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The National Anthem
Radiohead
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- Album
- Kid A
- Released
- 2000
- Genres
- art rock, alternative rock
- Length
- 5:52
- Tempo
- 92 BPM
- Label
- XL Recordings
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About this song
The song is the third track on Radiohead's experimental album Kid A. Its looping bass line was composed by Thom Yorke when he was 16, and the band tried to record it in 1994 and 1997 under the working title "Everyone" before finally completing it.
What it's about
Thom Yorke's short, ambiguous vocals, heavily distorted and filtered through a feedback echo, create a sense of isolation and fear.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 4 other songs, like “Fitta Happier by Quakers (Ft. Guilty Simpson & M.E.D.)”.
- Covered 5 times, including “The National Anthem by Vitamin String Quartet”.
- Written by Nigel Godrich, Philip Selway, Ed O’Brien, Thom Yorke, Colin Greenwood and Jonny Greenwood.
- Produced by Nigel Godrich and Radiohead.
- Recorded at Guillaume Tell and Medley.