Radiohead - “High and Dry”

Over the weekend I was watching I Know Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, yeah there was very little on the boob tube. Anyways, there is this scene between Adam Sandler and Jessica Biel where Radiohead’s “High and Dry” is playing in the background. I thought it was very good use of the song.

I’ve listened to “High and Dry” a couple of more times since then and I forgot how great of a song it is, despite Thom Yorke saying that it’s a “very bad” song.

It was instantly catchy the first time I heard over a decade ago, and it’s still catchy today. A timeless tune, so to speak, which Radiohead has a tendency to create.

“High and Dry” was the second single released from the band’s 1995 sophomore release The Bend . It was actually recorded during the band’s debut album Pablo Honey, but was not included on the album because the band thought it sounded too much like a Rod Stewart song. I don’t think it sounds anything like a Rod the Mod song. But if it did, I probably wouldn’t dig it, because I can’t stand Rod the Mod. They were just being cheeky I guess.

There is no doubt that “High and Dry” is a pop song, but it helped sell The Bends and expand Radiohead’s fan base. It also proved that they were more then a one hit wonder with “Creep”.

Besides the song itself, there was the music video, or should I say videos. The band made one for American audiences and a British version. As with most of the band’s videos, the American version involves several subplots revolving around the band that has nothing to do with the song. Plus, the addition of car explosions probably grabbed the attention span of most of us Americans.

Take a lesson from Radiohead folks. Making a crazy video to a great song will always work. It sounds easy, but many artists have tried and failed.

See for yourself.
\"High and Dry\" American Version

\"High and Dry\" UK Version