Videotape

About this song

The song appeared on blackboard photos of In Rainbows-era tracks shared by the band in 2005 and 2006, and Thom Yorke shared its first verse on the band's blog in 2006. It was first performed live on May 18, 2006, at London's Hammersmith Apollo, opening the set. Thom Yorke later told NME that the band spent a long time perfecting it, and that Jonny Greenwood and producer Nigel Godrich stripped the early version back to a bare bones arrangement. The stripped-back studio recording appeared on In Rainbows in October 2007, surprising fans who knew the earlier arrangement.

What it's about

The text does not explain the song's story, subject or message.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 7 other songs, like “We both knew i wasn't enough by Shittyoldshirt”.
• Covered 4 times, including “Videotape by Adi Ulmansky - עדי אולמנסקי”.
• Written by Thom Yorke, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Jonny Greenwood and Philip Selway.
• Produced by Nigel Godrich.
• Recorded at Halswell House and Tottenham House.