Radiohead Songs Ranked
Radiohead is an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), brothers Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments) and Colin Greenwood (bass), Ed O’Brien (guitar, backing vocals), and Philip Selway (drums, percussion). They have worked with producer Nigel Godrich and cover artist Stanley Donwood since 1994. After signing to EMI in 1991, Radiohead released their debut single “Creep” in 1992. It became a worldwide hit after the release of their debut album, Pablo Honey (1993). Their popularity and critical standing rose in the United Kingdom with the release of their second album, The Bends (1995). Radiohead’s third album, OK Computer (1997), brought them international fame; noted for its complex production and themes of modern alienation, it is often acclaimed as a landmark record of the 1990s and one of the best albums in popular music. Radiohead had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide by 2011. Here are all of Radiohead’s albums ranked.
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20. All I Need (In Rainbows, 2007)
“When I first listened to it, I was shocked that a song could pull out love and hate at the same time, and Thom Yorke managed to do that perfectly on top of an eerie, and addicting backing track. Love it.”
19. Jigsaw Falling Into Place (In Rainbows, 2007)
“This song is so pure, innocent and melancholy. Yet the lyricism paints a beautiful story about a meeting in a bar between star-crossed lovers. This chorus-free song is a culmination of Thom Yorke’s vocal prowess and Radiohead’s instrumental genius. Never in this song do the instrumentals deviate from a medium-strength tone yet it keeps us engaged miraculously. The soft melodies allow Thom’s vocals to shine. The only frustrating aspect of this song is that we are left in suspense as to how story ends…”
18. Daydreaming (A Moon Shaped Pool, 2016)
“It’s melodious to the point of haunting, the piano blends in with Tom’s chilly vocals and the ‘Radiohead-ish’ lyrics. This song is depressing yet cheerful at the same time and it talks about the ‘walk of life’ in a way that has never been portrayed before.”
17. Exit Music (For a Film) (OK Computer, 1997)
“So underrated and rarely talked about. The softness of the lyrics only make the lyrics that much more haunting and powerful. The song continues to build to the epic finish that always leaves me feeling “something” by the time it’s over. Love this song”
See more: Radiohead Albums Ranked
16. Nude (In Rainbows, 2007)
“This untitled masterpiece (the version of the big idea) was and still remains as the only song I’ve cracked into tears too! This song shows that Thom is one of the best and most emotional singers there is and how every instrument except the vocals and lyrics, is in a happy tone. So the old version gives you an extremely rare feeling! It’s a super sad song, but on the other hand, it’s a realization, when you hear it you are ready to move on! “Don’t get any, big ideas, there not gonna happen. “
15. High and Dry (The Bends, 1995)
“This is by far my most favorite song by Radiohead. It should be in the top 10. I have no words to describe it.. it’s so beautifully written and the guitar! Just the best moments of my life flashes every time I hear this song.”
14. Just (The Bends, 1995)
“Of the many great Radiohead songs, “Just” is the one that I would want to keep on my desert island when all the others were washed away. I could listen to the outro over and over and never get tired of it.”
13. Let Down (OK Computer, 1997)
“Cathartic song which evokes “the emptiness of feeling” which comes after all the feelings and emotions – after a loss of a close person, the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, the school bullying, every tragedy or life’s failure. Instruments playing in different time signatures, beautiful Thom Yorke’s voice, moving lyrics. “Don’t get sentimental, it always ends up drivel”, “one day I am gonna grow wings, a chemical reaction, hysterical and useless” – it moves every time. This song breaks and heals, gives hope and crushes it, inspires and learns the noble art of reconciliation with fate. A masterpiece!”
12. There, There (Hail to the Thief, 2003)
“The way it starts out with the thumping beat creates this sort of anticipation. You’re anticipating lots of emotions and thoughts, and when the guitar starts, I always get this sort of “point of no return” feeling. Then everything comes together, and builds up until it all explodes. Stylistically, it’s the best Radiohead song on this list.”
11. How to Disappear Completely (Kid A, 2000)
“Undeniably the best Radiohead song of all time. If I had to vote on my favorite songs of all time, this would be in the top three for sure. Thom Yorke never sounded better, and his vocals carry this song to the highest point of the genre. I really like Radiohead, and went to see them in Camden. I was devastated when they didn’t play it, but this is still one of my favorites of all time.”
10. Pyramid Song (Amnesiac, 2001)
“The song structure is as odd as it can be, making it one of the most intriguing songs made by Radiohead, as long with mellow piano chords that fit perfectly here. The progression is layered well with the introduction of different instruments that make this song eerie and melodic. The subject introduced in the lyrics is widely debated by its fans, as some say it’s the tale of a dream, others allude to the feeling of illusion and its fatality. Personally, it feels like reaching rock bottom and realizing how mellow and comfortable is that position for the writer, making it feel like he drifts through a black hole”
9. Everything in Its Right Place (Kid A, 2000)
“My favorite song of all time. Simply amazing, I will never be the same after listening to this song. The amount of peace this song gives to me is incomparable. I literally have 512 plays of this song on my iTunes, and I like it more every time I hear it. Amazing.”
8. Reckoner (In Rainbows, 2007)
“So, the album’s title is taken from this song. The first time you figure that out by hearing it… is unforgettable. As in, you’ll actually never forget hearing the album title in this song for the first time. The absolute power of the lyric, and the genius of where and how it was placed in the song, is undeniable. If the band themselves decide to name the entire album after 2 words that make an appearance for 7 seconds, I’m guessing they thought it special.”
7. No Surprises (OK Computer, 1997)
“This is my favorite Radiohead song by far. When I’m not feeling happy or just having a bad day, this song speaks out to me. It almost makes me feel worse, it hurts, and the song feels utterly hopeless and depressing. However on days where I feel wonderful and full of joy this song feels euphoric. It’s like the tone of the song is interpretable, it somehow binds with the listener. With many songs artists tend to shove everything in your face, but this song works with you, it doesn’t tell you what to do or how to feel, it works with you. The song becomes a reflection of your soul. The simple idea that anybody could make something like this is incredible, and it goes to show how good these artists are.”
See more: Oasis Albums Ranked
6. Idioteque (Kid A, 2000)
“This is the greatest song of the entire decade. Might not sound ‘that’ good at the first time you would hear it; but as you uncover its wonders through careful and repetitive listens, you will gradually discern its power, emotion, and sublime texture and feel (just like every other tracks on Kid A).”
5. Creep (Pablo Honey, 1993)
“The brilliance of this is the connection it can make with the listener. I actually feel how I get inside the most ridiculous yet beautiful cocoon that could possibly exist and I just get drown dead in my self pity and sorrow. The words and music just come as a reflection of our own daily struggle through life and its multiple let downs and huge disappointments. Music never got so intimate as this, and will never be. This isn’t a song is an absolute anthem.”
4. Street Spirit (Fade Out) (The Bends, 1995)
“There’s just nothing like the emotion in this song. Here, Radiohead did something no one has really done before in creating a sad song that’s incohesive in its meaning. Where other songs have the explanation and the resolution, Street Spirit just has more sadness and leaves it up to the listener to deduce a meaning and resolution for it all. Simply stunning.”
3. Fake Plastic Trees (The Bends, 1995)
“Its hard to decide the best song from the best band of all time. But the best had to be Creep and second this one, third paranoid android and fourth, as it is, amazing “karma police”. Creep should be one cause it touched millions of people on earth and became instantly popular cause of that. It touched peoples souls and it’s the anthem for all rejects and introverted people on earth. This is an unmatchable achievement for any song ANY time ever. Fake Plastic trees its just the song I wanna listen to when I marry the love of my life just when I watch her showing her angel face, at the altar. That’s how deep this song is. God bless Radiohead.”
2. Karma Police (OK Computer, 1997)
“In my opinion, this song should be either first or second on this list. I am a huge Radiohead fan who recently finished listening to all of their albums (favorite being In Rainbows). Whenever, though, I get asked what is your favorite Radiohead song, my answer is always ‘Karma Police.’ Karma Police, to me, is a song that if on, you stop everything just to listen to it. The song just feels really structured, and although it comes off as a sad song, I always feel happy when I listen to it.”
1. Paranoid Android (OK Computer, 1997)
“This is probably the greatest song that there has ever been, and probably the greatest that there will be. If there is a song better than this by anyone on this planet, I would be truly astonished. It is probably not the best known Radiohead song, but the truly best songs are very rarely are the best known songs. OK Computer is Radiohead’s best album and probably the best album ever recorded (it has won countless polls already). This song is the pinnacle of the ultimate album. It’s sheer majesty just makes me want to weep. It is number one on the Radiohead list, but that position should also apply to any list of so”