Thom describes this song as being about preaching to others through a microphone. He uses the metaphor of a politician selling his party platform to critique the live promotional shows Radiohead was doing to sell its music. In its original, 1996 live form, the song ended on a very catchy note with Thom repeating the line "Doin' it all." Many fans were surprised and a little disappointed at the final version that made OK Computer.

Thom was thinking of the Poll Tax Riots as he wrote this, the scenes were people were breaking down the gates of Downing Street. As well as being political, the song is also about them, travelling around the globe and having to sell their records to people.

It was recorded in their Oxford studios, Canned Applause. It is a tricky song to get right live, and for that reason is rarely played, but was played on the Tonight with Jay Leno Show in the USA on 25 July 1997.

This is, plain and simple, a rock song. Some people believe it doesn't quite fit on OK Computer, because it's pure rock, and not quite the same sound as the rest of the album. I don't believe that. To me, it fits just fine where it is. The lyrics are very fitting of the album, and there's no doubt it's a great song. This played this live on the Jay Leno show. There's also a clip on Meeting People Is Easy of the band playing this live, and it shows Thom getting a little too into the track, as his head rocks about in motion to the music. Then he starts to wail and jump around thrashing his guitar. It's ace :D