The National Anthem
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For patriotic musical compositions, see National anthem
| "The National Anthem" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Album cover of Kid A | ||
| Song by Radiohead | ||
| from the album Kid A | ||
| Released | 2 October 2000 | |
| Recorded | January 1999, – April 2000 | |
| Genre | Alternative Rock, Electronic, Jazz fusion, Experimental | |
| Length | 5:51 | |
| Label | Parlophone | |
| Producer(s) | Nigel Godrich | |
"The National Anthem" is a song by the band Radiohead, the third track from the album Kid A (2000).
The song is moored to a repetitive, four-note bassline. In the album recording, the bass is actually played by lead singer Thom Yorke, who wrote the riff at age 16 [citation needed]. When the song is played live, normal Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood uses a Lovetone Big Cheese effects pedal [citation needed], which gives the song its unique "fuzz" sound. The body of the song has been noted in some quarters for forcing attention onto itself and away from Yorke's vocals. The band shows an interest in concentrating less on the centrepiece of the band and more on the collective entity.
The free jazz-style horn section featured in this song creates a soundscape of chaos, and has been described as "a brass band marching into a brick wall" by one reviewer [citation needed]. It is said that in the recording sessions, band members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood conducted the session musicians as best they could, though Yorke lacks formal musical training, telling them to 'go crazy' with their instruments, and used their hands to point out calmer moments.It should be noted that although the recording sounds chaotic an jarring, each instrument is soloing to the riff.The jazz style arrangement was apparently influenced by Charles Mingus, one of Thom's favorite composers [citation needed], while the song also features an Ondes Martenot, played by Jonny Greenwood. That early electronic instrument was picked up by Jonny for several songs on Kid A and subsequent albums, inspired by the music of Olivier Messian which makes much use of it. Some also found "The National Anthem" reminiscent of the contemporary work of fellow UK bands Primal Scream and Spiritualized, with whom Radiohead had toured in 1998. The cyclic bassline has also drawn comparisons to U2's "Mofo".
When played live, second guitarist Ed O'Brien plays the Ondes Martenot part on guitar, along with Jonny. This gives an eerie quality to the song. Also, Thom Yorke's vocals are received by a small radio, which Jonny plays into a small monitor, adjusting the dial to give Yorke's vocals a metallic tone and disconnected feel. The song's live performances begin with band members tuning into a radio onstage, switching between stations and merging it with static and the song's opening bass riff. "The National Anthem" opened most Radiohead shows from 2000-2001.
In 2006 it was covered by Vernon Reid and Masque.
[edit] Samples
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- "The National Anthem" by Radiohead
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