Track five on The Bends, “Bones” can be understood as the typical negative reaction towards aging. Lines such as “I don’t want to be crippled and cracked” and the repetitive chorus line describe so. The key lines are probably the 2nd verse’s mention of painkillers (which the elderly is known to use...
[Verse 1]
I don't want to be crippled and cracked
Shoulders, wrists, knees, and back
Ground to dust and ash
Crawling on all fours
[Chorus]
When you've got to feel it in your bones
When you've got to feel it in your bones
[Verse 2]
Now I can't climb the stairs
Pieces missing everywhere
Prozac, painkillers
[Chorus]
When you've got to feel it in your bones
When you've got to feel it in your bones
[Bridge]
And I used to fly like Peter Pan
All the children flew when I touched their hands
[Outro]
Listen, you've got to feel it in your bones
Listen, you've got to feel it in your bones
Ah, ah, ah
Bones was written by Philip Selway & Ed O’Brien & Jonny Greenwood & Colin Greenwood & Thom Yorke.
Bones was produced by John Leckie.