The 30 Greatest Radiohead Songs Of All Time – Ranked

Radiohead is known in the alternative rock music genre and has won many awards during the band’s music career. They won The Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and more during their careers. In this article, we have ranked the 30 greatest Radiohead songs for you.

The Best Radiohead Songs Of All Time

Founded in 1985 and has achieved milestones in music since then, Radiohead is known for their extraordinary instrumentation, experimental approach to their albums and songs, and vocalist Thom Yorke‘s characteristic voice. Radiohead stands out for its commitment beyond mere commercial success and producing thought-provoking, questioning, and influencing songs.

In this list, we invite you to discover the best songs that stand out from Radiohead‘s discography. With their unique style, the depth of their lyrics, and their approach that pushes the boundaries of music, these songs offer listeners unforgettable experiences.

Having garnered both commercial success and positive reviews, Radiohead has a place beyond alternative rock to express deep emotion in the universal language of rock music.

30. Just

It was included in Radiohead’s second studio album “The Bends” (1995). “Just” is an ambitious rock song with a dark and mysterious atmosphere.

“Just” stands out for its eloquent and sometimes incomprehensible lyrics. In the song’s lyrics, internal conflict, communication breakdown, and alienation are handled.

29. My Iron Lung

It is considered one of the band’s early iconic songs. The lyrics are rumored to mean that the great success of the band’s song “Creep” keeps them stuck and struggling to stay in the shadow of this song.

28. True Love Waits

The song’s lyrics were written by the band’s leader, Thom Yorke. The lyrics deal with pain and longing left behind after a lost love. “True Love Waits” was played by the band during their live performance during “The Bends” period in 1995. At that time, the song was performed with a different arrangement and acoustic guitar.

“True Love Waits” offers listeners a touching experience with its minimalist arrangement and emotional vocals. The song, which has a simple and sincere approach, appeals to the hearts of the listeners.

27. Lucky

Noel Gallagher, the famous Oasis lead singer, was present in the song “Lucky” recordings on the album “OK Computer” and contributed background vocals to the music. It has been recognized as essential, reflecting Radiohead’s musical talents and in-depth songwriting.

26. The Tourist

“The Tourist” is the closing track of the “OK Computer” album. The song has a slow tempo and a melancholic structure. The song, which has an atmospheric texture, carries a travel theme and is therefore named “The Tourist.”

25. Videotape

The song presents a series of reflections through the metaphor of the passage of time, a videotape on which life and memories are recorded. Live performances offer a touching experience to the fans through the emotional stage performance of the band, along with the piano and other instruments used in the song. It is an unforgettable part of the album “In Rainbows” as a work that reflects the musical talent and depth of the band.

24. Talk Show Host

“Talk Show Host” was released on the B-side of the single “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” in 1996. The song was also the musical theme for the 1996 movie “Romeo + Juliet.”

The song’s music was composed by other band members, combined with vocals by Thom Yorke. His lyrics deal with the theme of one person coping with the false realities presented in public through shows such as talk shows.

23. Sail to the Moon

It is the sixth song of the album “Hail to the Thief” and has a calmer and sadder structure than the other songs in the album. It offers listeners a serene and dreamy musical experience and is particularly important to Radiohead fans. It gives listeners a quiet and reflective musical background and is significant to Radiohead fans.

22. Lotus Flower

The song has a style that blends electronic and jazz elements. It draws attention with its exciting rhythms and danceable structure.

The music video for the song is famous for Thom Yorke’s unique dance performance. Yorke presents a striking visual that emphasizes the song’s atmosphere with its unusual and gloomy dance figures.

21. Motion Picture Soundtrack

It is a song used in the final scene of the movie I Origins. Piano and orchestration are in the foreground in the song’s musical structure. Thom Yorke’s touching vocal performance adds emotional depth to the music.

20. Fake Plastic Trees

In his lyrics, the themes of loneliness, alienation, and inner emptiness caused by living in a superficial consumer society are handled. While the song describes the void of people living in a world with only plastic trees and artificiality, it sheds light on the inner world of a character lost in a life far from reality.

19. Street Spirit (Fade Out)

In his words, people’s despair, alienation, and inner conflicts are processed. “Street Spirit (Fade Out),” features atmospheric and hypnotic music. Its slow-paced rhythm and melancholy atmosphere add to the song’s impressive and intensely emotional impact. The “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” music video draws attention with its impressive black and white images.

The song received critical acclaim from music critics and was a commercial success with frequent radio airplay. It is also considered one of the greatest Radiohead songs among fans.

18. High and Dry

“High and Dry” was Radiohead’s first major commercial success, peaking at number 17 on the UK singles chart. Studio recordings of the song did not meet the band’s expectations and were not originally included on the album. However, it was re-recorded at the company’s request and included in the album “The Bends”.

“High and Dry” is a song that fueled Radiohead’s commercial success. The song’s simple and impressive melody, the band members’ vocal performances, and the radio-friendly sound made it a favorite and remembered by the fans.

17. Exit Music (For a Film)

The song was used in some movies before the “OK Computer” album was released. In particular, it was used as the closing theme song for the film “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet” (1996).

“Exit Music (For a Film)” was highly praised by music critics and Radiohead fans. The song’s emotional intensity and expressive vocals give listeners a powerful emotional experience.

16. Everything in Its Right Place

It is the opening track of the album “Kid A” and was released on October 2, 2000. “Everything in Its Right Place” has an electronic and experimental sound. A different atmosphere is created in the song using bizarre sound effects and vocal manipulations.

The song has also been used in various movies and television series. In particular, the song was featured in productions such as “Vanilla Sky” (2001) and “Westworld”. “Everything in Its Right Place” is a key song that reflects Radiohead’s experimental and offbeat music.

15. No Surprises

“No Surprises” is one of Radiohead’s deep and emotional songs. The song’s minimalist arrangement and expressive lyrics reflect the challenges of modern life and convey a powerful message to the listeners. Thanks to Thom Yorke’s impressive vocal performance and the song’s remarkable video clip, “No Surprises” has become one of the band’s most recognizable and memorable songs.

14. Creep

“Creep” was particularly successful in the United Kingdom and the United States. The song became the band’s first big hit, boosting Radiohead’s popularity.

“Creep” was released on September 21, 1992, as the second single from the “Pablo Honey” album. The album was recorded with production by Sean Slade and Paul Q. Kolderie.

The band did not play “Creep” in their concerts for a long time and even made it a dilemma over time. Although the song was initially successful, it was reluctantly played because it felt it didn’t fit Radiohead’s musical direction.

“Creep” has been covered by different artists and used in various films and television series. In particular, the song was featured in the movie “The Social Network” (2010) and TV series such as “Stranger Things“.

13. Climbing Up the Walls

“Climbing Up the Walls” is a song rarely performed at Radiohead’s concerts. However, it receives special attention from fans due to its dark and impressive atmosphere.

“Climbing Up the Walls” was released on May 21, 1997, as the sixth song from the “OK Computer” album. It was praised by critics and considered one of the greatest Radiohead songs.

12. House of Cards

The album “In Rainbows” features the band’s new and intriguing twists on experimental rock, and “House of Cards” is an excellent example of this. The atmosphere of the song is quite impressive and its slow tempo rhythm creates a hypnotic effect. In addition, the vocals in the song are complemented by Thom Yorke’s characteristic voice, making the song feel emotional and mystical.

The song’s lyrics also address relationships’ complex and sometimes fragile nature. Yorke adds depth and emotion to the music by describing the difficulties of a romantic relationship.

At the same time, “House of Cards” is a remarkable song from a musical point of view. During the recording of the album, it was recorded using digital technologies rather than traditional musical instruments, resulting in an experimental sound arrangement of the song.

11. Pyramid Song

“Pyramid Song” is influenced by jazz and experimental music. The song’s slow tempo, complex rhythm, and striking piano arrangement make it unique and impressive. Its rhythmic structure, variability of time signatures, and unpredictable melodies draw attention.

“Pyramid Song” was praised by music critics and was considered one of the most remarkable and successful tracks of the “Amnesiac” album. It is a song rarely performed at Radiohead’s concerts. However, it receives special attention from fans due to the atmospheric and gripping nature of the music.

Thanks to Thom Yorke’s vocals and unusual arrangement, “Pyramid Song” offers listeners a hypnotic experience and showing just how diverse and rich Radiohead’s music is.

10. Paranoid Android

“Paranoid Android” is a complex song with different parts and displays a further musical progression over time. This structure makes the song unique and remarkable. Among fans of the band, “Paranoid Android” is considered one of the greatest Radiohead songs and most recognizable tracks.

Despite its complex structure, it is loved and admired by a wide range of fans. The song is an important song that reflects the creativity and musical talent of the band and represents one of the most turning points of Radiohead’s career.

9. Karma Police

This song is recognized as one of the album’s most beloved and memorable tracks. The song’s melody is impressive and impresses the listener with a catchy vocal performance. The fans easily remember the song’s chorus and has a structure that engages them.

8. 15 Step

“15 Steps” has a fast-paced and danceable rhythm. The experimental structures of the song reflect the innovative style adopted by the band on their album “In Rainbows.” “15 Steps” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance in 2009.

“15 Steps” is the dynamic opening song of Radiohead’s album “In Rainbows” and is a key song that reflects the band’s interest in dance and electronic music. Its fast and impressive rhythm reflects the experimental musical style of the band, offering listeners an enjoyable musical experience.

7. Knives Out

“Amnesiac” features Radiohead’s new and exciting twists on experimental rock, and “Knives Out” is a good example. The song’s atmosphere is complex and impressive like other Radiohead songs.

6. There There

The band produced the album “Hail to the Thief” with a critical approach towards political and social themes, and “There There” is one of the essential works that reflect this theme.

It is essential to fans who love the band’s music dealing with experimental and political themes. Like the other songs on “Hail to the Thief,” “There There” is a key song contributing to Radiohead’s rich and diverse musical universe.

5. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi

Yorke presents a mystical and thought-provoking experience to the listeners by reinforcing the narrative with unique language and imagery in the song. “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” has also featured prominently in Radiohead’s live performances. The melodic structure and impressive rhythm of the song create an atmosphere that impresses the fans at concerts.

4. Idioteque

“Idioteque” is considered one of Radiohead’s most experimental and innovative songs musically. The album “Kid A” marks an important milestone as the band abandons their previous guitar-focused music and enters an era filled with electronic and experimental sounds.

Like other Radiohead songs, the song’s atmosphere has a strange and hypnotic structure. Rhythmically striking and electronic arrangements give the piece a unique style.

3. Let Down

It is considered one of the most profound and touching tracks of the “OK Computer” album. The lyrics deal with themes such as disappointment, loneliness, and the challenges of modern life. Yorke gives listeners a deep experience by expressing their feelings sincerely in the song.

2. All I Need

The atmosphere created by this song, which draws attention with its bass lines and sound, is fascinating. The lyrics process concepts such as passion and deadlocks of love. Yorke gives listeners an intimate experience by expressing their feelings sincerely in the song.

1. Jigsaw Falling into Place

This song, which we consider worthy of placing at the top of our list, has an emotional expression that reflects the longing and nostalgia for one’s past and experiences in life. It is a song with an enchanting atmosphere that makes you want to listen to it repeatedly with its melody and ups and downs.

The music video for the song “Jigsaw Falling into Place” was shot with an artistic and symbolic approach, like the band’s other videos. The music video was created by combining live performance footage from self-facing cameras worn by the band members.

Which Radiohead songs are better?

• Just
  
• My Iron Lung
  
• True Love Waits
  
• Lucky
  
• The Tourist
  
• Videotape
  
• Talk Show Host
  
• Sail to the Moon
  
• Lotus Flower
  
• Motion Picture Soundtrack
  
• Fake Plastic Trees
  
• Street Spirit (Fade Out)
  
• High and Dry
  
• Exit Music (For a Film)
  
• Everything in Its Right Place
  
• No Surprises
  
• Creep
  
• Climbing Up the Walls
  
• House of Cards
  
• Pyramid Song
  
• Paranoid Android
  
• Karma Police
  
• 15 Step
  
• Knives Out
  
• There There
  
• Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
  
• Idioteque
  
• Let Down
  
• All I Need
  
• Jigsaw Falling into Place

In this article, we have ranked the greatest Radiohead songs for you. We hope you enjoyed the list. Don’t forget to share your ranking with us in the comments!