Since I am performing Radiohead as apart of my project I have decided to research about the history of the song and the artists that produced it. I will be researching about the Band’s origin, the meaning behind the song and why it was created, to further understand the meaning behind the song, and connect to the Artists emotionally through their music. Radiohead is an English rock band formed in Abingdon, in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway. This band has worked in collaboration with Nigel Godrich, and Stanley Donwood since 1994. Radiohead’s experimental approach is credited with advancing sound of alternative rock.
The history Behind the song Creep;
After signing to EMI in 1991, Radiohead released their debut single, “Creep” in 1992, It became a worldwide hit after the release of their first debut album, Pablo Honey in 1993. Their popularity and critical standing rose with the release of their second album the Bends in 1995. The story behind the song Creep belongs to Thom Yorke who has wrote the lyrics for the song while studying at Exeter University in the late 1980s. Thom Yorke originally didn’t like the song he had wrote himself, and he chooses not perform it today, nor does he typically want to associate this song with the band because of the songs meaning. Thom Yorke’s own opinion of the song reflects how he felt about himself in past, when writing the song about a girl he had stalked in his past shows. “I wasn’t very happy with the lyrics; I thought they were pretty crap.” Guitarist Jonny Greenwood said the song was inspired by a girl that Yorke had followed around and who unexpectedly attended a Radiohead performance, It’s easy to understand why Thom Yorke no longer wants be associated with the song or its success, due to the dark place that song originated from.
Whilst researching, I came across the video which goes into depth to why Radiohead no longer likes their song Creep, and why they typically no longer perform it. The band itself was Glorified as a “One hit wonder” due to the songs every growing popularity, This overshadows some of the bands other songs, which the band and fans feel like had a lot more to offer. Overtime, Thom Yorke grew to hate this song, due the fact he had changed as a person and no longer connected the song like the man he once was. In the song itself, It explores the perspective of Thom Yorke’s own self image, and how he sees himself, in key lyrics like “I wish I was special, You’re so very special” it sheds light on how the vocalist saw himself before the Band was formed, and how he struggled with his self esteem and seeing his own worth. In the main Chorus this is proved even more when he hits the audience with lyrics admitting that he is a “Creep” and a “Weirdo” further projecting this image of self loathing, something Thom Yorke would grow past later on in the future. Radio eventually out grew the simplistic raw sound of Creep, in favor of developing more efficient current work.
Despite the song no longer being performed, even I can emotionally relate to this song. I think what makes this song so special is that it highlights self loathing, and openly talks about self esteem, something I can relate to at times. It means I am able to draw from my own experiences and sing the song in my own interpreted way, that’ what so good about music, or any art form, it gives the viewers a chance connect in their own way, and find something they like about another person’s work.