40/ Jigsaw Falling Into Place - In Rainbows - 2007When this song debuted, I thought it was average. It sounded like a Billy Idol tune with Radiohead guitars. It grew on me a little but I wasn't particularly fond of it. Then it was properly released and I love it. I love the chord changes in this song. The song's lyrics paint a picture of a fast-paced club scene and at the climax of this song the song just bursts with energy. From the furiously picked guitar arpeggios to the (what sounds like) harpsichord to the raised pitch in Thom's singing, this song just screams amazing.39/ 4 Minute Warning - In Rainbows (Disc 2) - 2007I was one of the few people who really liked the live version of this song back in '06. Jonny and Ed surrounded Thom (who was on piano) and they had a little campfire sing-a-long of sorts right there on stage. It was very lovely. It wasn't the best of the new material but it certainly had potential. And BOY did they milk it. The studio version of this song starts with what I can only describe as the sound of heat (it's obviously some sort of synth sound that they came up with... but it works well in the opening). But it's not a campfire sort of heat. More like the smoldering remains of a bombed out building. The lyrics are about the panic and chaos surrounding a 4 minute warning prior to a bombing. And the song sounds like what the scared people in the bomb shelter would sing while waiting.38/ Down Is The New Up - In Rainbows (Disc 2) - 2007Another of the 2006 new material songs. They still haven't played it on their current 2008 world tour... and I really want them to. I love the energy of this song. The lyrics are... alright. There are a couple funky lines in there but they fit the overall theme of the song. So not the best songwriting but the music more than makes up for it. It starts out with piano, drums, vocals, and then segways into the second part, adding guitars. But when the song crashes back into the verse, they introduce orchestra-size strings and give the song an eery, dark, and foreboding sound. Just before the verse ends, the strings build and build and build and then everything just releases into the short "jam" at the end. Thom described the recording and finished sound of this song as a headtrip. Spot on description, Thom.37/ Go To Sleep (Little Man Being Erased.) - Hail To The Thief - 2003There were a couple times when I considered leaving this song off the list. Then I listened to the song and there's just absolutely nothing wrong with this song. It is a classic rock tune. Radiohead showing us that they aren't all glitchy beats and ambient synth. Ed O'Brien, the rhythm guitarrist, is sort of the guy who brings everyone back to reality at times. He loves just rocking out and it was, in fact, he who came up with the opening guitar riff. But it's funny because you can almost feel the tug between bandmates' interests here. The rocking out is very nicely done. But it sounds like the song is almost sung by a robot in human form. There are little computer-induced freakouts here and there in the vocals and guitars that really sort of define what Radiohead are all about. Top-notch song.36/ House of Cards - In Rainbows - 2007Radiohead's "make-out song." Their sexiest song to date. I know for a fact that making love to this song has been done many, many, many times by many, many, many different people. There's just no doubt in my mind. "I don't want to be your friend. I just want to be your lover" is the opening line of the song. Judge for yourself.35/ Worrywort - Knives Out (Pt. 2) - 2001I think that this has quickly become one of my favorite Radiohead b-sides. If I had a properly tuned piano, I would immediately begin to work out the chord structure and little synth riff in the beginning. This is the computer-equivalent of a beautiful, beautiful piano song. I would give anything to see them play this live. And it has such a great message. Definitely proof that Radiohead aren't the gloom and doom band that everyone pretends them to be. "Think of all the fun you could be having." "Such a beautiful day. Find yourself a moment and go and get some wings." About a worrywort / hermit and how they need to live life free of their closed space.34/ Morning Bell - Kid A - 2001I love the drums and guitar in this song. Absolutely love it. I also love how it starts right in the middle of the noise left over from the song before it, "Idioteque." The song is about a marriage breaking up. Sad topic, lovely song.33/ Nude - In Rainbows - 2007Most Radiohead fans know that this song has been kicking around for at least 10 years. But the band could never figure out a proper way to record it. Apparently it has been attempted on every record from OK Computer and on. And now it's here. In its final form. And I love what they did with it. You can make the "old Nude is better than new Nude" argument all you want to but I still enjoy this song too much to hate on it. When I first listened to the In Rainbows version of this song I nearly cried because of the beauty of the beginning. I do wish that they had kept the strings from the beginning going. My only big gripe. But I don't think the song could be successfully pulled off any other way.32/ The Tourist - OK Computer - 1997Some of my favorite lyrics of all time. A rekindled love for this song was sparked from hearing an amazing live version earlier this year. Absolutely brilliant. "Hey man. Slow down."31/ Knives Out - Amnesiac - 2001Some of the creepiest lyrics ever written. And I love it! One of my favorites to play on guitar. The way Thom sings in this one also fits the feel of the songPart 3 later...
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