The English rock band Radiohead was formed in 1985 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Its members ,Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano), Ed O’Brien (guitar, vocals), Philip Selway (drummer), Colin Greenwood (bassist), and Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar and keyboards), all attended Abingdon School, a private boys’ school. They adopted On a Friday as a band name due to their rehearsal schedule, which later was modified to Radiohead inspired by a song of Talking Heads.
They signed with EMI in 1991 and released their debut album, Pablo Honey, in 1993. Its mixed reception was offset by the global success of its single “Creep.” During the late 90s, they were seen as part of the grunge movement or diminutive version of Nirvana, which they overcame pretty fast.
Their second album, The Bends (1995), marked a stylistic leap earning widespread acclaim with textured guitar work and mature songwriting. Radiohead’s innovation came to the forefront with “OK Computer” (1997). Blending rock with ambient, electronic, and avant-garde influences, the album’s themes of modern alienation earned it the title as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Instead of more of the same follow up, Radiohead completely reinvented themselves with the electronic-infused jazz and minimalist albums, Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001). Although these works were initially divisive among audiences, in time they grew to be celebrated as masterpieces ahead of their time.
Hail to the Thief (2003) was the sixth album from the band that hosted politically themed tracks while also blending rock and an amalgamation of previously enjoyed elements of their sound. Then, in 2007, Radiohead turned the music world upside down with their release of In Rainbows, which was offered on a “pay-what-you-want” basis. This release was seen as a huge attempt to break the norm in regards to music distribution, met with both praise and uproar.
The King of Limbs (2011) continued with the exploration of different rhythmic patterns and use of loops, which were later set aside when the band came back with A Moon Shaped Pool (2016). This album featured rich orchestration, long-awaited tracks such as “True Love Waits,” and the ever-evolving sound of the band. Radiohead has always worked in a collaborative manner, Yorke directing creatively and Greenwood contributing strongly to the band’s orchestral and sonic experiments.
Outside of Radiohead, the members strode into the world of solo projects, with Yorke releasing numerous solo albums along with film scores, and Greenwood receiving substantial praise for his work in The PTA. Alongside, the two started The Smile in 2021, marking another project expanding their musical reach.
Radiohead composes its music on the basis of rock, electronica, art pop, as well as some classical components. Due to deconstruction and reconstruction of their music over the years they have received great fame, a dedicated fan base, an impacted on modern music. Radiohead is also referred to as one of the most astounding bands of moden times alongside having sold over thirty million albums , receiving various awards and staying relevant.
Contents
Top Songs
Creep (1992)
An alt rock anthem of alienation which acts as a gateway to all of Radiohead’s music and their problems as a band.
Paranoid Android (1997)
A multi-part epic art rock showcase.
Karma Police (1997)
A haunting business track which speaks of justice and punishment directed towards wrong doers.
No Suprises (1998)
A melancholic lullaby that draws on desperation without containing the elements of complaints.
Pyramid Song (2001)
Accused for being some of the most emotionally charged tracks.
Everything in Its Right Place (2000)
The opener for Kid A. It is one of the tracks that reshaped Radiohead’s sonic trajectory as abstract electronic textures.
Reckoner (2007)
Blend of haunting falsetto vocals along with shining instrumentation, this piece is taken from In Rainbow. It is most of the albums highlights.
There There (2003)
An earthy and multi-layered composition marks this return to guitar:true sound.
Street Spirit (Fade Out) (1996)
This is a deeply emotional song that closes “The Bends.” It is often labeled as one of the band’s most powerful tracks.
Daydreaming (2016)
This features one of Thom Yorke’s most thoughtful vocal performances and portrays a story depicting cinematic heartbreak.
Discography (Studio Albums)
- Pablo Honey (1993)
- The Bends (1995)
- OK Computer (1997)
- Kid A (2000)
- Amnesiac (2001)
- Hail to the Thief (2003)
- In Rainbows (2007)
- The King of Limbs (2011)
- A Moon Shaped Pool (2016)
Top Albums
OK Computer (1997)
A paradigm shifting release that blended rock guitar anthems with dystopian and experimental themes.
Kid A (2000)
Considered by some as the best album of all time, this was a controversial shift the band took into electronic, jazz and minimalism.
In Rainbows (2007)
Released with a radically priced model, this got a lot of praise for its warmth, emotional depth and industry resonating model.
The Bends (1995)
Radiohead’s transformation journey marked the shift from grunge outliers to serious artists. It was lush, deeply emotional and filled with Britpop-defying depth.
A Moon Shaped Pool (2016)
This contained some of Thom Yorke’s most personal lyrics alongside Greenwood’s orchestral pieces, marking it as a late near career masterpiece.
Awards and Achivements
- Grammy Awards:
- 6 wins, including Best Alternative Music Album for OK Computer, Kid A, and In Rainbows
- Multiple nominations, including three for Album of the Year
- Ivor Novello Awards:
- 4 wins, including Best Contemporary Song
- Mercury Prize:
- Record five nominations, more than any other artist
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
- Inducted in 2019
- Other Honors:
- Ranked among the 100 greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone
- Pitchfork, Time, and NME consistently rank their albums among the best of all time
- OK Computer and Kid A routinely top lists of the best albums of the 1990s and 2000s