Radiohead offer new song for download

by on August 5, 2009 with 65 Comments in Radiohead News

Radiohead offered a new song for download on their website this morning. The track, ‘Harry Patch (In Memory Of)’, premiered on BBC’s Today show this morning and is now available for download.

The track is in memory of Harry Patch, the last World War One veteran who recently passed away. As Thom Yorke explains; “Recently the last remaining UK veteran of the 1st world war Harry Patch died at the age of 111. I had heard a very emotional interview with him a few years ago on the Today program on Radio4. The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me. It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death. It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny. I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor. It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us. I hope we do not forget. As Harry himself said: “Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims”.

Please click here to download. The proceeds of this song will go to the British Legion. To peace and understanding.

Harry Patch (In Memory Of)

“i am the only one that got through
the others died where ever they fell
it was an ambush
they came up from all sides
give your leaders each a gun and then let them fight it out themselves
i’ve seen devils coming up from the ground
i’ve seen hell upon this earth
the next will be chemical but they will never learn”


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  • newbie

    Great !!! First

  • mint_imperial

    Most of the time, saying “First” is just moronic.

    For this, it’s incredibly insensitive. Idiot.

  • http://www.youtube.com/keytype Panasonic

    a new song great

  • ambam

    very very moving…

  • Karain

    Does anyone know if theres gonna be some kind of artwork available for this song? I just need something to put into my iTunes. ;)

  • Chris P

    Oh dear not a good song, Thom’s voice is getting a bit too ‘screetchy’now.

  • Edward

    Agree with Chris P. Don’t like the song a bit unfortunately…

  • http://khristopher.com Khristopher

    Absolutely beautiful song! I love it. THe music is haunting, and the lyrics are so not typical Thom Yorke, I can actually understand what he’s talking about! haha

  • ian

    dont get sentimental
    it only ends up drivel

    thoms voice is way off for this.

  • http://myspace.com/moonlight_0 Kemoushi

    I am downloading it.
    :-)

  • PC

    THe music is haunting, and the lyrics are so not typical Thom Yorke

    ——-

    That would be because they’re not his lyrics. They are are a quote from Harry Patch. I don’t like his vocals in this song at all.

  • http://kasblog.punt.nl Kaaasgaaf

    Is there any way to download this without creditcard? I really want to pay for it, but I don’t have such a card.

  • http://ntwproductionsnow.blogspot.com/ Nick

    I love the strings. Great work Johnny!

  • Matt

    I’m not too fond of the lack of percussion in the track. It makes for a long 5 minutes, but at least my favorite band is recording.

  • Daveyman

    Beautiful, just very beautiful… well done and thank you guys for a fitting memorial

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  • billy

    hey mint… first!

  • Scott

    The strings are beautiful orcourse I expect nothing less of Jonny, but man the vocals are downright dreadful.

  • stefano

    i wouldn’t listen to it more than once… boring

  • the colonist

    A comment on the comments: A little perspective on Thom’s vocals, please. This song was done live. I suspect very little technical window dressing was applied. The vocal style fits the song – simple unadorned vocals of an unstructured verse over an elegant string arrangement.

    It fits the subject matter, don’t you think?

  • h_e_n_r_y

    They should go ahead and put this song on “Twilight 2″ too…

  • o coco

    great work, it was live people!!

  • Peteypan

    Awful vocals. Even if it was done live
    the vocals shouldn’t be this horrendous.
    Nice strings though.

  • pntrs

    awful ? ! ? ! [ you haven t heard my stuff yet hahaha ]

    wow ____you guys slow down please . . .

  • pól

    Awful track. Worst I’ve heard from Radiohead in years

  • Bug (Banned)

    OK, OK. I love Radiohead, and I’ve loved In Rainbows, so I’m not one of those wonders who just criticises everything they do.. but when I heard this song my excitement kind of turned to sdismay really quickly. It’s good in a “not dreadful” ay but I wouldn’t really listen to it more than about twice, and certainly Radiohead have been better. it’s one of the worse things they’ve done, so that’s why I’m hoping it’s just a oneoff charity thing, like I Want None of This was, and that we can forget about it when LP8 comes out and it shockingly better. In short, if this signifies radiohead’s future musical direction, I’m very disappointed. If it’s just a one-off trubute, then I’m pleased.. but I don’t want them to end up like, say, Morrissey – nice while they lasted bt now just producing hollow replicas or sentimental drivel.. it’s hard not to think that the best das or over with OK Computer, Kid A and Amnesiac… while I’kll always treasure those masterpieces I don’t want their career to end on a sour note.

  • garvboy

    When you compare the vocal take to some absolutely live recordings, they are good. Not screechy. String arrangement takes some time to get going but provides a lovely canvas for a typically sparce melody.

    Don’t get why this is being ripped on. You must remember Radiohead are practically middle-aged men.

    If this is passing stuff, bring on the next long play.

  • Tara

    Thom’s vocals has me really concerned. The song is nice, but seriously, the vocals was atrocious.

  • Scott

    Yes, let’s never forget that Radiohead are old.

  • R.A.

    Are you guys frikkin on crack???
    This is NOT the new direction, nor is it an indication of wavering talent.

    It IS a 1-off charity event.

    Did you not see thom’s performance at latitude festival, his impeccable vocal delivery on “follow me around”, or the new song that sounds very promising?

    Please, keep your eyes on the big picture and don’t jump to conclusions you negative Nancys!

  • Jude Smith

    Does anyone know how I can get a message to the band? Harry was my Great Granddad…

  • Bug (Banned)

    Hi Jude Smith

    That’s incredible.. I’d advise sending a letter to the band’s management is the best course of action, as no-one actually has contact with the band directly. I think their address is on WASTE, or the radiohead.com website somewhere

  • Jude Smith

    Cool, cheers. I’ve had a nosey on both those sites and can’t find anything. Do you know who their management is?…

  • Bug (Banned)

    right.. i’m unsure

    w.a.s.t.e. correspondence
    p.o. box 322
    oxford, ox4 1ey
    uk

    is for waste central

    I think Chris Hufford is the man we normally contact to get a message to the band. He shares his duties with Bryce Edge though, so he’s the other guy who might be able to get a message through.

    chris hufford:
    Courtyard Management

    21 The Nursery

    Sutton Courtenay

    Oxon

    OX14 4UA

    Tel. 01235 845800

    Contact: Chris Hufford

  • Keturah G.

    This tribute is very moving indeed. I didn’t find the vocals at all disturbing considering A. It was live B. The song is based on a very old veteran with very moving and haunting memories and C. It’s a tribute, not a single for a new album. Great work guys and I absolutely love the strings.

  • richallan

    “It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us. I hope we do not forget.”

    It’s not about how good or bad the vocal is, it’s about how we are here because of the sacrifice made by millions of men and woman.

  • Leah

    it’s a very beautiful, sad song.

    lovely, Thom.

  • David

    This song is beautiful and poignant and sad and poetic.

    Damn near perfect.

  • Nancy

    I hate to say it but Thom’s singing on this hurts my ears.

  • chris martin

    Not sure what everyone is taking but this song is great! Vocals and everything.

  • http://www.farawayjournal.com Dimba

    The strings are fantastic! I’ve always wanted them to do more with orchestration.

  • home

    i really didn’t like this at all.
    don’t even have an urge to listen to it again.

  • http://corbucorbu.com trip fontaine

    you know it’s not the vocal itself that i have a problem with, but the mix. it’s just too dry next to those giant strings.

    the next album will be incredible, everyone calm yourselves.

  • SpotlessMind

    A truly gorgeous song. Jonny’s string writing is marvelously spare and hypnotic. Thom’s vocal is a bit raw, which isn’t unexpected given it’s a live take. But his rough, plaintive voice contrasts really nicely with the airy diffuseness of the strings, giving the impression of a small man enveloped by a massive, shifting cloud. This is top class Radiohead.

  • David

    This had made me so excited for LP8

  • starrybloke

    I don’t feel like I have any right to critique this song. This is not only because it’s a tribute. It’s also not because I happen to find nothing wrong with it musically.

    It’s simply because it’s beautiful and pure, like its message. I think we should all respect Radiohead as artists and poets and bow our heads along with them to Harry Patch and peace.

  • Jason

    is this song available in the US? I see its using pounds so I’m kinda scared at purchasing a track on there…..

  • Bug (Banned)

    Nah, that’s OK Jason- it will just bill ou for one dollar seventy cents to whatever card you plug into it, it works internationally

  • Rainbow

    @ SpotlessMind – I absolutely agree with you.
    It is moving, sad, mesmerizing, deeply compelling song and in fact I find very modern this combination of classical orchestral sound and high-pitched, raw, disturbing voice of Thom. Pure poetry to me.

  • Rainbow

    I’ve just listened to it couple of times… Simply: poignant.

  • h_e_n_r_y

    I cannot believe Radiohead made a terrible song… I never thought it would happen. I mean, I don’t like EVERYTHING they do, but this is worse than Pop is Dead.

    [This sounds like it belongs at the end credits of "Willy Wonka"...]

  • faketree78

    Great Song! Strings are awesome.

    As for artwork, I just found a picture of Harry Patch and threw it into my iTunes. Done!

  • Radiofuckinhead Brazil

    I can’t understand why people are complaining about Thom’s vocals on this song. I thought it was great. I listened to it maybe 4-5 times in a row last night. I simply loved it. I even told my girlfriend they should have kept it for the next album.
    Go figure…

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  • Love

    Beauty defined: Harry Patch (In Memory Of).

  • hmmmm

    wow…i don’t know about this one…the vocal melody is generic, the strings are very generic, and that’s pretty much it going for the song. hmmmm…i’m going to have to agree..probably the most dissappointing track i’ve ever heard from radiohead

  • David

    If this was on LP8 I would love LP8.

    Hearing this gives me the shivers and I almost cried. Too beautiful

  • gnome

    I think people need to refrain from posting their thoughts after one listen. After first listen, I was underwhelmed. I listened a few more times before realizing it is an excellent, yet simple piece. Let it sink in, ya goofballs…

  • Josh

    I can’t stand that “don’t forget the sacrifice that the millions of soldiers made” droll.

  • Ken

    Wow, I’m amazed at all the critisism on Thom’s vocal. Personally, I think its a beautiful arrangement, and I really really love Thom’s voice on this one.

  • Adam

    I wish they would offer it on iTunes as well. I am 16, I don’t have a credit card so I don’t have information I can give the site so I could buy the track.

  • jay joe

    is there an artwork come with the purchase?

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