No Surprises

Last updated
"No Surprises"
Radiohead - No Surprises (CD1).jpg
Single by Radiohead
from the album OK Computer
B-side
  • "Palo Alto"
  • "How I Made My Millions"
Released1998
RecordedJuly 1996
Studio Canned Applause, Didcot, Oxfordshire, England
Length3:49
Label
Songwriter(s) Radiohead
Producer(s)
Radiohead singles chronology
"Lucky"
(1997)
"No Surprises"
(1998)
"Pyramid Song"
(2001)
Audio sample

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [30] Gold40,000
Italy (FIMI) [31] Gold25,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [32] Platinum600,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Alternative versions and covers

"No Surprises"
Regina Spektor - No Surprises.png
Single by Regina Spektor
Released27 April 2010 (2010-04-27)
Length3:51
Label Sire
Songwriter(s) Radiohead
Regina Spektor singles chronology
"Eet"
(2009)
"No Surprises"
(2010)
"All the Rowboats"
(2012)

Versions have also been recorded by K's Choice, Luka Bloom, Malia, Blake Morgan, Yaron Herman Trio, Christopher O'Riley, Paige, Peter Jöback, Motorama, Louis Durra, Stanisław Sojka, Scott Matthew, Northern State, and Postmodern Jukebox. [33] American singer songwriter Amanda Palmer recorded a version of this song for her album of Radiohead covers performed on ukulele, Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on Her Magical Ukulele . It was also covered by Blake Morgan on his 2006 album Silencer . A piano interpretation of the song was used in the second episode of the HBO show Westworld in 2016. [34] Roman GianArthur, of Janelle Monáe's Wondaland Arts Society, released OK Lady, an EP of Radiohead R&B mash-up covers including "No Surprises" (featuring Monáe) in the fall of 2015. [35]

Regina Spektor version

Regina Spektor, alternative pianist and anti-folk musician, released a one-track charity single of the song on April 27, 2010. [36] All proceeds go to the Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund. [37]

Charts

Chart (2010)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [38] 96

No Surprises / Running from Demons

No Surprises / Running from Demons
Nosurprises front.jpg
EP by
Released10 December 1997 (1997-12-10)
Length19:58
Label
Producer
Radiohead chronology
OK Computer
(1997)
''No Surprises / Running from Demons''
(1997)
Airbag / How Am I Driving?
(1998)

In Japan, "No Surprises" was issued as a mini-album, credited as No Surprises / Running from Demons, on 10 December 1997. [39] [40] It was aimed at the Japanese market to promote Radiohead's tour of Japan in January 1998.[ citation needed ]

"Meeting in the Aisle" is Radiohead's first completely instrumental track. This "remixed" version of "Pearly*" (as opposed to the "original version" available on the "Paranoid Android" single and Airbag / How Am I Driving? EP) features clearer production values, louder guitar at the beginning of the song, and a different guitar line at the end.

The song "Bishop's Robes" refers to Yorke's experience of cruelty at school. "Bishop's Robes" is also included on the "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" 'CD1' single.

Related Research Articles

Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. They comprise Thom Yorke ; brothers Jonny Greenwood and Colin Greenwood (bass); Ed O'Brien ; and Philip Selway. They have worked with the producer Nigel Godrich and the cover artist Stanley Donwood since 1994. Radiohead's experimental approach is credited with advancing the sound of alternative rock.

<i>OK Computer</i> 1997 studio album by Radiohead

OK Computer is the third studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 21 May 1997. With their producer, Nigel Godrich, Radiohead recorded most of OK Computer in their rehearsal space in Oxfordshire and the historic mansion of St Catherine's Court in Bath in 1996 and early 1997. They distanced themselves from the guitar-centred, lyrically introspective style of their previous album, The Bends. OK Computer's abstract lyrics, densely layered sound and eclectic influences laid the groundwork for Radiohead's later, more experimental work.

<i>The Bends</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Radiohead

The Bends is the second studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 13 March 1995 by Parlophone. It was produced by John Leckie, with extra production by Radiohead, Nigel Godrich and Jim Warren. The Bends combines guitar songs and ballads, with more restrained arrangements and cryptic lyrics than Radiohead's debut album, Pablo Honey (1993).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thom Yorke</span> English musician (born 1968)

Thomas Edward Yorke is an English musician who is the main vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Radiohead. A multi-instrumentalist, he mainly plays guitar and keyboards and is noted for his falsetto. He has been described by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest and most influential singers of his generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paranoid Android</span> 1997 single by Radiohead

"Paranoid Android" is a song by English alternative rock band Radiohead, released as the lead single from their third studio album, OK Computer (1997), on 26 May 1997. The lyrics were written by singer Thom Yorke following an unpleasant experience in a Los Angeles bar. The song is over six minutes long and contains four sections. The name is taken from Marvin the Paranoid Android from the science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creep (Radiohead song)</span> 1992 single by Radiohead

"Creep" is the debut single by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 21 September 1992. It was included on Radiohead's debut album, Pablo Honey (1993). It features "blasts" of guitar noise by Jonny Greenwood and lyrics describing an obsessive unrequited attraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fake Plastic Trees</span> 1995 single by Radiohead

"Fake Plastic Trees" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released on their second album, The Bends (1995). It was the third single from The Bends in the UK, and the first in the US. It reached the top 50 on the UK Singles Chart, the New Zealand Singles Chart, the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and the Canadian Rock/Alternative chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karma Police</span> 1997 single by Radiohead

"Karma Police" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 25 August 1997, as the second single from their third studio album, OK Computer (1997). It reached number one in Iceland and number eight on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, it reached number 14 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. It was included on Radiohead: The Best Of (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Down (Radiohead song)</span> 1997 song from the album OK Computer

"Let Down" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, from their third studio album OK Computer (1997). It was released as a promotional single in September 1997, and reached number 29 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. It was included on Radiohead: The Best Of (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyramid Song</span> 2001 song by Radiohead

"Pyramid Song" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Amnesiac (2001), in May 2001. It features piano, strings, an unusual "shuffling" rhythm and lyrics inspired by the Egyptian underworld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pop Is Dead</span> 1993 single by Radiohead

"Pop Is Dead" is a song by the English 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, below expectations. Members of Radiohead later said they regretted releasing it.

"Everything in Its Right Place" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released on their fourth album, Kid A (2000). It features synthesiser and digitally manipulated vocals. The lyrics were inspired by the stress felt by the singer, Thom Yorke, while promoting Radiohead's album OK Computer (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How to Disappear Completely</span> 2000 song by Radiohead

"How to Disappear Completely" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead from their fourth studio album, Kid A (2000). It was produced by the band with their producer, Nigel Godrich, and was released as a promotional single in the US, Poland and Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nude (song)</span> 2008 single by Radiohead

"Nude" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead. It was released in March 2008 as the second single from their seventh studio album, In Rainbows (2007).

"Lift" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead released in 2017. It was first performed in 1996; bootleg recordings were widely circulated, and it became a fan favourite. Radiohead recorded versions of "Lift" during the sessions for their third album, OK Computer (1997), but abandoned it. Members of Radiohead said they had felt pressured by its commercial potential, and that it did not represent what they wanted to say at the time.

"I Promise" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released in 2017. Radiohead performed it on their 1996 tour, and recorded it during the sessions for their third album, OK Computer (1997), but felt it was not strong enough to release. In June 2017, "I Promise" was included on the OK Computer reissue OKNOTOK 1997 2017 and released as a download with a music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigsaw Falling into Place</span> 2008 single by Radiohead

"Jigsaw Falling into Place" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, produced by Nigel Godrich. It was released as the lead single from Radiohead's seventh studio album, In Rainbows (2007), on 14 January 2008. The music video, directed by Garth Jennings and Adam Buxton, features Radiohead performing in their studio with cameras attached to bicycle helmets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucky (Radiohead song)</span> 1997 single by Radiohead

"Lucky" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, first released on The Help Album, a 1995 charity compilation organised by the charity War Child. "Lucky" was recorded in five hours with the producer Nigel Godrich. Radiohead included it on their third studio album, OK Computer (1997), and released it as a single in France in December 1997.

<i>OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017</i> 2017 compilation by Radiohead

OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017 is a reissue of the 1997 album OK Computer by the English rock band Radiohead. It was released in June 2017, the album's 20th anniversary, following the 2016 acquisition of Radiohead's back catalogue by XL Recordings from EMI.

"Man of War" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released in June 2017 on the compilation OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017.

References

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Further reading