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Pop Is Dead

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Wikipedia article




"'Pop Is Dead'" is a song by the British alternative rock band Radiohead. It was released as a non-album single on 10 May 1993, several months after their debut album 'Pablo Honey'. It reached number 42 on the UK Singles Chart. It was included in the 2009 'Pablo Honey' reissue.

Background and lyrics



"Pop Is Dead" is driven by a chromatic riff played by guitarist Jonny Greenwood. Similar to Radiohead's previous single, "Anyone Can Play Guitar", the lyrics criticise the media and music industry.

The B-side, the acoustic track "Banana Co.", was described as "a mildly Beatlesque tune" with lyrics that hinted at a general loathing of multinational corporations. The electric version of the track was later included on the "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" single. The live version of the "Ripcord" from the B-side was recorded at a Town and Country Club gig in London in February 1993, when Radiohead opened for Belly. This version contains extra lyrics, added after the second chorus: "They can kiss my ass!"

Reception



"Pop Is Dead" reached number 42 on the UK Singles Chart, below expectations. It was not released in the US. Following the release of Radiohead's second album, 'The Bends,' in 1995, 'Melody Maker' editor Robin Bresnark wrote: "If they came out with ["Pop is Dead"] now, it would be a top five single." Five years after its release, Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien called the track "a hideous mistake". Similarly, drummer Phil Selway has remarked that if he could time travel and tell his earlier self something, it would be to not release the track.

Reviewing the 2009 'Pablo Honey' reissue, 'IGN' critic Finn White described "Pop is Dead" as a "clever and humorous rock satire". However, 'Pitchfork's' Scott Plagenhoef found the track "dreadful". In 2019, 'Vulture' critic Marc Hogan named it the worst Radiohead song.

Music video



as "a dandified vampire in a glass coffin" in the music video

The music video was directed by Dwight Clarke, based on a treatment by singer Thom Yorke. It features Yorke portraying the character of Pop as "a dandified vampire in a glass coffin", accompanied by other band members. According to Clarke, "We had the entire Radiohead fan club carrying him across the Oxford Downs ... In the early '90s, we probably thought those videos were all right, but looking back at them now, we all just want to die." 'Stereogum' likened the video to those of Nirvana.

Track listing



# "Pop Is Dead" 2:13

# "Banana Co." (acoustic) 2:27

# "Creep" (live) 4:11

# "Ripcord" (live) 3:08

Personnel



'Radiohead'

* Thom Yorke vocals, guitar

* Jonny Greenwood guitar, piano

* Colin Greenwood bass guitar

* Ed O'Brien guitar, backing vocals

*Philip Selway drums

'Technical personnel'

* Jim Warren production

* Radiohead production

* Barry Hammond mixing

* Rachel Owen artwork

* Icon design

Chart performance



References



Category:Parlophone singles

Pop is Dead

Category:1993 singles

Category:EMI Records singles

Category:Songs written by Thom Yorke

Category:Songs written by Colin Greenwood

Category:Songs written by Jonny Greenwood

Category:Songs written by Philip Selway

Category:Songs written by Ed O'Brien

Category:Satirical songs

Category:Songs about pop music

Category:Songs about the media

Category:Songs about radio

Category:1993 songs


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