Often, performers suffer from the excessive popularity of some of their works. British rock band Radiohead also faced a similar problem when they recorded the song Creep.
The composition turned out to be so popular that the critics ironically called the band a “creep-gang”, and the musicians themselves simply hated it.
Creep by Radiohead song story
But the early story of Creep did not portend such a resounding success. Thom Yorke composed it in 1987 as a university student. When the band first played it in front of the producers, they thought it was a cover because Tom called it “our Scott Walker song” and nearly refused to record it.
Luckily, they changed their minds and released Creep as Radiohead’s debut single. But the radio stations did not want to play it, considering it depressing. The audience barely noticed the song, and she managed to take only 78th place in the UK Singles Chart. Only after the release of the Pablo Honey album and the re-release of the single did Creep become popular and rose to number seven on the same chart.
Next, Radiohead was waiting for what we talked about at the beginning of the article. Not wanting to become a one-hit band forever, they refused to play Creep live in 1998 and persisted despite constant fan requests until 2001.
And then they have an additional reason to dislike Creep. It turned out that Thom Yorke borrowed the chord progression for it from the song The Air That I Breathe, which was released in 1973 by The Hollies. The court ruled that Radiohead must pay royalties to Albert Hammond and Mike Hazelwood, as well as list them as co-authors of the composition.
Check out the music video for Radiohead’s Creep.
What is the Creep song about?
Speaking about the meaning of the Creep song, York called it the story of a guy who is trying his best to get the attention of a woman he likes. Tom admitted that it was based on his personal experience, because he never knew how to get along with girls, he constantly sought them out and at the same time repulsed them. However, let’s leave the psychological problems of Thom Yorke to the “yellow” press.
Achievements and covers
On VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the Nineties, Creep was ranked 31st. In 2008, she was featured on the album Radiohead: The Best Of, after which she was expected to return to the UK Singles Chart (37th position).
Interesting Facts
- The sound of muted strings in Creep came about by accident. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood, dissatisfied with the quiet sound, decided to spoil the record in this way, but, as it turned out, he came up with a cool “trick” for the song.
- To get Creep into rotation on American radio, the band had to replace the words “so f***ing special” with “so very special” much to their dismay.
Creep by Radiohead Lyrics
When you were here before
Couldn’t look in the eye
You’re just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You’re so very special
chorus:
But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doin’ here?
I don’t belong here
I don’t care if it hurts
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
when I’m not around
You’re so very special
I wish I was special
She’s running out again
She’s running out
She run run run run…
run… run…
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You’re so very special
I wish I was special
Lyrics of Creep by Radiohead Alternate
When you were here before
I couldn’t openly look at you
You are like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
Wish I was special
You are so special
Chorus:
But I’m nothing
I’m full of weirdness
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here
I don’t care about pain
I want to control
I want the perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
When I’m not around
You are so special
Wish I was special
She leaves again
She leaves
She’s leaving, she’s leaving, she’s leaving, she’s leaving
Leaving… Leaving
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You are so special
Wish I was special
