Well done sir and a unique theory nonetheless.

Fun fact: ‘Just’ was also a competition between Thom and Jonny to see how many chords they could put into the song lol.