Years ago I fell deeply in love with a man who had a girlfriend. I listened to this song on repeat for weeks. Every lyric spoke to me... don't get any big ideas about being with him - he's taken. Now that you've found it, it's gone - you finally found someone that you love and you have already missed your shot with him. You'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking - aka wanting someone else's partner. Anyway, we're married now.
I always thought the sound you mention from 03:13 in this video (and especially 03:30 ) were strings too. After watching the "Live at The Basement" session for 'In Rainbows' I was shocked to see that they're actually guitar through an effect(s) played by Ed O'Brien, he creates a lot of textures in Radiohead's music. Love your analysis style, I second everyone else who is recommending 'How To Disappear Completely' and 'Pyramid Song' too.
This song is a grower, imo. It's a weird track, because it's pretty straightforward for a Radiohead song, yet it's just too subtle that it's easy to not get it on a first listen. Maybe even more. I know I grew to love it. In the album it makes more sense as it's meant to be a bit of a respite after the first two tracks that are more high energy (the previous track is even a proper rocker, paying homage consciously or not to Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast intro riff). But it can be easy considering it a song that just is there. I know I used to have a similar relationship with Subterranean Homesick Alien from OK Computer, which serves a similar purpose, being track three too. This song draws a lot from dub, especially that bassline. It's so hypnotic and entrancing, and that's something I love about it. It is certainly a sensual track and a very vulnerable too. I can see why some people might not consider it comfy, but I do get whoever picked this one, because it's one of my go-to tracks when I want to relax and disconnect. Great insight as always, Bryan!
Definitely a song that makes more sense within the context of the whole album imo. I spent years trying to hit the note at the end of the 2nd verse before finally nailing it so I have a love/hate relationship with the track ha
The original lyrics were more traditionally verse-chorus-verse structure, the song was gestating since before OK Computer. Interesting side-note about the masking and painting white: the first draft lyrics were "You paint your house white, and fill it up with noise." I like how the abstraction of stripping it back to painting yourself one way, and feeling hollow...I love how lyrics (and how they're structured) can reveal a lot with so little 🙂.
To me this sing pairs fantasy with rejection. The fantasy of wanting to appear to be something you aren't, or wanting to cover up your imperfections. The sudden interest in something you can't have, or the longing for something you had but didn't appreciate and lost as a result: "Now that you've found it, it's gone. Now that you feel it, you don't ". Maybe the line about going off the rails implies obsession. The bringing of this interest into the open results in bring rejected in the most forceful way: "you'll go to Hell for what your dirty mind is thinking". And then retreating back into fantasy. It's interesting that the choral line comes in after the declaration about going to Hell, as it sounds almost angelic. Even the way the guitar is strummed is soothing, like someone patting you on the shoulder to console you.
Radiohead generally isn't the band I think of when I think of comfortable music, but they do have a handful of stunningly beautiful tracks that just makes you sink into your chair like melting butter. This is definitely a nice track, but I've never been quite as enamored with it (and In Rainbows as a whole) as many people/fans. Part of it is just me comparing it to OK Computer and Kid A, which I still think stand as their best and among the pinnacles of modern popular music.
I guess part of the great love towards In Rainbows (me included) comes from the fact that the album sounds like the band is in their own skin in every track from the 2 discs, it may not be THE best but sounds like the most comfortable sound they made honestly
@@JUJUJUNO I can understand that perspective, and I would agree that In Rainbows very much does sound like Radiohead in the most Radiohead-esque zone, so to speak. Personally though I prefer A Moon Shaped Pool, or even the messy breadth of Hail to the Thief. In Rainbows has always sounded a bit too... easy for me, I guess.
@@jonathanhenderson9422 Easy. Natural. Pick your terminology. The best actors dont look like they are even acting. But, it might ultimately come down to one’s perception and understanding of minimalism. Complex things can be amazing, but it’s usually more difficult to create something that is simultaneously simple, unique, and pleasing. Key word, “unique”.
Great reaction. Agree about the general level of compression, though I like that they build up the song a bit before opening it up more. You should check out Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi from the same album; you may like it more for that reason, and it is my personal favorite of theirs.
From what I read I gather it is about sexual intimacy, specific to failure to perform. The more generalistic theme that that echoes, of intending to be epic but resulting in being underwhelming, is an idea I've chased a lot as a songwriter. Such a notion to try and capture and 'bottle'. Bit like a lovely difficult puzzle to solve! I think they do it really well here.
the vocal melody of the intro and outro is the same, just reversed. There's a ton of those little creative ideas and details you will find below the surface of a lot of Radiohead songs, even if they're hidden to the casual listener.
well I agree with most of what your saying but what I think the song is about lossing every thing you having but wanting more. you gone off the rails looking for somthing you will never get. But insted of moving on you think about thing the might help you get want you want but would not be the right idea. This concept that radio head sings about can be formated into anything depnding on how you take it. wether that being money, lust ect.
The song is about lost love. You had everything and now everything is lost and gone. “Don’t get any big ideas” means don’t get thoughts about suicide. That’s the point of the song
Interesting. I could never consider ANY of Radiohead's music "comfy", and this track is ethereal, ghostly even. Perhaps calm in places but there's nothing comfy about this track. What it is......................superb
@@ImotekhtheStormlord-tx2it Well the music can have some comforting sounds and give the appearance of being relaxing and reassuring. But then there's the lyrics, which always provide another thoughtful dimension
Just rant - I used to love Radiohead and really dug into every song. I hate to be that guy, but after "In Rainbows", i don't feel they made anything interesting. Maybe it's my music taste and how it evolved or changed, but it seems like they leaned way too much into the BS part of their music and started making weird uninteresting pop songs. Again, my opinion.
Each to his own my friend but their last album 'A Moon Shaped Pool' is a masterpiece in my opinion, i can certainly see that after 'In Rainbows' 'The King of Limbs' was a step down, its one of my least favourite of theirs, but i would suggest revisiting 'A Moon Shaped Pool', Jonny and Thom lean in to their film score knowledge and bring it all together, 'The Numbers' from that album might well be my favourite song they have ever done.
@@hectorkish6598 it was just bad phrasing. I still enjoy all their music up after in rainbows. I just don't find their "quirkiness" to be so appealing now, in their new music. Obviously it's just an opinion, just wanted to make it clear. I am still very thankful for their old music.
You're basically just admitting that you preferred them when they were just another British rock band, which was by far their least interesting era. When you say the "BS part of their music" you mean the very thing that defines them and has been the catalyst for their success, experimenalism, abstract sound.
I can't imagine their music without Yorke's distinctive voice, but I can understand why it doesn't appeal to everyone. I wonder if they would be even bigger with a more conventional vocalist, or if Yorke's voice doesn't act as a secret sauce of sorts that sets the band's music apart from other artists plumbing similar sonic depths?
His voice is perfectly suited for the kind of songs Radiohead makes. There's a reason why there aren't many great Radiohead covers, his voice acts as an instrument itself without which it just doesn't sound like Radiohead
Art ain't objective, leonard cohen is probably my favorite artist but I don't expect everyone to like his music due to the particular chords he touches and the general mood of his songs.
Interestingly, I read a bit about this particular song and he originally didn't like performing this song live because of how high his vocal line is. He said it made him feel uncomfortable to sing in that range.
Years ago I fell deeply in love with a man who had a girlfriend. I listened to this song on repeat for weeks. Every lyric spoke to me... don't get any big ideas about being with him - he's taken. Now that you've found it, it's gone - you finally found someone that you love and you have already missed your shot with him. You'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking - aka wanting someone else's partner. Anyway, we're married now.
What a twist at the end of that story! 😅 Really cool angle on the lyrics though. I appreciate the perspective.
is that an elliott smith profile pic i see
I effin love this. I was already in a teary mood after listening to this song a thousand times and watching reaction videos.
One of the most beautiful songs ever made imo
Facts
Weird Fishes - Radiohead is incredible, so is How To Disappear Completely by the same band. Both can be very calming
How To Disappear Completely... rips my heart out
How to Disappear is Thom's favorite song.
Great suggestions
RADIOHEAD IS A GENRE!!!
I always thought the sound you mention from 03:13 in this video (and especially 03:30 ) were strings too. After watching the "Live at The Basement" session for 'In Rainbows' I was shocked to see that they're actually guitar through an effect(s) played by Ed O'Brien, he creates a lot of textures in Radiohead's music.
Love your analysis style, I second everyone else who is recommending 'How To Disappear Completely' and 'Pyramid Song' too.
Yeah that's wild. People are making crazy sounds with digital effects these days (and by these days I just mean modern times).
The moment in 3:30 actually features both Ed's effects and strings (in the studio version, I mean).
This song is a grower, imo. It's a weird track, because it's pretty straightforward for a Radiohead song, yet it's just too subtle that it's easy to not get it on a first listen. Maybe even more. I know I grew to love it. In the album it makes more sense as it's meant to be a bit of a respite after the first two tracks that are more high energy (the previous track is even a proper rocker, paying homage consciously or not to Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast intro riff). But it can be easy considering it a song that just is there. I know I used to have a similar relationship with Subterranean Homesick Alien from OK Computer, which serves a similar purpose, being track three too.
This song draws a lot from dub, especially that bassline. It's so hypnotic and entrancing, and that's something I love about it. It is certainly a sensual track and a very vulnerable too. I can see why some people might not consider it comfy, but I do get whoever picked this one, because it's one of my go-to tracks when I want to relax and disconnect. Great insight as always, Bryan!
This album is amazing.
Definitely a song that makes more sense within the context of the whole album imo. I spent years trying to hit the note at the end of the 2nd verse before finally nailing it so I have a love/hate relationship with the track ha
The "strings" are a guitar with loads of reverb and delay. Watch the "from the basement" performance!
The original lyrics were more traditionally verse-chorus-verse structure, the song was gestating since before OK Computer. Interesting side-note about the masking and painting white: the first draft lyrics were "You paint your house white, and fill it up with noise." I like how the abstraction of stripping it back to painting yourself one way, and feeling hollow...I love how lyrics (and how they're structured) can reveal a lot with so little 🙂.
You’re a really good communicator man, great breakdown
To me this sing pairs fantasy with rejection. The fantasy of wanting to appear to be something you aren't, or wanting to cover up your imperfections. The sudden interest in something you can't have, or the longing for something you had but didn't appreciate and lost as a result: "Now that you've found it, it's gone. Now that you feel it, you don't ". Maybe the line about going off the rails implies obsession. The bringing of this interest into the open results in bring rejected in the most forceful way: "you'll go to Hell for what your dirty mind is thinking". And then retreating back into fantasy. It's interesting that the choral line comes in after the declaration about going to Hell, as it sounds almost angelic. Even the way the guitar is strummed is soothing, like someone patting you on the shoulder to console you.
Radiohead generally isn't the band I think of when I think of comfortable music, but they do have a handful of stunningly beautiful tracks that just makes you sink into your chair like melting butter. This is definitely a nice track, but I've never been quite as enamored with it (and In Rainbows as a whole) as many people/fans. Part of it is just me comparing it to OK Computer and Kid A, which I still think stand as their best and among the pinnacles of modern popular music.
I guess part of the great love towards In Rainbows (me included) comes from the fact that the album sounds like the band is in their own skin in every track from the 2 discs, it may not be THE best but sounds like the most comfortable sound they made honestly
@@JUJUJUNO I can understand that perspective, and I would agree that In Rainbows very much does sound like Radiohead in the most Radiohead-esque zone, so to speak. Personally though I prefer A Moon Shaped Pool, or even the messy breadth of Hail to the Thief. In Rainbows has always sounded a bit too... easy for me, I guess.
@@jonathanhenderson9422 The greatest works of art look easy.
@@TheAlibabatree I don't think I agree with that.
@@jonathanhenderson9422 Easy. Natural. Pick your terminology. The best actors dont look like they are even acting.
But, it might ultimately come down to one’s perception and understanding of minimalism. Complex things can be amazing, but it’s usually more difficult to create something that is simultaneously simple, unique, and pleasing. Key word, “unique”.
Great reaction. Agree about the general level of compression, though I like that they build up the song a bit before opening it up more. You should check out Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi from the same album; you may like it more for that reason, and it is my personal favorite of theirs.
The intro is actually reversed
Great channel. Thx for Portishead and Radiohead bits.
Watch this live "From the Basement" to see how they actually arrange it instrumentally - all of those sounds come from Guitars.
From what I read I gather it is about sexual intimacy, specific to failure to perform. The more generalistic theme that that echoes, of intending to be epic but resulting in being underwhelming, is an idea I've chased a lot as a songwriter. Such a notion to try and capture and 'bottle'. Bit like a lovely difficult puzzle to solve! I think they do it really well here.
Reckoner...Nuff said !
The title refers to the early lyrics of this song. These lyrics were left out but the title remained.
Loving your reactions! Especially to Radiohead ;) Moarr please kind sir :)
the vocal melody of the intro and outro is the same, just reversed.
There's a ton of those little creative ideas and details you will find below the surface of a lot of Radiohead songs, even if they're hidden to the casual listener.
Soooou amazing ❤😂
Subscribed, one of my favourites
If you listen to the early version you will see why they named it Nude
well I agree with most of what your saying but what I think the song is about lossing every thing you having but wanting more. you gone off the rails looking for somthing you will never get. But insted of moving on you think about thing the might help you get want you want but would not be the right idea. This concept that radio head sings about can be formated into anything depnding on how you take it. wether that being money, lust ect.
I believe the meaning found 13 minutes in is close but fake plastic tree already portrays a simular idea.
Music Exit (for a film)
You must!!!!
u should react to half moon run, live performances!
The beginning is actually the ending but reversed
Leprous - Nighttime Disguise please
The song is about lost love. You had everything and now everything is lost and gone. “Don’t get any big ideas” means don’t get thoughts about suicide. That’s the point of the song
Greatest band of all time, album is a masterpiece, and he calls Nude anemic? Dude….
Interesting. I could never consider ANY of Radiohead's music "comfy", and this track is ethereal, ghostly even. Perhaps calm in places but there's nothing comfy about this track. What it is......................superb
Reckoner is comfy.
@@j.prt.979 well......sort of-ish but even that has its unsettling elements
idk you dont find depressed songs comfy? pyramid songs is the comfiest song ive heard from them, same with how to disappear
@@ImotekhtheStormlord-tx2it Well the music can have some comforting sounds and give the appearance of being relaxing and reassuring. But then there's the lyrics, which always provide another thoughtful dimension
First time I saw the video to it. They had clothes on! Disappoint. :P
Really nice song, though not giving me comfy vibes enough to make up for a kinda uninteresting composition.
I agree that the song doesn't quite work for me on a casual listen but it does continue to showcase how varied Radiohead can be.
@@CriticalReactions Try Reckoner (Live from the basement)
@@CriticalReactions just get over dude they are better than you
Just rant - I used to love Radiohead and really dug into every song. I hate to be that guy, but after "In Rainbows", i don't feel they made anything interesting.
Maybe it's my music taste and how it evolved or changed, but it seems like they leaned way too much into the BS part of their music and started making weird uninteresting pop songs. Again, my opinion.
"i used to love radiohead" maybe you never love radiohead and btw his last album was very very interesting
Each to his own my friend but their last album 'A Moon Shaped Pool' is a masterpiece in my opinion, i can certainly see that after 'In Rainbows' 'The King of Limbs' was a step down, its one of my least favourite of theirs, but i would suggest revisiting 'A Moon Shaped Pool', Jonny and Thom lean in to their film score knowledge and bring it all together, 'The Numbers' from that album might well be my favourite song they have ever done.
@@hectorkish6598 it was just bad phrasing. I still enjoy all their music up after in rainbows. I just don't find their "quirkiness" to be so appealing now, in their new music. Obviously it's just an opinion, just wanted to make it clear. I am still very thankful for their old music.
@@rohnnyjotten3985 I'll give it another listen:)
You're basically just admitting that you preferred them when they were just another British rock band, which was by far their least interesting era. When you say the "BS part of their music" you mean the very thing that defines them and has been the catalyst for their success, experimenalism, abstract sound.
Radiohead have a great production and really interesting compositions but I can't stand yorke's whining voice
I've never understood why people complain about his voice. It's beautiful and impressive.
I can't imagine their music without Yorke's distinctive voice, but I can understand why it doesn't appeal to everyone. I wonder if they would be even bigger with a more conventional vocalist, or if Yorke's voice doesn't act as a secret sauce of sorts that sets the band's music apart from other artists plumbing similar sonic depths?
His voice is perfectly suited for the kind of songs Radiohead makes. There's a reason why there aren't many great Radiohead covers, his voice acts as an instrument itself without which it just doesn't sound like Radiohead
Art ain't objective, leonard cohen is probably my favorite artist but I don't expect everyone to like his music due to the particular chords he touches and the general mood of his songs.
Interestingly, I read a bit about this particular song and he originally didn't like performing this song live because of how high his vocal line is. He said it made him feel uncomfortable to sing in that range.