Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees”: Teh Journey from obscurity to Viral Fame
If you tuned into the second season of the acclaimed Apple TV sci-fi series Severance while scrolling through TikTok, you likely encountered numerous fan edits featuring the show’s intertwined love stories. many of these edits were set to the poignant third verse of Radiohead’s Fake Plastic Trees. (Beware of spoilers if you haven’t caught up on the series yet!)
For those who prefer a grittier narrative, the song has also found its way into montages from The Bear, showcasing Jeremy Allen White’s emotional range.
A Surprising Viral Hit
Interestingly, Fake Plastic Trees isn’t even the most prominent Radiohead track to resurface in recent times.That honor goes to Let Down, a song from their groundbreaking 1997 album OK Computer, which almost caused a rift within the band. Earlier this year, Let Down made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100, where it continues to resonate with audiences.
Though, the backstory of Fake Plastic Trees is even more compelling than its viral counterpart.
Thom Yorke,the band’s frontman,drew inspiration for the song after witnessing the late Jeff Buckley perform live.”Seeing him reminded me of a vulnerable side of myself that I was trying to conceal,” Yorke shared with author Jason Thomas Gordon in his book The Singers Talk.
Yorke initially recorded Fake Plastic Trees solo, but when the band listened to it together, the others insisted on including it. ”I was hesitant, thinking it was too personal,” he recalled.
The Recording Struggles
Capturing such an intimate song proved to be a challenging endeavor, filled with numerous setbacks. The pressure from EMI, the band’s label, added to the stress, as they hoped the song’s emotional depth would resonate with listeners similarly to their breakout hit, Creep.
In a 1998 interview with Guitar World, Yorke described the recording sessions for fake Plastic Trees as “a complete nightmare.”
“At one point, it sounded like something out of Guns N’ Roses’ November rain,” guitarist Ed O’brien remarked, recalling the overly grandiose sound they initially captured.
Ultimately, a fortunate mistake contributed to the song’s unique character. “Our mixer, Paul Kolderie, missed a cue, causing the electric guitars to enter at the wrong moment,” Yorke explained. “It was an error,but we decided to keep it.”
This mistake can be heard when comparing the studio version to a vintage live performance on Late Night with conan O’Brien.In the studio, Yorke’s acoustic guitar and the rhythm section carry the song until O’Brien and Jonny Greenwood join in during the third verse, creating a powerful moment that many fans cherish.
Yorke also confirmed a long-standing rumor that he was moved to tears upon hearing the playback of the song for the first time. “Recording is an emotional journey, and you frequently enough lose sight of your own identity in the process,” he reflected. “Its like meditating; you become unaware of your vulnerability until you step back and see yourself in a new light.”
Recent Resurgence
Despite their reputation for taking bold artistic risks and frequently enough avoiding their biggest hits during live performances,Radiohead has recently acknowledged their viral successes during their European tour,their first as 2018. Both Let Down and Fake Plastic Trees have made more frequent appearances in their setlists.
When Fake Plastic trees was initially released, it didn’t achieve the commercial success EMI had hoped for. But sometimes, a 30-year wait can lead to a well-deserved recognition.
