The "OK Computer" poll

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed
Not all messages are displayed: show all messages (112 of them)

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

"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 (sixteen years ago) link

Let Down

kornrulez6969, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:36 (sixteen years ago) link

Can't believe The Tourist loathing. Don't pretend you never listen to Floyd guys.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:45 (sixteen years ago) link

"No Surprises," cause it reminds me of "Sunday Morning."

JN$OT, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:47 (sixteen years ago) link

great reason.

That one guy that hit it and quit it, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:57 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

"The Tourist" here as well

stephen, Monday, 1 October 2007 15:40 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

"Climbing Up The Walls" is fantastic, people.

HI DERE, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:12 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

I have no idea how "Lucky" and "The Tourist" sound.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:14 (sixteen years ago) link

the D.C. one in '98? I was there, Stipe sang on "Lucky."

Alex in Baltimore, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:14 (sixteen years ago) link

argh you're right

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:17 (sixteen years ago) link

airbag

Jordan, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:20 (sixteen years ago) link

(I like Electioneering too...great cowbell!)

Jordan, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:20 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

'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 (sixteen years ago) link

"Lucky" is also awesome.

HI DERE, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:36 (sixteen years ago) link

"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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

let down, but kinda wish i'd shouted out climbing up the walls

roxymuzak, Monday, 1 October 2007 17:32 (sixteen years ago) link

I think I'm gonna be alone here on voting for Electioneering.

Abbott, Monday, 1 October 2007 19:27 (sixteen years ago) link

It should be someone's campaign song, totally bitchin'.

Abbott, Monday, 1 October 2007 19:27 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

"'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 (sixteen years ago) link

one day i am gonna grow wings

mookieproof, Monday, 1 October 2007 19:55 (sixteen years ago) link

I think I'm gonna be alone here on voting for Electioneering.

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

Aged pretty poorly in the last couple years.

you think? how so?

gman, Monday, 1 October 2007 22:12 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

Lucky vs Let Down

Z S, Monday, 1 October 2007 23:33 (sixteen years ago) link

Subterranean Homesick Alien is quite pretty.

Paranoid Android is insanely great though.

Mister Craig, Monday, 1 October 2007 23:42 (sixteen years ago) link

"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 (sixteen years ago) link

"Airbag" is always going to be my favorite on this one.

Mr. Perpetua, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 00:13 (sixteen years ago) link

I always tend to skip tracks too, but I don't skip "Fitter Happier", which fits in perfectly as kind of a skit/interlude.

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:50 (sixteen years ago) link

I prefer the RadioDread album.

Mark G, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 08:22 (sixteen years ago) link

lucky, closely followed by airbag

electricsound, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 08:37 (sixteen years ago) link

yeah whatever. 'let down' x-post

strgn, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 08:38 (sixteen years ago) link

damn, airbag.

strgn, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 08:38 (sixteen years ago) link

you know what? this is a pretty good album. things age for people for various reasons, i can see that, but there are some pretty great tracks on here. very of its time, i guess, but what isn't?

strgn, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 08:41 (sixteen years ago) link

Luck fitting into The Bends better than OK Computer == crazy talk.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 09:43 (sixteen years ago) link

'Lucky', ahem.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 09:44 (sixteen years ago) link

let down is certainly not one of the worst tracks.

gman, Wednesday, 3 October 2007 04:06 (sixteen years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

ILX System, Monday, 8 October 2007 23:01 (sixteen years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

ILX System, Tuesday, 9 October 2007 23:01 (sixteen years ago) link

Let Down? Seriously?

Melissa W, Tuesday, 9 October 2007 23:10 (sixteen years ago) link

Let Down better than Paranoid Android? 'Tae fuck!

Mister Craig, Tuesday, 9 October 2007 23:14 (sixteen years ago) link

How did "Fitter Happier" get more votes than "Climbing Up The Walls"? That is ridiculous.

RECOUNT.

jonathan - stl, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 01:35 (sixteen years ago) link

I totally prefer Fitter Happier to Climbing Up The Walls

da croupier, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 02:44 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

awesome......let down finally getting the praise it deserves.

bstep, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 03:11 (sixteen years ago) link

NOT

--bstep

deeznuts, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 03:32 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

hey I love repeating myself!

the next grozart, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 19:24 (sixteen years ago) link

"Nude"

Davey D, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 19:25 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

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 (sixteen years ago) link

nine years pass...

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 (six years ago) link

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 (six years ago) link

The opened with Let Down when I saw them in Manchester the other week, surprisingly.

chap, Monday, 17 July 2017 15:05 (six years ago) link

THEY opened...

chap, Monday, 17 July 2017 15:05 (six years ago) link


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.