You Never Wash Up After Yourself

Being teenage, disaffected and British it's pretty much a given that I have a soft spot for Radiohead, even if they formed in Oxford. There's been a bit of a backlash against them in recent times among indie circles, but to my ear the music is still groundbreaking and unique in its weird attractiveness. Thom Yorke has one of the most tender and moving voices of anyone in music today, and he uses it to great effect on big, shuddery songs, but also in tracks like today's. Today's track is from one of Radiohead's many, many EPs. Originally a B-side to the single release of My Iron Lung, later to feature on studio album The Bends, it's a very short, very simple track which to my ear is pure poetry, both lyrical and musical. The lyrics are classic Radiohead, combining pathos with grimy undertones, misery and longing. I promise I'll post a more cheerful song tomorrow.

You Never Wash Up After Yourself

I must get out once in a while
Everything is starting to die
The dust settles
The worms dig
Spiders crawl over the bed

I must get out once in a while
I eat all day and now I'm fat
Yesterday's meal is hugging the plates
You never wash up after yourself

You Never Wash Up After Yourself

Added bonus with today's post - Nude from In Rainbows played on old computer parts; mp3