Airbag GOOD Paranoid Android STILL UNSURE Subterranean Homesick Alien GOOD DESPITE ITSELF Exit Music (For a Film) BAD Let Down GROWER Karma Police THAT'S THE SINGLE Fitter Happier LOL Electioneering RUBBISH Climbing Up the Walls NEVER LISTENED TO ALL THE WAY THROUGH No Surprises THEY *DO* HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR Lucky GOOD The Tourist TERRIBLE ABJECT SHIT
― That one guy that hit it and quit it, Monday, 1 October 2007 12:53 (eighteen years ago)
Lucky
― van smack, Monday, 1 October 2007 13:11 (eighteen years ago)
lucky
― ciderpress, Monday, 1 October 2007 13:39 (eighteen years ago)
You know, I nearly wrote the song "Lucky" myself.
This means I know what made TY write it, i.e what his inspiration was.
Lucky - T.Yorke, also M.Grout (my extra bit in brackets)
"I'm on a roll (with it) I'm on a roll this time I feel my luck will change"
Roll with it (N.Gallagher) "You gotta roll with it you gotta take your time you gotta say what you say don't let anybody get in yr way (etc)"
― Mark G, Monday, 1 October 2007 13:47 (eighteen years ago)
Lucky, in a walk.
I saw RH on the OKC tour in the late summer/early fall of '97 in what I believe was a high school auditorium in suburban Cleveland. They opened with Lucky and, frankly, it was one of the most stunning openers I've ever heard -- the sound was incredible, the performance incredibly intense.
It's odd. I'm not really a "live music" fan, per se. But like a lot of faves, this song will always call to mind a brilliant live performance that makes the studio version that much better.
― Naive Teen Idol, Monday, 1 October 2007 13:54 (eighteen years ago)
Karma Police, mainly because of the chord progressions. I've always thought that No Surprises should have been the final track on the album, with Lucky placed somewhere else in the running order and The Tourist dropped.
― snoball, Monday, 1 October 2007 13:57 (eighteen years ago)
I just listened to this album the other day after not having played it for quite some time. I was reminded that, although the album is pretty good, I'm pretty much done listening to it after "No Surprises." Those last two songs, however good or bad they may be, have never really gotten through to me. The album is a little overwrought and that's why I think it could be done with "No Surprises." I also think I overplayed this album a bit too much in high school. Overall, this album will never be as good in my mind as Kid A/Amnesiac. It'll always be a precursor.
(And someone upthread said it right, "Electioneering" is rubbish, it's a really really annoying song.)
― Mark Clemente, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:02 (eighteen years ago)
I've always thought that No Surprises should have been the final track on the album, with Lucky placed somewhere else in the running order and The Tourist dropped.
ahh someone else said it. OTM
― Mark Clemente, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:03 (eighteen years ago)
"Electioneering"!
― da croupier, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:04 (eighteen years ago)
I always assumed I was the only person on the planet who liked "Electioneering." All those clangy guitars -- classic!
― Alex in NYC, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:05 (eighteen years ago)
Looks like I'm the first to voice a bit of support for the magnificent 'Climbing Up The Walls' then...
― Just got offed, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:11 (eighteen years ago)
"Electioneering" isn't much good but it's well-placed - a bit of gumption after four or five mid-paced hand-wringers.
― Groke, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:11 (eighteen years ago)
Let Down
― kornrulez6969, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:36 (eighteen years ago)
Can't believe The Tourist loathing. Don't pretend you never listen to Floyd guys.
― aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:45 (eighteen years ago)
"No Surprises," cause it reminds me of "Sunday Morning."
― JN$OT, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:47 (eighteen years ago)
great reason.
― That one guy that hit it and quit it, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:57 (eighteen years ago)
Lucky/Tourist combo is among my favorite closing 10 minutes of any record ever. In this post-slsk world, the way I listen to albums has changed, and I have a hard time differentiating between songs sometimes. (Maybe it's just me getting old.) Anyway, "Lucky" and "The Tourist" blend in my head into a 2-part suite. Vote goes to "The Tourist," sorry haterz.
― Rock Hardy, Monday, 1 October 2007 15:15 (eighteen years ago)
"The Tourist" here as well
― stephen, Monday, 1 October 2007 15:40 (eighteen years ago)
Voted for 3, still like 1, 2, 8, 9 and 11. Looking at the tracklist kinda reminds me why I haven't listened to or thought about Radiohead for more than a few minutes at a time in the last few years, though, and that when I do I usually want to hear a song from The Bends. Didn't realize people actually like "Let Down."
― Alex in Baltimore, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:09 (eighteen years ago)
"Climbing Up The Walls" is fantastic, people.
― HI DERE, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:12 (eighteen years ago)
Yeah, it's my favorite song on the back half of the album. Saw a great version at the Tibetan Freedom Concert with Michael Stipe harmonizing on the chorus.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:13 (eighteen years ago)
I have no idea how "Lucky" and "The Tourist" sound.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:14 (eighteen years ago)
the D.C. one in '98? I was there, Stipe sang on "Lucky."
― Alex in Baltimore, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:14 (eighteen years ago)
argh you're right
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:17 (eighteen years ago)
airbag
― Jordan, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:20 (eighteen years ago)
(I like Electioneering too...great cowbell!)
wot no 'annie, i'm not your daddy' :( best hidden track ever.
lol
For me 'Paranoid Android', but I'm not a big fan of this album and don't know it very well.
― Nasty, Brutish & Short, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:29 (eighteen years ago)
Alf, "Lucky" is the one where he's singing, "So PULL ME OUUUUUT/Of the aircrash..."
― Naive Teen Idol, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:32 (eighteen years ago)
'lucky' feels a bit out of place cos it was a single before the last single off 'the bends'.
― That one guy that hit it and quit it, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:34 (eighteen years ago)
"Lucky" is also awesome.
― HI DERE, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:36 (eighteen years ago)
"Let Down", also didn't realize it was a favorite on ILM. No surprise for me, I love Air Supply.
― Euler, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:42 (eighteen years ago)
lf, "Lucky" is the one where he's singing, "So PULL ME OUUUUUT/Of the aircrash..."
Yeah, I remembered after sampling it on iTunes. OK, so it's "Climbing Up the Walls" that's just ok.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:42 (eighteen years ago)
bit too "isn't modern life hollow and alienating, etc, etc..." like we didn't know already.
I don't care about lyrics. The music is good, which is the important thing after all.
― Geir Hongro, Monday, 1 October 2007 17:18 (eighteen years ago)
As for some of the mentioned tracks here, "Lucky" I feel would have been the highlight had it been part of "The Bends". On "OK Computer" it sounds a bit too much like an old song representing a style they had already sort of left behind (it was originally released on the 1995 "Help!" album mind you). It's GREAT, don't misunderstand me, but there are several better tracks here.
"Electioneering" is... Well... It's OK and all that. But nowhere close to the quality of the rest of the songs on the album. Not too keen on "Climbing Up The Walls" either, but from "No Surprises" onwards the album manages to pull itself together and come up with three great tracks in the end again.
Still "Exit Music" for me. The way it gradually builds and becomes more and more haunting - SO classic!
― Geir Hongro, Monday, 1 October 2007 17:23 (eighteen years ago)
As for some of the mentioned tracks here, "Lucky" I feel would have been the highlight had it been part of "The Bends". On "OK Computer" it sounds a bit too much like an old song representing a style they had already sort of left behind
quite true, geir. it fits in more with something like "black star" or some of those later tracks on the bends, and would've worked a lot better in that context.
― Mark Clemente, Monday, 1 October 2007 17:30 (eighteen years ago)
Coming to think of it, it wouldn't have been the highlight on "The Bends", as that would be "Fake Plastic Trees" no matter what. But it's still a great song.
― Geir Hongro, Monday, 1 October 2007 17:31 (eighteen years ago)
let down, but kinda wish i'd shouted out climbing up the walls
― roxymuzak, Monday, 1 October 2007 17:32 (eighteen years ago)
I think I'm gonna be alone here on voting for Electioneering.
― Abbott, Monday, 1 October 2007 19:27 (eighteen years ago)
It should be someone's campaign song, totally bitchin'.
I don't really know any radiohead, but I picked Exit Music (For a Film) because it is such a fantastic name. Oh, hell.
― I know, right?, Monday, 1 October 2007 19:29 (eighteen years ago)
"'lucky' feels a bit out of place cos it was a single before the last single off 'the bends'."
i was going to say this. it was on the warchild album, which me and my friends listened to a lot at the time.
― Frogman Henry, Monday, 1 October 2007 19:48 (eighteen years ago)
one day i am gonna grow wings
― mookieproof, Monday, 1 October 2007 19:55 (eighteen years ago)
Boo fuckin' hoo. How do you think I feel, being the only one to vote for "Fitter Happier"? Unironically, no less.
― Sara Sara Sara, Monday, 1 October 2007 19:58 (eighteen years ago)
jesus. every album i completely fell in love with as a kid is having a poll this week.
as much as i love "Let Down", "Exit Music (For a Film)", "Lucky", and "The Tourist" ..... i have to vote "Paranoid Android"
oh and i must add.....greatest album ever
― gman, Monday, 1 October 2007 21:10 (eighteen years ago)
Aged pretty poorly in the last couple years. Four years ago I would have put this up pretty high but it's a little stale ten years later. Still, great album.
"Paranoid Android"
― talrose, Monday, 1 October 2007 22:09 (eighteen years ago)
Aged pretty poorly in the last couple years.
you think? how so?
― gman, Monday, 1 October 2007 22:12 (eighteen years ago)
I used to be able to go through this album without skipping tracks, but I'll jump from "Karma Police" to "No Suprises" without a second thought, and I almost always turn it off before "The Tourist." Not that I hate the songs I skip, but I've worn them out and can't listen to them anymore. Also, every time I hear certain Radiohead songs I become reminded of high-school gymnasium styled dorm rooms lit by deathly fluorescent bulbs.
― talrose, Monday, 1 October 2007 22:18 (eighteen years ago)
Lucky vs Let Down
― Z S, Monday, 1 October 2007 23:33 (eighteen years ago)
Subterranean Homesick Alien is quite pretty.
Paranoid Android is insanely great though.
― Mister Craig, Monday, 1 October 2007 23:42 (eighteen years ago)
"How do you think I feel, being the only one to vote for "Fitter Happier"? Unironically, no less."
You're not the only one.
― I eat cannibals, Monday, 1 October 2007 23:44 (eighteen years ago)
(i'd unhappily vote for the doesn't-compute-for-me'tall option but, as is always the case with this kid, it just isn,t there :(
― t**t, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 17:22 (eighteen years ago)
LET DOWN FTW
― Johnny Fever, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 17:24 (eighteen years ago)
The transcendentally ridiculous, overblown last 20 seconds or so of Climbing Up The Walls are pretty much my favourite on the record. But I still voted Airbag.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 17:30 (eighteen years ago)
The transcendentally ridiculous, overblown last 20 seconds or so of Climbing Up The Walls are pretty much my favourite on the record.
otm
― HI DERE, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 17:37 (eighteen years ago)
"Climbing Up The Walls" to me sounds more like a somewhat ill-advised attempt to sound like Portishead or Tricky.
― Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 21:53 (eighteen years ago)
Regardless of who Radiohead are "attempting" to sound like, even assuming that they are, "Climbing up the Walls" is nonetheless devastating. So, that's my vote. Just ahead of "Lucky" and "Airbag". Actually, now that I'm listening to it again, I don't get the hate for "Exit Music (For a Film)" either.
― Lostandfound, Wednesday, 3 October 2007 00:31 (eighteen years ago)
Let Down? Really? That's the second worst track! I went for Karma Police, Paranoid Android a close second.
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 3 October 2007 00:48 (eighteen years ago)
Electioneering. The only one that runs rather than crawls. They're a rock band, not fucking Eno.
― paulhw, Wednesday, 3 October 2007 01:07 (eighteen years ago)
obviously "no surprises". was it used in a film/tv show/advert or something? i dont remember over playing it when the album came out, but when i listened through this album the other day for the first time in years it seemed much more familiar to me despite the time since i had last listened to the album than any other tracks.
― pipecock, Wednesday, 3 October 2007 01:42 (eighteen years ago)
let down is certainly not one of the worst tracks.
― gman, Wednesday, 3 October 2007 04:06 (eighteen years ago)
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― ILX System, Monday, 8 October 2007 23:01 (eighteen years ago)
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― ILX System, Tuesday, 9 October 2007 23:01 (eighteen years ago)
Let Down? Seriously?
― Melissa W, Tuesday, 9 October 2007 23:10 (eighteen years ago)
Let Down better than Paranoid Android? 'Tae fuck!
― Mister Craig, Tuesday, 9 October 2007 23:14 (eighteen years ago)
How did "Fitter Happier" get more votes than "Climbing Up The Walls"? That is ridiculous.
RECOUNT.
― jonathan - stl, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 01:35 (eighteen years ago)
I totally prefer Fitter Happier to Climbing Up The Walls
― da croupier, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 02:44 (eighteen years ago)
havent listened to this since i was 17, in bed, with headphones on, but i really find it hard to believe anyone on earth could like fitter happier more than pretty much any other song ever
also karma police + paranoid android should = letdown x2 at least
― deeznuts, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 02:48 (eighteen years ago)
awesome......let down finally getting the praise it deserves.
― bstep, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 03:11 (eighteen years ago)
NOT
--bstep
― deeznuts, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 03:32 (eighteen years ago)
I like how the slow songs won this poll. They are the only reason I like OK Computer.
― CaptainLorax, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 19:19 (eighteen years ago)
LET DOWN? That's one of their worst songs. I like the Radiodread version a lot though. Best? Karma Police.
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 19:23 (eighteen years ago)
hey I love repeating myself!
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 19:24 (eighteen years ago)
"Nude"
― Davey D, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 19:25 (eighteen years ago)
i know let down seems like a boring song but to me it has a beautiful ambivalence, like it's in between happy and sad emotions....
maybe im biased by my own feelings and memories of that song...been listening to okc since 4th grade
― bstep, Thursday, 11 October 2007 00:18 (eighteen years ago)
actually i think thats why let down won....its the song that has the most room for the listener to put his own emotions into the song, if that makes sense
― bstep, Thursday, 11 October 2007 00:26 (eighteen years ago)
the Let Down demo on the new white cassette is incredible... i hope more of thom's 4-track demos come out, double tracked guitars + vox, more intense singing
― flappy bird, Monday, 17 July 2017 04:21 (eight years ago)
I read somewhere recently that the slightly out of time guitar on Let Down was a happy accident. I still find it extraordinary, the way it blurs and melts without losing an epic feel
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Monday, 17 July 2017 14:58 (eight years ago)
The opened with Let Down when I saw them in Manchester the other week, surprisingly.
― chap, Monday, 17 July 2017 15:05 (eight years ago)
THEY opened...