Thom Yorke on BBC2 Culture Show

[MUSCitizenErasedMUSE]

he's soooo right about how to dissapear completely, it's such a brilliant song :)

[incaidol]

about two months ago my brother called radiohead's music depressing. ive disowned him. ive been fighting depression for years now and i only find peace in radiohead's music, thom yorke's solo music, and philip selway's solo music.

[bananaempijama]

1. OK Computer

2:. In Rainbows

3. The Bends

4. Kid A

5. Amnesiac

6. Hail To The Thief

7. Pablo Honey

[ThomComputer]

'...they then made three more experimental albums'

fuckin bitch

[Isarenas1968]

@ThomComputer I hate the british press' remarks sometimes too, its very tiring

[seinfeldfan17]

@gallakyl000 It is

[sophilianate]

How to disappear completely is my favourite song ever.

[sherbetheadmusic]

Great interview. Is it just me that finds it hilarious the way Thom looks at the audience @ 1:45?

[garbaczk]

list?

1. Kid A, OK Computer, Amnesiac, In Rainbows

2. the Bands

3. Pablo Honey

best band ever

[martiguide]

The Bends, jak już;] pozatym te dwie pierwsze płyty, szczególnie Twoja 3. jest moim zdaniem jedną z najlepszych;] ale są gusta i guściki, prawda? pozdrawiam kolejnego fana!:)

[garbaczk]

oczywiście The Bends, pozdrawiam

[garbaczk]

no i zapomniałem o Hail To The Thief, ale byłem po sporej dawce whisky jak pisałem:) a HTTT oczywiście na 1

[JesusCristo2002]

The majority of the interviews I've seen on Thom Yorke, have not been refreshingly uplifting. I've noticed that he's somewhat of a pessimist, he possesses a very negative view upon various issues. Radiohead ranks amongst the most inspirational band to me personally, but I feel detached because of Yorke's views. Regardless he's probably the most unique singer/vocalist I've ever heard in my life. I hope he finds some internal happiness.

[asdf3455656]

I don't know why Kid A wasn't as popular as there earlier albums. I really like it, probably one of my favorites. (if not my favorite) :0)

[from93till]

These top album lists are pointless. Why not enjoy each of them for what they are. They were not made for the purpose of some burial plot bidding war.

[maciekszymanski6]

1) Ok Computer

2) In Rainbows

3) Kid A

4) The Bends

5) Amnesiac

6) Hail To The Theif

7) Pablo Honey

[Ninety90Ninety]

i would have to agree with his ending statement

[granvals159]

hmm he has no "influence" he says; he's about 40% of my "influence"

[thejarry123]

1. Amnesiac- Pyramid Song

2. Hail to the thief- Go to sleep

3. Kid A- National Anthem

4. Ok Computer- Exit music (for a film)

5.The Bends- My Iron Lung

6. In Rainbows-Faust arp

7.Pablo Honey-creep

.

In rainbows.... :( .the magic has finally worn off?

[jimmyn28]

1. Kid A

2. OK Computer

3. In Rainbows

4. Hail to the Thief

5. Amnesiac

6. The Bends

7. Pablo Honey

[cdsmithers81]

1 - Kid A (their masterpiece)

2 - In Rainbows (life-affirming and soulful)

3 - Amnesiac (mostly because of 'Like Spinning Plates', one of their best songs, for me)

4 - Hail to the Thief (flawed masterpiece)

5 - OK Computer (not as good as people believe it to be - genius moments but whole is nowhere near the sum of its parts)

6 - The Bends (great early effort)

7 - Pablo Honey (from acorns oak trees grow)

[deathstar367]

how is httf a flawed masterpiece? just out of interest.

[ysogreen]

I like how you say "not as good as people believe it to be"... :)

[Voyeur100100]

1: Hail to the Thief

2: In Rainbows

3: OK computer

4: Amnesiac

5: Kid A

6: The bends

7: Pablo honey

[GILLopolis]

1) ok computer

2) kid a

3)in rainbows

4)amnesiac

5)hail to the theif

6)the bends

7) pablo honey

[Joshfromrancho]

yes you and i think alike!!!!

[THeEraSerr]

great last question and answer

[chaz4510]

they are all so different how do you compare them? Or at least I cant, Hail to the Thief is the only album I never really got into.

[cameronforbes4]

1. Kid A

2. Ok Computer

3. The Bends

4. In Rainbows

5. Amnesiac

6. Hail to the Thief

7. Pablo Honey

[sophilianate]

mine are:

1. Kid A.

2. Hail To The Thief

3. OK Computer

4. In Rainbows

5. Amnesiac

6. The Bends

7. Pablo Honey.

I loved HTTT, everyone is putting it so low.

yeah, I really, really dislike Pablo Honey.

[slimjimmyg]

1. Ok Computer

2. The Bends

3. Kid A

4. In Rainbows

6. Hail To The Thief

7. Pablo Honey

The top 4 are very close and can change a lot, aye!

[Blu3SworD]

Mine:

1: Ok computer

2: Kid A

3: In Rainbows

4: The Bends

5: Amnesiac

6: Hail to the Thief

(Pablo Honey suck so much to talk about it)

[pvtjoker86]

Rank Order Of Radiohead Albums:

(7-1, 7=worst, 1=best)

*Albums judged on overall cohesiveness

7: Hail To The Thief

6: Amnesiac

5: Pablo Honey

4: In Rainbows

3: The Bends

2: Ok Computer

1: My Iron Lung EP (Just kidding...: Kid A)

[loyer258]

My rank order

7:amnesiac

6:hail to the thief

5:pablo honey

4:in rainbows

3:kid A

2:ok computer

1:the bends

[radiohock]

I agree Thom's responses are genius, as always.

the bit about celebrity parties is great!

[db123]

What an awful, awful, awful, awful interviewer. Fortunately his responses are brilliant regardless.

[edihedihedih]

at least she's kind and willing to learn. She appears to know how to conduct an interview. I think your comment about her is awful.

[apaboy50]

the words in the song , "im not here, this isnt happening" are from rem singer, because.. when thom yorke was depressed he rang michael, and he said to thom to keep saying those words :)

[marrowsbeard]

i heard and dont know if its true that 'im not here ect..' was ether co writen or inspired (somthing to that effect) by michel stipe from rem does any one know if thats true

[fatblckchick]

It was either him or Nigel Godrich

How to disappear maybe my favorite song :]

im happy he said that

[lololicious69]

Yes it is mine too. I totally agree with you.

[paulstraws1]

no... i remember reading Stipey had written something one day but suddenly realised it was a complete ripoff of How to Disappear, and so rang Thom to apologise!

[theboyv]

When Thom Yorke had a bit of a breakdown after the massive attention resulting from Ok COmputer, he rang Michael Stipe for advice.

Michael said 'just say to yourself, "i'm not here, this isn't happening"'.

That inspried the song, then Michael Stipe write 'She Just wants to Disappear' and thought it ripped off 'How to disappear completely' so phoned Thom to apologise, only for Thom to explain... well, what i've just typed.

phew!

[AtomsForPeace92]

Kid A is now my favourite Radiohead album!

[Quoxnoonoo]

Oh my god. This is great. What a healthy outlook he has. How to disappear. My mom, who I lost about 5 years ago, who wasn't really a Radiohead fan, but she did know good music, leaned her head into my room while I had that song playing, and said, "Wow, that is really beautiful." God I miss her. Great to hear that Thom wants to be remember by that song. =)

[Mygalej]

ehmmmm Can someone tell me why in the beginning she's only talking about their first cliche albums? I was fucking waiting for KID A!!

[rachfatcat]

'making a mint out of melancholy' ?? FFS, just perpetuate the myth that all Radiohead's music is depressing why don't you.

The only depressing thing about Radiohead is the depressingly shortsighted and cliched view of them held by so many.

[meepzmeepz]

well said

[dlfunky1]

@rachfatcat couldn't have put it better at least she didn't say "music to slit your wrists to" zzzzz....

[upc04539]

@rachfatcat funny how people see the music so differently...i often get the comment "oh what you are listening to is so depressing" and i respond "hum, funny I never felt depressed when I listen to these songs...on the contrary it makes me feel good, it comforts me, make me feel like I can do anything, I enter a bubble and don't hear anything else then these sounds that penetrates the deepest areas of my mind" ...but the go away and don't have a clue...they just can't understand..

[l3inaryl3urnout]

"how to make a mint out of meloncholy" fuck off

[Mygalej]

HAHA I love it

[Aurileus5]

I hate how they focus so much on OK Computer when talking about Radiohead. They don't even mention Kid A! Which is probably one of the most unique album's of the last eight years. Even if you think OK Computer is better Kid A deserves a mention, doesn't it?

[systemistoomuch]

Thom = God

[StanleyDonwood]

"They're very provocative, aren't they?"

"Are they?"

Lol

[jalbubba]

"with his partner and two small children"... Yorke, as an admirer of Greek culture, saw two children that seemed of a higher cultivation and potential than the normal raff and decided to buy them, straight up... I just found it funny that the interviewer doesn't say his or hers or their kids... but just, lives with two small children lol

[YeahYeahKoolAid]

this may sound dumb but, did he really just buy them?

[Code0010]

yes

[Code0010]

yes

[smallambulance]

I am definitely roflcoptering right now.

[radioheadkids2]

@smallambulance What?

[integer22]

i agree with his choice of How to Disappear....absolutely amazing song - radiohead are on such another level, definitely one of the most important bands in the history of contemporary music. big up mr yorke

[54spiritedwill54]

Must be difficult to try and interview him

[tomsega]

How to make a mint of meloncholy.. God that would piss Thom off. What a cynicle fucking way of looking at music.

She needs reminding they released an album without adverts and without singles.

[StrangeGreenCarpet]

good, good

[penguinworm]

Every British interviewer I've seen on here talks about how melancholy the music is. And apparently Radio 1 wouldn't play their album at first because they were afraid it would depress the public.

Can someone explain that to me?

[Boxyno1]

Radio 1 are twats

[agedchoirboy]

ha

hear hear

[radioheadkids2]

@Boxyno1 I don't get it, yet twats was funny!

[jimbob0025]

Yeah. I find that a lot of people here in Britain won't listen to music if it isn't some empty, soulless tune at 100mph, and will dismiss anything with even the slightest hint of melancholy as "boring" or "gloomy" or something equally annoying.

God, I hate my life.

lol.

[0livi0]

i can, most people are fucking ignorant and media is for the masses

[nolvidesvideos]

great how he anticipates the same boring questions, the way he deals with the media, it is just part of his genius

[sinjinnsinjinn]

theres a word for people like you.. its fanboy

[nolvidesvideos]

there is a word for people like you .. nosy imbeciles who do not have a life.. wait i am sorry that was like 2 words

[whitecrab]

god i love to listen to his interviews and i agree that how to dissappear completly is the most beautifull song that radiohead have ever done!!

Its like i have listened to many bands but Radiohead is the one i think i will never stop to listen. its sorta changed my view on music, opened me...

[rdrik]

that's so good my friend, you just keep experimenting all kinds of music, you'll certainly find very valuable things walking on those paths...

very rewarding for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear... :P

[icantfindanamethis]

he didnt even hesitate to answer either

[7e9d7h]

THOM = GOD

[Resuka]

Thom > God

[E3tiger]

Fuck you bitch hore

[DannyTen985]

there there

[radioheadkids2]

@E3tiger Charlie Brown...

[E3tiger]

Your gonna get raped by several black people in 4 hours.

[radioheadkids2]

@E3tiger LOL

[radioheadkids2]

@truthteller10 Thanks for making me laugh, kudos!

[sargrizz]

"I think people are perfectly capable of making their own decisions, and god help them if they listen to me." Hell yes Thom, this is why I love you.

[eduardoconti]

quoted for truth.

[ejamoore]

This comment contains perfect irony.

[icantfindanamethis]

his favourite IS 'How to Disapear' afterall

i love that song so much

[radioheadkids2]

@icantfindanamethis LOL

[LizardMixture]

I'm sick of people believing they're bigger fans than others. So what if someone believes that Kid A is better than The Bends? It's a personal opinion, it's not like we're all suppose to follow Thom's opinions about it! Get a grip, please!

[misterbrightsde]

Thom Yorke is cool

[VantiveMan]

Difficult ? That's a bloody interviewers job! Too many people get interviewed by saps like Wogan , roll over & let him tickle their tummy! Give em a hard time Thom - see "Talk Show Host"

[DAVEtheMAGICIAN]

Must be difficult to try and interview him

[eyotan]

the pixies and radiohead rules

[YunaBonbeurre]

@eyotan

you forgot to say "fuck"

[brianberrodin]

"fan boys", so you think that radiohead is a trendy band that is liked by many for creep (among others). There are people like that for every band and I will assure you that Dave Mathews Band is the trendiest "fan boy" band out there. I feel as though radiohead is remarkably under the radar (for their success). Allow me to explain, until you have heard all of radiohead work then can you make these ludicrous statements, cuz I don't believe you have.

[brianberrodin]

I love this man as well. As for banginglikea747, I'm confused how you left out The Bends, which is arguably better than OKC and is very similar. AHHHH (sigh) got to be honest, at first I wasn't impressed with HTTT, however in time the album grew on me naturally.

[opensourcethong]

headcase225 and spooksie, this ain't no place for fightin' dudes. we need peace, just like thom says. so i'll get out the pool and we can all play 'spot the submarine'

[thedeedpoll]

I love that man.

[headcase225]

"banginglikea747"

I don't see how you can say HTTT was crap if you think Kid A and OKC are among the greatest ever made. I'm not even that die-hard a Radiohead fan, but in my opinion HTTT was outstanding. The Eraser wasn't anything mindblowing, but it was solid. Having said that I don't see what your doing commenting on a song from said album if you think it's that bad. You know what I find ridiculous? The number of Radiohead bashers that try to impose their personal tastes on everyone.

[Spooksie]

you're imposing your opinion on him, so what's your point?

and just because he thinks Hail is crap, how does that make him a basher? you're an absolute cocksucker.

[headcase225]

hah...I love how morons like you insult people. I "imposed" my opinion on him, therefore I am a cock sucker (LOL MORON). I simply would like to hear his reasoning as to why he dislikes HTTT and why he likes Kid A/OKC. And it's obvious I was referring to his bashing of Radiohead fans, not of HTTT. So how 'bout going back to studying for your 9th grade math test?

[cigaboo]

Thome actually has a lot of concrete, insightful thoughts in this interview. In the past, I've found him to be more ambiguous and abstract in interviews.

[banginlikea747]

HTTT was crap, the Eraser was crap. OKC and Kid A were two of the greatest albums ever made.

Radiohead has more ridiculous fanboys than any other band I can think of.

[thomeANDjonGo2town]

your a pretty big douche

[sicofitall]

omg your dumb on a multitude of levels

[Homest4r]

Thom Yorke and Radiohead are too amazing...I'm hoping there next album will top everything

[BlackWelshman]

Thom Yorke is a fucking genius.

It's always best when the light is off

It's always better on the outside

Fifteen blows to the back of your head

Fifteen blows to your mind

[pauldwaite]

> "he does seem a twat answering questions prematurely"

You try doing interviews for 12 years :)

[reihead]

Thom is so deep, almost as crazy as talented

[WhereWasBiggles]

Maybe, if you finance their next album, next tour, fuel them with inspiration and pay for the studio time, then they'll pop up exactly the kind of music you want.

Until then just shut the fuck up. What they're doing now is 10 feet above everything else in England anyways.

[Barbel1th]

Not to mention the fact that the reason that the new stuff is so damn good is that the band is under no obligation to make the music.

They have no record company to appease, so they music came from them wanting to play together - and as a consequence, the songs are astonishingly good.

Arpeggi, All I Need, Go Slowly, House of Cards, Down is the New Up, Videotape, Open Pick - all gorgeous songs.

I already adore the new album and they haven't even recorded it yet.

[tomsega]

Having said all that, KidA was released to fans along with a message that they wanted to keep changing their sound significantly with each album. But after two more albums they're stagnating a bit. If they do something completely different and surprising again, fine, but if they're just gonna make another Kid A/HTTT thing then there's no justification in not returning to OK Computer territory, either.

[WonderLeone]

Thanks for the joke, Timmy.

[pastaslurper]

i agree, he does seem a twat answering questions prematurely but a least he's relevant,i also agree with that noname guy, timmy you really should go back to your room and listen to the kooks and say how great they are like you're used to. Radiohead make MUSIC

[FromBeneathTheSea]

good interview, but I wish he'd not answer the question before she's even finished asking. makes him look like a twat.

[DanLSE]

No its just because everyone asks him these questions so it's not surprising he just tries to get them out the way as quickly as possible. Maybe the interviewer should ask some more intriguing questions.

Oh and those people that think Kid A, Amnesiac and HTTT are rubbish should seriously listen to them a few more times then watch them live.

[Timmy241]

Thom Yorke not babbling like a fool, that's a relief. He usually displays characteristics of someone under the influence of a hallucinogen. I wish they would actually go back to making great music instead of these art house rock crap they keep putting out.

[bigfeet]

youre so blind. what theyve accomplished since the old rock days is sooooo much more intuitive and perfect. the countlessly show their greatness record, after record. its unbelievable how blind and stupid some ppl really are. ah well.

[Timmy241]

Yes, having a band that instead of using all of the members to there full potential like OK Computer and before just utilizing the singer and someone with a keyboard is much better group effort! They use to make music but now they (with exception of a couple songs here and there) mainly make noise. I enjoy the "noise" once in a while but it's not nearly the same caliber they once had in the 90's.

[noname1209]

Timmy mate, just delve your head back into your copy of the NME, I'm sure you'll feel more at home there.

[Timmy241]

Americans don't read NME, It's just frustrating that they can't produce the same way they use to. I do like how to disappear completely but most of it is just background music to me.

[noname1209]

Rockism is so last week, darling. :p

[noname1209]

What is "real music" to you then?

[tomsega]

OK computer is still musically, texturally, and conceptually the most complex thing they've ever done. Kid A/Amnesiac give the impression of complexity, and indeed has much depth, but its achieved through sonic trickery and ambience, not genuine instrumental/songwriting complexity (with the exception of Optimistic, Life in a Glasshouse, and a couple others).

Still, I preffer Kid A to the more standard Bends rock.

[31391337]

Is this the entire interview?

[31391337]

Oh, I've already seen another part posted.

[Chickenbomb]

I agree with Thom about How to disappear. I always cry like a baby when they play it in show. Thanks for sharing this.

[WeirdCreature]

How to disappear to quite possibly the most beautiful piece of music I've ever heard. It's too much to take sometimes