You and Whose Army?
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| “You and Whose Army?” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Song by Radiohead | ||
| Album | Amnesiac | |
| Released | 4 June 2001 | |
| Genre | Rock, Art rock | |
| Length | 3:11 | |
| Label | EMI, Parlophone, Capitol | |
| Producer | Nigel Godrich, Radiohead | |
| Amnesiac track listing | ||
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"You and Whose Army?" is a song by the English band Radiohead, from their 2001 album, Amnesiac.
Beginning with quiet guitar and jazzy upright bass played by Colin Greenwood, it progresses to a full-band climax of piano chords and falsetto vocals some found reminiscent of Radiohead's 1997 hit 'Karma Police', or The Beatles. The vocals have a muffled sound which Thom Yorke created by singing through his cupped hands. The band and producer Nigel Godrich have said they were trying to recreate the sound of records by a popular vocal group from the 1930s, The Ink Spots.
The lyrics of "You and Whose Army?" are often seen as a political statement about British Prime Minister Tony Blair, due to comments Yorke has made in interviews. Blair was in power when the song was written, and was running for a second term just as the song came out. Even before the war in Iraq, Yorke often admitted his frustration and anger with Blair and 'New Labour'.
Although the song on the surface seems to be a rallying, defiant protest song, Yorke sings the lyrics in a defeated fashion, implying that the speaker and anyone associated with him have already perished, yet their anger and sentiment live on.[1]
The song is often played live, sometimes even opening a concert, unusual for such a slow number. In live performances of this song, Yorke poses ironically for a camera positioned behind his piano, eliciting cheers and laughter from the audience.
The song was first played live on 17 June 2000, at the Arenes de Frejus, Frejus, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur in France.
Elements of "You and Whose Army?" were sampled by hip-hop band The Roots on the track "Atonement," from their 2006 album Game Theory. Roots member ?uestlove is an avowed fan of the band and has also covered other Radiohead songs. This song has also been covered by John Frusciante during his live performances.
[edit] References
- ^ Reynolds, Simon. "Walking on Thin Ice". The Wire magazine, July 2001.
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