Radiohead's Influences

In the kaleidoscope of influences that shape the soundscape of Radiohead, we traverse a range of artists, genres, and eras. Sometimes these influences are well-known and openly acknowledged, like their draw from The Beatles and Jeff Buckley, while others lie more concealed, inviting speculative exploration. Let's journey deeper into the band's influences - both confirmed and speculative - and their impact on Radiohead's sonic identity.

The Proven Pathways

The Beatles' influence on Radiohead has been well-documented, with one of the most notable instances being the piano part in "Karma Police," inspired by "Sexy Sadie." The way Radiohead repurposes the melodic core of "Sexy Sadie" serves as a testament to their ability to draw from the past while creating something uniquely their own.

The band’s fascination with Jeff Buckley is another confirmed influence, perhaps most evident in "Fake Plastic Trees." Following a live performance by Buckley, Radiohead found the inspiration they needed to give this song its emotive, stripped-back acoustic essence. Buckley's raw, vulnerable live performances clearly left a deep imprint on the band's musical ethos.

Radiohead's admitted fixation with The Talking Heads' album "Remain in Light" also found its expression in "Bangers & Mash," with its punchy bassline and vocal style echoing "Crosseyed & Painless." This fascination with The Talking Heads serves to underscore Radiohead's fondness for post-punk and new wave aesthetics.

Borrowed Rhythms and Hypothesized Homages

A few of Radiohead's songs also seem to bear striking rhythmic resemblances to other artists' work. For instance, the drum beat of "Burn the Witch" aligns closely with Deftones' "RX Queen," suggesting a potential influence, conscious or unconscious.

The driving, motorik rhythm found in "There There" and "Go Slowly" bring to mind German krautrock band Can, particularly their song "Thief." Given Radiohead's known appreciation for Can, this similarity might not be purely coincidental.

The Electronic Spectrum: Aphex Twin to Boards of Canada

Radiohead’s foray into electronic music on albums like "Kid A" suggests the band's absorption of the electronic music landscape. The influence of Aphex Twin can be discerned in the album's experimental, ambient textures, notably in the instrumental track "Treefingers."

Boards of Canada's distinctive sound also appears to have resonated with Radiohead. "All I Need," with its lush, dreamy electronic backdrop, shares a sonic kinship with Boards of Canada’s track “Roygbiv,” though this connection remains speculative.

The More Obscure Inspirations

The dissonant string arrangements in "How to Disappear Completely" seem to echo Scott Walker's "It's Raining Today." This speculative connection underscores Radiohead’s knack for melding beauty with unease.

In a confirmed homage, "Myxomatosis" was crafted as a tribute to synth-pop pioneer Gary Numan. The track’s aggressive synth line and dystopian vibes mirror Numan’s iconic style.

Finally, the haunting piano ballad "Codex" reportedly came to life while Thom Yorke had Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" on repeat. This piece of trivia demonstrates the band’s wide array of influences, with McLachlan’s poignant balladry providing an unexpected yet fitting muse for Yorke’s writing process.

Unconfirmed Yet Apparent Echoes

One example of such speculative influences is the song "Nude," where, alongside the confirmed influence of Al Green’s “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” one can also hear echoes of the melancholic beauty of Jeff Buckley. This influence might not be an intentional nod, but Thom Yorke's emotive, falsetto-rich vocal style in "Nude" brings to mind Buckley's ability to imbue songs with raw vulnerability and pathos.

The acoustic-driven "Desert Island Disk" is another such instance. While it has not been confirmed by the band, the song's intricate fingerpicking and introspective lyrics certainly align with the stylistic elements of Nick Drake's folk oeuvre. Drake’s music was marked by a delicate balance of melancholy and beauty, which is an element that's recognizably present in Radiohead’s composition.

"Supercollider," with its industrial beats and layered electronic sounds, feels like it could have been impacted by Trent Reznor's work with Nine Inch Nails. Reznor’s ability to forge emotionally-charged compositions out of cold, electronic elements could easily be a blueprint for the rhythmic tension and experimental electronica present in "Supercollider."

Side Projects and Their Shadows

Moreover, some of the influences become more apparent when we dive into Radiohead's side projects. Thom Yorke's solo work, notably on "The Eraser," seems to bear the stamp of Björk. The similarity isn't surprising given their shared love for exploring the intersections of electronic and organic sounds. Both artists create music that straddles the line between the deeply personal and the universal, utilizing experimental electronic textures to portray their introspective narratives.

The 2022 album "The Opposite" by The Smile, a side project of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, also hints at influences from David Bowie and Adrian Belew. Bowie’s chameleonic approach to music and Belew's innovative guitar work might have played a role in shaping the idiosyncratic sound of The Smile, though it remains speculative.

Rhythm and Repetition: Echoes of Steve Reich?

Lastly, let's turn to "Weird Fishes," a song from the 2007 album "In Rainbows." Around the time of the album's release, Jonny Greenwood was known to have covered Steve Reich's "Electric Counterpoint," a piece characterized by its intricate rhythms and looping phrases. The looping guitar arpeggios of "Weird Fishes," with their hypnotic rhythm, could very well be seen as nodding to Reich’s minimalist style, although this has not been confirmed by the band.

No band exists in a vacuum. They are products of their influences, inspirations, and the musical landscapes they inhabit. Radiohead, the iconic British rock outfit, is no exception. Their sonic fingerprints can be traced to many sources, some of which the band members themselves have confirmed, such as the influence of Miles Davis's "Bitches Brew" on "Subterranean Homesick Alien" or the impact of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour on "Lucky."