A Female Manipulator’s Manifesto on Radiohead’s In Rainbows
The fact of the matter is: everything can be construed as either a “red” or “green” flag. Eating habits, sleeping habits, cleanliness—you name it; it probably pertains to a flag of some sort. Music is no different. In fact, someone’s music taste can tell you all there is to know about them. Recently, I learned via the internet that my taste, or rather my affinity for Radiohead in particular, is considered a universal red flag.
Of course, as I listen to the angelic tonality of Thom Yorke, I must question: have these people ever listened to a single Radiohead song? Probably, but if their impression is based solely on their biggest hit “Creep,” I would be alarmed by fans of the band, too. If I met someone that unironically resonated with the lines, “I’m a creep, I’m a weirdo,” I would run in the opposite direction.
However, in light of this “red flag” designation, I have taken it upon myself to attempt to describe what makes Radiohead so special, focusing specifically on my favorite album of theirs, In Rainbows. Produced in 2008, In Rainbows is the ideal amalgam of alternative rock jams and romantic ballads with a psychedelic electronic flair.
Though In Rainbows as a whole is often interpreted as a declaration of love, I see it as a representation of infatuation and the turmoil, struggle and longing that accompany it. Throughout the album, Thom expresses his desires, grapples with manipulation and ultimately attempts to find resolutions to his conflicts with his love interest.
Starting off the album strong, “15 Step” is a mechanical alternative hit comprised of such masterful guitar and drums that it sends what feels like static electricity through the listener. With impeccable use of reverb, Thom’s vocals build slowly until the crux of the song, where he shouts “you reel me out and then you cut the string”, manifesting his frustration with being at the whim of another.
Although it is one of the smoothest, calmest ballads on the entire album, “Nude” is evidently Thom’s release of all of his negativity towards the person he is writing about. In stating “you’ve gone off the rails” and “you’ll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking,” it is clear he is not holding any of his qualms back. This lyrical dissonance combined with the light cymbal taps and subtle guitar makes these words of contempt seem like they’re coming from a place of concern, rather than hatred. Listeners might notice a similar phenomenon in “Faust Arp” and even “House of Cards”, which both reflect this contempt at a much smaller scale. Of the whole album, this song probably plays the most into the Radiohead “manipulator” stereotype; the deceptive tone is undeniable, but I choose to enjoy Thom’s falsetto instead of unpacking that further.
The manipulative lyrics take a dramatic shift in the following song, “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”. My personal favorite song off of In Rainbows, “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” encapsulates the lengths at which passion can make one go for their love interest. Seemingly on the defensive in “Nude”, Thom’s emotional walls have been broken down in the following song, where he declares his deep longing for the subject..
Every line of “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” is poetry in itself; Thom portrays his intense emotions in a way that doesn’t feel cliché or artificial, but rather like a reflection of vulnerability. Lines like “Your eyes, they turn me” and “I follow to the edge of the Earth” make up for any deceitful portions of previous songs and reveal his true intentions. These intentions are further reflected upon in “All I Need”— to share his life with his love interest, almost to the extent of giving it up to them.
In a dramatic close to the album, Thom declares in “Videotape” that he cannot say goodbye face to face, alluding to his ascent to heaven through the “pearly gates”. Is being set free from this relationship allowing him to evolve? Did he realize that infatuation would be his demise?
There is no true answer to these questions, but I believe the ambiguous finish is what makes In Rainbows a masterpiece in itself. With a heartfelt storyline that can resonate with many and a diverse auditory experience that manages to remain well connected from song to song, In Rainbows is truly Radiohead’s best work of the 21st century thus far.
Though taken up by what many would consider “incels” for their undeniable relatability, Radiohead’s discography and In Rainbows in particular offers a diverse range of instrumental and vocal composition that is impossible not to love. So what if I’m labeled a “manipulator” or a “gaslighter”? You don’t even know what those words mean, anyway. You’re just crazy.