Anyone who will be at their next show - try to sing-a-along this song to tease them a little bit, so they will play it again on encore... 15 years too late.
@kwizzeh The problem is that several bands have made careers out of trying to make a sequel to "The Bends" and - in my opinion - not even coming close. Travis, Coldplay, Snow Patrol etc. - I'm looking at you. IMO the only other band to come close to that kind of intensity was the short-lived Texas band "The Gloria Record" on their "A lull in traffic" EP. I think that one day "Lift" in this guise would make an awesome one-off single.
@turricaned Radiohead themselves can still sound like the Bends, if they wanted too. But they don't want to. If anything, the 2002 version of Lift would probably be the basis and showed they didn't completely abandoned it (at the time, Ed has mentioned that they recorded a version during HTTT-sessions). Who knows what they would do with it now. Would it get the TKOL-style treatment (Mr Magpie-like) or would it be as straight forward as how Nude was presented on In Rainbows.
@kwizzeh Of course - what I think could be awesome doesn't mean that I think it's likely to happen, nor does it mean I'd think any less of them if they didn't! :)
This is how amazing Radiohead are, they can afford to throw away great songs like this. Who knows, it may be revived in some form, Nude was written and played around the same time and didn't turn up till In Rainbows over 10 years later.
"the smell of air conditioning, the fish are belly up" which makes sense in context of the song, and if you listen carefully, sounds a lot like it too.
I think "the smell of recognition, the face you barely loved" are just misheard lyrics that unfortunately spread onto every lyrics site.
@ruigan I know it's been a while, but... As I recall, the whole song is about realising that when you shut yourself off, there will always be people who care about you willing to help pull you out of it - sometimes people who you had previously believed were not sincere, sometimes completely unexpectedly - so "A smell (smile?) of recognition, a face you barely loved" makes perfect sense. One of the reasons this song has remained live only is because it is so direct lyrically.
@turricaned i agree with your interpretation, but i feel like there's more to it. i've always took the song's lyrics as about being stuck in an elevator as being a metaphor for being stuck in life. and i feel like "the smell of air conditioning" and "the fish are belly up" are just more examples of a feeling of stagnation.
also those lyrics sound more like what he's actually singing imo
@ruigan Happy to agree to disagree on the precise wording - it's just of the four or five versions I've heard (yes, I was more than a little obsessed with this song in '99-2000!), the "recognition" interpretation sounds closest to me - it'd be a funny world if we were all alike after all!
@turricaned Not to get involved in a nerdy discussion like this one, but....ruigan is right. It's "air conditioning" and "fish are belly up." I used to think the way you do, turricaned.....but.....that was when I was young and stupid.
@turricaned furthermore, "the smell of recognition" doesn't make any sense. Seriously. And "a face you barely loved" also makes no sense. Just trying to help you get to The Next Level, buddy.
@shelbythomas Er, of the five senses, smell is the one that tends to trigger the strongest and most vivid memories, and "a face you barely loved" is a poetic way of saying that genuine help can even come from those you don't know so well. If there's ever a day when 'head fans are saying that there's only One True Meaning to Thom's frequently abstract and opaque lyrics, in the words of Daffy Duck I'll demand that you shoot me now. :)
One of my first favorite b sides from these guys. Why do they not ever play this song? I hope someday they will stop hating it and play it I would be very very happy if that happened.
@EtcEtcAndEtc Yeah, this song is great. I only found out about it the other day (new fan here..well I've been a fan for a bit, just still discovering all the b-sides etc).. it has a lot of positivity in it. Ha ha, 'at his peak'.
Fantastic, fantastic song. Yes, RH will and have go on to do bigger and greater things, but this song will always be something else. It gives a strange kind of hope, triumph. It never gets old.
But yeah this is Radiohead's best song and I really wish they would just release it properly on an album or something like that... it'd have to be in the old Pinkpop style though!
does that really matter? Lots of songs sound similar, I've never thought this sounds that similar other than the B chord. It's a lovely little song but I do think they've gone on to do better things, this could be because atm I've gone off The Bends era stuff, though listening now Ed's backing vocals sound immense.
I'm rambling....People are saying Coldplay ripped off a French song for Viva la Vida, people will say what they want. Radiohead will redo this song if it feels right no doubt.
This was actually taken off my video shot from La Cigale in Paris. I put this video later on DVD I've sent to a lot of people, don't really remember which one but this performance was from La Cigale in Paris
Just want to correct something I said earlier: This is NOT from the Wiltern Theater show. I listened to that bootleg recently, and the intro Thom uses there is totally different from the one he uses here. So I guess that's still a mystery...
haha I thought exactly the same thing a few months ago with Arpeggi :)
I love Ed's voice, its fucking brilliant and deserves to be heard more often. I read someone say recently that his backing vocals are quickly becoming RH's secret weapon. I can't remember where, anyone know?
If you have a recording of a version that isn't on youtube (I have the Pinkpop '96 version), I would be very grateful if you could contact me and send it over.
Unbelievable. I never thought we'd get to hear, let alone see, another live performance of this sublime song other than the one at Pinkpop. Thank you!!!
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Anyone who will be at their next show - try to sing-a-along this song to tease them a little bit, so they will play it again on encore... 15 years too late.
Photochroming 3 months ago
If they ever decide to make a "sequel" to The Bends, this would definitely be on it.
kwizzeh 6 months ago
@kwizzeh The problem is that several bands have made careers out of trying to make a sequel to "The Bends" and - in my opinion - not even coming close. Travis, Coldplay, Snow Patrol etc. - I'm looking at you. IMO the only other band to come close to that kind of intensity was the short-lived Texas band "The Gloria Record" on their "A lull in traffic" EP. I think that one day "Lift" in this guise would make an awesome one-off single.
turricaned 4 months ago
@turricaned Radiohead themselves can still sound like the Bends, if they wanted too. But they don't want to. If anything, the 2002 version of Lift would probably be the basis and showed they didn't completely abandoned it (at the time, Ed has mentioned that they recorded a version during HTTT-sessions). Who knows what they would do with it now. Would it get the TKOL-style treatment (Mr Magpie-like) or would it be as straight forward as how Nude was presented on In Rainbows.
kwizzeh 4 months ago
@kwizzeh Of course - what I think could be awesome doesn't mean that I think it's likely to happen, nor does it mean I'd think any less of them if they didn't! :)
turricaned 4 months ago
I love this song! It wonderful!!! one of their best ones!!! =)
javisrodriguez 6 months ago
This is how amazing Radiohead are, they can afford to throw away great songs like this. Who knows, it may be revived in some form, Nude was written and played around the same time and didn't turn up till In Rainbows over 10 years later.
performingmonkey900 1 year ago
Best misheard lyrics ever...
Smell of hair-conditioner
Fish are belly up
Fucking fine song tho ;)
slumpytube 1 year ago
@slumpytube
lol pretty sure the line actually is "fish are belly up"
ruigan 1 year ago
@ruigan It's not!
slumpytube 1 year ago
@slumpytube
citizeninsane.eu has the lyrics as,
"the smell of air conditioning, the fish are belly up" which makes sense in context of the song, and if you listen carefully, sounds a lot like it too.
I think "the smell of recognition, the face you barely loved" are just misheard lyrics that unfortunately spread onto every lyrics site.
ruigan 1 year ago
@ruigan I know it's been a while, but... As I recall, the whole song is about realising that when you shut yourself off, there will always be people who care about you willing to help pull you out of it - sometimes people who you had previously believed were not sincere, sometimes completely unexpectedly - so "A smell (smile?) of recognition, a face you barely loved" makes perfect sense. One of the reasons this song has remained live only is because it is so direct lyrically.
turricaned 4 months ago
@turricaned i agree with your interpretation, but i feel like there's more to it. i've always took the song's lyrics as about being stuck in an elevator as being a metaphor for being stuck in life. and i feel like "the smell of air conditioning" and "the fish are belly up" are just more examples of a feeling of stagnation.
also those lyrics sound more like what he's actually singing imo
ruigan 4 months ago
@ruigan Happy to agree to disagree on the precise wording - it's just of the four or five versions I've heard (yes, I was more than a little obsessed with this song in '99-2000!), the "recognition" interpretation sounds closest to me - it'd be a funny world if we were all alike after all!
turricaned 4 months ago
@turricaned Not to get involved in a nerdy discussion like this one, but....ruigan is right. It's "air conditioning" and "fish are belly up." I used to think the way you do, turricaned.....but.....that was when I was young and stupid.
shelbythomas 4 months ago
@turricaned furthermore, "the smell of recognition" doesn't make any sense. Seriously. And "a face you barely loved" also makes no sense. Just trying to help you get to The Next Level, buddy.
shelbythomas 4 months ago
@shelbythomas Er, of the five senses, smell is the one that tends to trigger the strongest and most vivid memories, and "a face you barely loved" is a poetic way of saying that genuine help can even come from those you don't know so well. If there's ever a day when 'head fans are saying that there's only One True Meaning to Thom's frequently abstract and opaque lyrics, in the words of Daffy Duck I'll demand that you shoot me now. :)
turricaned 4 months ago
Who's playing the Jazzmaster at 2:50?
MyBeardisGood 1 year ago
@MyBeardisGood It's Thom's guitar tech on the side of the stage, he's not actually playing with the band.
sfreaper 1 year ago
oh why oh why couldn't these guy have recorded this? such a gorgeous song.
sashwap 1 year ago 3
One of my first favorite b sides from these guys. Why do they not ever play this song? I hope someday they will stop hating it and play it I would be very very happy if that happened.
MultiCC8 1 year ago
@MultiCC8 its not a b-side, they just never recorded or released it. thats probably why they dont play it now.
cynthiailly 1 year ago
I kind of wish this had been on OK Computer - my teens would have been much more positive :)
Always good to rediscover an old song by this band - so much to choose from!
Thom really looks at his peak here.
EtcEtcAndEtc 2 years ago
@EtcEtcAndEtc Yeah, this song is great. I only found out about it the other day (new fan here..well I've been a fan for a bit, just still discovering all the b-sides etc).. it has a lot of positivity in it. Ha ha, 'at his peak'.
Annaa97 2 years ago
Fantastic, fantastic song. Yes, RH will and have go on to do bigger and greater things, but this song will always be something else. It gives a strange kind of hope, triumph. It never gets old.
theplancabinet 2 years ago 6
this is my fav radiohead song (at the mo but it has been for 8 years)
kaplahhhhh 2 years ago 2
J'y étais ce jour là; j'ai attrapé le virus...
odlbyg 2 years ago
"Eeeeeeeeeeddddd!"
victoryrose7 2 years ago 40
hey they brought nude back u never know this could be next...
Dank067 3 years ago 6
Comment removed
VerityBerry 3 years ago
yeah want this on new record
TrickundTronic 3 years ago 4
The t-shirt he's wearing, my friend gave him that on the night! How great is that!!
jonners11 3 years ago 3
Hey Jonners :o)
VerityBerry 3 years ago
this MUST be on their next album
dholmestar 3 years ago
im just jealous of the person who recorded the video and was there, i rekon thom sounds the best he ever did at this time. cheers!
pulpapple 3 years ago
ed vocals in most of their songs is him saying "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddd"
pogoleetas 3 years ago 28
lol
simonandtheghost 3 years ago
is that the amp blowing up at 1:48 or just some smoke effect?
ztoigo 3 years ago 3
Great observation... Probably the AC30 blowing a power-amp tube or something. I donno. Pretty insane though...
RadioMuse1 3 years ago
I always laugh when I read this comment. This video is wonderful to, thanks for posting it.
OutSwimmingInAFlood 3 years ago
Best comment I have ever seen on YouTube.
/
But yeah this is Radiohead's best song and I really wish they would just release it properly on an album or something like that... it'd have to be in the old Pinkpop style though!
IrisOfFire 3 years ago
Comment removed
ztoigo 3 years ago
does that really matter? Lots of songs sound similar, I've never thought this sounds that similar other than the B chord. It's a lovely little song but I do think they've gone on to do better things, this could be because atm I've gone off The Bends era stuff, though listening now Ed's backing vocals sound immense.
I'm rambling....People are saying Coldplay ripped off a French song for Viva la Vida, people will say what they want. Radiohead will redo this song if it feels right no doubt.
robertoshorto 3 years ago 2
french song for viva la vida. What about joe satriani?
ztoigo 3 years ago 2
The Pinkpop version of this is sort of the "definitive" version, to me personally.
frithar 3 years ago 2
Oh my, this song is so amazing !!! How could it be so perfect and simple in the same time ?!
linaOKcomputer 3 years ago
radiohead à la cigale, putain... c'est plus aujourd'hui que ca arriverait, ca! Quand à savoir si c'est dommage...
francfortois 3 years ago
This was actually taken off my video shot from La Cigale in Paris. I put this video later on DVD I've sent to a lot of people, don't really remember which one but this performance was from La Cigale in Paris
nicofieu 3 years ago
Can you send the DVD to me please, I can paypal you some cash if needs be?
TheConspiracyofSeeds 3 years ago
Just want to correct something I said earlier: This is NOT from the Wiltern Theater show. I listened to that bootleg recently, and the intro Thom uses there is totally different from the one he uses here. So I guess that's still a mystery...
Caulfield789 3 years ago
ed's backing vocals are gorgeous.
FakePlasticGuava 3 years ago 5
What exactly is he saying? It sounds like he's saying his name.
21rush12 3 years ago 2
hah i'd love it if all of ed's backing vocals are just him saying "eeeedddddd"
l3inaryl3urnout 3 years ago 8
lol
shaldo 3 years ago
haha I thought exactly the same thing a few months ago with Arpeggi :)
I love Ed's voice, its fucking brilliant and deserves to be heard more often. I read someone say recently that his backing vocals are quickly becoming RH's secret weapon. I can't remember where, anyone know?
robertoshorto 3 years ago 10
Secret weapon? I think just one of the many very well selected tools among their arsenal.
skullface89 2 years ago 5
Is this song on any of their recordings? I have just about everything radiohead has ever recorded and I don't have this.
Jonkmaster 3 years ago
sadly not.....
Scottyboy124 3 years ago 4
I have a recording of it. If you would like it send me your email and I will be more then happy to send it to you.
21rush12 3 years ago
If you have a recording of a version that isn't on youtube (I have the Pinkpop '96 version), I would be very grateful if you could contact me and send it over.
Cammertime 3 years ago
That's the version I have too. I'm working on extracting the audio from other Lift video's but I'm not too good with that stuff.
21rush12 3 years ago
Did Ed's amp blow up?? smole came out from behind his amp about 1:50 into the song.. maybe a smoke machine?? maybe
pimpf85 3 years ago
Do you know if there is anywhere you can download an audio of this song?
kelhitchcock 3 years ago 3
PankakeV2, where'd you get this vid?
FlyBird 3 years ago
as an extra on a pinkpop 2001 dvd
AlbinoGoudvis 3 years ago
This is the most awesome thing I have ever seen...
kelhitchcock 3 years ago 5
OMG a new Lift! I love you so much for uploading this. Love Ed's backing vocals too, he should get to belt it out on more songs.
kudrauk 3 years ago 4
BEAUTIFUL
lilkassaundra 3 years ago 2
no idea if this has been brought up before. but i just realized that coldplay so stole the guitar part from this for Yellow.
whereitsatodelay 3 years ago
too bad Radiohead invented it, I mean how could anybody even come close to Radiohead talent. Radiohead owns Coldpuss and the like.
iRECKONER 3 years ago
yes, i know. Radiohead is the greatest band of all time. its not like im sticking up for coldplay. just wondered if anyone else caught that.
whereitsatodelay 3 years ago
Unbelievable. I never thought we'd get to hear, let alone see, another live performance of this sublime song other than the one at Pinkpop. Thank you!!!
Quizmastered 3 years ago 4
I'm gonna guess that these videos were taken at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on 29 March 1996.
Anybody wanna back me up here?
Caulfield789 3 years ago 2
guuuuyyyzzz
ryanpoorman 3 years ago
i really love this song, sweet and beautiful guitar, with thom's emotional voice, it's just a perfect blend.
thyy 3 years ago 3
Oh my God another recording of Lift. The uploader of this video is a hero.
sjsdkskdslo 3 years ago 4
HOw is this just showing up?
skabadelic 3 years ago 2
Rodeo you fail at life, miserably. I logged on from work just to say that and please go watch the new Coldplay Violet Hill video, filler fans...
Complicationist 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
the cold play one was actually written in 1995 you DON'T KNOW WHAT YR TALKING ABOUT!
rodeomonkey84 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wow the begin of the song rips off Yellow by Cold Play haha
rodeomonkey84 3 years ago
written in 1996, therefore dosnt rip off coldplay
muffinman2990 3 years ago 10
why because there both a b chord... pretty fucking retarded reason
whitelephantmusic 3 years ago
does anyone know where i can find a proper recorded version of this song or a high quality mp3 of a live performance?
hirayohimeanruss 3 years ago
Amazing audio!
Verzatille 3 years ago
Best band ever! & this is their best un-released song ever. Sheer genius!!! Great video, thanks man
1BS 3 years ago 4
where did you get this video from?
matooli 3 years ago
Good god.
That was just. WOW.
DrawingLessons 3 years ago 2
You're welcome. ;)
PankakeV2 3 years ago
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!! :D
thanks so much!
ripelivejam 3 years ago
Best song thom yorke ever wrote -- of course that's my personal opinion -- don't be hate-in.
Like Christmas today seeing this vid! Thanks!
WahuCarol 3 years ago
Holy shit that was epic. How'd you get a hold of this vid?!
hasoon87 3 years ago 2
they opened with lift when i saw them in cleveland in 1996. it was fantastic.
gravity113 3 years ago
wow. insanely jealous. going to see them for the first time in cleveland this year but HIGHLY DOUBT theyll open like that lol
mongrelcat12 3 years ago
wow, i didnt know lift existed outside of pinkpop and salamanca. thanks. ha, and phil has hair
Veesus 3 years ago