How OK Computer Almost Destroyed Radiohead

One of England's most significant rock bands, Radiohead, burst onto the scene in 1993. Their debut album Pablo Honey spawned the massive single "Creep," which is still widely beloved to this day. Radiohead's sophomore album The Bends, released in March, 1995, was a clear step-up from Pablo Honey. Seeing the band stray from the typical "alt-rock" sound and entering new creative territory, while still remaining pretty accessible.
1997's OK Computer took Radiohead to the next level. They went from "one hit wonders" to groundbreaking artists essentially overnight. The album shook the entire music industry, with critics throwing endless praise at the band. Radiohead were now critical and commercial darlings, which brought insane pressure. They were touring, writing or recording for nearly 5 years by this point and a breaking point was quickly approaching. As a result, the tour following OK Computer was very hard on the band, especially frontman Thom Yorke. Constant interviews and media coverage made their chaotic schedule even harder to handle.
It's a miracle Radiohead made it out in one piece following the OK Computer era. The album changed rock forever, but behind the scenes the band was coming apart. Here's how OK Computer almost destroyed Radiohead.
CHAPTERS |
1:08: Background + Pablo Honey
2:40: The Bends
4:06: Recording OK Computer
5:40: OK Computer is Released
6:26: The Tour From Hell
9:43: The Songs of OK Computer
13:12: Conclusion
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#radiohead

[@wens-qj6jx]

its ok, ok computer destroys me too

[@zackzallie8735]

ok, not ok.

[@stefa5893]

Let Down is Underrated. It wasn't mentioned in the video 😢

[@Sol_Kenopsia814]

CRUSHED LIKE A BUUUG IN THE GROUND

[@mysteriousstrangerr]

Let down and hanging around

[@Literallyjustmint]

Lucky too

[@vanneylen]

found the redditor

[@briancook3125]

@@Literallyjustmint Lucky was the best track on the album. It *could* have been a glorious day.

[@inutero10]

The best thing they ever did was “how to disappear completely “

[@postrock12]

The dissociation anthem

[@JimmyKlef]

Exit music did appear in romeo + juliet. It’s the song that plays during the credits. Which is why people thought that’s how it got its name. But it isn’t. If you actually think about it… “exit music” is another way of saying “suicide song”. Also they use the crap out of talk show host. It’s like the musical motif in the film. Great video. Keep em coming.

[@MDE128]

This story influenced the song How to Disappear Completely.

[@biblical2699]

FOR A MINUTE THERE I LOST MYSELF

[@benedictjephcote6815]

I can't be alone in really quite liking Pablo Honey can I? The track 'You', the whole B-side of the casette and the chugg-rgh from Creep remain pretty great in my mind. I've generally gone off most of the A-side of it over time, but the B-side has enough shoegaze energy to make it a pretty good last 20-minutes of distortion + jangle + effects swimmery. Plus also, Christopher O'Riley's romp through 'You' is manic joy.

[@crabcakes5302]

You’re not alone. I absolutely love Lurgee and blowout!

[@benedictjephcote6815]

@@crabcakes5302 excellent to hear that this album does get some appreciable love from some of us Radiohead-lovers :))

[@user-et2fj8xm5l]

Right there with ya..

[@tygical]

can you at least agree that "thinking about you" is the worst radiohead song ever

[@benedictjephcote6815]

@@tygical hah - is it worse than High and Dry ?

[@MarcoGosatti43]

OK Computer is so far ahead of it's time, in another 20 years from now the album would still sound futuristic ahead of it's time.

[@sarajohnson5653]

That was a pic of Jonny u used for Colin

[@genghis_connie]

This was great. Interesting to hear more about their struggles beyond the one Rolling Stone article ok computer was the first album I loved absolutely on the first play. I recall seeing the ‘Stop Whispering’ video and being floored by his voice. The first 3 albums have gifts from the universe. Just so delicate and also huge. Thanks for the heads up on the documentary! You’re too-notch, sir.

[@postrock12]

lol Exit Music (For a Film)is at the end credits of the film Romeo+Juliet. It’s perfect & goes so well,making the film even more emotional. I’ve seen it many times since 1996. 👍

[@mynameisjohn987]

Great document and narrative but music background kinda too corny for serious band like Radiohead kinda pulling me off, like you’re talking about thom mental breakdown but there’s pop synthesizer running around I can’t take it seriously, if it’s were your style it’s okay It’s just feeling very goofy about it, great documentary

[@josephcallahan1664]

"Oh, we had to face adulation and millions of dollars, how can we handle it!?" Many bands would trade for that "suffering." Still, it's one of the greatest pop/rock albums of all time.

[@coryolsen2245]

Cool video. There are some inaccuracies, but mostly very good. Pablo Honey is no masterpiece, but there are some decent songs on it, and the band even brought one or two back in later setlists of the 2010s - such as Lurgee. Creep is popular, but there are far more interesting and experimental songs on the album like You, Blowout, Lurgee, and Anyone Can Play Guitar. Let us hope your video inspires them to finally get back together and record the next album! One more at least, gentlemen! We're all dying for it - despite The Smile and other "solo" duo trio projects.

[@whatsmylogin]

Good commentary, but you should play excerpts of the songs in the background when you are talking about them so people know which song you're talking about. The titles don't always remind me of which song you mean

[@partycakes456]

I'm not a huge Radiohead fan, I love The Bends, but I also love Meeting People Is Easy - a great documentary.

[@AD-BC-84]

Am I the only one who's favourite Radiohead album is Amnesiac?

[@viva190_]

no

[@user-et2fj8xm5l]

I’m a Gen Z dude and bought Pablo Honey when it was first released. I still give it a “spin” from time to time it’s a phenomenal record. They kinda lost me after that. When all the millennials jumped on this record I couldn’t understand it. Personally I thought it sucked..

[@KateronaOne]

The Tourist was written by Jonny Greenwood

[@cradleyog1]

Let down and Lucky will be missed!!

[@memetrashcan9613]

They could’ve been on the Fight Club soundtrack if they didn’t burn themselves out

[@traviscarver4708]

Why wasn’t Lucky mentioned???

[@dawidklucz849]

I like this awesome album but real earthquake happens on 4 the album "Kid A" and his twin brother "Amnesiac" .Ok Computer redefine own sound and go completely unlogic way which bring them immortality

[@ifym900]

More Radiohead Content!!

[@F4U5T4RP]

i love radiohead

[@UKSKIDS]

Lucky, let down and subterranean homesick alien should be mentioned too. 🤦‍♂️

[@gl1363]

You need at least an IQ near borderline genius to realise how good radiohead is. Thats why their music is never appreciated by the masses

[@tygical]

mine's only a 147 but i can still appreciate them

[@gl1363]

@@tygical ;)

[@thomash.larsen6932]

U forgot Let Down 🤔 My favorite Radiohead number

[@leem7393]

It was their last great album.

[@tygical]

what about a moon shaped pool?

[@EtonDG]

What about Kida and In rainbows?

[@SortaSpooby]

i will destroy youtube

[@SortaSpooby]

not ok

[@philsophkenny]

❤

[@AY-uf4oz]

It's definitely a very strong album. But I'm not sure that Amnesiac isn't just as good. Certainly more experimental anyway.

[@robovac3557]

Let me set you straight on your uncertainty. OK Computer is an all time great. Amnesiac is not. Happy to have cleared that up for you.

[@AY-uf4oz]

@@robovac3557 That's your opinion. I'm entitled to mine.

[@robovac3557]

@@AY-uf4oz I thought you weren't sure? Not really an opinion if you're unsure.

[@AY-uf4oz]

@@robovac3557 I'm not sure if Amnesiac isn't just as good.. That's my opinion.

[@robovac3557]

@@AY-uf4oz I'm unsure if having 1 leg isn't just as good as having 2. Just can't make my mind up. I can see the argument for both.

[@DrinkerOfWindex]

I'm ok, are you ok computer?

[@tygical]

but i'm okay how are you thanks for asking, thanks for asking i'm okay how are you i hope you're okay too