History Music / OKComputer

* GreatEscape: "Exit Music (For a Film)" describes one inspired by ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet'', and what would've happened if after they consummated their marriage, they tried to escape the morning after.

-->--'''"Let Down"'''

''OK Computer'' is the third album released by AlternativeRock band Music/{{Radiohead}}, released on 21 May 1997.
Upon its release in May 1997, the album reached number one in the UK and number 21 in the US, becoming Radiohead's international BreakthroughHit in the process.

Recorded with the intent of presenting a less introspective sound than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies for a more aggressive, sociopolitical approach, ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade (corroborated by the fact that it released just a few months before Music/{{Oasis}}' ''Music/BeHereNow'', widely considered the GenreKiller for Britpop). It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

-->[[AC:baby smiling in back seat]]
-->[[AC:...]]
-->[[AC:Shot of baby strapped in back seat.]]

--> [[AC:A pig, in a cage, on antibiotics.]]

* RuleOfCool: According to Thom Yorke, the line "kill me Sarah" in "Lucky" was included simply because he thought "Sarah" was a neat name.

* OneDimensionalThinking: The [[HeWhoMustNotBeSeen unseen driver]] in the "Karma Police" video, [[spoiler: and then the car itself]].

* GreatEscape: "Exit Music"'s lyrics describe one inspired by ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet'' and what would've happened if after they consummated their marriage, they tried to escape the morning after.

* WorldWarThree: "Airbag:"
-->''In the next world war''
-->''In a jack knifed juggernaut''
-->''I am born again''

* IdealistVsPragmatiat: Invoked on "Fitter Happier"

* ConceptAlbum: Although the band denies it, in the minds of the fans the album qualifies, due most of its songs addressing the future of technology and capitalist society in the eve of the 20th century.

* MohsScaleOfRockAndMetalHardness: Most of the album is a 2-3. However, "Exit Music (For a Film)" and "No Surprises" drop to a 1, while "Electioneering" reaches a 6. "Climbing Up the Walls" is a 4, as the song's creepy atmosphere and the aforementioned LastNoteNightmare prevents it from being any lower.
** "Paranoid Android" covers all the ground from 1 or 2 at its softest to 7 or 8 at its heaviest parts. Overall, it probably comes out to about a 4 or 5.

* DisproportionateRetribution / LaserGuidedKarma: The narrator of "Karma Police" asks for the titular police to arrest a couple for the most trivial reasons, only to come to their senses when they realise that they too are not immune from karma.

* LyricalDissonance: "No Surprises" contrasts a lullaby-like melody and comforting instrumentation with bluntly frank lyrics about the crushing sense of apathy and ennui that result from depression and burnout.

Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective sound than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies for a more aggressive, sociopolitical approach, ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade (corroborated by the fact that it released just a few months before Music/{{Oasis}}' ''Music/BeHereNow'', widely considered the GenreKiller for Britpop). It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective sound than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies for a more aggressive, experimental, and sociopolitical approach, ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade (corroborated by the fact that it released just a few months before Music/{{Oasis}}' ''Music/BeHereNow'', widely considered the GenreKiller for Britpop). It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective sound than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies for a more aggressive, experimental, and sociopolitical approach. ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade (corroborated by the fact that it released just a few months before Music/{{Oasis}}' ''Music/BeHereNow'', widely considered the GenreKiller for Britpop). It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective album than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the 1995 album's personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies in exchange for a more aggressive, experimental, and sociopolitical style, ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade (corroborated by the fact that it released just a few months before Music/{{Oasis}}' ''Music/BeHereNow'', widely considered the GenreKiller for Britpop). It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

The album's lyrics and artwork emphasize Radiohead's views on rampant consumerism, social alienation, emotional isolation, and political malaise; in this capacity, ''OK Computer'' is often interpreted as having prescient insight into the mood of 21st century life. In that sense, the album is often considered a SpiritualSuccessor to Music/PinkFloyd's own 1973 BreakthroughHit ''Music/TheDarkSideOfTheMoon''. While Radiohead detested such comparisons, they similarly felt a strong sense of ArtistDissilusionment that would result from the album's success, resulting in the even more experimental electronica and jazz directions of their [[Music/KidA next]] [[Music/{{Amnesiac}} two]] albums.

Upon its release in May 1997, the album reached number one in the UK and number 21 in the US, and received overwhelmingly positive acclaim from both fans and critics. The album is best remembered for the four singles that supported it -- "Paranoid Android", "Karma Police", "Lucky", and "No Surprises" -- all of which were radio hits and remain fan favorites to this day.

Critics and fans often comment on the underlying themes found in the lyrics and artwork, emphasising Radiohead's views on rampant consumerism, social alienation, emotional isolation, and political malaise; in this capacity, ''OK Computer'' is often interpreted as having prescient insight into the mood of 21st century life. Others meanwhile noted the thematic similarities to Music/PinkFloyd's own 1973 BreakthroughHit ''Music/TheDarkSideOfTheMoon'', and dubbed this plus Radiohead's complex and experimental instrumentation techniques throughout ''OK Computer'' a sign of ProgressiveRock reemerging into public relevance after its downfall in the late 70's and early 80's. Radiohead themselves detested such comparisons; similarly to Pink Floyd, however, the sudden explosion in popularity would take a hugely negative toll on the band, with burnout from their abrupt fame and ArtistDisillusionment with rock music altogether resulting in the even more experimental electronica and jazz directions of their [[Music/KidA next]] [[Music/{{Amnesiac}} two]] albums.

Prominent rock critics predicted the album would have far-reaching cultural impact, and boy, were they right -- in subsequent years, the album has been frequently cited by listeners, critics, and musicians as one of the greatest of its time, if not one of the greatest albums of ''all'' time. ''OK Computer'' is currently listed at number 42 in Magazine/RollingStone's [[Music/RollingStone500GreatestAlbumsOfAllTime 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]; in 2006, Magazine/TimeMagazine placed it in their list of [[Magazine/TimeMagazine 100 timeless and essential albums]]; and it is currently listed as the 8th-most-acclaimed album of all time on Website/AcclaimedMusic's [[UsefulNotes/AcclaimedMusicAllTimeTopAlbums compilation of critics' lists]]. In 2014, it was inducted into the UsefulNotes/NationalRecordingRegistry for its "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance." It also currently holds the position of being [[https://rateyourmusic.com/customchart the highest-rated album]] on ''Rate Your Music''.

In 2017, the band commemorated the [[MilestoneCelebration 20th anniversary]] of ''OK Computer'' with ''OKNOTOK'', an expanded and remastered re-release containing both the original 1997 album and an additional disc of bonus material, namely the B-sides for its associated singles plus the previously unreleased songs "I Promise", "Man of War", and "Lift", which themselves were released as singles with their own music videos to promote the re-release. True to form, the band included a [[https://img.discogs.com/vcSmyasIeXevA09SNKJ2nrUVgYs=/fit-in/600x592/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-10544976-1500078610-8882.jpeg.jpg hype sticker]] on ''OKNOTOK'' pointing out how all of the issues first discussed in 1997 have only gotten worse in the 20 years since, making ''OK Computer'' more relevant now than ever before.

Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective album than ''Music/TheBends'', the album eschewed its predecessor's personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies for a more aggressive, experimental, and sociopolitical style, its lyrics and atmosphere placing rampant consumerism, social alienation, emotional isolation, and political malaise at the conceptual forefront.

The album initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade. It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

In 2017, the band commemorated the [[MilestoneCelebration 20th anniversary]] of ''OK Computer'' with ''OKNOTOK'', an expanded and remastered re-release containing both the original 1997 album and an additional disc of bonus material, namely the B-sides for its associated singles plus the previously unreleased songs "I Promise", "Man of War", and "Lift", which themselves were released as singles with their own music videos to promote the re-release.

Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective album than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the 1995 album's personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies in exchange for a more aggressive, experimental, and sociopolitical style, ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade. It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

The album emphasizes Radiohead's views on rampant consumerism, social alienation, emotional isolation, and political malaise.

''OK Computer'' is the third album released by AlternativeRock band Music/{{Radiohead}}. Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective album than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the 1995 album's personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies in exchange for a more aggressive, experimental, and sociopolitical style, ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade. It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

''OK Computer'' is the third album released by AlternativeRock band Music/{{Radiohead}}. Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective album than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the 1995 album's personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies in exchange for a more aggressive, experimental, and sociopolitical style, ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade (corroborated by the fact that it released just a few months before Music/{{Oasis}}' ''Music/BeHereNow'', widely considered the GenreKiller for Britpop). It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

''OK Computer'' is the third album released by AlternativeRock band Music/{{Radiohead}}. Upon its release in May 1997, the album reached number one in the UK and number 21 in the US, and received overwhelmingly positive acclaim from both fans and critics. The album is best remembered for the four singles that supported it -- "Paranoid Android", "Karma Police", "Lucky", and "No Surprises" -- all of which were radio hits and remain fan favorites to this day.

Recorded with the intent to present a less introspective album than ''Music/TheBends'', exchanging the 1995 album's personally-oriented lyricism and downbeat melodies in exchange for a more aggressive, experimental, and sociopolitical style, ''OK Computer'' initiated a shift away from the popular {{Britpop}} genre of the time to the more melancholic, atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade (corroborated by the fact that it released just a few months before Music/{{Oasis}}' ''Music/BeHereNow'', widely considered the GenreKiller for Britpop). It would also initiate the band's shift away from their original guitar-heavy approach and into the more experimental territory that defined their subsequent work.

Critics and fans often comment on the underlying themes found in the lyrics and artwork, emphasising Radiohead's views on rampant consumerism, social alienation, emotional isolation, and political malaise; in this capacity, ''OK Computer'' is often interpreted as having prescient insight into the mood of 21st century life. Others meanwhile noted the thematic similarities to Music/PinkFloyd's own 1973 BreakthroughHit ''Music/TheDarkSideOfTheMoon'', and dubbed this plus Radiohead's complex and experimental instrumentation techniques throughout ''OK Computer'' a sign of ProgressiveRock reemerging into public relevance after its downfall in the late 70's and early 80's. Radiohead themselves detested such comparisons; similarly to Pink Floyd, however, the sudden explosion in popularity would take a hugely negative toll on the band, with burnout from their abrupt fame and ArtistDisillusionment with rock music altogether resulting in the even more experimental electronica and jazz directions of their [[Music/KidA next]] [[Music/{{Amnesiac}} two]] albums.

Prominent rock critics predicted the album would have far-reaching cultural impact, and boy, were they right -- in subsequent years, the album has been frequently cited by listeners, critics, and musicians as one of the greatest of its time, if not one of the greatest albums of ''all'' time. ''OK Computer'' is currently listed at number 42 in Magazine/RollingStone's [[Music/RollingStone500GreatestAlbumsOfAllTime 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]; in 2006, Magazine/TimeMagazine placed it in their list of [[Magazine/TimeMagazine 100 timeless and essential albums]]; and it is currently listed as the 8th-most-acclaimed album of all time on Website/AcclaimedMusic's [[UsefulNotes/AcclaimedMusicAllTimeTopAlbums compilation of critics' lists]]. In 2014, it was inducted into the UsefulNotes/NationalRecordingRegistry for its "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance." It also currently holds the position of being [[https://rateyourmusic.com/customchart the highest-rated album]] on ''Rate Your Music''.

In 2017, the band commemorated the [[MilestoneCelebration 20th anniversary]] of ''OK Computer'' with ''OKNOTOK'', an expanded and remastered re-release containing both the original 1997 album and an additional disc of bonus material, namely the B-sides for its associated singles plus the previously unreleased songs "I Promise", "Man of War", and "Lift", which themselves were released as singles with their own music videos to promote the re-release. True to form, the band included a [[https://img.discogs.com/vcSmyasIeXevA09SNKJ2nrUVgYs=/fit-in/600x592/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-10544976-1500078610-8882.jpeg.jpg hype sticker]] on ''OKNOTOK'' pointing out how all of the issues first discussed in 1997 have only gotten worse in the 20 years since, making ''OK Computer'' more relevant now than ever before.

** Which is subverted at the end with:

* {{Creepy|Monotone}}/MachineMonotone: "Fitter Happier", used to show the disconnect between corporate advice and the people who follow it.

* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: "Subterranean Homesick Alien":
--> ''I'd show them the stars and the meaning of life''\\
''They'd shut me away, but I'd be alright''

** The sirens at the end of "Karma Police" trail off into "Fitter Happier", which then fades into "Electioneering". As the former two are separated on vinyl editions, the sound of a radio shutting off at the end of "Karma Police" instead serves to signal the end of the Meeny/Skip side.

** WordOfGod confirms that "No Surprises" was written as a pastiche of Music/TheBeachBoys, specifically of the material on their 1966 album ''Music/PetSounds''.

--> [[AC:Careful to all animals (never washing spiders down the plughole)]]

* {{Bookends}}: ''OK Computer'' begins and ends with a car crash; "The Tourist", which closes the album, describes the events leading up to it from the perspective of a bystander, and "Airbag", which opens it, describes the driver's celebration after surviving the crash.

* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Insanity and paranoia is a major theme on this album.
* ConceptAlbum: Although the band denies it, in the minds of the fans the album qualifies, due most of its songs addressing the future of technology in the eve of the 20th century.

** The sirens at the end of "Karma Police" trail off into "Fitter Happier", which then fades into "Electioneering". Unfortunately, the former two are separated on vinyl editions.

* TheOner: The music video of "No Surprises" shows Thom Yorke shot in one long continuous take. The continuous 57 seconds in which Thom Yorke is submerged was done by speeding up the track Thom is miming to as his face becomes totally submerged, then editing the footage to slow it down for the full minute. The making of this video is featured in the band's documentary ''Meeting People is Easy'', which shows Thom's frustrations with being unable to do the shot correctly for several takes.

* RantInducingSlight: "Paranoid Android" was inspired by a woman Thom Yorke saw in a bar who became violent when someone spilled a drink on her.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: One possible interpretation of "Exit Music"-- taking its roots in ''Romeo and Juliet'' into consideration-- depicts it as one from Romeo and Juliet to Friar Laurence, who is an integral part of the pair's demise.

prayers and\\

* SanitySlippageSong: "Climbing Up the Walls", and possibly "Fitter Happier".

* SelfBackingVocalist: The two vocal overdubs played simultaneously in the last verse of "Let Down".

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: InUniverse; "Exit Music" was built around an idea that Thom got when he watched the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli adaptation of ''Film/{{Romeo and Juliet|1968}}'' at the age of 13: What would've happened if Romeo and Juliet escaped the morning after they consummated their marriage?

** Two to ''Franchise/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'': the album title comes from Zaphod's line "okay, computer, I want full manual control now" from [[Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy the 1978 radio series]], while the song "Paranoid Android" derives its own title from the character Marvin the Paranoid Android.

* ZeroesAndOnes: A working title for the album.