Top Ten Songs by Radiohead

To start out, listing the top ten Radiohead songs is like being told to choose which of your children you will keep-the fact of the matter is that I love them all. The UK band has been releasing music since 1992, and has had a multitude of popular singles since. Radiohead's newest album, In Rainbows, even won a Grammy in 2009 for Best Alternative Music Album (source: Wikipedia). It's no wonder, then, that I have such trouble choosing only 10 songs! Due to the fact that Radiohead has such a wide selection of amazing songs, I included my personal favorites-taking care to include a sampling of each of their major albums. I hope you all find this list as enjoyable as I do. Happy listening!

1. High and Dry - The Bends - Listen at Lala

This is one of Radiohead's most well-known songs, though I cant say that's why it made this list. I would dub it one of the band's best raw songs, with no synth in it whatsoever. It's terribly melodic and has great lyrics.

2. Idioteque - Kid A - Listen at Lala

Idioteque is certainly one of Radiohead's more electronic songs, and quite possibly my favorite Radiohead song of all time. It has a great rhythm that is highly repetitive and almost unintelligible and nonsensical. These, however, are good qualities in this case.

3. Paranoid Android - OK Computer - Listen at Lala

This is another well known Radiohead song, but due its proper credit because it is a fantastic song. The mix of maracas, distorted guitar, and Thom Yorke's distinct vocals make it an audio feast fit for a king.

4. Just - The Bends - Listen at Lala

I would categorize Just as one of Radiohead's best raw songs. It is certainly in place on The Bends, but stands out in edginess in my opinion.

5. I might be wrong - Amnesiac - Listen at Lala

This is yet another seductive track, with a great beat to it. Though only using a bit of synth-this is a highly edgy song, but pretty raw for the slower, dazed Amnesiac album.

6. Climbing up the Walls - OK Computer - Listen at Lala

I chose this particular Radiohead song for its unique nature. It has a very seductive, eerie percussion line with an equally seductive melody. It certainly stands out on the OK Computer album, and is just plain sexy.

7. Anyone Can Play Guitar - Pablo Honey - Listen at Lala

Though I wouldn't pin this as one of my favorite Radiohead albums, it certainly has some excellent songs. This song is a slower, sultry track, with quite a bit of attitude and great riffs.

8. Motion Picture Soundtrack - Kid A - Listen at Lala

This song is slow and melodic, with Thom Yorke's signature voice in the forefront and a strong background (pipe organs?) This is certainly a "chill" song that is highly relaxing.

9. Backdrifts (Honeymoon is over) - Hail to the Thief - Listen at Lala

Personally, I just love the beat to this song. It is one of the more electronica sounding tracks on Hail to the Thief, and I tend to gravitate towards those songs a bit more I suppose. Thom Yorke's vocals are also appropriately showcased in this one.

10. Reckoner - In Rainbows - Listen at Lala

There are so many good songs on this album, but I have to say this is by far my favorite. It is sexy, and just makes you want to close your eyes and move with the beat. Though that is way short of a professional evaluation of that song, I just cant explain it any better.

As previously mentioned, there are really too many great Radiohead songs to pin down just ten, but I hope you enjoyed those that I listed and gave them a good listen. Make sure to check out the rest of their music as well!