Radiohead are 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.
Radiohead released their debut single “Creep” in 1992. The song was initially unsuccessful, but it became a worldwide hit several months 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), propelled them to international fame; praised by critics, it won several awards and has been cited by listeners as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Radiohead’s fourth album, Kid A (2000), marked a dramatic change in musical style, incorporating influences from experimental electronic music, krautrock, jazz and 20th-century classical music. It was acclaimed by critics, and won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2001. Their following albums, Amnesiac (2001), Hail to the Thief (2003), and In Rainbows (2007) explored different styles and continued the band’s critical and commercial success.
| Name | Radiohead |
| Genre | Alternative Rock, Experimental Rock, Art Rock |
| Formed | 1985 |
| Location | Oxfordshire, England |
| Members | Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Philip Selway |
| Thom Yorke | 7 October 1968 |
| Jonny Greenwood | 5 November 1971 |
| Colin Greenwood | 26 June 1969 |
| Ed O’Brien | 15 April 1968 |
| Philip Selway | 23 May 1967 |
10 Best Radiohead Quotes
“Our record is a kind of journey, a road movie. It’s supposed to have a feeling of motion.”
– Thom Yorke, from Rolling Stone
“In the end, our music is all about conveying a feeling.”
– Colin Greenwood, from The Telegraph
“I mean, we all think that our songs are really important and they really matter, and they really have to be right and they have to be done in a certain way.”
– Jonny Greenwood, from NPR
“We’re all in it together. That is the key to Radiohead.”
– Ed O’Brien, from The Guardian
“We’re not trying to be clever or different. We’re just trying to make the best music we can.”
– Phil Selway, from The Independent
“We’ve always tried to make music that’s beautiful, or thought-provoking, or emotionally charged.”
– Thom Yorke, from The New Yorker
“The idea of making something that’s temporary and then it’s gone—that almost seems more interesting and exciting than making something that’s supposed to last forever.”
– Ed O’Brien, from NPR
“We try to take the same approach to music making as we do to songwriting—to try and make something that’s a bit different and to challenge ourselves.”
– Colin Greenwood, from Red Bull Music Academy
“It’s kind of like you’re looking for something that’s just out of reach, that you can’t quite put your finger on.”
– Thom Yorke, from Pitchfork
“We just want to make music that’s interesting and that we’re proud of.”
– Phil Selway, from The Telegraph
8 Inspirational Radiohead Quotes
“I find it hard to believe in anything, but I believe in everything”
– Thom Yorke, from Rolling Stone
“I’m a big believer in the power of music to heal”
– Jonny Greenwood, from Rolling Stone
“A lot of the best songs come from not being able to express yourself in normal ways”
– Thom Yorke, from The Guardian
“I think that when you start something it should have a life of its own”
– Colin Greenwood, from The Guardian
“We try to make something that has an emotional resonance and is meaningful”
– Phil Selway, from The Guardian
“I think it’s important to be curious and not to be afraid of mistakes”
– Ed O’Brien, from The Guardian
“You can find inspiration in the most unlikely places”
– Thom Yorke, from GQ Magazine
“You need to trust your own instincts, take risks and not worry about what other people think”
– Jonny Greenwood, from GQ Magazine
6 Famous Radiohead Quotes
“The biggest mistake I ever made was thinking I was right about everything.”
– Thom Yorke, from Rolling Stone
“I’m always trying to find ways to make music and art that can’t be put into a neat package.”
– Jonny Greenwood, from The New York Times
“I think the best way to approach making a record is not to think about it too much.”
– Colin Greenwood, from SPIN
“I think our songs are often about fear, but I think there’s a definite attempt to move beyond it and find some kind of resolution.”
– Ed O’Brien, from The New York Times
“I’m not comfortable being preachy, but I would like to see an end to poverty in our lifetime.”
– Philip Selway, from Rolling Stone
“I’m a fan of being able to come out and play a song to people and feel like you’ve done something right.”
– Ed O’Brien, from The Guardian
5 Radiohead Quotes About Love
“The only thing that makes life worth living is love and friendship.”
– Thom Yorke, from The Guardian
“Love is the only thing worth fighting for.”
– Thom Yorke, from The Guardian
“Love is a powerful thing and it can be incredibly healing and it can be incredibly damaging.”
– Thom Yorke, from BBC Radio 6 Music
“Love is a funny thing and it makes you do some strange things.”
– Colin Greenwood, from The Guardian
“Love is a very powerful emotion and it can take you over.”
– Jonny Greenwood, from The Guardian
5 Radiohead Quotes About Life
“Don’t let the truth get to you, life’ll do what it does.”
– Thom Yorke, from Rolling Stone
“It’s important to keep things in perspective and see life for what it is.”
– Colin Greenwood, from NME
“Life is like a roller coaster, you gotta ride it through.”
– Jonny Greenwood, from Contact Music
“Life is too short to get hung up on little things.”
– Ed O’Brien, from Gigwise
“Life’s too short for some of the things that people get wrapped up in.”
– Thom Yorke, from The Independent
7 Quotes About Radiohead
“Radiohead make art out of angst”
– Will Hermes, from Rolling Stone
“Radiohead have done more to keep the spirit of classic rock alive than practically any other band”
– Alex Ross, from The Guardian
“Radiohead may be the first truly 21st-century rock band”
– Jon Dolan, from Rolling Stone
“Radiohead are an intelligent, forward thinking band, and their music is as original as it is groundbreaking”
– Jeremy Williams, from Common Sense Media
“Radiohead are a band that make music that is both innovative and accessible”
– Stuart Clark, from The Irish Times
“Radiohead are one of the most experimental and influential rock bands of the past two decades”
– Jason Baum, from Forbes
Interview with Radiohead
Frequently Asked Questions About Radiohead
1. What is the most Famous Radiohead Quote?
Radiohead is a British rock band formed in 1985, and they have released eight studio albums over the years. Their music has resonated with listeners all around the world, and some of their lyrics have become iconic. Here are some of the most popular Radiohead quotes:
- “In a world of my own, I would be safe and strong” – No Surprises
- “This is what you get when you mess with us” – Paranoid Android
- “We hope that you choke” – My Iron Lung
- “And the rain will kill us all” – Creep
- “You do it to yourself, you do” – Just
One of the most famous Radiohead quotes is “You do it to yourself, you do” from their song Just. This line speaks to the idea that we are ultimately responsible for our own fates, and it has resonated with listeners all over the world.
2. What is the most memorable lyric from a Radiohead song?
Radiohead is one of the most iconic and influential rock bands in history, and their discography contains some of the most memorable lyrics ever written. From the anthemic “Creep” to the darker “Karma Police” to the raw emotion of “No Surprises,” Radiohead’s lyrics have captivated listeners for decades.
Below is a list of some of the most memorable lyrics from Radiohead songs:
- “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” – “The raindrops, they are falling down/On my window today”
- “Idioteque” – “Ice age coming, ice age coming/Throw those plastic bags away”
- “Fake Plastic Trees” – “She lives with a broken man/A cracked polystyrene man”
- “High and Dry” – “Just don’t leave me/High and dry”
- “Let Down” – “Transport, motorways and tramlines/Starting and then stopping/Take the car, drive to the bridge/But no one’s crossing”
- “No Surprises” – “A heart that’s full up like a landfill/A job that slowly kills you/Bruises that won’t heal”
Whichever of these lyrics resonates most with you, there is no denying that Radiohead has created some of the most memorable and thought-provoking lyrics in rock history.
3. What are some of Radiohead’s most thought-provoking sayings?
Radiohead is widely renowned for their thought-provoking lyrics, often leaving listeners with food for thought. Here are some of the most powerful quotes from the band:
- “Everybody has a dark side, how many of them do you show?” (from 2 + 2 = 5)
- “We hope that you choke, that you choke” (from Airbag)
- “I’m not here, this isn’t happening” (from Paranoid Android)
- “You do it to yourself, you do, and that’s why it really hurts” (from You Do It To Yourself)
- “Just ’cause you feel it doesn’t mean it’s there” (from Weird Fishes/Arpeggi)
- “You can try the best you can, the best you can is good enough” (from Go to Sleep)
- “It’s the devil’s way now, there is no way out” (from The National Anthem)
- “If you try the best you can, the best you can is good enough” (from Lucky)
- “You can laugh a spineless laugh, we hope your rules and wisdom choke you” (from No Surprises)
4. What is the significance of the Radiohead song “Karma Police”?
The Radiohead song “Karma Police” is a powerful commentary on the idea of karma and the consequences of one’s action. The song’s title references the notion of a “Karma Police”, which is a metaphorical force that is responsible for ensuring that individuals receive the consequences of their actions in life.
The lyrics of the song describe a narrator’s frustration with the idea of karma and the lack of justice in the world. The song suggests that society often fails to recognize the effects of one’s actions and that the “Karma Police” may be the only force that can ensure a sense of justice and closure in life.
The song has been subject to many interpretations by fans and critics, which has only added to its significance and impact. Some of these interpretations include:
- The song is an exploration of the idea of accountability and the idea that one should be responsible for their actions.
- The song is a commentary on the lack of justice in the world and the idea that some individuals may never receive the consequences of their actions.
- The song is a critique of the idea of karma and the belief that one will receive what they deserve in life.
- The song is a plea for justice and an acknowledgement of the need for a “Karma Police” to ensure that individuals receive the consequences of their actions.
5. What is Radiohead’s Philosophy on Life and Music?
Radiohead have always been known for their thought-provoking lyrics, and their philosophy on life and music is no exception. Here are some of the band’s most iconic quotes that reflect their outlook on life and music:
- “The most important thing is to take pleasure in what you do.” – Thom Yorke
- “Music is a powerful tool for communication, and it can be used to create change.” – Thom Yorke
- “Our music is about being able to express yourself and being able to be creative and make your own choices.” – Ed O’Brien
- “The important thing is not to be afraid of making mistakes, but to learn from them.” – Jonny Greenwood
- “Life is a mix of both beauty and pain, and music can be a way to express both.” – Colin Greenwood
Ultimately, Radiohead’s philosophy on life and music is about finding joy in the small moments and using music to express those feelings. It’s a philosophy that resonates with fans across all walks of life, and one that will continue to inspire generations to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Radiohead is a band that has created a unique sound and has a wide range of influence over music genres. Their music has the power to inspire and move people, and their quotes reflect their creativity and passion for music. They have made a lasting impact on the music industry and will continue to be a major influence in the years to come.
