2 years, 3 months ago
Is there a story behind Radiohead's song 'How To Disappear Completely'?
Yet another song favorite and I'm curious if there's a story behind it.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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M$1 Answer
Thanks, Teal. Did you know that this is actually Yorke's all-time favorite Radiohead song?!?
I wasn't familiar with this song, so here are the lyrics:
That there
That's not me
I go
Where I please
I walk through walls
I float down the Liffey
I'm not here
This isn't happening
I'm not here
I'm not here
In a little while
I'll be gone
The moment's already passed
Yeah it's gone
And I'm not here
This isn't happening
I'm not here
I'm not here
Strobe lights and blown speakers
Fireworks and hurricanes
I'm not here
This isn't happening
I'm not here
I'm not here
Going to SongFacts.com - one of my favorite sites - I discovered that there is a 1986 collection of short stories titled "How To Disappear Completely and Never Be Found." The theme of the collection is vacationing in France.
But, the site gives two somewhat-conflicting possible explanations about the song's genesis - neither of which I could find original source material for. One reader suggested that he had had a conversation with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe (I definitely could see those guys getting along) about problems and that Stipe suggested the "I'm not here, this isn't happening" refrain.
Second, another reader sent a quote from Yorke indicating that it was the recounting of a dream about floating. "I dreamt I was floating down the Liffey and there was nothing I could do. I was flying around Dublin and I really was in the dream. The whole song is my experiences of really floating."
My thought is to merge the dream and the Stipe conversation together, along with suggestions that it is a reaction to Radiohead's fame, and you probably get a decent picture.
One thing that I feel more comfortable reporting is that Yorke picked it as the Radiohead song he'd most like to be remembered for. Why is it his favorite? “...because it’s the most beautiful thing we ever did, I think”.
It is beautiful. Thanks for prompting me to learn about this song, Teal!
(here are the official video and a live version - I like to see both the artistic interpretation and the person/band singing/playing, if possible)
I wasn't familiar with this song, so here are the lyrics:
That there
That's not me
I go
Where I please
I walk through walls
I float down the Liffey
I'm not here
This isn't happening
I'm not here
I'm not here
In a little while
I'll be gone
The moment's already passed
Yeah it's gone
And I'm not here
This isn't happening
I'm not here
I'm not here
Strobe lights and blown speakers
Fireworks and hurricanes
I'm not here
This isn't happening
I'm not here
I'm not here
Going to SongFacts.com - one of my favorite sites - I discovered that there is a 1986 collection of short stories titled "How To Disappear Completely and Never Be Found." The theme of the collection is vacationing in France.
But, the site gives two somewhat-conflicting possible explanations about the song's genesis - neither of which I could find original source material for. One reader suggested that he had had a conversation with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe (I definitely could see those guys getting along) about problems and that Stipe suggested the "I'm not here, this isn't happening" refrain.
Second, another reader sent a quote from Yorke indicating that it was the recounting of a dream about floating. "I dreamt I was floating down the Liffey and there was nothing I could do. I was flying around Dublin and I really was in the dream. The whole song is my experiences of really floating."
My thought is to merge the dream and the Stipe conversation together, along with suggestions that it is a reaction to Radiohead's fame, and you probably get a decent picture.
One thing that I feel more comfortable reporting is that Yorke picked it as the Radiohead song he'd most like to be remembered for. Why is it his favorite? “...because it’s the most beautiful thing we ever did, I think”.
It is beautiful. Thanks for prompting me to learn about this song, Teal!
(here are the official video and a live version - I like to see both the artistic interpretation and the person/band singing/playing, if possible)
videos:
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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