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You'll hopefully find all sorts of information on this page about Radiohead b-sides, early versions, unreleased songs and more.
To listen to some of the songs listed here, go to The Perfect Song Facsimile.
To buy official releases, check out some online stores on the merchandise page.
| B-sides | Unreleased Songs | Early Versions |
A REMINDER (3:54)
Available on: Paranoid Android CD2, Karma Police, Running From Demons EP, Airbag / how am I driving? EP.
Notes: "That song was written in one of those days off you have on a tour where you literally, all you can do is sit in your hotel room cause there's nothing", explains Thom. "It [was] a Sunday, and it's somewhere near Hershey, I got no idea where we were and there was just nothing to do at all. And I had this idea of someone writing a song, sending it to someone and saying, 'If I ever lose it, you just pick up the phone and play me this song back to remind me'" (Douridas). The song is brilliantly performed and captures the idea Thom expresses perfectly. It also contains a sample from a train and opens with Czech voices. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: The beginning of A Reminder includes some speaking in Czech, from the Prague Metro (I spent 6 months there). It says, "Okoncete, vystup a nastup. Dvere se zaviraje, pristi stanice. Budejovicka" (spelling is probably wrong) and some other stuff. Translated it says: "Finish getting on and off, the doors are closing. Next stop Budejovicka." [thanks chris j.]
Anticipation of thom's vocals at the beginning is torture. [thanks simon]
The Czech voices at the beginning make the song sounds like the band is playing in a subway train... It's a ballad. Maybe the song's name alluded to the Czech voices (After all, the words that the woman says ARE a reminder...) [thanks roiy b.]
This is by far the most beautiful Radiohead song in my opinion. The intro where the people are talking is interesting. The phasers that the guitars are hooked through give the song a watery feeling and I like to lay on my floor in the dark with the lava lamp on, leaving a glow in my room while I listen to this song. The lyrics in this song make me sad, of growing old, and the feeling Thom creates of not having anyone to talk to. I love this song. [thanks nathan]
BANANA CO. (2:23)
Available on: My Iron Lung.
Versions: acoustic. (Itch EP)
Notes: While most of the band's 1993 songs have been dropped from their live set, this beautiful number is still periodically covered. "Banana Co." originated on the "Pop Is Dead" single as an acoustic track from a radio session Thom did in 1993; then a stuido version made it onto the benefit compilation Criminal Justice: Axe the Act. This new recording, with electric guitars, was also used as the b-side on the second part of the "Street Spirit" release. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: Really catchy, and an interesting solo by Jonny.
I love this song. I think it's about rebellion, digging up the underground movement and making it felt. I also love the mood of the song, kind of passive/aggressive. [thanks billy a.]
BISHOP'S ROBES (3:25)
Available on: Street Spirit CD1, Running From Demons EP.
Comments: It's not lifeless, it's actually quite beautiful and angsty. It's thom obsessing over his old boys' school and about how much he hates his 'bastard headmaster', there is a lot of emotion in there, honestly! [thanks ayana]
Thom must be very proud of his guitar solo. Against the fascist idiot of their childhood nightmares... [thanks elainey]
COKE BABIES
Available on: Creep, Anyone Can Play Guitar.
Notes: Radiohead's shoe-gazer-esque song is lyrically simple, based largely on the word "easy". The music is also simple, but features some mesmerizing sounds. The song is not a fan favorite. At the end of the track, humming can be heard -- it's Colin singing along, unaware that the tape was still rolling. This is one of the band's most difficult songs to find, available only on the deleted "Anyone Can Play Guitar" single. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: Reminds you of a long car drive across wheat fields, wind blowing through your hair. I think the big guitar riffs ruin the song, tone it down! [thanks simon]
FAITHLESS THE WONDER BOY
Available on: Creep single, Itch EP
Notes: "I can't put the needle in...": band members insist that this line is not about doing drugs. Instead, says Thom, it's about getting revenge. A b-side for "Anyone Can Play Guitar", this track was a live favorite for much of 1993, but was rarely played thereafter. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: It's a wonderful song, it's very nostalgic-feeling. Reminds you of being a little kid, playing in the grass, in the sun, or something.. not wanting to be big, not right then. [thanks kellie]
FAST TRACK
Notes: A bside for the Amnesiac singles. Ed mentioned the song a couple times in his diary and the words 'fast track' also appear on w.a.s.t.e. merchandise. Particularly this longsleeve shirt: "I have a paper here that entitles me to fast track status."
Ed: "Start working on a band loop called fast track' - Thom had a rough arrangement on cubase last night." (06/10/99)
Ed: "thom's got a busy old week this week........most of the finishing touches are vocal things. i'm trying to get my head around some new software called logic which seems to be what all the right programmers are using...........the manual is about the thickness of a hardback edition of 'war and peace'.........he's singing along to 'fastrack'. he's hyperactive as well....it's 1.30am..fantastic.." (20/03/00)
HOW CAN YOU BE SURE? (4:21)
Available on: Fake Plastic Trees CD1, High & Dry US, The Bends - Japan release
Notes: When this track was first heard on radio, in 1993, Thom noted that the title was only tentatively "How can you be sure?" and that he hoped to change it. This never happened, though on the first Japanese issue of The Bends, which includes two bonus tracks, the song was called "When I'm like this". [Radiohead: From a Great Height]. It's an acoustic song. It's the only song to feature female backing vocals. (Dianne Swann).
HOW I MADE MY MILLIONS (3:07)
Available on: No Surprises CD1
Comments: Thom made this song at home on his minidisc recorder on his old piano. If you listen carefully, you can hear his girlfriend, Rachel, washing dishes in the background. Even though made up on the spot, still a really good song.
Delicate and prettiful. Thom's lyrics are obviously spur of the moment ones, but his beautiful voice makes up for it. The band was blown away when they heard it. [thanks elainey]
INDIA RUBBER (3:27)
Available on: Fake Plastic Trees CD1
Notes: This experimental b-side is based largely on Phil's heavy drumming. The song closes with laughter, blending after a moment with the sounds of people talking and generally making noise -- a party atmosphere. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: Very cool drums, nice guitar riff... strange and scary laughing towards the end and then weird moaning after the song ends.[thanks elainey]
INSIDE MY HEAD (3:12)
Available on: Creep, Pablo Honey - Japan release.
Notes: Among the first songs Radiohead wrote after signing with EMI/Parlophone, "Inside My Head" deals with the experience of being picked up by a major label and leaving part-time jobs behind. Thom notes that the song is also "about getting in a car and ramming the shop where I used to work. I just wanted to do that so badly". This tune was originally intended to become a single, but "Creep" was chosen instead. The live version on the reisuue of "Creep" is far superior to the original studio take. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: This song is short and spirited. At a concert I once heard a girl screaming for it, though I can't see why. Its old and it shows. Overlively and uninspired. [thanks eric v.]
KILLER CARS (2:15)
Available on: Anyone Can Play Guitar, High & Dry CD2, Fake Plastic Trees US, The Bends - Japan release.
Versions: live at the metro, mogadon version (Just CD1), acoustic (itch, stop whispering)
Notes: Thom's second song on a driving theme, this one deals with the fear that every time we venture out in our cars we may be killed. Originally intended for release as one of the singles from The Bends during the initial recording sessions, the song actually debuted in the band's live set in 1993. "Killer Cars" has appeared in three forms. The first was the live acoustic version from the 1993 Chicago Metro show, which appears on the "Creep" reissue 12" and the Japanese CD Itch. This very passionate performance renders the tragic lyrics all the more moving. The second version appears as a b-side to the High and Dry / Planet Telex CD2, a straightforward guitar-oriented interpretation with mesmerizing percussion and a blistering guitar closeout. Last is the Mogadon version, which is much mellower than the first studio release of the song. A newscast has also been blended into the mix. This version contains a similar ending to the previous one. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
KINETIC
Ed: "bits and pieces are added to 'kinetic' - phil sets up his electric kit triggering samples, it works well and could be the basis of an interesting backing track." (03/02/00)
Ed: "upstairs at the moment nigel and thom are doing 'something' to kinetic." (03/02/00)
Possible Lyrics? here.
LEWIS [MISTREATED] (3:19)
Available on: My Iron Lung EP
Notes: With its infectious guitar riff, this song features Thom offering advice to a friend who just doesn't have the ability to be what he thinks he can be. Although "Lewis [mistreated]" is another popular b-side, Radiohead doesn't play it live. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: A pretty upbeat, generally good song. This is one of those songs where it's next to impossible to understand what Thom is singing, but the rythym and tone of evreything has the power to make you listen to the song again and again. [thanks brian]
LOZENGE OF LOVE (2:16)
Available on: My Iron Lung EP
Notes: Titled after a line from Philip Larkin's poem "Sad Steps", this song was debuted during an acoustic set at the FNAC Auditorium in Nancy, France. It's another example of a Radiohead track where the lyrics were changed radically from their original form when the song was recorded for the EP. This beautiful acoustic number contains touching lyrics about not always being there for others, but sometimes needing others to be there for you. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
LULL
Available on: Karma Police CD1, No Surprises
Notes: Features Jonny on xylophone.
Comments: This song is probably about being famous, but I also like the display of how it is easy to fall into the details of life, instead of living life itself. [thanks billy a.]
MAQUILADORA (3:28)
Available on: High & Dry CD1, High & Dry US
Comments: Starts up with lots or energy with breaks to catch your breath. Makes me smile every time. [thanks simon]
The highlight of the song is Jonny's rippin' solo. [thanx boyles]
This one was performed at the Plymouth gig. Thom added afterwards, "yeah, let's just play obscure b-sides for the rest of the night" in response to a confused crowd who had turned up because they liked "the happy jingly bit in No Suprises". [thanks greg]
MEETING IN THE AISLE
Available on: Karma Police CD1, No Surprises / Running From Demons EP, Lucky, Airbag / how am I driving? EP.
Comments: Instrumental. Used as an intro for radiohead's live shows in the UK. It doesn't sound like radiohead. It's techno-ish.
Negative to "Fitter Happier"- proves that Radiohead can make good music without lyrics. It reminds me of teenagers going to the movies or housemaids working at the kitchen... Pretty weird, huh? Together with "Pearly*" and "Polyethylene [Parts 1 & 2]", this song is a good excuse for buying "Airbag / How Am I Driving?". [thanks roiy b.]
MELATONIN
Available on: Paranoid Android CD2, Karma Police, No Surprises / Running From Demons - Japan EP, Airbag / how am I driving? EP.
Comments: I have something quite funny to share with all of you. If any of you saw 120 minutes with Thom as the guest you would have probably it heard too. Matt Pinfield talked to Thom about the Airbag / How Am I Driving? EP and mentioned a bunch of songs. When he mentioned Melatonin you can hear Thom say very lowly 'I like that one'. Yet every webpage I go to everyone says 'I hate that song'. Quite odd don't ya think. Honestly, I have the song, it's not one of my favorites, but it is DIFFERENT. It's not like any other radiohead song out there. [thanks michael a.]
It's very quiet... like a mother singing a lullaby to its child. It makes me rock back and forth. (but then again I'm strange) It's a very nice song. I don't know why people don't like it. [thanks natalie]
Besides Polyethylene, this is my favorite track off the airbag/how am I driving? EP. It's very different and very emotional. Like a lullaby. I really don't see why everyone seems to think this song is crap. [thanks adam]
It really sounds like the feeling that Melatonin medicine is supposed to give you... It's like when you go to sleep right after a nice shower and your hair is still wet. Perhaps the lyrics are written cynically about children & parent relationships, I don't know... Like all the other people mentioned this is different. Kinda like an opener to other songs... Judge for yourselves. [thanks roiy b.]
MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION
Available on: Creep, Pablo Honey - Japan release.
Notes: A song written right after the band got signed, this one looks at the corporate mentality -- fat bankrolls, big promises. The track was a live favorite in 1992 and 1993, but Radiohead took it out of their set a few months after the release of Pablo Honey. Of all the band's rare early B-sides, this is definitely a standout. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: A very catchy little guitar song.. but nothing new or distinguishingly radiohead. [thanks simon]
MOLASSES
Available on: Street Spirit CD2
Comments: Best on I've heard, it sounds like they recorded in a friend's garage. They use silly rhymes too. [thanks ched]
NOTHING TOUCHES ME
Available on: On A Friday demo
Notes: One of the earliest tracks from the On a Friday days, this song appears only on the Manic Hedgehog cassette, though it is fairly easy to obtain on the tape-trade market. Thom described the composition in an early interview: "It's based on an artist who was imprisoned for abusing children and spent the rest of his life in a cell, painting, but the song is about isolating yourself so much that one day you realize you haven't got any friends anymore and no one talks to you" (Ronan). The painter to whom Thom is referring was also the inspiration for the computer art he created at Exeter. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: This song was done before radiohead became popular.
Good and fun, good enough to be on Pablo Honey but definitely nothing special, the beginning sounds like a "love will tears us apart" rip-off, bad sound quality, on my bootleg is just titled "nothing touches" without the "me". [thanks dan b.]
ORGY
Notes: This will be a b-side to one of the Amnesiac singles. Nothing else is known..
PALO ALTO
Available on: No Surprises CD1, Airbag / how am I driving? EP
Notes: Palo Alto, California, is home to many of America's large corporations, including Xerox and a few computer companies. When the band played there in March 1996 (Would you like to trade for this show?), they were given several tours of these temples of economical and technological advancement. Thus, the song is about the "city of the future" -- the motto of Silicon Valley, which is situated in Palo Alto -- and ponders the friendly attitude of the people the band members met there; Thom greets those people in the chorus. This is a great guitar-rock number, but like most Radiohead tracks, it incorporates some fascinating background sounds and is musically complex. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: A very upbeat song and positive with some positive lines which are a little negative. Example: "I'm too busy to see you. You're too busy to wait." Blaring guitars at chorus and very cool sound effects at beginning and end. A great song. One of my favorites on "airbag / how am i driving?". [thanks bryson c.]
Why isn't this song featured on "OK Computer"? It really sounds like it can fit in, somehow... Anyway, on this song the band really used the best sound effects that the wonders of music technology (and technology in general) can make. The lyrics are sort of like sad reality, a little bit hopeless, although the music doesn't sounds sad to me. Nice song, after all. [thanks roiy b.]
Thom wrote this song about a Mexican village called Palo Alto, whose motto is "the city of the future". Very uplifting song. hanks da[tn]
PEARLY* (3:34)
Available on: Paranoid Android CD1, Running From Demons EP, Airbag / how am I driving? EP.
Comments: Quite repetitive, but contains a memorable Thom voice solo.. and you can hear how amazing his voice is. [thanks rodrigo s.]
Beautifully combines Thom's great voice with the band's powerful guitar sound. The "Daddy hurts me" part is really charming. [thanks roiy b.]
PERMANENT DAYLIGHT
Available on: My Iron Lung EP
Notes: This song was part of the band's mid-1993 live set as an instrumental, and Thom explained that it had been offered for a soundtrack but ultimately rejected. It was, at this time, much shorter than it is on My Iron Lung EP. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
PHILLIPA CHICKEN
Available on: On A Friday demo
Notes: Available only on the Manic Hedgehog tape, this jangly pop song is about not wanting to fall in love. The number was removed from the band's live set in late 1991 and hasn't been played since. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
POLYETHYLENE [PARTS 1 & 2] (4:23)
Available on: Paranoid Android CD1, Airbag / how am I driving? EP
Comments: Part 1 is short and Thom just sings beautifully with his guitar, and in part 2, the whole band joins in. The exact lyrics aren't known for sure.
Polyethelene is divided into two parts (word 'schizophrenia' used to show happy-lonely split) to show the lack of unity and contact within modern society, however the fact that the band all join in together in the second part shows hope from the abyss. [thanks paul a.]
Part 1 is the proof of Thom's huge vocal and guitar playing talent; with or without the band. Part 2 fills up the spots, without them the song will not be good enough (electric guitars, bass, etc.). This is one of the best music Radiohead have written. Definately a must-have. [thanks roiy b.]
POP IS DEAD (2:13)
Available on: Anyone Can Play Guitar, Pop Is Dead, Stop Whispering, Pablo Honey - Japan release.
Notes: Bound for Pablo Honey, this song was actually left off the album and instead released as the band's final single of 1993. Thom describes it as "a kind of epitaph of 1992. Hence the lines, 'Pop is dead / [long live pop] / died an ugly death by back catalogue'" (Paphides). Band members seem to concur that this is a very weak track, deserving of the scathing reviews it received. Nevertheless, it's a catchy rocker with clever lyrics and explosive guitar lines. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: heyyy, it's not that bad! I think it's sorta catchy and fun... why does thom hate his dad so much? In the video for this song, thom looks scary and dead white (but i guess that would be the point...) [thanks elainey]
Notice he switches from referring to pop as "it" to "he"....so is he talking about his father, or pop music? [thanks tim]
PUNCHDRUNK LOVESICK SINGALONG (4:40)
Available on: My Iron Lung EP
Versions: live at melkweg (high & dry)
Notes: The song at first seems to deal with a war-torn scenario, but then comes the chorus containing the lines, "A beautiful girl / Can turn your world into dust". This moving composition deserves more attention. The band has played it live only a couple of times; luckily one of these occasions was at the Melkweg in Holland at the end of 1994, so the song was included on the High and Dry Live Package. This version is just as beautiful as the original studio recording. Colin claims that the real reason the band playes the song live so rarely is because he never properly learned the bass line. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: You can't ignore this song. It forces me to look into myself. Very beautiful. [thanks simon]
STUPID CAR
Available on: Drill EP.
Versions: Tinnitus mix.
Notes: Thom's first musical take on driving is about a car accident he survived in 1987. "Stupid Car" appears only on the Drill EP in its original form. Later, it was re-recorded as part of the Volume compilation series for Issue Seven and dubbed Tinnitus mix. The airy sounds of this mix blow past your ears, evoking the driving experience; vocals come in at a lower level. This version is much easier to find. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: Spare electic guitar and Thom all alone. Beautiful and very, very sad. Even the cruddy version on the Hybrid bootleg can't dispell the emotion in this song. Brilliant. [thanks sara g.]
TALK SHOW HOST (4:41)
Available on: Street Spirit CD1.
Versions: Romeo & Juliet remix (soundtrack), black dog remix (foundations compilation).
Comments: The guitars are all doing different things and weird noises. It sounds like the song is underwater.[thanks laura l.]
Live versions are very cool but the mix on the romeo and juliet soundtrack sort of sucks. Thom sometimes jumps around and gets really into his guitar playing towards the end. [thanks elainey]
Wicked. Radiohead transforms into this orchestra - everyone has different parts that dive in and out and in. Whenever I feel really scared, this would make good background music. The title completely eludes me. [thanks mark]
THE TRICKSTER (4:40)
Available on: My Iron Lung EP
Notes: Has only been played live a few times. Thom says the band gets many requests for this song, but it's a "bastard" to play.
Comments: One of my favorite b-sides. Very different radiohead song, it sounds latin to me, but I've never heard latin music before, maybe I have though, once in a dream maybe. Actually it reminds me of an old gothic period painting, or maybe 'dracula'? If you have to get a b-side, get this one. [thanks simon]
I think it is the best radiohead b-side. Very up beat and catchy. hanks mat[tthew]
TRANSATLANTIC DRAWL
Notes: This will be a b-side to one of the Amnesiac singles.
Possible lyrics? here and here. Some are also mentioned in the secret 'Kid A' booklet (that came behind the CD tray with the first pressing of the album): "With a grin like roadkill, with the bloody power of kings, I sneeze and it's an Exocet......"
YES I AM (4:26)
Available on: Creep
Notes: Reflecting an attitude Thom has held since childhood -- he's the underdog who wants to show up the people who always put him down -- "Yes I Am" sticks it to all those phonies who are suddenly your best friend when you make it big. The song was features on the reissue of "Creep", made after the band had found success in the United States. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: This song, off Creep is great. It definitely moves away from Pablo Honey but is as good as any Bends stuff. [thanks eric v.]
A favorite. Starts off kind of meek and humble, but gradually thom takes charge and by the end of the song you feel as if you've just been empowered. [thanks simon]
A bitter song with slightly weak early lyrics but an amazing Jonny solo. There's also a cool acoustic version with Jonny's stuff almost intact. [thanks greg]
YOU NEVER WASH UP AFTER YOURSELF (1:44)
Available on: My Iron Lung EP.
Notes: A personal song finished in just one take, this track was one of the few released in 1994-95 that John Leckie did not help to produce. Instead, it was done with Jim Warren at the band's makeshift fruitfarm studio. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Comments: It's short, but worth hearing. Thom sings alone with his guitar. Dream-like. Reminds me of dancing. (waltz) [thanks keri]
Sounds kind of like the music in church, but it's a song to be heard for sure. It makes one pay attention and appreciate ...things. [thanks gem]
BOMBERS (aka NEIL YOUNG *9)
Ed:"highlight of the day is attempting 3 part harmonies on "neil young *9"- not the harmonies themselves, but phil cracking up because he feels a bit like that drummer from the eagles" (22/07/99)
Ed:"finished by playing 'neil young *9' or as cozzie calls it the 'phil is don henley' song. It sounds even better today." (23/07/99)
Ed: "did an interesting band version of 'bombers' which thom has attached to what i used to call 'the neil young' song...we may play it some time later this evening." (19/01/00)
Possible lyrics? here.
BIG BOOTS / MAN-O-WAR
Notes: This song was a candidate for The Bends and OK Computer (then known as "Man-o-war"), but never actually made it. In 1998, the band were asked to contribute a song to the soundtrack for The Avengers, now refering to the song with "Big Boots". Unfortunately, there were problems during the recording, so the band decided to ditch this song. It will never be recorded. It was played live four times.
BIG IDEAS (DON'T GET ANY) / NUDE / NEUT
Versions: acoustic.
Notes: "Nude" is actually the title that appeared on the band's setlists, though the song has never been referred to elsewhere by this name. This piece features both Thom and Jonny on keyboards (though when it was first played live -- in Tokyo, on 23 January 1998 -- there was just Thom on an acoustic guitar), 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. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Thom said that he wanted to call it 'Your home is at risk if you do not keep up with payments', but decided that it wasn't quite catchy enough. The song features Thom on the Rhodes piano and Jonny playing the glockenspeil who also plays the Hammond simultaneously towards the end.
Thom: "drum machine land" (12/12/99)
Thom: "its not gone. i havent forgotten it. its just we have not done it recently and the one we did in meeting people just didnt end up anywhere so.." (22/03/00)
Comments: First played acousticly by Thom in Tokyo, Japan on 23/01/1998. This song was a candidate for OK Computer under the title "Nude". Thom was considering calling it something to the effect of "Failure to Receive Payment Will Put Your House At Risk," but feared it wasn't catchy enough. This song features Jonny on Hammond organ. [thanks keri]
I was at the Radio City Music Hall shows last April and theyperformed this as a full band. The arrangement was with Thom behind the piano & Jonny played the Hammond organ and also played a small xylophone at the same time - both instruments were stationed quite low to the ground and he sat on a stool so he could play both. It's played not much faster than the acoustic version, but they both provide quite a punch to the senses. Most memorable. (That same performance is also at the end of Meeting People Is Easy.) [thanks bob c.]
CUTTOOTH
Ed: "its got a 'neu' thing about it - long and hypnotic.." (03/08/99)
Ed:"the song with little structure and the only certainty is a bass riff. it makes you wonder how 'neu' did their thing - it always sounds spontaneous on those 12 minute epics, but did they have to rehearse intensely? did it require a degree of editing?" (31/08/99)
Ed:"spent an hour playing around with cuttooth. came in and heard phil on drums and thom on rhodes going through it. it's one of those moments when you hear something being played and all you want to do is pick up a guitar and join in. so i did......it's only three chords so not too taxing even on my very limited music theory." (07/12/99)
Ed: "started by playing 'cuttooth' again - the song needs stamina - sounding better than yesterday....just have to keep playing it." (08/12/99)
Ed: "nigel wants to get his teeth stuck into mixing, so we decided to set up and record 'cuttooth'. this at eight and a half minutes (by the end) is the long one - did five or six takes of which a couple are pretty good." (21/02/00)
Ed: "listen to 'cuttooth' and it sounds fucking great." (23/02/00)
Ed: "more work on 'cuttooth'...........jonny did his guitar thing...feedback,backwards guitar......." (24/02/00)
Ed: "more good things added to 'cuttooth'........sounds. its one of those classic situations where the temptation is to continually embellish whats on there and it's one of those songs that you could get away with it. but in doing that, you often lose the essence of what was great about it in the first place. i guess the trick is to be absolutely ruthless on what is added................so at five in the morning having not savagely edited some of these overdubs the track sounded too overcooked.............." (25/02/00)
Ed: "nigel was sidetracked last week by 'cuttooth' so he really really wants to do some mixing this week." (28/02/00)
C-MINOR SONG / SAY THE WORD
Ed:"jonny thinks that maybe it's getting a little too tasteful and nice and he's right. it sounds too slick" (31/08/99)
Ed: "great drum, bass and vocals - personally getting a bit anxious over it, as i can't find anything that works with it, or rather i have an idea but can't get the sound right. makes me a bit neurotic." (09/09/99)
DOLLARS AND CENTS
Ed: "'dollars and cents' is a track that originated out of a 'jam' from copenhagen - it's good but because there was no arrangement, no musical decisions could be made on it.........well now it has an arrangement.....thom did some backing vocals and a bit of guitar, jonny put his string arrangement on, i did a little moog and the song is really going somewhere." (28/01/00)
Ed: "nigel wants to mix 'dollars and cents' now that there are strings on it. he goes upstairs to work on it." (07/02/00)
Ed: "nigel got what seems like a good mix of 'dollars and cents'." (08/02/00)
FEELING PULLED APART BY HORSES
unknown.
FOLLOW ME AROUND
Notes: This song premiered in Meeting People Is Easy -- it was never played live, but only rehearsed during soundchecks. The song features Thom and his acoustic guitar until the rest of the band joins him towards the end.
Thom: "there is a version running around. it is long. there is a cool drum machine on it. some piano. err. ed on bass. i need to take a break from it now. it has taken me months to write the words properly." (12/12/99)
Nigel, when asked if FMA will be on the new album: "dont know yet. there is A version. very different now to MPIE." (25/02/00)
I PROMISE
Notes: The song was played fairly regularly during the 1996 tours and soundchecked during 1997.
Thom: "lordy. not sure ABOUT THAT.one . didnt last very well me thinks." (12/12/99)
Comments: Thom said that this song was about being faithful in a relationship.
Kinda sounds like the beginning of exit music...... Sounds like a drummerboy song....... Very nice lyrics, sung masterfully by Thom..... One of the candidates for their next album.... Cross fingers. [thanks ollie]
I WILL
Ed: "played 'i will' live but decided at the end that the copenhagen version had something to it. it's incredibly evocative of that whole time out there minus all the baggage.so that's good. redid the loop on it, thom even played some great drums and proceeded to do the vocals. he hasn't sung like this for a while." (03/12/99)
Ed: "thom is now doing a vocal comp of 'i will'........it's 2am and this is his idea of fun and relaxation..........strange" (07/12/99)
Ed: "pick up on 'i will' downstairs.......jonny plays some cool organ on it. trying to do some rhythm stuff on it." (29/02/00)
Ed: "downstairs we continue trying to get rhythm stuff on 'i will'. arranging it on the computer....taking a while to do, but these things do....." (01/03/00)
Ed: "we spent alot of time last week 'throwing shit' (jonny specifically said he was sick of hearing these very words today) at 'i will'." (06/03/00)
INNOCENTS CIVILIAN
This song was mentioned in a post by Nigel Godrich.
Nigel: "Its a secret new song that isn't quite finished, but it sounds like one of those huge hits ...you know like, clssic rock sort of ballad. He gets a bit squiffy when I tell people about it just cos it's probably our strongest song at the moment." (08/02/00)
Ed: "innocence, civilian is a fucking masterpiece the likes of which we have never up till now committed to celluloid" (07/02/00)
Ed: "go on message board and someone asks us about 'innocents civilian'. so once we get off the web we decide to put up the master tape of it. can't find it anywhere which is incredibly strange. it's got to turn up."(07/02/00)
Ed: "still can't find the master tapes to 'innocents civilian' and beginning to worry. worst case scenarios even being aired ie the u2 case when some of their rehearsal tapes went missing and ended up being sold as bootlegs." (08/02/00)
Thom: "kkeep it. its yours we dont want it. i never did like the marching gunfire thing. a bit heavy handed." (17/02/00)
Ed said in a press conference in late May that this track was a hoax. It was actually one of their worst songs but as a joke Ed decided to write in his diary that it was one of the best songs they had ever done and that the master tapes were stolen. This was done to fool the press because they were following his diary closely.
Possible Lyrics? here.
JONNY SCOTT WALKER SONG
Ed: "Very short and sweet." (09/09/99)
KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR
Ed: "tried playing 'keep the wolf from the door but it's too late and needs thom's rant on it" (08/12/99)
LIFT
Notes: Lift is a British term for elevator, and this song is about being stuck in one. "Lift" is also the first (and only) song in which Thom actually referred to himself by name, taking the voice of a person who is trying to rescue "Thom". This song was once rumored to become the first single off the 3rd album, but now it's not even known if it's ever going to be released.
Thom: "hasnt gone away yet. no definite recording thereof." (12/12/99)
Comments: This is a very uplifting song, and it has a wonderful chorus. Expecially Ed has really nice backing vocals. It would be a great first single off the 4th album, but who knows what gems they are keeping from us. [thanks joonas]
MOVE ALONG
unknown.
TRUE LOVE WAITS
Notes: A beautiful acoustic number that has only been played once, at the Luna Theater show in Brussels in December of 1995. This performance features Thom on acoustic guitar and Jonny on keyboards, and is filled with brilliant lyrics about needing a certain person in your life. [Radiohead: From a Great Height]
Thom: "nowhere land unfortuntaely at the moment even though i keep thinking about it...we dont know where to start having started so many times" (12/12/99)
Nigel: "coming, coming...........we were doing that today actually." (18/01/00)
Ed: "this week we have cast the experimental net further afield to include material like 'true love waits' and 'feeling pulled apart by horses'. the former has been kicking around for about four years now and each time we approached it we seemed to be going down the same old paths.........it actually sounds like the start of something exciting now." (19/01/00)
Thom, about the line "I'll dress like your niece": "the difference between young and old when people start to dress sensible and act their age. this person is offering not to do that to keep the other. alles klarr?" (26/01/00)
Ed: "put 'true love waits' up again....this is a song which has been kicking around for four years or so, in fact we recorded a version of it when we were making the last album and this is something like approach number 561. but it is a great song.....it's simply trying to find a way of doing it which excites us. and we may have found a way, at the very least we've found a new approach ........ basically the track has the same vocal melody but the chords have changed underneath it. so we'll come back to it and see how it sounds. it may of course be utter crap and we have so lost the plot on this song...............please don't let that be the case........" (09/02/00)
Comments: Absolutely, smashingly gorgeous. More wrenching, heartbreaking brilliance from Radiohead. Thom simply wails. Cool dreamy background noises that will be absolutely top if Radiohead ever records this in the studio. Find it. Listen to it. Live it. [thanks nate]
UP ON THE LADDER
Ed: "good work on 'up on the ladder' today...good drums and a much better arrangement." (07/03/00)
Ed: "jonny did some cool guitar on 'up on the ladder'." (09/03/00)
???? (UNTITLED)
Ed: "phil did some drums downstairs on the track that has no name." (06/03/00)
Ed: "arrived at the studio and some brilliant stuff had been done last night. cozzie finished off his amazing bass thing on the song with no name......bass musos won't believe it." (09/03/00)
AN AIRBAG SAVED MY LIFE
Notes: Originally titled "An Airbag Saved My Life", a headline that Thom read in an Automobile Association manual that came in the mail, the song is "about the wonderful, positive emotion you feel when you've just failed to have an accident; when you just miss someone and realize how close it was and stop the car and just feel this incredible emotion" (Sutherland, "Return"). The title is also a play on the 1983 Indeep song "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life".
KARMA POLICE
Notes: When this song was first played live, it had different lyrics, and Thom sang the chorus one octave higher than the version on the album. I'll put up the lyrics when I get a chance to decipher them.
LUCKY
Notes: Jonny started the song with a solo before Ed's intro (the high-pitched effect that can be attained by forming an Em chord and strumming the strings BEFORE the nut, where they just wind off of the tuning pegs) was used by the band. This live version is available on the "Painkiller" bootleg.
NO SURPRISES PLEASE
Notes: Thom introduced this song to his bandmates and the members of REM on the REM Monster tour. It was 3 august 1995, in Oslo, Norway, and they were all gathered in the dressing room. The lyrics have been changed since then, but they originally told the story of a man who has become fed up with the way things are working out for him and is having problems with his girlfriend. The old lyrics can be found here.
PARANOID ANDROID
Notes: In the early stages of this song, when the band played it live, it was much longer and Jonny played a Hammond organ solo at the end. "If you think it's a long song now, you should have heard it then," boasts [Ed] O'Brien. "It was eight to ten minutes longer, and when we started playing it live, it was completely hilarious. There was a rave down section and a Hammond organ outro, and we'd be pissing ourselves while we played. We'd bring out the glockenspiel and it would be really, really funny."
SUBTERRANEAN HOMESICK ALIEN
Notes: It was first played acoustically back in 1995 during radio broadcasts. It wasn't until OK Computer was made that the organ was added. The earliest version was released on the compilation 'Rare on Air: Volume 4', which sees Thom and Jonny playing the song with acoustic guitars; both versions are sung together and the song closes with the chorus. During live shows in 1995, the song was originally introduced as "Uptight"; Jonny's pick of a title.
Back to 'Follow Me Around'.