Radiohead is a band that I have written extensively about on several occasions. I’ve made it clear that I believe they are the greatest band of all time many times, and it is due to many reasons.
Of course, they are known for their excellent and atmospheric instrumentation, along with Thom Yorke’s hauntingly soothing vocals, but one thing that is not mentioned is their versatility.
Among Radiohead’s discography, there seems to be a consensus on what their best songs and albums are. Whether it’s the world-bending production on “Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi” or the face-melting “Paranoid Android”, there are so many tracks that continue to be immensely praised.
However, none quite hit the same as “How to Disappear Completely.” This track is the fourth song off of their legendary album Kid A, released in 2000.
Kid A is known for being an extremely different-sounding album compared to the 1997 smash hit, OK Computer.
On Kid A, every song is filled to the brim with a choppy drum machine and very strong synth keys.
While the electronic instrumentation is the most famous thing about the album, the song that towers above the rest is the monumental “How to Disappear Completely.” Opposing the strong electronic backgrounds found on Kid A, “How to Disappear Completely” is an entirely acoustic ballad, giving Yorke’s voice center stage.
This song is about a recurring dream that Yorke had following their tour for OK Computer, which is about him floating down Liffey River and watching over everyone as if he were a ghost.
During the OK Computer tour, everyone in the band was exhausted from the constant bus trips, plane rides, and not seeing their families for months at a time. To help cope with the weary tour, Michael Stipe of the band REM kept telling Yorke that, “He’s not here, and this isn’t happening.”
The lyrics on ‘How to Disappear Completely’ reflect this, with those very phrases being repeated throughout the whole song.
I am a firm believer that music is the greatest conveyor of feelings in the entire world, and How to Disappear Completely conveys a feeling that I have never felt before. I am not exactly a stressed-out or sad person, but hearing this song, in particular, makes me feel like I’m floating in space watching the world explode.
When it comes to vibes, this song is unmatched. It’s haunting, atmospheric, deeply personal despite not having many lyrics, and so on. I feel like a different person after listening to it. It appears in my dreams. This song has become part of my life.
Please do yourself a favor and listen to How to Disappear Completely. I promise if you give it enough time and attention, it’ll do wonders for you.
