So I’ve wanted to do this for a while now. NCAA march madness style, Radiohead 64 song bracket. I’ve seen this done for several artists before, so I just want to admit this is not my original idea. Shout out to Rembert Browne for the inspiration. And shout out to Kendrick Lamar- just ‘cuz. There are also other Radiohead brackets out there, but still no critical analysis about the selections. That’s where I come in. Without further adieu…

So here’s the rules:

Seeding: Seeds 1-8 were decided by popularity by youtube views (there has to be some justification for seeding, right?). Seeds 9-16 were picked by me (and I tried my best to make seeds as fair as possible, but believe me, that’s harder than it seems.

Songs: Only Radiohead studio recordings, if possible (there is only one exception in the case of the youtube selections). There are a ton of great live recordings but I had to make my job easier, so deal with it (insert deal with it gif here).

Winners: Decided by me (with great painstaking effort).

Regions: Yorke, Greenwood, Selway, and O’Brien. Final Four takes place at Nigel Godrich’s house and championship takes place in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

So why am I qualified to do this and why should you keep reading? I honestly don’t have a good answer. This is just a fan wanting to write about their second favorite band (that title would belong to The National). I’ve done my homework on these songs for a while now so hopefully I don’t roll too many eyes. And before we get started, just a disclaimer: I MIGHT BE WRONG. Music all touches us in ways sometimes we can’t understand. Music is so unique in that it can have such a profound impact on someone but have little to no impact on someone else. We don’t choose to be influenced by music. That’s what makes it so great. And that’s one of the reasons why Radiohead is one of my favorite bands…

We’ll start with the omissions (because I have to say something about the songs that didn’t make the tournament):

Semi-sort of difficult to leave out: Most of Pablo Honey, sadly. I think many Radiohead fans can attest to the fact that this was not their best album. But thankfully, Creep took off and projected them into stardom. Because without that we might not have The Bends. And without that we might not have OK Computer (now THAT is the worst timeline).

Difficult to leave out: Most of the B-sides. Radiohead, in my opinion, has done a great job narrowing songs down and putting the right combination (and amount) of songs on their albums. It also speaks to their ability that a song like The Daily Mail or Talk Show Host or The Butcher can have me beating myself up for not including them in the top 64.

KILLS ME to leave out:

Life In A Glass House: The piano chord progression, trumpets, and jazzy feel to this song is unlike anything else seen in a radiohead song (besides maybe Dollars and Cents, which is in the main draw).

Sulk: The song hits you right away, with the line: “you bite through the big wall, the big wall bites back.” And it keeps that momentum going with a song that truly showcases Thom Yorke’s vocal quality at an early age.

Myxomatosis: The gritty tone of the guitars just jump out right away, and the strings at the end are a great touch. But the song doesn’t climax to a point I was expecting (maybe I shouldn’t have been expecting it) so for that reason alone it misses the cut

Faust Arp: One of the more underrated songs on In Rainbows, and one of Radiohead’s better “short” songs. It is a great segue to Reckoner, but unfortunately that’s what it seems like more often than not, and does not stand out on it’s own to warrant a spot in the top 64.

A quick count of album representation in the field of 64 (and percentage of the album in parentheses):

Pablo Honey: 2 (17%)

The Bends: 7 (58%)

Ok Computer: 11 (92%)

Kid A: 7 (70%)

Amnesiac: 7 (63%)

Hail To The Thief: 10 (71%)

In Rainbows: 9 (90%)

The King Of Limbs: 5 (63%)

So now…

First Round:

Yorke Region:

Creep (1) vs. Morning Mr. Magpie (16): Creep is a very popular Radiohead song, but even hipsters can’t say they don’t like it. It’s got that feel to it that sucks you in from the beginning. You can’t help but have your mood changed when you listen to it, for the better or the worse. And that Thom Yorke vocal range! Morning Mr. Magpie has a groovy bassline (which TKOL is filled with) but it doesn’t have the quite the power Creep has. Winner: Creep.

Codex (8) vs. Nude (9): Codex is a very pretty song, with the immediate muffled piano chords you hear, and in some ways, shares some similarities to Nude. But Nude has such a more profound message and really takes you on a journey throughout the song. Thom Yorke’s vocals come out clear and resonate with you right from the beginning. Sorry Codex, you just can’t compete with everything Nude has to offer. Winner: Nude

How to Disappear Completely (5) vs. Down is the New Up (12): You get the sense of the mood on How to Disappear Completely right away. The tension filled song has a climax not reached by very many Radiohead songs. Thom Yorke sings this song great also, like in Creep, where he really embodies the spirit of the song and the message it carries. Down is the New Up is a rare B-side which made the cut, but it is a great song in my opinion. That transition at around 1:15 is just great, and showcases the push and pull that the song has (and which is indicated in the title of the song). You can’t beat HTDC this early though. Winner: How To Disappear Completely

True Love Waits (4) vs. Scatterbrain (13): True Love Waits is the one exception to the “no live songs” rule from above, but it had so many youtube views (enough to warrant a 4 seed) so it stays. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great song, and the lyrics are fantastic, but it kind of drags at the middle. Scatterbrain, you could say, also does this at points. But it also features some great drums which complement the guitars very nicely, something lacking in True Love waits. Scatterbrain with the upset. Winner: Scatterbrain

Reckoner (3) vs. Up On The Ladder (14): Another matchup of a heavyweight versus a B-side. It is so satisfying when the bass comes in on Up on the Ladder. It can’t match Thom’s vocals on Reckoner, though. Winner: Reckoner

Idioteque (6) vs. I Might Be Wrong (11): I thought Idioteque would have more views to give it a better seed, but alas, this is where it is. You can’t say enough about the beat in Idioteque, but the lyrics in this song and Thom’s vocals complement the beat unimaginably (don’t know if that’s a word but w/e). It makes for a great driving song, that’s for sure. I might be wrong also has a very groovy beat and bassline, and Yorke’s muffled vocals complement this song very well. But Idioteque is much more unique radiohead than I might be wrong. Winner: Idioteque

Weird Fishes (7) vs. In Limbo (10): Tough matchup. I love both these songs. Weird Fishes embodies the spirit of In Rainbows to the fullest. The last minute of Weird Fishes and In Limbo are both filled with so much sound. They both feature such contrasting styles too, with Wierd Fishes sounding so much more minimalistic compared to In Limbo. I wavered too many times on this one, but in the end, it’s Weird Fishes beautiful guitar that won the matchup. Winner: Weird Fishes

High and Dry (2) vs. Kid A (15): A little bit of a surprise to me that High and Dry has so many views. I think it’s placement in several movies helps. Nonetheless, it still is a great song, and definitely one of my favorites in The Bends. Kid A shows just what a change 5 years can make. This electronic song showcases the band’s ability to change musical direction. And when the strings come in at around 3:00, oh boy. But High and Dry wins for lyrical content. Winner: High and Dry

Greenwood Region:

Lotus Flower (1) vs. The Bends (16): Lotus flower is another somewhat surprise that is this can’t seeded, but the fact that is the most recent big single (and has an awesome video) doesn’t hurt. You can’t help but do the Thom Yorke dance while listening. It’s groovy baby. Something The Bends can’t compete with (even though it does have some classic Britpop influences that you can’t help but love). Winner: Lotus Flower

Lucky (8) vs. Separator (9): Lucky features one of my favorite ends to a chorus on a Radiohead song (“We are standing on the edge…”) that provides so much great tension. The only fault on Separator (which is an underrated song in my opinion) is that it takes too long for that great guitar to come in, which really elevates the song. Winner: Lucky

Exit Music (For a Film) (5) vs. Morning Bell (Kid A version) (12): Exit Music truly showcases the band’s impeccable sense of dynamics. You almost lean a little closer and try to really catch on to Thom Yorke’s vocals in the beginning, before getting blown away by the ending. Morning Bell (the Kid A version) features fantastic drums to pretty vocals. You can’t beat Exit Music this early though. Winner: Exit Music

A Wolf At The Door (4) vs. Supercollider (13): Supercollider is a B-side from TKOL that really shows their musical sound for that album. It encompasses all the electronic, rhythmic sounds found in TKOL. But it doesn’t feature enough of Yorke’s vocals to advance. A Wolf at the Door does just that, even having him rap (CAN I HAZ A THOM YORKE RAP ALBUM PLZ?). Winner: A Wolf At The Door

Jigsaw Falling Into Place (3) vs. Go To Sleep (14): Jigsaw shows Thom’s great low vocals, along with his great range, and accompanies some great drumming and guitar. It also is a great story about love and heartbreak (something many people can relate to). Go to Sleep features almost “country-esque” guitar over a catchy drum pattern and great belting vocals by Thom. You can’t beat the story Jigsaw paints though. Winner: Jigsaw Falling Into Place

Thinking About You (6) vs. A Punch Up A Wedding (11): Thinking about you is the other Pablo Honey song on here (by youtube selection), but I do like this song. It’s a good song with a solemn feel to it, but it can’t beat the piano of A punch up at a wedding. Upset. Winner: A Punch Up At A Wedding

Climbing Up The Walls (7) vs. Knives Out (10): Another tough matchup. If you look up “climax” in the dictionary you might see Climbing Up the Walls (no not that climax, you’re looking at urbandictionary). Knives out also has great vocals and some great dual guitar work with strumming and tabbed notes at the same time. While Knives Out might be a more consistent song thoughout, that climax in Climbing Up the Walls elevates it to a greater degree. Winner: Climbing Up The Walls

Karma Police (2) vs. Bloom (15): Karma Police is about where I expected it to be seeded, near the top. This is also a song where even hipsters would have a hard time going against popular opinion on this song. A small thing I love about Karma Police: The kick drum! Sounds so good in this song for some reason. Bloom is another great opener to a Radiohead album, but the creative sounds are not enough to beat this goliath. Winner: Karma Police

O’Brien Region:

No Surprises (1) vs. Electioneering (16): The fact that Electioneering is a 16 seed really tells you how good Radiohead’s discography is. Electioneering has a type of sound not really explored in OK Computer. I could say the same about No Surprises, but then again, I could say that about every song on OK Computer. The guitars and bells on No Surprises are too warm and inviting to lose this early. Winner: No Surprises

You And Whose Army (8) vs. Subterranean Homesick Alien (9): I love both these songs for different reasons. The ending, on You and Whose Army and the beginning, on Subterranean. When those piano chords come in at about 2:00 on You and Whose Army you can’t help but belt those notes with Thom. Those electronic synths and sounds at the beginning of Subterranean Homesick Alien just sucks you in, and it was one of the first Radiohead songs that caught my attention and caused me to listen to them more. For that reason, it advances. Winner: Subterranean Homesick Alien

Everything In Its Right Place (5) vs. Motion Picture Soundtrack (12): The intro of Kid A versus the ending song. Both carry significant weight to the success of the album. EIIRP kind of takes you aback right away, but then you settle in and get lost in the warm synths and Thom’s voice. Motion Picture Soundtrack is just a beautiful song. Harps never sounded so good in a “rock” band. I put that in quotations because I can never really pinpoint these guys to one genre. If you close your eyes to Motion Picture Soundtrack you are bound to have some vivid daydreams. This was a tough matchup and had potential for the upset. But Everything does so much right that it’s hard to lose this early. Sorry Motion Picture Soundtrack, you’ll still get many plays by me. Winner: Everything In Its Right Place

15 Step (4) vs. Planet Telex (13): Another interesting matchup. The intro of In Rainbows versus the intro of The Bends. Radiohead knows how to make their intros, that’s for sure. 15 Step does a great job of isolating the drums first then bringing the guitars in. Adds an extra level of excitement when those guitars do come in. Planet Telex does a great job of introducing you to the feel of the album (which I still can’t really nail down yet, but you know what I mean). That drum beat is tough to beat on 15 Step though. Winner: 15 Step

All I Need (3) vs. Sit Down, Stand Up (14): Both these songs have great climaxes, but Sit Down, Stand Up’s seems to be more messy and disorganized compared to All I Need’s. That fullness of sound in All I Need is “all I need” to push it through to the next round (see what I did there?) Winner: All I Need

There, There (6) vs. Little By Little (11): Many people by now know the famous line “just because you feel it doesn’t mean it’s there.” That, along with many other iconic lines in There, There, just makes it a great song. But then add in a great transition and climax? Boy, it’s tough to beat that. Little by Little is one of my favorites from TKOL, but it sometimes suffers from almost too much sound at times. I prefer the live In the Basement recording because you can hear more of the instruments clearly, but their recording process for this album was different so I can’t really fault them too much. There, There is just too good to lose this early. Winner: There, There

Let Down (7) vs. Optimistic (10): How do we live in a world where Let Down is a 7 seed and Optimistic is a 10 seed? Maybe I shouldn’t have gone with popularity for seeding after all… Oh well. This is BY FAR the toughest choice in the first round. I love Let Down. It echoes the feel of No Surprises (somewhat) and features one of my favorite Radiohead choruses ever. Optimistic, however, just carries some unknown significance to me. I think the sound and feel of the song pull me in and it’s so impossible to resist. I can’t skip any part of that song. I have to put it forward. Sorry Let Down, it seriously kills me to have to take you out this early. Just know people I cried for like 8 hours when it lost (who says this isn’t real? IT’S STILL REAL TO ME DAMMIT). Winner: Optimistic

2+2=5 (2) vs. Dollars and Cents (15): 2+2=5 is another great opener to an album, as the harmonizing vocals work great with the pulsating drums. Dollars and Cents sounds straight out of a Bjork album, but oddly enough, it works great for Radiohead, especially on Amnesiac. This also is another instance where Radiohead really strives for an end goal or sound they want for an album, and to me, Dollars and Cents is an integral part of that sound. But 2+2=5 is another song that is too good to lose this early. Winner: 2+2=5

Selway Region:

House of Cards (1) vs. Videotape (16): Another testament to their discography when Videotape is a 16. House of cards has so many good qualities. You also can’t help but think about the music video when listening to this song (it fits so well). Radiohead is also the king of lyrical uncertainty, as there are so many lines in this song which can be interpreted in different ways. This song really showcases their beautiful poetry too. “Infrastructure will collapse, from voltage spikes” is one of my favorite lines. I have no idea why, it just makes me ponder things other bands rarely do. Videotape is another In Rainbows song which fits the feel of the album so well without doing much. House of Cards wins this one though for a more complete résumé. Winner: House Of Cards

Sail To The Moon (8) vs. Airbag (9): I’m sure I can tell if Airbag is being played no more than a millisecond into the song. Those introductory guitars are so iconic now I can’t imagine OK Computer without that song. Sail to the Moon is one of the more pretty songs on Hail To The Thief (an album filled with more harsh tones) and does it fantastically. Airbag is too much of a juggernaut to lose in the first round though (and who would’ve thought it would be an 9 seed?) Winner: Airbag

Just (5) vs. Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box (12): Packt definitely takes the cake for most creative title (and english skills like Thom Yorke’s AMA on Reddit). It is also another iconic intro to me (if you’re scoring at home that makes all of Radiohead’s intro album songs on here, except Pablo Honey, of course). It showcases sound more than Thom’s vocals, which is a nice change of pace. Just is a good song from The Bends, but unfortunately, that’s all it is to me. Another 12-5 upset (just like March Madness! I must be doing something right, right?) Winner: Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box

Paranoid Android (4) vs. (Nice Dream) (13): The thought of (Nice Dream) beating Paranoid Android in the first round is more of a (Bad Dream). Thank you, thank you, i’ll be here most of the week. That’s not to take anything away from (Nice Dream), though, it does contain some elements which I love. Thom’s voice is so high it almost floats above the guitars, and it does invoke some imagery if you close your eyes and get lost in the song. Paranoid Android, though, that is just another beast. More on this song later. Winner: Paranoid Android

Street Spirit (Fade Out) (3) vs. Like Spinning Plates (14): Like Spinning Plates is another song from Amnesiac which does a lot without featuring Thom’s vocals front and center. I the live version however, even though that is a much more dumbed down version of it (you can’t beat the prettiness of that piano!) Street Spirit is another song which you can’t help but belt at the top of your lungs while driving (or anywhere). It closes The Bends on a great note, with (relatively) simple guitar progressions and very l vocals. Winner: Street Spirit (Fade Out)



Pyramid Song (6) vs. The Tourist (11): Pyramid Song as you know features that funky time signature, but to me the highlight is just those relatively simple piano chords. It just shows how good a song can be with a simple chord progressions but great songwriting and vocals. The Tourist caps off Ok Computer in a great way, with the feel of the song echoing it’s title. The slow nature of the song almost seems to slow down time and makes you hope your vacation keeps going. Pyramid Song is too powerful to lose this early though. Winner: Pyramid Song

Where I End And You Begin (7) vs. Bodysnatchers (10): I’m surprised Bodysnatchers didn’t have more views on youtube, as it seems to me like one of their more catchy songs. The fact that it doesn’t have a music video might be the reason though. Bodysnatchers has great powerful vocals to top off some excellent guitars, bass, and drums. So basically, it has little to no weaknesses. Where I end starts out great but doesn’t really carry that momentum like Bodysnatchers does. Winner: Bodysnatchers

Fake Plastic Trees (2) vs. I Will (15): I Will is one of my favorite slow, short Radiohead songs. It transitions into A Punch Up great, but at times when listening to this repeatedly, it feels more of a segue, like Faust Arp. Those harmonizing high vocals though! Fake Plastic Trees carries more weight and features a more broad spectrum of sound, so it advances. Winner: Fake Plastic Trees

Second Round:

Yorke Region:

Creep (1) vs. Nude (9): As much as people don’t like to admit it, doesn’t Creep speak to some experience you’ve had in life? I think that plays a big role in the fact that still to this day gets many plays and is considered one of Radiohead’s best songs. The way Thom Yorke sings “I wish I was special” makes it seem believable in every way, like he’s speaking from personal experience and rejection. The emotion is what lifts this song above all other songs on Pablo Honey. Oddly enough, the emotion in Nude is why I like it too. Even the title just jumps out to you about the what the subject matter is. Radiohead is sometimes too emotional, that you might feel down just listening to these songs for extended periods. Nude does a great job of getting the balance just right, in that you can listen to this song for years and years on end before you get too down. It’s another push/pull song, with regards to how we can have a strong desire for things but then when we get them we find ourselves frustrated as we don’t care for it (my interpretation). It’s pessimistic but true, something I relate all too much to, so for that reason, it moves on. First #1 seed gone! Winner: Nude

How To Disappear Completely (5) vs. Scatterbrain (13): This seems like a one sided matchup, and it really is. HTDC is a emotional journey that is one of those Radiohead songs I was talking about which can seriously alter your mood after several listens in succession. That doesn’t take anything away from it though, it elevates it. This is def a “Goosebumps Hall Of Fame” song. Scatterbrain can’t compete with that. Winner: How To Disappear Completely

Reckoner (3) vs. Idioteque (6): Idioteque is one of those rare songs which can stand alone without Thom’s vocals. The beat is so full of sound and the lyrics in this song paint a vivid story you just can’t help but smile as you listen to the last 2 minutes without vocals as it transitions beautifully to Morning Bell. The song just gets better every listen. Reckoner is a song which is elevated completely by Thom’s vocals. In Rainbows as a whole features some excellent backing vocals, Reckoner is a good example of that. The harmonizing on top of some big reverb just adds to the feel of floating on a cloud. It’s easy to get lost in this song without even thinking about what Thom is saying, which has some beautiful poetry and themes that go along with all of In Rainbows. This was tough, but I have Idioteque winning this one. Winner: Idioteque

Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (7) vs. High And Dry (2): Weird Fishes is another Radiohead song which is just elevated by the backing vocals, in this case of Ed O’Brien. This is another song which gets better and better after repeated listens. High and Dry is a song which gets you hooked right away, and it’s very easy to like it. It doesn’t have that same quality of Weird Fishes though and doesn’t give much more to offer after repeated listens. Winner: Weird Fishes

Greenwood Region:

Lotus Flower (1) vs. Lucky (8): It’s kind of hard to judge any song from TKOL since it’s still in its infancy stages. What we do know, is that Thom Yorke definitely has been influenced by the sound in this album (and played a big part in shaping the sound). It is seen in his latest release AMOK and somewhat in his solo album The Eraser. I’ve seen split opinions on TKOL, and count me in the middle. I don’t think enough time has passed to give a full opinion yet. I really like the deviation of sound from their previous albums, as it shows even more growth in the band. Lucky is another standout track on OK Computer, but unfortunately it goes up against one of my favorite recent Radiohead songs (and you can’t have the Thom Yorke Dance lose this early). Winner: Lotus Flower

Exit Music (5) vs. A Wolf At The Door (4): Exit music is the ultimate run away song, and it Thom does a great job of waiting and waiting until finally unleashing that belting “Now we are one…” It really makes that ending so much more satisfying. And one of the many reasons why it’s one of my favorite songs, period. (Foreshadowing alert!) Even Thom “Yeezus” Yorke can’t recreate that magic in A wolf at the door. Winner: Exit Music

Jigsaw Falling Into Place (3) vs. A Punch Up At A Wedding (11): I feel like i’m talking too much. Jigsaw has an amazing pace to it, frantic yet calm. It also features another great ending, and for that reason, it beats the Consuela song (No No No No) (Family Guy reference for those older folk). Winner: Jigsaw Falling Into Place

Climbing Up The Walls (7) vs. Karma Police (2): Karma Police has one of my favorite refrains of any song, at around 2:30. It just makes you scratch you’re head and wonder how they came up with that chord progression? That transition from going D to G then D to E7 really shows they know their music theory (or just have an impeccable taste for chord changes). Climbing up the walls only can compete with it because of the ending, but Karma police is a much better well rounded song. Winner: Karma Police

O’Brien Region:

No Surprises (1) vs. Subterranean Homesick Alien (9): Another matchup between songs from Ok Computer (and might be the only way a song from that album can get eliminated). These two songs for me personally are more about the feel to them. I feel relaxed listing to Subterranean, and I feel reminiscent listening to No surprises. No surprises is more of a reflection on life, so naturally it leaves me deep into thought most of the time, warranting more and more plays. More plays from me= I like it better. Good math? I think so. Winner: No Surprises

Everything In Its Right Place (5) vs. 15 Step (4): Another battle of album openers. Everything does such a great job of introducing you to the feel and atmosphere of Kid A. 15 Step does that too, but not on the level of EIIRP. I wish I was a Radiohead fan before Kid A came out just so I would know what my reaction would’ve been like for those first few seconds of EIIRP. I hope I would’ve appreciated it as much as I do now. I don’t have to worry about that though, as I’ve already formed an opinion on the song. And it’s pretty favorable. Winner: Everything In Its Right Place

All I Need (3) vs. There, There (6): Another tough, tough matchup to pick. I really love All I Need. That three song stretch of Nude, Weird Fishes, and All I Need in In Rainbows is one of Radiohead’s better 3 song stretches, in my opinion. It is capped off by the beautiful, ethereal All I Need. There is just enough reverb and echo in Thom’s voice to make it fill your ears with sound. There, There is another song which can just fill your head with sound. Those toms at the beginning just punch amazingly, and that momentum continues until that awesome transition which I talked about before (or maybe not, I can’t keep everything straight). The climax in this song just slightly outperforms All I Need’s, so for that, it advances. I really hate to have that song out this early though. Winner: There, There

Optimistic (10) vs. 2+2=5 (2): If a song beat Let Down, I must like it. And I do. 2+2=5 can’t compete with my favorite song from Kid A (yes, I said it. More foreshadowing for upcoming matchups.) Winner: Optimistic

Selway Region:

House of Cards (1) vs. Airbag (9): It’s a shame these two songs meet so early. This matchup is more about what Airbag does right than what House of Cards does wrong. Those distorted guitars just pave the way towards the audio bliss that Ok Computer is. Winner: Airbag

Packt Like Sardines (12) vs. Paranoid Android (4): A somewhat one-sided matchup, haven’t had one of those in a while! So thanks Packt, and sorry to send you “pack-ing!” (I couldn’t resist). Paranoid Android

Street Spirit (3) vs. Pyramid Song (6): The thing I love about Pyramid Song is the vivid poetry the song invokes. Radiohead also has a knack of putting very powerful lines in their songs and knowing what lines to repeat. “There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt” is one of those lines that has much more added meaning because of they way it is repeated and beaten into your brain. Even that amazing guitar in Street Spirit can’t compete with that. Winner: Pyramid Song

Bodysnatchers (10) vs. Fake Plastic Trees (2): This matchup shows how much the band has grown. Bodysnatchers does everything that Fake Plastic Trees does not. It’s almost an unfair matchup. It’s like the 2012 San Antonio Spurs vs. the 2012 Minnesota Timberwolves (I have to put the Timberwolves in this post somehow). Youthful potential versus timeless veterans just going about their business. And wiping the floor against the youngsters (Can we get some better damn luck next year with no injuries?? That’s all I ask). Winner: Bodysnatchers

On to the Sweet 16!

This is the point in the competition where it gets really tough. Radiohead songs cover such a wide spectrum of sounds and really cover the entire emotional pallet know to humans that it’s tough to choose between these remaining songs. Beware: more personal feelings/opinions went into the final decision for some of these songs, because they were just too close to call.

Yorke Region:

Nude (9) vs. How To Disappear Completely (5): HTDC can be a brutal song sometimes. From watching sad movies you should know to prepare yourselves for some serious gut wrenching, emotional stuff when those strings play. But every time you listen to it, you somehow find some deep reserve of untapped emotional space to roam free and fill your body with all kinds of different feelings. You can’t help but feel moved every time you hear it. When Thom’s vocals come through the chaos at the end, it makes the song so much more satisfying and adds an emotional level that no song has reached in my 23 years of music listening. Nude still wins though. The song just speaks to me more than HTDC does. The fact that a song can have so many different meanings and make me contemplate life makes this one of my favorite Radiohead songs. And that’s just enough to tip the scale in this matchup.Winner: Nude

Idioteque (6) vs. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (7): There comes a point in the competition where you ask yourselves: Is coolness a big enough factor to compete with some of the other aspects these songs have to offer? Because Idioteque is the coolest song left. I don’t know if it’s my favorite left though. So Weird Fishes wins. That wasn’t very analytical. So, um, Idioteque is like, “yo Weird Fishes you ain’t got no swag son,” and then Weird Fishes busts a cap on Idioteque. Winner: Weird Fishes/Arpeggi

Greenwood Region:

Lotus Flower (1) vs. Exit Music (5): There also comes a point where the Thom Yorke Dance run has to end. If there was an “underdog” number 1 seed, Lotus Flower would be it. I can’t fault it for effort though, Exit Music is just too powerful and strong (think Adrian Peterson versus anybody). I do submit Lotus Flower’s music video for the youtube hall of fame (if it isn’t already in it). It’s got so many dance moves; I’m in need of a serious Grantland analysis stat!Winner: Exit Music

Jigsaw Falling Into Place (3) vs. Karma Police (2): This is your typical 2-3 matchup, very even on paper, unpredictable, gamblers hate it, everyone picks one of these teams as their “surprise” pick to make it to the final four even though it’s not really a “surprise” pick, etc, etc. Jigsaw has one of my favorite choruses of any Radiohead song. Karma Police features one of my favorite endings to a Radiohead song. Karma Police has the upper hand just because of longevity I feel. I truly believe Jigsaw will stand the test of time too, but for now, I gotta let Karma Police through for that one last title run. Yeah, this bracket is gonna look a lot different 10 years from now (Maeby). Winner: Karma Police

No Surprises (1) vs. Everything In Its Right Place (5): EIIRP is another song which makes fantastic use of repetition in the vocals to really punch home the message. It somewhat makes use of repetition in the sounds, also, featured in this song. It’s another song which is hard to figure out. And may have a different meaning depending on who you talk to. Dreams? The strive to be contempt? I’m not sure. I change my answer every time, it’s more fun to think about new meanings to songs. Radiohead does that like no other band. No surprises has an innate ability to rack my brain and delve deep into my philosophical thoughts. The perfect car ride song (better if you’re not driving when you start daydreaming though, word to the wise). But EIIRP just takes sound to a whole nother level, you can’t beat that kind of innovation. Winner: Everything In Its Right Place



There, There (6) vs. Optimistic (10): Both these songs are so evenly matched. They are both potential final 4 songs. Remember that blurb I said about personal feelings? Yeah those definitely swayed this vote. While I love There, There, I love Optimistic just a little more. I don’t really know why. Maybe I always think of the Frank Ocean “Bitches Talkin’” interlude on Nostalgia, Ultra and 2 of my favorite artists > 1. I’m not sure. Just know I love both these songs. Winner: Optimistic

Selway Region:

Airbag (9) vs. Paranoid Android (4): These two songs complement each other so well on Ok Computer, and they did a great job of putting these tracks back to back on the album. Airbag is supposed to be a happy song, with the narrator saying how happy he is for a second chance. The opening guitar just feels like a rebirth. They really know how to invoke imagery in their sounds (I’ve never done LSD, but if I did, I would probably pop either Ok Computer or Kid A in first). The song still can’t compete with with Paranoid Android though. More on that song in a bit… Winner: Paranoid Android

Pyramid Song (6) vs. Bodysnatchers (10): Two very unique songs. And maybe two of the more underrated songs in Radiohead’s discography. Pyramid song may suffer from that dreaded “underrated so much it actually becomes slightly overrated” title (props to Bill Simmons). Throwing all outside opinions of the songs away, I like Bodysnatchers just a teensy bit better because of all the great metaphors in it, and one of my favorite guitar riffs ever at the end. Winner: Bodysnatchers

Elite Eight:

Nude (9) vs. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (7): I think one of the main reasons why I like In Rainbows (and one of the big factors in me liking an album) is the fact that all the songs complement each other so well. An album should make each song better by just having the right songs in front and behind it. Take these two songs, for example. Bodysnatchers, in an odd way, complements Nude very well in that your ears are almost ready to hear what Nude has to offer. Same thing can be said about Weird Fishes. Aside: this is also one of the reasons I believe many people do not like Amnesiac that much. It has good songs in my opinion, just poor placement. Like really, you’re gonna put Pulk/Pull after Pyramid Song?? Oh well, back to regularly scheduled programming.

So how do I decide between two songs that complement each other so well? I’m pretty sure I could listen to a full album of Thom just singing those “ooh’s” for that ending 1 minute on Nude. It just has the perfect amount of layers and harmony to make it one of the most beautiful endings to a song. And the song also gets props just for the fact that I can google “Nude song” and the first result will be the Radiohead song. Let’s hope their next single, “Porn” does as well for the internets’ sake. The song also gets more props for being able to do so much with so few lyrics. They take true advantage of all they have to offer, packing as much meaning they can into what few lines they say and packing as much sound into a (what seems) short 4:15. Weird Fishes shares some of the same themes that Nude does, in that it is somewhat of a pessimistic song, but also hopeful in that you should really know what you want before just blindly going and chasing it. The duality of Weird Fishes/Arpeggi is what I like the best about it. “I hit the bottom… and escape” is oddly satisfying ending to me, and makes you know Radiohead songs can make you happy. Still, I choose Nude to win this one, it’s just too good. Winner: Nude

Exit Music (For A Film) (5) vs. Karma Police (2): Exit Music paints such a vivid picture (or movie) in your head, and one of my favorite “storytelling” Radiohead songs. Even the “wind” sound you hear paints a picture of someone running away. And that escalation in the line “we hope your rules and wisdom choke you” shows that raw anger and emotion the song is supposed to invoke. Karma Police is a little harder to interpret, because it is filled with metaphors, but the repeated use of “this is what you’ll get” makes it a little easier to understand what he’s talking about. Karma and judging people are the two themes that stick out. That last stanza and that “realization” that he himself is the one being judgmental and has lost character by doing so. And they do a great job of changing the key and tone of the song to feel sorry and regretful, you can’t help but shake Thom and go “don’t worry, it’s not your fault” over and over again Good Will Hunting-esque. This one’s a tough one. But I choose the storytelling and emotion of Exit Music. Winner: Exit Music (For A Film)

Everything In Its Right Place (5) vs. Optimistic (10): It’s kind of funny that every elite 8 matchup has been with songs from the same album (that will change with the next one). These songs seem so different from one another, yet they are on the same album. EIIRP is a song I can’t really crack as far as meanings go. I’ve read interpretations ranging from dreams to a newborn baby to the human condition. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I like it so much. It’s almost a “make your own story” song, one that lets the sound do most of the talking. Optimistic is a song which has a pretty clear meaning. A song titled “Optimistic” would just scream irony, but the message in the chorus is actually a hopeful one, one that tells us to not worry about things we can’t control in this “dog eat dog” world. That is something that is mentioned in the last few lines, in a way Radiohead is just so good at, “Dinosaurs roaming the earth.” It’s like they’re just bragging at how good they are at metaphors. It means we all live in a society like how Dinosaurs used to roam the earth – just doomed to feed on each other and die in the end. A pretty pessimistic song right? It seems like that, but they do a great job of making you feel about as good as you can- all while telling the truth. Oh also, one of the other big things I forgot to mention that I love so much about Optimistic: THE BASS! You can’t help but nod your head and groove when the bass comes in at 0:42. And that stepping bass in the chorus? Eargasm to say the least. Winner: Optimistic

Paranoid Android (4) vs. Bodysnatchers (10): Winner: Paranoid Android

Ok, ok, i’ll at least talk about Bodysnatchers a bit. Bodysnatchers is such a groovy and fun song to listen to that I often forget to listen to the lyrics. Hey, even Thom Yorke does that too! Just read what he said about this song:

“you gotta close your eyes… and groove out to this one. And think of uhh trying to escape from the Stepford Wives. That’s what I think of”

I’m not sure what the Stepford Wives is, but I think this song is all about paranoia (funny cuz of the song it’s going up against). Just not good enough to beat another paranoid (android) song. Winner: Paranoid Android

Final Four:

Four songs left, three albums represented. I think that really shows how good and diverse Radiohead’s discography is. I could definitely listen to these songs forever and not get sick of them.

Nude (9) vs. Exit Music (For A Film) (5): The beginning of Exit Music is equally as important as the ending, even though the ending is what makes it a final four song. That’s where the tension builds, as this song shows the power dynamics can have. The beginning of Nude is also just as important, as it introduces you to the sound you should expect for the rest of the song. Whatever effects they use to Thom’s voice on In Rainbows, it really makes his vocals stand out and add an extra level not seen on any other albums of theirs. While Nude may not have that climax Exit Music has, the way Thom’s vocals “pop” out at you at the end make it a sufficient enough climax for me, especially for what they are trying to achieve thematically in the song. Both these songs are also the start of my two favorite “three-song-streches” in any Radiohead album. So this is another tough choice. I know whenever I need reminding how beautiful music can be, I put on Nude. I know whenever I need reminding how emotional music can be, I put on Exit Music. Both have the same number of plays on iTunes. This is definitely a triple overtime, wire-to-wire thriller (or nail-biter for me). I’ll go with beautiful today (and I really believe my answer flip flops every day) because I can’t spend any more time waffling. Winner: Nude

Optimistic (10) vs. Paranoid Android (4): Optimistic is the first song that can legitimately knock off PA. Especially now, as a recent college grad who has just entered into the work environment, the lyrics to this song have added meaning to me. The message it conveys to keep trying your best and not thinking about the frustration that working in corporate America can bring upon yourself. So whenever I find myself angry or disappointed when I have to listen to this person or do this errand “because that’s what I was told to do,” I put this song on and my troubles (for 5:16) go away. Even though I know that, eventually, Trouble Will Find Me, Optimistic has that unique characteristic of helping me vent and also lifting my spirits up. What other songs can you say that about? Unfortunately, I can say that about one other song, and that is Paranoid Android, which has done just a teensy bit more for me for a teensy bit longer of time than Optimistic. That’s all it takes. Winner: Paranoid Android

CHAMPIONSHIP:

Nude (9) vs. Paranoid Android (4):

I don’t like it when people call songs “epic.” I feel like it’s a cop out to describe a big, grandiose song with a word like that (and because it’s used too much in society today). But it’s funny, that I find myself using that word more often than not to describe Paranoid Android. Just look at this excerpt from Nathan Adam’s thesis on OK Computer (which is a great read by the way, if you didn’t think I wrote enough and have 656 minutes to spare):

“The most striking aspect of the epic and grotesque “Paranoid Android” is probably its form; and not its particular form, either, but simply the fact that it is made up of multiple sections that have frustratingly little to do with each other (especially in terms of any kind of musical thematization or repetition), with the exception of the coda-like Part IV, which brings back the themes from Part II, without vocals.” [1]

The 7th word he uses is “epic.” I’m starting to be more and more ok with using that word to describe it. I also like how he uses the word “grotesque” to describe Paranoid Android, because at times the song has sounds that warrant that description. The song indeed has three main parts, all in a different key (Gm, Am/CM, and Dm if you’re wondering). Yet Radiohead combines those three parts to form a cohesive unit that contains so many qualities I like from them as a band. Thom’s unique vocals in the first part, the pace/aggressiveness of the second part, and the emotion in the third part make this a complete song unlike any other. The first part of the song shows the “paranoia” the songs’ title comes from. “From all the unborn chicken voices in my head,” is one of the most unique lines I have ever heard, and one that paints a vivid picture in your mind. The second part shows us some of the reasons why the narrator is so paranoid and shows the members of society who are driving him crazy. The way Thom sings this part in a very angry tone shows the chaos around him is causing his world to fall apart. And then there’s the third part, which may be my favorite segment of any song I’ve ever heard. The sudden and drastic change of pace is perfect, and the emotion in Thom’s voice (his vibrato almost makes it seem like he’s trembling) closes the song fantastically.

There aren’t too many spot on interpretations that everyone agrees on, but luckily, there are a bunch of quotes from the band members that help ascertain what the song is about. Thom says “It’s about being exposed to God, I dunno. It was that one night, really. We’d been rehearsing the song for months, but the lyrics came to me at five o’clock that morning. I was trying to sleep when I literally heard these voices that wouldn’t leave me alone. They were the voices of the people I’d heard in the bar. It turned out to be a notorious, coke-fiend place, but I didn’t know that. Basically it’s just about chaos, chaos, utter f—king chaos.” Ed O’Brien states they originally wanted to combine “Bohemian Rhapsody and The Pixies.” Whatever they did worked perfectly to describe paranoia- the transformation from sanity to insanity. Another quote I love to finish the description of the song:

“a song that sums up OK Computer’s claustrophobic blend of melancholic beauty and nerve-rattling aggression. Surging through ethereal acoustic passages and punkish, guitar-mauled explosions, the song ends with a choir that seems a plea for heavenly forgiveness.” [2]

This song is my most played Radiohead song (not by that much), but I have liked it for longer time than most other songs. It is a song that truly stands the test of time, and I look forward to listening to it even more and thinking about all the metaphors and other meanings the song could have. There are only a few Radiohead songs which I believe solely are responsible for elevating them over most other artists, but this song is definitely one of them. You can’t make a greatest hits CD without it. Can’t make a best of the 90’s without it. Can’t make a best of British music without it. And certainly can’t make my best music list without it. I love this song. This beautiful, grotesque, nerve-rattling, fascinating, epic song. Winner: Paranoid Android

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About halfway through writing this I lost all my work and wondered why I was writing so much for nothing. This was, after all, the most I have ever written about something that isn’t school or work related. I think our hobbies and passions force us to do things we normally think we wouldn’t do. No medium has wracked my brain like music has. The intricacies, the emotion, the sound, just everything about it makes me think, channeling my personal philosophical thoughts and opening my brain in ways I didn’t think were possible. That’s why I wanted to write how I felt about this particular set of songs for this particular band. I’m glad I kept listening to Radiohead. I was, along with countless others, one of those people who didn’t “get” them, and was more or less angry at the world for liking such music. But for some, odd, insane reason, they are just a band that takes patience. It might be their best quality as a band. Because when you wait for something, the reward is just that much more satisfying when you finally do get it.

There was only one certainty I knew going into making this bracket:

I might be wrong.

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[1] Adam, Nathaniel Emerson. “Coding Ok Computer:Categorization and Characterization of Disruptive Harmonic and Rhythmic Events in Rock Music.” University of Michigan. 2011.

[2] www.songfacts.com. online. 2013.