Radiohead Reacts to 'Let Down' Viral TikTok Success After 28 Years

Radiohead’s classic track 'Let Down' resurfaces on TikTok, climbing the charts and sparking fresh excitement nearly three decades later.

A Timeless Track Finds New Life

If you've been anywhere near TikTok lately, you might have noticed a wave of nostalgia washing over the app with Radiohead’s “Let Down” suddenly stealing the spotlight. It’s wild to think a song from 1997, tucked inside the iconic OK Computer album, has now become their fourth-ever US hit almost 28 years after its release. As a longtime fan, I still get chills hearing Thom Yorke’s airy voice float over those hypnotic guitar lines — and apparently, so do a whole new generation of listeners.

Radiohead captured in their 1997 heyday, the year 'Let Down' was released.

This promotional single from the legendary OK Computer album entered the Billboard Hot 100 in August, propelled by its viral momentum on TikTok. The track’s bittersweet, immersive vibe seems to resonate deeply with today's teens who are famously no strangers to melancholia.

Radiohead’s Hot 100 Legacy

Radiohead isn’t exactly new to the US charts. Their 2008 masterpiece from In Rainbows, “Nude,” peaked at number 37, while “High and Dry” scored number 78 back in 1995. Of course, “Creep,” their breakthrough anthem, still reigns as their highest-charting single in the States at number 34. In the UK, “Let Down” initially enjoyed a modest seven-week run on the singles chart, peaking at number 85 — hardly a blockbuster at the time, but clearly a hidden gem waiting to shine again.

The Emotional Core of OK Computer

Thom Yorke shared in a recent interview with The Sunday Times that the song almost didn’t make it onto the record. “I find that especially bizarre. Because I fought tooth and nail for it not to be on the record, but Ed O’Brien was, like, ‘If it’s not, I’m leaving.’” That’s a pretty intense band dynamic if you ask me! Ed went on to describe “Let Down” as the “emotional heart” of OK Computer, which feels so right.

Ed also had a laugh about the TikTok resurgence: “Still, I was astonished. So I told my kids, who are 18 and 21, and they said, ‘What do you expect? Teenagers are depressed. It’s depressing music!’” Can you imagine that generational moment? The kids schooling their dad on the mood of the times — priceless!

Generations United by Music

Drummer Philip Selway chimed in with a charming story of his own recent musical moment: “I was at the station the other day, and schoolboys were playing ‘Everything In Its Right Place’ [from Kid A] on a piano. Then they played Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s such a heartwarming image — young kids deep-diving into Radiohead and classic Queen in one fell swoop.

The Return to the Stage: A New Chapter

The band is gearing up for a major comeback after more than seven years away from live shows. They’ve announced a series of electrifying four-night residencies across Europe, including stops in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin, scheduled from early November to mid-December.

Tickets vanished in a flash — no surprise there! Radiohead fans have patiently awaited their return, and the buzz is palpable. The band revealed they’ve trimmed their vast catalogue down to about 65 songs for the tour, all of which Jonny Greenwood excitedly says they are “all frantically learning.” The prospect of hearing classics alongside rarities, all while the stage is set “in the round,” promises an intimate and immersive concert experience.

Listen to “Let Down” (Remastered):

Politics, Protests, and Personal Stances

It wouldn’t be a true Radiohead story without a bit of controversy and strong opinions. The band has been vocal about their stance on Israel and Palestine, a subject that stirred considerable debate over the years.

Back in 2017, Radiohead faced backlash for performing a show in Tel Aviv, despite calls from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and criticism from notable artists. Thom Yorke’s tensions with political protests came to a head last year during a solo show in Melbourne, where he clashed with a pro-Palestinian protester and later issued a detailed explanation for his actions.

Yorke has since stated he will “absolutely not” return to Israel and expressed a clear desire to distance himself from the current government’s regime. Meanwhile, Jonny Greenwood has taken a somewhat different path. Known for collaborating with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa, Greenwood has faced his share of protests and cancellations but defends his artistic choices staunchly, saying:

“The only thing that I’m ashamed of is that I’ve dragged Thom and the others into this mess – but I’m not ashamed of working with Arab and Jewish musicians. I can’t apologise for that.”

His views suggest a belief that boycotts may empower rather than weaken oppressive forces, a complex and nuanced position that has sparked extensive dialogue among fans and critics alike.

Wrapping It Up: A Song for the Ages

Isn’t it extraordinary how a song like “Let Down” can find new life decades after its initial release? Radiohead’s ability to connect across generations, blending timeless emotion with modern digital culture, is a testament to their enduring artistry. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newbie discovering them through TikTok, “Let Down” offers a hauntingly beautiful snapshot of human vulnerability — and that’s a feeling that never goes out of style.

FAQ

• How did ‘Let Down’ become popular again after so many years?
  The track went viral on TikTok, where users embraced its melancholic vibes, pushing it back onto the charts nearly 28 years after its release.
• What other Radiohead songs have charted in the US?
  “Creep,” “Nude,” and “High and Dry” have all appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Creep” being their highest-charting US single.
• What’s the significance of ‘Let Down’ to the band?
  Guitarist Ed O’Brien calls it the “emotional heart” of OK Computer, and it was nearly left off the album due to internal band debates.
• When and where is Radiohead touring next?
  Radiohead will play four-night residencies in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin from November 4 to December 12, marking their first live shows in over seven years.
• What’s the band’s stance on political controversies related to Israel?
  Members have differing views; Thom Yorke has vowed not to return to Israel due to political reasons, while Jonny Greenwood advocates for artistic collaboration across divides despite boycotts.

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