Radiohead offer new song for download
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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Make A Comment: ( 63 so far )
63 Responses to “Radiohead offer new song for download”
newbie
August 5th, 2009
Most of the time, saying “First” is just moronic.
For this, it’s incredibly insensitive. Idiot.
mint_imperial
August 5th, 2009
a new song great
Panasonic
August 5th, 2009
very very moving…
ambam
August 5th, 2009
Does anyone know if theres gonna be some kind of artwork available for this song? I just need something to put into my iTunes. 
Karain
August 5th, 2009
Oh dear not a good song, Thom’s voice is getting a bit too ’screetchy’now.
Chris P
August 5th, 2009
Agree with Chris P. Don’t like the song a bit unfortunately…
Edward
August 5th, 2009
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
Khristopher
August 5th, 2009
dont get sentimental
it only ends up drivel
thoms voice is way off for this.
ian
August 5th, 2009
I am downloading it.
Kemoushi
August 5th, 2009
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.
PC
August 5th, 2009
Is there any way to download this without creditcard? I really want to pay for it, but I don’t have such a card.
Kaaasgaaf
August 5th, 2009
I love the strings. Great work Johnny!
Nick
August 5th, 2009
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.
Matt
August 5th, 2009
Beautiful, just very beautiful… well done and thank you guys for a fitting memorial
Daveyman
August 5th, 2009
[...] called “Harry Patch (In Memory Of)” and proceeds will go to the British Legion. Go HERE to read more about it. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Now that Rockstar’s [...]
[...] [...]
Music Radiohead offers new song for download in memory of UK's last WW1 veteran. - The Prophecy Forums
August 5th, 2009
hey mint… first!
billy
August 5th, 2009
The strings are beautiful orcourse I expect nothing less of Jonny, but man the vocals are downright dreadful.
Scott
August 5th, 2009
i wouldn’t listen to it more than once… boring
stefano
August 5th, 2009
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?
the colonist
August 5th, 2009
They should go ahead and put this song on “Twilight 2″ too…
h_e_n_r_y
August 5th, 2009
great work, it was live people!!
o coco
August 5th, 2009
Awful vocals. Even if it was done live
the vocals shouldn’t be this horrendous.
Nice strings though.
Peteypan
August 5th, 2009
awful ? ! ? ! [ you haven t heard my stuff yet hahaha ]
wow ____you guys slow down please . . .
pntrs
August 5th, 2009
Awful track. Worst I’ve heard from Radiohead in years
pól
August 5th, 2009
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.
Bug (Banned)
August 5th, 2009
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.
garvboy
August 5th, 2009
Thom’s vocals has me really concerned. The song is nice, but seriously, the vocals was atrocious.
Tara
August 5th, 2009
Yes, let’s never forget that Radiohead are old.
Scott
August 5th, 2009
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!
R.A.
August 5th, 2009
Does anyone know how I can get a message to the band? Harry was my Great Granddad…
Jude Smith
August 5th, 2009
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
Bug (Banned)
August 5th, 2009
Cool, cheers. I’ve had a nosey on both those sites and can’t find anything. Do you know who their management is?…
Jude Smith
August 5th, 2009
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
Bug (Banned)
August 5th, 2009
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.
Keturah G.
August 5th, 2009
“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.
richallan
August 5th, 2009
it’s a very beautiful, sad song.
lovely, Thom.
Leah
August 6th, 2009
This song is beautiful and poignant and sad and poetic.
Damn near perfect.
David
August 6th, 2009
I hate to say it but Thom’s singing on this hurts my ears.
Nancy
August 6th, 2009
Not sure what everyone is taking but this song is great! Vocals and everything.
chris martin
August 6th, 2009
The strings are fantastic! I’ve always wanted them to do more with orchestration.
Dimba
August 6th, 2009
i really didn’t like this at all.
don’t even have an urge to listen to it again.
home
August 6th, 2009
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.
trip fontaine
August 6th, 2009
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.
SpotlessMind
August 6th, 2009
This had made me so excited for LP8
David
August 6th, 2009
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.
starrybloke
August 6th, 2009
is this song available in the US? I see its using pounds so I’m kinda scared at purchasing a track on there…..
Jason
August 6th, 2009
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
Bug (Banned)
August 6th, 2009
@ 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
August 6th, 2009
I’ve just listened to it couple of times… Simply: poignant.
Rainbow
August 6th, 2009
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"...]
h_e_n_r_y
August 6th, 2009
Great Song! Strings are awesome.
As for artwork, I just found a picture of Harry Patch and threw it into my iTunes. Done!
faketree78
August 6th, 2009
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…
Radiofuckinhead Brazil
August 6th, 2009
[...] Radiohead’s Thom Yorke has commented about changes in music consumption the day after the download-only release of Harry Patch (In Memory of). [...]
Beauty defined: Harry Patch (In Memory Of).
Love
August 6th, 2009
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
hmmmm
August 7th, 2009
If this was on LP8 I would love LP8.
Hearing this gives me the shivers and I almost cried. Too beautiful
David
August 7th, 2009
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…
gnome
August 8th, 2009
I can’t stand that “don’t forget the sacrifice that the millions of soldiers made” droll.
Josh
August 11th, 2009
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.
Ken
August 12th, 2009
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.
Adam
August 14th, 2009
is there an artwork come with the purchase?
jay joe
August 17th, 2009
Great !!! First