Paranoid Android [Single]

Paranoid Android served as the first single released off of Radiohead’s third studio LP OK Computer in May 1997. The band told Melody Maker that the song was inspired by Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and the Pixies. It is written in four separate sections across a near six and a half minute running time. The lyrics came out of an incident that Thom witnessed at a bar in Los Angeles, particularly a female’s nearly violent reaction to a drink being spilled on her.

The decision to release the song as a single was a huge risk for the group, given what that the band was widely known for a far less ambitious hit single at the time. Capitol fully supported the group’s choice. It was also seen as a warning to the listener of the musical direction of the record that accompanied it. The risk payed off, as it became the band’s highest charting single in the UK at number 3, despite very little initial radio play. It also received critical praise and has continued to called one of the greatest songs of the 90s and of all time, with Rolling Stone placing it number 256 on their list.