|
User
Reviews 41
Approval 89%
Soundoffs 115
News Articles 27
Band Edits + Tags 5,189
Album Edits 249
Album Ratings 1291
Objectivity 74%
Last Active 12-09-22 12:08 am
Joined 08-22-13
Review Comments 42,332
| Favorite 20 Radiohead Songs
Honorable mention to "Last Flowers" and "Decks Dark" since they were my 21 and 22.
"Let Down" wasn't even in the top 50 when I started rounding them down by the way so shhhh, this is an antithesis to Doof's haha oh well. | | 20 |  | Radiohead
A Moon Shaped Pool
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief"
This just narrowly made the list, but honestly I find this song to be fairly pleasant and even memorable. As one of the people who wasn't too amazed by A Moon Shaped Pool this song actually did impress me. The soft staticky beat and slow piano work together actually really well. Also the pick up with the strings actually felt really genuinely necessary, which I can't say is true for some other tracks on the album. | | 19 |  | Radiohead
Amnesiac
"Knives Out"
One of the songs on Amnesiac that tends to get some flack and wow do I not get why. The Donner party theme is ominous, the jangly guitar is haunting and the drums are really memorable. Radiohead really does an interesting take on survival based cannibalism. But wait! The song's supposedly actually an analogy to how people use to each other for selfish gain, interesting double entendre... | | 18 |  | Radiohead
In Rainbows Disk 2
"Bangers + Mash"
I thought "Last Flowers" would make it, but somehow a song from their new album knocked it off oh well here the only b-side on the list. This is honestly one of Radiohead's most fun songs, I wouldn't mind if this was on In Rainbows instead of "Bodysnatchers" honestly. The energy is high, the guitar tone is rough, and the interplay between the rhythm guitar and drums is wonderful. The "BACK INTO YOUR SOUUUUL" comes at the perfect moment too haha. | | 17 |  | Radiohead
OK Computer
"Paranoid Android"
"Airbag" almost made it... it was like 25th or so, but oh well this one tops it. The opening guitar line is so iconic and the pick up is among one of the Radiohead's best. This is what "Ful Stop" is trying to be, let's be honest. But "Paranoid Android" does it so much better, it's tense, it's epic, its keyboards bubble, the robot voice murmurs in the background, so much is going on here, but it all works. In a way this was the beginning of Radiohead's crazy build up songs and even though I believe they went on to top it on later releases I can't help, but to appreciate the one to start it all. | | 16 |  | Radiohead
The Bends
"Planet Telex"
The best and only song from The Bends on this list. It's leagues above the others and I actually know why. It's actually a little newer than the rest of the album. Every other song on there was written from an earlier session. This song, however, was written and recorded after that supposedly and wow does it show. The echoey keyboards are infectious, and the atmosphere is infectious. It almost sounds like it belongs on some imaginary album that would have come in between The Bends and OK Computer. Then again "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" sounds like that a bit too... | | 15 | | Radiohead
Amnesiac
"Life in a Glass House"
The fact that this only makes 15 on my list is a testament to how great Radiohead really is. Thom's vocals are dry and clarinet and trumpet make the song so pleasantly jazzy. I used to say that first 10 tracks on Amnesiac put you in a trance that only "Life in a Glasshouse" could wake you up from because it's just that kind of song -lucid and honest. "There's someone listening in." Such a classic and one of the many reasons I claim Amnesiac as Radiohead's best album. | | 14 |  | Radiohead
Hail to the Thief
"Backdrifts. (Honeymoon is Over.)"
A back-masked electronic beat complimented by a drum machine, yup it's an electronic Radiohead track alright and one of Hail to the Thief's best. I mean Hail was really a weird hybrid for everything from The Bends through Amnesiac and although it's very disjointed and lacks flow, it somehow works. Here Thom sounds so desperate here and it's awesome. Oh, and the piano solo at the end really wraps things up wonderfully. | | 13 |  | Radiohead
Kid A
"How to Disappear Completely"
"I'm not here, this isn't happening" Denial, depression, shutting yourself out to the world man this song is heavy. Thom's certainly an introvert and this song is basically has that point written in capital letters. On top of that, the string section is so subtle that it's effectually moody (unlike *cough* A Moon Shaped Pool *cough cough*) in a way this song's existence makes their new album look so much worse in comparison. It's one of their most beautiful and honestly it shows that at this point Radiohead have really learned how to perfect the slow and miserable song, so it's another huge landmark for them. | | 12 |  | Radiohead
The King of Limbs
"Little by Little"
This song's so small and cute and the music literally makes me think of little pond flowing. The King of Limbs was very nature based and this is one of the tracks that makes it super obvious, but doesn't even need the title for it. Sure "Bloom," "Morning Mr Magpie," "Feral," and "Lotus" flower all cue you in with their titles, but this song doesn't need that. There's something mystically about it, I mean it sounds almost like there's reverbed sitar in it, but I'm pretty sure it's just a keyboard effect. It's really a scenic kind of song and I love it for that reason. | | 11 | | Radiohead
Hail to the Thief
"There There. (The Boney King of Nowhere.)"
Steady drums and a sweet bass line and we're already off to an excellent start. The Greek mythology references are pretty great too. Ed O'Brien's backup vocals really add to the song as well. This song really has one of Radiohead's best buildups too. When the pick up finally arrives 4 minutes in it's seriously epic in the best way possible. It's difficult not to sing "We are accidents waiting to happen" along with Thom it's so catchy and cathartic damn. Also there's a fantastic solo from Jonny Greenwood. | | 10 |  | Radiohead
In Rainbows
"15 Step"
Starting off our top 10 is one of their poppiest songs. The way the the song keeps adding instruments keeps you on your toes and Thom quickly belts out lyrics. In Rainbows really has some pretty guitar and bass tones and this is one of the best examples of that (so is "Reckoner" which would be on here if I extended this to a top 30.) I think I get why this album is called In Rainbows: it's so audibly colorful and focused on a more traditional interpretation of beauty, which is excellent. The sample of the children shouting is kind of random, but it works. I love how it ends with Thom's voice mimicking the drums. | | 9 | | Radiohead
Amnesiac
"You and Whose Army?"
Another amazing buildup song with great backup vocals. Likening modern government to the Holy Roman Empire is pretty gutsy to write about. Once the pickup come the piano fills the previously minimalistic atmosphere to the brim and Thom wails like a ghost about - well "ghost horses." It's simple, but very effectual. | | 8 | | Radiohead
The King of Limbs
"Separator"
Making this list has really reminded me what a great drummer Phil Selway is and how it's really sad that this isn't too present on A Moon Shape Pool, but here on "Separator" the drum loop is front and center. Kid A had to have been their coldest albums and I'd argue that The King of Limbs is their warmest and this song is so tender in particular. This has to be my favorite Radiohead closer, possibly by far. | | 7 | | Radiohead
Kid A
"The National Anthem"
There is so much to say about this song. I feel like i'm hiking a dangerous snowy mountain at night when I hear it. Any moment and I could die. The intense bass line and crashing drums are nerve wracking and the sax and trumpet parts build up to this crazy jazzy cacophony. Honestly I couldn't imagine a Radiohead fan not blow away by this over the top song. They never made another song even remotely like it and maybe that's a good thing, it stands out perfectly amongst so many other gems. | | 6 | | Radiohead
In Rainbows
"Nude"
Radiohead loves their back masking and they almost abuse it here, but wow are the results pretty. I'm happy that this somehow was a Top 40 single, but also puzzled by that (It hit #37.) Somber, and floaty with lyrics that are filled with so much disappointment. So just remember :"You'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking." Seriously this has some of their best lyrics, I could have quote literally any single one from it and it would have fit the mood I'm trying to describe to a tee. | | 5 | | Radiohead
Kid A
"Morning Bell"
The Amnesiac version is great too, but this one is really something special. Another great drum loop and some strangely disturbing lyrics that seem to remind me of divorce. I'm pretty sure "cut the kids in half" isn't literally, but it gives me chills down my spine as if it is. Another double entendre? Nah, but the mood almost makes it seem like it is. "Walking walking walking walking." Honestly this could have been Kid A's closer, maybe it even should have... | | 4 | | Radiohead
OK Computer
"Climbing Up the Walls"
You bet your ass that this is in the top 10. When people say that OK Computer is an experiment album I usually just say "nah"but this is a pretty important exception to that. It sounds like it belongs on Kid in a way. It's slow and distressing and has a similar cold atmosphere. Another fantastic pickup and my god that scream... Thom Yorke screaming, why do I wish that he did that in more songs? The closest we'd ever get to that would be some shouting on some later songs and wow it is sound-defining. | | 3 | | Radiohead
Amnesiac
"Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box"
Y'know this is one of the 2 songs where Radiohead uses autotune. The other is Pulk/Pull, and it really works here, supposed they did it to make Thom sound more nasal. The drum machine is amazing and the metallic sounding beats are even better. "I'm a reasonable man get off my case" is probably my most spoken Radiohead line from there because it's a pretty entertaining retort to someone bugging you. This is my favorite Radiohead opener and honestly it put me in some weird trance when I first heard Amnesiac, it really is mystifying. | | 2 | | Radiohead
In Rainbows
"All I Need"
You want a good string section? Look no further the cello here are gorgeous and the distorted bass makes the song seem so glum. The lyrics are so metaphorical and clever and he's honestly continually driving home the same point, he needs this person, but they don't need him. "I'm an animal trapped in your parked car" really shows some vivd imagery, he doesn't just need this person, they've abandoned him... | | 1 | | Radiohead
Amnesiac
"I Might Be Wrong"
Nothing even comes close to this. The guitar line is infectiously perfect, so are the drums, and the droning sounds and everything. The sweet cheerful vocals. Sure many Radiohead songs are depressing, but you can forget about all that, go down a waterfall with Thom and smile about everything that's great when listening to this. It rocks out, it's dancy, it's literally everything it should be. The ending part with that short guitar solo is really pretty too and wraps up the song not only in an unexpected way, but in one that actually ends the song in the most satisfying way I can think of. For me, I don't think Radiohead will ever be able to top this. | |
ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | Hope you like it Ryus
And I hope this explains what I like about Radiohead to users like Doof lol | Frippertronics
05.12.16 | idioteque | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | I do like Idioteque, there's soooo many great Radiohead songs omg | Muppelope
05.12.16 | Great list, love your top 4 in particular, but yeah, idioteque would probably make my top 5. | Trebor.
05.12.16 | damn Planet Telex is one of my least faves on Bends
Idioteque is my favorite | L4titudes
05.12.16 | ^ I like those choices | Spec
05.12.16 | i hope they play creep | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | I respect your picks but if that top 5 were genuinely their five best songs the band would only have sold 1% of the albums they actually did | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | Best =/= most commercial, unless you approve of Arcade's greatest hits CD of course | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | I mean I don't think they show off the true personality of the band and especially Yorke as a frontman/singer
As I said before, your faves are chilly as you like and I don't think that vibe would have endeared the band to enough of an audience if those were their greatest songs. I Might Be Wrong is also dare I say a slightly pedestrian tune if you strip away all the embellishments and top notch production details. | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | Kid A as a whole is 'chilly' though and that's their second most acclaimed album lol Amnesiac and the new album are pretty damn 'chilly' too so honestly it seems like that's actually a main motif of theirs.
"I Might Be Wrong is also dare I say a slightly pedestrian tune if you strip away all the embellishments and top notch production details."
It's like you don't get that the 'embellishments' are what makes it great. | Rowan5215
05.12.16 | tbh people who 5 the Bends can't talk about best radiohead tunes : ) | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | "tbh people who say "Creep" sucks are the worst"
I mean Creep doesn't suck I guess... it's just kind of angsty 14 teen year old? | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | Arcade has 3 of my top 10 and then another 2 of my top 20 on top of that
You have 1 of my top 10 and that's it lol
I can get behind Arcade's picks a lot more than this list. Still like all the songs on the list (well not Glasshouse ye gods) and it does help me understand your taste so that's the whole point. | macman76
05.12.16 | "I mean Creep doesn't suck I guess... it's just kind of angsty 14 teen year old?"
*looks around the website, whistles | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | Row 'The Bends' has this atmosphere I've always loved, a lot of people on this site have probably worked backwards from Kid A or Amnesiac and obviously some will be turned off by it in that context - it is a great album. I may have given it an extra .5 based on nostalgia but I've never claimed my rating are 'objective' because that's impossible | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | Honestly the fact that your 2 highest rated Radiohead albums are The Bends and OK Computer just gives off the opinion that you actually prefer their basic alt. rock side to their more creative experimental and electronic side.
"(well not Glasshouse ye gods)"
You don't like Glasshouse? How in the fuck? | Rowan5215
05.12.16 | Nothing to do with objectivity doof we just seem to look for opposite things in their music | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | Yorke over jazz sounds rotten | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | ArsM you are genre rating, you consider 'alt rock' (whatever that is?!) as basic. Ok Computer is as much prog or plain old rock as it is 'alt'. 'Alt' seems to stretch from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Red House Painters...it seems more a time distinction than a musical one.
There's nothing basic about Ok Computer to my ears, I find a song like I Might Be Wrong way more basic melodically, vocally, thematically and emotionally than pretty much everything on Ok Computer - this lends me to suspect labelling things 'basic' is a matter of taste where as people hold it up as fact around here.
The Bends is a case of building perfect songs from simple ingredients (standard tunings, standard chords) but that again doesn't necessarily mean it ends up basic as such. Still more just a matter of taste. Just because Radiohead listened to some Warp acts doesn't suddenly mean all their work became inherently amazingly complex and superior.
Maybe I'm more 'song' biased and you're more 'sound' biased which is fair enough | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | Maybe but calling OK Computer prog is a bit of a stretch. And I have OK Computer 4.5'd just so you know, so I wouldn't act like I dislike it. When I said basic I meant they it was sonically similar to typical alt rock, which while this still can be good, it isn't nearly as interesting as some of their later efforts. | Rowan5215
05.12.16 | Paranoid Android you could maaaybe stretch as prog but otherwise that album is generally just well performed 90s british rock (bar Climbing Up the Walls which is the best song as a result)
in general you're probably right doof, but In Rainbows isn't nearly as sonically experimental as say Kid A or Amnesiac but that still gets lauded on the same level as both which I think proves that it's just an increase in both songwriting talent and willingness to experiment that bolsters those albums up | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | Ok Computer just feels huge, it blatantly has that English Floyd lineage running through its core, there seems to be a grand concept at work, and the sound palette is incredible and links all the songs together so well - that's why I feel it has at least as much prog influence as alt influence.
I mean people will say Floyd are as prog as prog can be but take the title track on 'Wish You Were Here' - is that really prog? 'Ok Computer' is in that same sort of borderline territory the whole album, just shy of prog. | Rowan5215
05.12.16 | it certainly has a great sound palette and some solid themes but that's as much heritage from Pet Sounds as from Floyd, doesn't necessarily make an album prog it's just good craftmanship | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | The album sounds a bit Floyd'y to me :/
I thought that was widely accepted - hence the the most popular criticism at the time was 'Floyd already did this better in the past'
Of course that criticism had some truth but was harsh as they were still doing enough of their own thing | RadicalEd
05.12.16 | No Jigsaw no fun tbh. | altertide0
05.12.16 | Doof it's true that OKC borrows from Floyd, but unfortunately - only from their boring period.
As for the list, I would have done it a bit differently, but it's still awesome, especially compared to the other one. Has more of an "edge" to it (you go beyond melody), whereas Doof's is pretty much all pretty ballads and shit. | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | Yorke is one of the all time greatest rock vocalists and frontmen - for the most part too right I rate their coventional format songs above their edgy 'push pull closing doors' sub Aphex Twin Warp crush (as ok as this material is) | RadicalEd
05.12.16 | "for the most part too right I rate their coventional format songs above their edgy 'push pull closing doors' sub Aphex Twin Warp crush"
agreed. (Even though I don't think Tom York is the greatest vocalist of anything) | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | Thom has some great nuance to that voice Ed, the king of ugly/beautiful vox | RadicalEd
05.12.16 | I don't dislike him and overall I enjoy me some radiohead, especially that new album, but I can't lie, there are a whole bunch of Radiohead songs where his vox are just to whiny for my liking. | Ryus
05.12.16 | great top ~11
i would have almost all of those in my top 20 except for 4, 7 and 9 | BigPleb
05.12.16 | Nice to see TKOL and Amnesiac material on here, original choices for the most part man nice. | onionbubs
05.12.16 | this is an ars list what did you expect lol
though a good portion of my top 10 is here. sardinies, climbing up the walls, and national anthem are definitely top 5 | theBoneyKing
05.12.16 | Good choices tough very different from mine.
Obviously I love 11 ;-] | Royl123
05.12.16 | Good list. My top ten would be:
Karma police
Motion picture soundtrack
Let down
Nude
No surprises
Morning bell
Idiotique
A wolf at the door
Pyramid song
Kid A
| DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | 'A wolf at the door' is a top pick Roy!123 | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | Wolf at the Door has a really interesting concept yeah with the whole kidnapping thing. | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | Chorus is great too, it grew into a top 10 tune for me
Radiohead are yet to release a poor album closer, it's their specialty (EDIT forgot about Glasshouse...!) | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | Every time you say Glasshouse is a bad song, a kitten dies. | DoofusWainwright
05.12.16 | Sounds like it ^ | Sowing
05.12.16 | Why does everyone sleep on Harry Patch (In Memory of)? That make my top 20 easily and there's no way it wouldn't be on a top 100 list: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ2ELVsz2Yk | ArsMoriendi
05.12.16 | Daily Mail is really good too would probably make my top 100 but not my top 20. | AmericanFlagAsh
05.14.16 | I mean, good picks. Except maybe number 3. But way too heavily focused on their 00s stuff for me. | AmericanFlagAsh
05.15.16 | Also wow at a complete lack of Idioteque smh | Titan
05.15.16 | as good as some of these songs obviously are, damn this list blows | ArsMoriendi
05.15.16 | Not enough guitar driven songs for you Titan? | wwf
05.15.16 | could you imagine not having idioteque in your top twenty
horrifying | ArsMoriendi
05.15.16 | Don't get me wrong guys, I like Idioteque but I don't really see it as their crowning achievement. Still very good though. | Titan
05.15.16 | im breaking your balls ars dude.....but damn i rarely agree with any of your favorite song selections.....and no on the guitar driven note.....i prefer Radiohead when they are dialed down | Lord(e)Po)))ts
05.15.16 | lol 20 | Titan
05.15.16 | [2] | ArsMoriendi
05.15.16 | I still really like 20 | Ryus
05.15.16 | yeah i dont.
i dont think any song from the new album would make my top 30 even | unretrovertigofied
05.15.16 | Too much Amnesiac not enough In Rainbows for my liking but otherwise pretty robust.
Paranoid android
Everything in its right place
Reckoner
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Jigsaw
Let down
Motion Picture Soundtrack
Fake plastic trees
Nude
Idioteque
Wolf at the door
Airbag
Climbing up the walls |
|
