Download the new Radiohead Album and song lyrics
1986)
Radiohead recently completed their seventh studio album, In Rainbows,
released through their own website on October 10, 2007 as a digital
download for which users may set their own price[7] and plan to issue In
Rainbows as a standard CD in early 2008
Interesting concept!
You can -- pay nothing -- if you like.
http://www.radiohead.com/
http://www.inrainbows.com/
Radiohead fans pay up to £100 for download - 11 Oct 2007By Nicole Martin,
Digital and Media Correspondent Some music fans paid up to £100 to
download Radiohead's new album despite it being offered for free,
Purebuttons, LLC has purchased the new Radiohead album,
In Rainbows, for $1,000.00 in support of Radiohead's "silent" effort to
revolutionize the music industry.
In Rainbows, the seventh studio album by alternative rock group Radiohead,
has become available for download from their official website.
The band have let fans decide what to pay for the 10 MP3 files - from
nothing to £100.
But they have refused to reveal how many people have ordered the album, or
what they paid.
Sunday's top 40 will not provide an answer, either. The band's website
does not report sales to chart compilers.
However, the Oxford-based band have scored number one positions for their
last three studio albums - Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail To The Thief.
When you go to their website
https://secure.xurbiaxendless.com/Store/StoreRegisterStep1.html
THEY WANT YOU TO ENTER THIS INFORMATION:
Email address
Password
Retype password
First name
Last name
Address line 1
Address line 2
Address line 3
Town
County / State
Postcode / Zipcode
Country
Mobile phone number
Landline phone number
Bryce Edge, one of the band's managers, said he had evidence that fans
would be willing to pay for the album.
He told BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat: "We're prepared to take a risk and we
might come out looking very foolish. But we believe if your music is
great, then people will pay for it."
Chris Hufford, another Radiohead manager, added: "There are actually
people who are going on websites and saying:, 'I don't actually like
Radiohead, but I'm going to give them some money because I think it's a
brilliant idea.'"
No artwork
Radiohead are the latest act to circumvent the traditional routes of
supplying music to their fans.
The download version of Radiohead's album contains no artwork or lyrics.
The files are provided without copy protection - meaning fans can copy
them to any other computer or music-playing device.
A retail version is expected next year, while fans can also pre-order a
£40 "discbox" from the band's website, which has extra tracks, a vinyl
version of the album, and a lyric booklet as well as the download.
==
Radiohead's In Rainbows album became available as a zipped MP3 download to
the thousands of fans who pre-ordered it over the past 9 days. I was
able to download it in a matter of seconds to both my Mac and my PC, using
the same unique URL (albeit the same IP address), and am listening to its
ten 160 Kbps MP3 songs now.
I like In Rainbows so far, with the seventh track, "Reckoner" a possible
early favorite. As far as the files themselves go, artwork isn't included
(weird) and there's no playlist in the zip file, so people might have to
sequence them into the right order and save that as a playlist, depending
on their playback software (I had to do so using Winamp).
Also, in the "Copyrighted" field, the files have "No" listed, but the
ID3v2 tag's "Copyright" field displays "_XURBIA_XENDLESS LIMITED" (the
name apparently refers to the secure server operated by Radiohead's merch
company). And under "Disc," the files say "0/0," indicating that the
files were not birthed by CD.
Considering the amount of traffic Radiohead's servers must be receiving
today, I'm wondering: did anyone else encounter any glitches, or was it
smooth downloading all around? If everyone else's experience was as
smooth as mine, that counts as yet another thing Radiohead has done right
with this release.
======= LYRICS =======
15 Step
How come I end up where I started
How come I end up where I belong
Won't take my eyes off the ball again
You reel me out then you cut the string
How come I end up where I started
How come I end up where I belong
Won't take my eyes off the ball again
You reel me out then you cut the string
You used to be alright
What happened?
Did the cat get your tongue
Did your string come undone
One by one
One by one
It comes to us all
It's as soft as your pillow
You used to be alright
What happened?
Etcetera etcetera
Facts for whatever
Fifteen steps
Then a shear drop
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
15 Step was premiered on May 6, 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Bodysnatchers
I do not
Understand
What it is
I've done wrong
Full of holes
Check the pulse
Blink your eyes
One for yes
Two for no
I have no idea what I am talking about
I'm trapped in this body and can't get out
Ooooohhhh
Make a sound
Move back home
Get an invitation
With the edges
Sawn off
I have no idea what you are talking about
I'm trapped in this body and can't get out
Ooooohhhh
Has the light gone out for you?
Cause the light's gone for me
It is the 21st century
It is the 21st century
You can fight it like a dog
And they brought me to my knees
They got scared and they put me in
They got scared and they put me in
All the lies run around my face
All the lies run around my face
And for anyone else to see
And for anyone else to see
I'm alive
I've seen it coming
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
Bodysnatchers was premiered on May 6, 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nude
Don't get any big ideas
they're not gonna happen
You paint yourself white
and feel up with noise
but there'll be something missing
Now that you've found it, it's gone
Now that you feel it, you don't
You've gone off the rails
So don't get any big ideas
they're not going to happen
You'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking
Sometimes Thom adds this verse when performing:
She stands stark naked and she beckons you to bed
don't go, you'll only want to come back again
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
This song was originally introduced by the band as an untitled piece, but
on Web sites it is often referred to as "Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)." Thom
first heard this title from Matt Pinfield in a MTV interview for 120
Minutes. The title "Nude" is the title that appears on the band's set
lists, though the song has never been referred to elsewhere by this name.
The piece features both Thom and Jonny on keyboards, and it is as gorgeous
and mysterious as both "Motion Picture Soundtrack" and "True Love Waits"
as far as the unreleased material is concerned. Influenced by the notion
that we live in a man's world, a place where men can get whatever they
desire, the song also explores the guilt that men feel when they commit
certain acts, like cheating on their partners.
On May 6, 2006, "Nude" was performed by Radiohead in Copenhagen at their
first concert of the year. It is speculated that the band have recorded
this song and it will be included in their next release.
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
In the deepest ocean
The bottom of the sea
Your eyes
They turn me
Why should I stay here?
Why should I stay?
I'd be crazy not to follow
Follow where you lead
Your eyes
They turn me
Turn me on to phantoms
I follow to the edge of the earth
And fall off
Everybody leaves
If they get the chance
And this is my chance
I get eaten by the worms
Weird fishes
Get towed by the worms
Weird fishes
Weird fishes
Weird fishes
I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape
I'll hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
This song was first played on March 27, 2005 at the Ether Festival in
London. The performance featured the Nazareth Orchestra with Jonny on the
Ondes Martnot and Thom on vocals.
From Pitchfork:
On this track Greenwood plays the Ondes-Martenot, an electronic keyboarded
developed by Maurice Martenot, a colleague of Leon Theremin. The
Ondes-Martenot produces elegiac tones that sound like a cross between the
warm buzz of a Rhodes piano and the resonant blare of a pipe organ. Such
tones are perfect for Yorke's tremulous voice and his equally tremulous
words-- "Your eyes, they turn me/ Why should I stay here?" The Orchestra
joins the fray slowly, xylophones and trumpets giving way to gliding
gilded strings bowed and plucked. The confluence of these swirling bits
produces a bit of dissonance, with Yorke's voice rubbing awkwardly against
the Orchestra near the end of the performance. Given that "Arpeggi" ends
on a questioning tone-- Yorke repeating the word "escape" in a weak, wispy
manner as a two-note pattern is repeatedly plucked-- that friction is no
doubt intentional
All I Need
I'm the next act
waiting in the wings
I'm an animal
Trapped in your hot car
I am all the days
that you choose to ignore
You are all I need
You are all I need
I'm in the middle of your picture
Lying in the reeds
I am a moth
who just wants to share your light
I'm just an insect
trying to get out of the night
I only stick with you
because there are no others
You are all I need
You are all I need
I'm in the middle of your picture
Lying in the reeds
It's all wrong
It's all right
It's all wrong
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
Faust ARP
One two three four
Wakey wakey
rise and shine
it's on again, off again, on again
watch me fall
like dominos
in pretty patterns
fingers in the blackbird pie
I'm tingling, tingling, tingling
it's what you feel now
what you ought to, what you ought to
reasonable and sensible
dead from the neck up
because I'm stuffed, stuffed, stuffed
we thought you had it in you
but no, no, no
for no real reason
Squeeze the tubes and empty bottles
and take a bow, take a bow, take a bow
it's what you feel now
what you ought to, what you ought to
an elephant that's in the room is
tumbling, tumbling, tumbling
in duplicate and triplicate and
plastic bags and
duplicate and triplicate
dead from the neck up
I guess I'm stuffed, stuffed, stuffed
we thought you had it in you
but no, no, no
exactly where do you get off
is enough, is enough
I love you but enough is enough, enough
a last stop
there's no real reason
You've got a head full of feathers
you got melted to butter
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
Reckoner
Reckoner
Can you take it with you
Disavow the pleasure
You were not to blame for
Bittersweet distractors
Dare not speak his name
Dedicated to all you
All your needs?
Because we separate
it ripples our reflections
Because we separate
it ripples our reflections
Reckoner
Dedicated to all you
All your needs?
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
This "thrashy" new song was first played at the Gorge in George, WA on
June 23, 2001.
House of Cards
I don't want to be your friend
I just want to be your lover
No matter how it ends
No matter how it starts
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Fall off the table,
Get swept under
Denial, denial
The infrastructure will collapse
Voltage spikes
Throw your keys in the bowl
Kiss your husband goodnight
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Fall off the table,
And get swept under
Denial, denial
Denial, denial
Your ears should be burning
Denial, denial
Your ears should be burning
Denial, denial
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
This song was first introduced in an impromptu acoustic set by Thom at the
Trade Justice vigil on April 15, 2005. Little is known about this song.
Jigsaw Falling into Place
Just as you take my hand
Just as you write my number down
Just as the drinks arrive
Just as they play your favourite song
As your blather disappears
No longer wound up like a spring
Before you've had too much
Come back and focus again
The walls abandon shape
You've got a cheshire cat grin
All blurring into one
This place is on a mission
Before the night owl
Before the animal noises
Closed circuit cameras
Before you're comatose
Before you run away from me
Before you're lost between the noise
The beat goes round and round
The beat goes round and round
I never really got there
I just pretended that I had
What's the point of instruments
Words are a sawed off shotgun
Come on and let it out
Come on and let it out
Come on and let it out
Come on and let it out
Before you run away from me
Before you start unravelling
Before you take my mic
Just as you dance, dance, dance
Jigsaws falling into place
There is nothing to explain
Regard each other as you pass
She looks back, you look back
Not just once
Not just twice
Wish away the nightmare
Wish away the nightmare
You've got a light you can feel it on your back
You've got a light you can feel it on your back
Jigsaws falling into place
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
This song was originally referred to as "Open Pick" during the 2006 tour.
When I'm at the pearly gates
This will be on my videotape, my videotape
Mephistopheles is just beneath
and he's reaching up to grab me
This is one for the good days
and i have it all here
In red, blue, green
Red, blue, green
You are my center
When i spin away
Out of control on videotape
On videotape
On videotape
On videotape
This is my way of saying goodbye
Because I can't do it face to face
I'm talking to you after it's too late
From my videotape
No matter what happens now
You shouldn't be afraid
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen.
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows
Mephistopheles is a name given to one of the chief demons of Christian
mythology that figure in European literary traditions. The name is
frequently used as an alternative form of Satan or the Devil. Because the
name Mephistopheles evolved during the Renaissance, Mephistopheles makes
no appearance in the Bible.
BONUS CD
» MK 1
Down Is the New Up
Get yourself together
Let the light pour in
Pour yourself a hot bath, pour yourself a drink
Nothing's gonna happen without a warning
Down is the new up
What is up, buttercup
Down is the new up, is the new up
Your services are not required
Your future's bleak, you're so last week
Ladies and gentlemen, without a safety net
I shall now perform a 180 flip-flop
I shall now amputate, I shall now contort
Because down is the new up
What if I just flip-flopped?
Down is the new up
Down is the new up
Down is the new up, is the new up
You're on Candid Camera
The chink in your armor
Topsy turvy town, topsy turvy town
Shake your pockets out
Pass it on, pass it down
Topsy turvy town, topsy turvy town
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows CD2
Go Slowly
Over here
Come slowly
Come slowly to me
I've been waiting
Patient
Patiently
I didn't
But now I can see
That there's a way out
That there's a way out
That there's a way out
That there's a way out
That there's a way out
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows CD2
Last Flowers
Appliances have gone berserk
I can't look you up
Treading on people's toes
Snot-nosed little fools
And I can't face the evening straight
And you can't offer me escape
Houses live and houses speak
If you take me there you'll get relief
Believe, believe, believe, believe...
And if I don't know ??
I just wanna talk
Please don't interrupt
Just sit back and listen
Cause I can't face the evening straight
And you can't offer me escape
Houses live and houses speak
If you take me there you'll get relief
Believe, believe, believe, believe...
It's too much
Too bright
Too powerful
Too much
Too bright
Too powerful
Too much
Too bright
Too powerful
Too much
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows CD2
This song was part of the OK Computer recording sessions, but, as Ed said,
"It was one that we actually tracked and it sounded shite." The song, as
described by the band, had elements of David Bowie in it, and was a
favorite of Colin's, who explained that while he knows all band members
must be in agreement before a track is used on an album, he was still
upset to see this one left off.
Thom in 1999: "i absolutley love this song. the name will get changed
probably to Cogs. (Sarky cogs skwrkinground). jonny and i have rewritten
the 2nd verse and we are yet to start recording it. but its not lost."
From a previous version of Radiohead.com: last flowers till the
hospital*is a sign discovered in oxford -my unhealthy obsession with these
institutions. analysts may get the connection. ambulances scream past my
house at all hours of the day and night like the confessionals of Larkin's
"Ambulan s."
The title apparently comes from a sign on the way to Radcliffe Hospital in
Oxford. It is also called "Last Flowers" or "Cogs".
In April 2005, Thom performed at the Trade Justic vigil in London and
announced one of the "new" songs as "Glass Flowers" though it is most
likely that there was a misunderstanding and he really said "Last Flowers."
Up on the Ladder
I'm stuck in the tardis
trapped in hyperspace
one minute snake charming
the next in another place
all the right moves and
earn the right percent
watch me dance like a puppet
you can almost see the strings
give me an answer
give me a sign
i've been climbing up this ladder
i've been wasting my time
so long, so long
so long, so long
up on the ladder
no time to escape
up on the ladder
away for fucking sake
up on the ladder
try to call out your name
up on the ladder
you're all the fucking same
oh, you let the people down
you let the people down
you let the people down
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows CD2
This song, which dates back to the Kid A sessions, was premiered in
Lisbon, Portugal on July 22, 2002.
Bangers n Mash
Bit me, bit me, bit me, oh
I've got the poison, poison, poison now
I'm standing in the hall
kicking out the wall
It's all been said to comfort you
bangers in the mash
people lose for cash
????
whatever turns you on
whatever gets you off
chief of police, the vice-chancellor
???
you're dancing to my little red book
Bit me, bit me, bit me, oh
I've got the poison, poison
and I want more
get you an armoured car
they're gonna throw a rock
stare into the light
the pyramid is power
if you are on the top
?????
if you stare into the dark,
the dark will stare back
back into your soul
I want to thank you, thank you, thank you all
I'm having such a good time, a good time, had enough?
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down when I go down
I'm taking you down
I'm taking you down
I'm standing in the hall
kicking out the wall
Bit me, bit me, bit me, oh
Bit me, bit me, bit me, oh
I've got the poison.
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows CD2
4 Minute Warning
This is just a nightmare
But soon I'm going to wake up
Someone's gonna bring me around
Hiding from the bombers
Wading through the fields
Running in the half light
Running to ????
Just like everybody
Could ????
Running through the underground
And this is your warning
4 minute warning
I don't wanna hear it
I don't wanna grow old
I just wanna run and hide
Now I'm in a nightmare
But soon I'm gonna wake up
Someone's gonna bring me 'round
This is your warning
4 minute warning
SONG INFORMATION
Released: October 10, 2007 digitally, December 3, 2007 CD & Vinyl
Found on: In Rainbows CD2
4 Minute Warning was premiered on May 6, 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In Rainbows: 2005-present
Radiohead began work on their seventh album in February 2005.[53] In
mid-2006, they toured Europe and North America, and debuted 13 songs they
had been working on. The band began recording with mixer Mark "Spike"
Stent, but since late 2006 they recorded with producer Nigel Godrich in
several rural locations in England. The album was completed in June 2007
and was mastered the following month. Radiohead had stated that they will
not tour until their new album is completed, according to Yorke "We are
going off for the rest of the year basically, until it's done — we're not
let out 'til it's done."[54]
The band are currently without a record contract, having fulfilled their
six-album contract with EMI in 2004. In interviews in 2006, they admitted
that "for the first time, we have no contract or release deadline to
fulfill — it's both liberating and terrifying".[55] Radiohead's new music
has been characterised by the band as "almost embarrassingly minimal,"
"sparse with lots of bass," and, more recently, "lush", according to
Stanley Donwood, who is working closely with them on the artwork of the
new album. Yorke described the lyrical concept of the album as, "It's
about that anonymous fear thing, sitting in traffic, thinking, 'I'm sure
I'm supposed to be doing something else'... it's similar to OK Computer in
a way. It's much more terrifying. But OK Computer was terrifying too —
some of the lyrics were."[56]
The album, titled In Rainbows, was released in October 2007 as a digital
download in MP3 format. On September 30, the band's website was updated to
take orders [57] for the album, which was released in two forms. One form
was a digital download for which the customer was able to name their own
price, and the other a "discbox" which included the In Rainbows CD, a
bonus CD from the recording sessions, a vinyl edition of In Rainbows
contained in two vinyl records, and a hardcover book. This discbox was
available for purchase from the "In Rainbows" website for £40 (roughly
US$82 or AU$92). [58] It was reported that on the day of its release, 1.2
million copies of In Rainbows had been sold as digital downloads. [59].
The album features many of the songs showcased on Radiohead's 2006 tour,
including 15 Step, Bodysnatchers, All I Need and Videotape. The songs
Nude, which was premiered live during the OK Computer world tour, and
Reckoner, which was premiered live in 2001, were finally released on In
Rainbows, albeit with different both music and lyrics. Arpeggi and Open
Pick also made their way onto the album, but were retitled Weird
Fishes/Arpeggi and Jigsaw Falling Into Place, respectively.
Radiohead's managers Chris Hufford and Bryce Edge have said the band is in
talks with several labels and that they plan to sign a deal within a week
for the release of In Rainbows. However, according to Hufford, no
traditional label release is planned until early 2008
Among Radiohead members' earliest influences were Queen and Elvis
Costello; post-punk acts such as Joy Division[12] and Magazine;[10] and
1980s alternative rock bands such as R.E.M., Pixies, The Smiths,[12] and
Sonic Youth.[4] 1980s dance act Soul II Soul was another early
inspiration, with several early demos, such as that for High and Dry,
layered with dance beats. However, by the mid-1990s, Radiohead began
mentioning an interest in electronic music, such as that of trip-hop act
Massive Attack and the instrumental hip hop of DJ Shadow, which they
claimed as major influences on the sound of OK Computer.[60] Other
influences on the album were Miles Davis (especially Bitches Brew) and
Ennio Morricone, along with 1960s pop groups such as The Beatles and The
Beach Boys.[1][10] Jonny Greenwood also cited composer Krzysztof
Penderecki as an inspiration on the sound of OK Computer.[1] During this
era, critics noted musical similarities between OK Computer and
progressive rock bands such as Pink Floyd.[61] However, the band have
denied that their musical style is directly influenced by progressive
rock.[62]
The more electronic sound of Radiohead's next two albums, Kid A and
Amnesiac, was the result of Yorke's admiration for the glitch, ambient
techno and IDM styles exemplified by the Warp Records label and acts such
as Autechre, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada[37] and Squarepusher. Jazz, such
as that of Charles Mingus and Alice Coltrane, and 1970s Krautrock bands
such as Can and Neu!, were other major influences on the band during this
period.[63] Greenwood's interest in 20th century classical music continued
to play a role, as the influence of Penderecki and especially Olivier
Messiaen was increasingly apparent; for several tracks on Kid A and
subsequent albums, Greenwood has played the Ondes Martenot, an early
electronic instrument popularised by the composer.[12]
With Hail to the Thief, Radiohead continued their electronic influences of
their previous two albums, although with renewed emphasis on guitar
rock.[6] Accordingly, the band said they had tried to achieve the same
"swagger" in their live performances as The Rolling Stones.[64] Though The
Beatles and Neil Young were sources of musical inspiration during this
period, the band also continued to cite their influence by classical
musicians and Can.[65][66]
Since 2005, while working on In Rainbows, the band have continued to
mention experimental rock, electronic, and hip hop musicians as
influences; such as Liars, glitch act Modeselektor, and Spank Rock.[67]
Band members have also emphasized their interest in reggae and dub
music,[68] as shown by the 2007 Trojan Records release Jonny Greenwood Is
the Controller, a compilation of songs Greenwood selected by his favourite
dub artists.
Hail to the Thief and a hiatus: 2002–2004
Several months after the Amnesiac tour, Radiohead toured Portugal and
Spain during July and August 2002, using this opportunity to play new
songs before an audience of their fans. The band then completed the album
in two weeks in a Los Angeles studio with Nigel Godrich, with a few
additional recordings done later in Oxford. Band members described the
recording process as relaxed, in contrast to the tense Kid A/Amnesiac
sessions.[9]
Radiohead released their sixth album, Hail to the Thief, in June 2003.
Upon its release, Hail to the Thief was noted for having a mix of
influences from throughout Radiohead's career, combining guitar rock with
an electronic sound and topical lyrics.[6] Although the album received
many positive reviews, some critics felt that the band was treading water
creatively rather than continuing the "genre-redefining" trend that OK
Computer had begun.[51] Regardless, Hail to the Thief sold more copies in
its first week than its predecessors, Kid A and Amnesiac, though its
overall sales to date have not matched those of Kid A.[52]
Hail to the Thief had more moderate commercial success in the U.S.,
debuting at #3 on the Billboard chart with the band's highest first week
sales to date, but falling off soon after. The album's lead single, "There
There", peaked at #4 in the British charts, while subsequent singles "Go
to Sleep" and "2+2=5" charted at #12 and #15 respectively. "There There",
however, was a #1 hit in Canada, and returned the band to U.S. modern rock
radio favour, after several years without a song on playlists. At the
Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for Best Alternative Album,
Radiohead's fifth straight nomination in that category. Producer Godrich
received the Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album.
Although Hail to the Thief's title was assumed to be a comment on the
controversial 2000 American presidential election, Yorke has denied this,
explaining that he first heard the phrase during a Radio 4 discussion of
John Quincy Adams, "who stole the election and who was known as 'The
Thief' throughout his presidency".[9] Yorke explained that the album was
influenced by world events of late 2001 and early 2002, but he also said,
"It struck me as the most amazing, powerful phrase...[but] I feel really
strongly that we didn't write an [exclusively] protest record, we didn't
write a political record."[9]
After the release of Hail to the Thief, Radiohead embarked on an
international tour, which began with a June 2003 headlining performance at
the Glastonbury Festival, and finished in mid-2004 with a performance at
the Coachella Festival. In 2004, the band released their latest EP COM LAG
(2plus2isfive) which compiled most of the b-sides from Hail to the Thief,
fulfilling their contractual obligations to EMI. Following the tour, the
band began writing and rehearsing in their Oxford studio, but soon went on
hiatus, as both O'Brien and Colin Greenwood were expecting sons, and
needed some time with their respective families.[53] Free of any
contractual obligations, Radiohead spent the remainder of 2004 resting and
working on solo projects.[53] The band released a DVD version of their
webcast television show The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time in
December 2004.
The members of Radiohead all attended Abingdon School, a boys-only public
school in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.[9] Yorke and Colin Greenwood were in the
same year, O'Brien and Selway were one year above and Jonny Greenwood two
years below. In 1986, they formed the band "On a Friday", the name
referring to the band's usual rehearsal day in the school's music
room.[10] On a Friday played their first gig at Oxford's Jericho Tavern in
late 1986.[11] Jonny Greenwood joined as a keyboard player but soon became
the lead guitarist.[10]
Although Phil Selway, Thom Yorke, Colin Greenwood, and Ed O'Brien had left
Abingdon by 1987 to attend university, the band continued to rehearse
often on weekends and holidays.[12] In 1991, when all the members except
Jonny had completed their university degrees, On a Friday regrouped, but
briefly changed their name to "Shindig." The band recorded demos,
including the Manic Hedgehog demo tape, performed live around Oxford and
appeared on the cover of a local music magazine Curfew.[13] Although
Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley had an active indie scene in the late
1980s and early 1990s, it centred around shoegazing bands such as Ride and
Slowdive. On a Friday were never seen as fitting this trend and later
commented that they had missed it by the time they returned from
university.[14]
As On a Friday's number of live performances increased, record labels and
producers became interested.[12] Chris Hufford, the co-owner of Oxford's
Courtyard Studios, attended an early On a Friday concert at the Jericho
Tavern.[12] Impressed by the band, he and his partner Bryce Edge produced
a demo tape and became On a Friday's managers. As of May 2007, Hufford and
Edge remain Radiohead's managers.[12] The band signed a six-album
recording contract with EMI in late 1991, following a chance meeting
between Colin Greenwood and label representative Keith Wozencroft at the
record shop where Greenwood worked.[12] At the request of the label, the
band changed their name to Radiohead, inspired by the title of a song on
Talking Heads' True Stories album.[12]
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