Top 10 Best Radiohead Songs
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Radiohead has proved to be one of the driving forces behind the last decade of alternative rock music. They are one of the only bands that truly keep their audience guessing; every album released has a completely different sound than the previous one. I have compiled a list of the top ten Radiohead songs which is based not only on popularity, but also on both quality and originality. Seeing that Radiohead is one of my all-time favorite bands, it was hard to pick only ten songs, so I've added a few honorable mentions to the list as well.
10. Creep
Anyone and everyone that is aware of Radiohead's existence knows that "Creep" was the hit single that put these guys on the fast-track to stardom. Released in the early 90's off their debut album, Pablo Honey, "Creep" fit right in with the rest of the melancholy, alternative grunge rock that had taken over the airwaves.
9. High and Dry
Since its release, The Bends still holds true as my favorite album of all time, although many Radiohead fanatics would disagree, arguing that OK Computer was their greatest success to date. Truth be told, they're both fantastic albums, and we can thank a catchy little mellow, acoustic tune by the name of "High and Dry" for being the first single released to prove that Radiohead was not going to be contributing to the 90's one-hit wonder music pile.
8. Fake Plastic Trees
Another fabulous, mellow acoustic single off The Bends, except this one didn't seem to be as radio-friendly as "High and Dry". However, it still holds as a favorite for Radiohead fanatics nationwide and also was featured on the Clueless soundtrack. In addition, it also placed a spot on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.
7. Karma Police
By the time "Karma Police" had crossed every radio airwave and music television broadcast nationwide, it was a proven fact that Radiohead was the one to beat. Now, they weren't just some band that had released a few catchy tunes, but they had now released two albums, each a sensational masterpiece in their own way. "Karma Police" was a classic in itself, a work of art, a stunning success.
6. Idioteque
Just when you thought the good ole' 90's alternative rock bands were getting boring and predictable, along came Kid A. Kid A gets mixed reviews from Radiohead fans, some dislike the computerized, electronic sound of the album while others think it's pure genius. Idioteque is one of the key elements of the album with its techno vibe that puts you in a hypnotic trance.
5. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
For me, I was torn between "Jigsaw" and "Reckoner" as the most compelling track off In Rainbows, but "Jigsaw" seemed to captivate the majority of the Radiohead audience. At first listen, the melody is a bit sleepy, but after a few more, the catchy beat grows on you and makes you want to "let it out".
4. Everything In Its Right Place
Now we're getting to the good stuff. "Everything In Its Right Place" is electronically mesmerizing. I suspect that the reason it's the first track on Kid A is to prepare the listeners for what they're in for. It's like taking a euphoric ride into outer space and seeing everything for the first time.
3. Paranoid Android
One of the best pieces of music ever written. Ever. I could write an entire novel about this one song. Listening to "Paranoid Android" is similar to spending six minutes and twenty-five seconds with either a manic-depressive or a brief thunder storm. It starts out as a slow, calm melody, like gently floating down a river, and then explodes into a mass of electric riffs and chords that shoot right you like a bolt of lightning. Then, just when you think you've had enough, it slows back down to an almost choir-like chant during the "Rain Down" segment before exploding one more time. Classic. Pure genius.
2. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
As if "Paranoid Android" wasn't enough, here is yet another one of Radiohead's beautiful gems. It's hard to imagine life before "Street Spirit". The intensity, the emotion and the devastation behind it is surreal. Thom Yorke said it was "the dark tunnel without the light at the end" and trust me, that darkness shines through the overpowering emotion of the melody and vocals. Immerse your soul in love.
1. Let Down
As the cliché goes, I saved the best for last. I like to think of "Let Down" as Radiohead's best-kept secret. It wasn't one of their popular songs for some unknown reason, but once I discovered it, there was no turning back. "Let Down" is and forever will be my favorite song of all time. It is truly a beautiful work of art. Listening to it sends me on a euphoric high similar to descending a roller coaster at 300 MPH. The hopeful melody and burning emotion could instantly move any audience. By the end of the song, you feel like you've been on an emotional roller coaster and all you want to do is get back in line.
Honorable Mentions:
Black Star: "Black Star" is like the little brother who doesn't get as much attention as he deserves. It's a sensational rock ballad and one of the best tracks off The Bends.
Just: The Bends strikes again. I struggled with whether or not to add this to the top ten list because of its popularity among Radiohead fans, but along with "Black Star", it doesn't get as much hype as it deserves.
Pyramid Song: An eerie track that is mysteriously haunting. This track also came up frequently as a Radiohead favorite, even though it's considered more of a B-side versus a hit single.
Reckoner: While skimming through the recently released In Rainbows, "Reckoner" was the first song that really grabbed my attention. It has a dazzling, distorted cymbal pattern and a bit of a melancholy sound to it. (But then again, don't most of their tracks?) Personally, it's my favorite off the new album and I think it shows off the brilliance of the masterminds behind rock music, otherwise known as Radiohead.
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After walking in on her best friend and boyfriend in bed together, Renee Evans leaves her dream job as an L.A. music journalist and returns to her hometown of Boston – only to meet Dylan Cavallari, the mysterious aspiring musician who lives upstairs.
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CommentsLoading...
definitely agree with you on the whole thing!
Very Wiseeeee Choices, I'd Put High And Dry First, Myself, But Brilliant List.
I know you gave it an honourable mention, but pyramid song must be one of the greatest tracks by radiohead, heard it on the radio late at night when i was a kid, didnt know who it at the time but never forgot it. in a way im glad its not as well known as the rest. great list all the same mate.
Good taste!! I love Radiohead
My top 10 no real order
Pyramid song- beautiful in every way
like spinning plates- something magical about this one
nice dream- I believe him
street spirit- perfect
harrowdown hill (even though it was only thome York)- i love this song
Sail to the moon- makes me want to sail to the moon
2+ 2 = 5- awesome
a wolf at the door- dark and great
Everything in its place- what hooked me to Radiohead
In Rainbows (the entire CD)- the ONLY cd i have ever picked up where I enjoy every single song on it enough to listen to it over and over again.
* this is 11-15,
How to disappear completely deserves to be on this list.
Motion Picture Soundtrack
Exit music for a film
no suprises
The amazing sounds of orgy.
those are my personal favorites.
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Agree on Let Down. I still remember the first time I "got" Let Down. I had been listening to Radiohead and OK Computer for a while, but one day it just happened. That track is absolutely uplifting and amazing the way it builds and crescendos at the end with Thom and the background singer joining together. Tearful joy. Every time.
Hmmm, not a single track from HTTT is strange. To me Let Down is the only let down on OK Computer, through a decent list i suppose.
any radiohead fan should listen to last flowers. its awesome.
How can you leave out True Love Waits and Nude? Number 1 would definitely be exit music, what a deliciously haunting crescendo of music and lyrics. Long live the greatest band of all time!!!
Nice work on the list. Let Down is definitely a great song but definitely not Radiohead's best. This honour goes to either Lucky, Just or Paranoid. Would swap Idioteque for Exit Music.
Listen to 'Wolf at the Door'.
I don't know what it is about this song.. i play it on repeat and it is the highest on my play count list.
it's something magical out of a storybook. the lyrics don't really make a lick of sense but i just love it.
end music for a film is pretty great as well and i love jigsaw falling into place.
great list, although i would personally put paranoid android at 2nd or maybe even 1st. the song has an eerie presence that lasts even after the song ends, almost like a spirit.also honorable mention should also have fake plastic trees.its a great song.
My list would be:
1. Paranoid Android
2. Everything in Its Right Place
3. No Surprises!!!
4. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
5. Reckoner
6. 2 + 2 = 5
7. Fake Plastic Trees
8. Jigsaw Falling into Place
9. Pyramid Song
10.Just
Good list. I like how The Bends is well represented. I always seem to go back to that album for some reason. One of my favourites (though maybe not one of the bests) is a song from the Iron Lung EP: The Trickster. Few Radiohead songs have guitar riffs has good as this one.
Let sown is one of mine aswell theres just somthing about it, its amazing I cant figure out why its not as "big" as tracks like karma police and no suprises
Let Down is prob my fave song as well. I didn't think anyone liked it as much as me what a pleasnt surprise to see it at #1.
Great hub, street spirit will always be my favourite, but i love some of their lesser known songs like gagging order, follow me around and true love waits.
yay for Let Down !! My favorite as well....
Let Down is a classic and in my opinion one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Its something how even huge Radiohead fans dont understand how good it is.
Let down is also my favorite one. I don't listen to Radiohead as much as I used to but I still consider this song to be there best one. There was also a moment for me when I 'got' it. The way the song is structured. The build up in the middle... the way the lyrics are repeated ("you know, you know where you are with..."). Listen to it with headphones in the dark.
Reckoner is definitely my favorite, but do a top 10 for me is impossible, so many good songs to choose...However I like your top, it's very good, maybe swap one or two songs.
I've got to say that best Radiohead song has to be a tie between Street Spirit (Fade Out) and Lucky. Any list of Radiohead Songs needs to be filled primarily with Kid A tracks though.
you and whose country deserves to be in top 10
How can you choose a top 10!!! I would have problems doing a top 50!
nice list but i'd have optimistic subterranean homesick alien electioneering , actualy the whole ok computer album
I agree with the bulk of your ratings and Let Down is definitely my favorite, but I think one that gets over looked far too often is Pearly.
talk show host best song ever
a pretty fair list, but i think alot of people havent even heard "talk show host" one of their most mesmerizing and haunting songs , check it out RH fans !
I think my favorite may be There There. That track just seems to sum up the sinister and emotional vibe of Radiohead. It just seems so...them. I do agree that Let Down is amazing and that is a vvveeerrrryyy close second imo.
yeriel 3 years ago
house of cards really grabbed my attention on that album but i agree jigsaw really does the band justice