Try To Ruin It, But You Make It A Hit (Radiohead Edition)

Radiohead’s breakout hit “Creep” has this guitar part. It’s right before the song transitions from quiet to loud, in the pixiest of Pixies way, and it is arresting. And, it wasn’t even supposed to be there. 

From a 1992 interview in NME (emphasis added): 

If their press officer is to be believed, the whole majestic mess was recorded in one take.

“That’s true” enthuses drummer Phil Selway. “We didn’t even know it was being taped - we were just warming up for another track by playing the song. the reason it sounds so powerful is because it’s completely unselfconscious. We were overwhelmed by how good it sounded.”

Talk then centres on the aforementioned ‘KERRUNCH’ sound, which shockingly signals ‘Creep’’s transition from weary verse to furious chorus. It sounds like a thunderclap being forced through a fuzz pedal. Or something.

“That,” explains guitarist Ed O’Brien, “is the sound of Johnny (second ‘Head guitarist, in bed with flu) trying to f*** the song up. He really didn’t like it, so he tried spoiling it. And it made the song.”

If you want a formula for success, try this one:

Have someone trick you and not tell you a warmup take is rolling. 

Try to self-sabotage for sake of obnoxious fun. 

And if, on playback you find yourself saying say, “Wow,” - just put it out. 

This is such a wild story. Even if it’s not totally true. Even if the band refused to play the song out. (Fun fan Reddit about their refusal here)

That guitar sound is imprinted on my teenage soul. Of course he was trying to make it annoying. How else could it be that perfect?

Oh, and the BEST live version, which I viscerally remember watching and being kind of conflicted/mesmerized by: