Idioteque

Radiohead

About Idioteque

"Idioteque" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released on their fourth album, Kid A (2000). Primarily electronic and dance-oriented in style, the song was hailed as a radical departure from the band's earlier guitar-driven music. Although (as with all other songs on the album) it was never released as a single, it has become one of the band's most popular songs, and played at nearly every concert since 2000. The song is listed at #8 on Pitchfork Media's top 500 songs of the 2000s,, ranked #56 on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Songs of the 2000s and ranked #33 on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Songs of the Century - So Far". In 2008, the song was featured on Radiohead: The Best Of. 


Year:
2000
5:09
390 
#8

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Who's in a bunker, who's in a bunker?
Women and children first and the children first and the children

I'll laugh until my head comes off
I'll swallow till I burst
Until I burst until I

Who's in a bunker who's in a bunker?
I have seen too much I haven't seen enough
You haven't seen it

I'll laugh until my head comes off
Women and children first and the children first and the children

Here I'm alive
Everything all of the time
Here I'm alive
Everything all of the time

Ice age coming ice age coming
Let me hear both sides let me hear both sides let me hear both

Ice age coming ice age coming
Throw it in the fire throw it in the fire throw it on the

We're not scaremongering
This is really happening happening
We're not scaremongering
This is really happening happening

Mobiles squearking mobiles chirping
Take the money run take the money run take the money

Here I'm alive (the first of the children)
Everything all of the time (the first of the children)
Here I'm alive (the first of the children)
Everything all of the time (the first of the children)

Here I'm alive (the first of the children)
Everything all of the time (the first of the children)
Here I'm alive (the first of the children)
Everything all of the time (the first of the children)

(The first of the children)

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Radiohead

Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwood (bass), Phil Selway (drums, percussion) and Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals). more »

6 fans

Written by: Paul Lansky, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Colin Charles Greenwood, Edward John O'Brien, Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Music Genre
The song "Idioteque" falls under the genres of Electronic, IDM, and Experimental Rock. It shows Radiohead's affinity for blending rock with electronic music.
Album Debut
"Idioteque" is the 8th track on Radiohead's critically acclaimed fourth studio album, "Kid A," which was released in October 2000.
Song Composition
The song is noted for its minimalist, percussive electronic beat, influenced by the IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) genre.
Noteworthy Samples
"Idioteque" samples two pieces from the first volume of the 'Conet Project' — a collection of recordings of numbers stations. Additionally, the song uses a chord progression from a computer-generated piece by Paul Lansky, titled 'Mild und Leise.'
Writing Credits
Although Radiohead is known for their collaborative songwriting efforts, "Idioteque" is one of the few songs where band member Jonny Greenwood is given individual writing credits for writing the electronic elements of the song.
Distinctive Lyrics
The song's lyrics are cryptic and highly open to interpretation. They are sometimes characterised as apocalyptic, with phrases like "Ice age coming, ice age coming."
Live Performances
"Idioteque" has been played live at most of Radiohead's concerts since its release. The energetic performances often feature frontman Thom Yorke dancing erratically.
Critic Reception
"Idioteque" received widespread critical acclaim, with many critics praising its unique blend of electronic music with rock elements. It has been cited as a standout track on "Kid A," which is widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
Cultural Impact
The song has been included in many 'best of' lists. For example, in 2009, Pitchfork ranked "Idioteque" as the 56th best song of the 2000s.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered "Idioteque" including Amanda Palmer and The Punch Brothers. These covers span different musical genres showing the song's broad appeal.
Song Meanings
Fans and critics have speculated about the meaning of the song, offering interpretations related to things like climate change, war, and anxiety about technology. However, Thom Yorke has refused to explicitly explain the song's meaning.
Unusual Song Creation Process
Given its intricate electronic elements, "Idioteque" was an unusual song for Radiohead to create. Reportedly, band member Jonny Greenwood developed it from a series of random samples, and Thom Yorke selected the pieces that he thought sounded best together.

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