If you’re a guitar player looking for a challenge, then look no further than Radiohead.
The English rock band has been making music since the early 1990s, and their sound has continued to evolve and challenge the boundaries of rock music.
Their music is often experimental and complex, but they also have some great songs that are perfect for playing on guitar.
In this article, we’ll look at 15 of the easiest Radiohead songs to play on guitar, with tabs included so you can get started right away.
Whether you’re a beginner guitarist or a more advanced player, these songs will give you a great opportunity to explore the music of Radiohead and have some fun playing along.
Table of Contents
15. “Everything In Its Right Place”
The Radiohead song “Everything In Its Right Place” is a hauntingly beautiful track from the band’s 2000 album Kid A.
The song is a minimalist electronic piece, with lead singer Thom Yorke’s vocals heavily processed and layered over a sparse and repetitive beat.
The lyrics are abstract and mysterious, but they evoke a sense of disorientation and confusion in the listener.
The song is a reflection on the chaos of modern life, and how it can sometimes be difficult to find a sense of balance and stability.
The band’s use of electronic instruments and sampling techniques creates a unique soundscape that is both unsettling and strangely comforting.
The song has been praised for its innovative production and its ability to capture a sense of unease and anxiety in a way that few other songs have been able to do.
14. “Reckoner”
“Reckoner” by Radiohead is a song from the band’s 2007 album In Rainbows.
It was written by lead singer Thom Yorke and produced by longtime Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich.
The song has a slow, haunting rhythm, with a sparse arrangement of electronic drums and synths, and Yorke’s vocals layered over the top.
The lyrics are filled with imagery of a world in chaos and a sense of longing for something better.
The song has been praised for its unique sound and its ability to evoke a range of emotions in the listener.
It has been covered by a number of artists, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and was featured in the film The Social Network.
Radiohead has been lauded for their ability to create music that is both innovative and emotionally powerful, and “Reckoner” is a perfect example of this.
13. “Street Spirit (Fade Out)”
“Street Spirit (Fade Out)” by Radiohead is a powerful and haunting song that has become one of the band’s most iconic and beloved tracks.
Written by lead singer Thom Yorke, the song was released as the fifth and final single from their 1995 album The Bends.
It has been described as a “hymn to depression” and features a slow, melancholic melody that builds to a powerful crescendo.
The lyrics are enigmatic and open to interpretation, but many fans believe they are about the struggles of life and the inevitability of death.
The song has been praised for its emotional depth and has been covered by many artists.
It has also been featured in several films and television shows, making it one of Radiohead’s most widely recognized songs.
12. “15 Step”
“15 Step” by Radiohead is a song off of their 2007 album In Rainbows.
It is an upbeat, electronic-infused track, featuring a drum machine and a variety of synthesizers.
The song was the first single released from the album, and has since become one of the band’s most popular songs.
Lyrically, the song is about the struggles of life, and how hard it can be to make progress.
![Radiohead - 15 Step [HQ]](https://www.guitarbased.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F9bahTUVLXZw%2F0.jpg)
The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with Thom Yorke singing “15 steps, then a sheer drop.”
The song was well-received by critics, with many praising the production and Yorke’s unique vocal delivery.
It has become a fan favorite over the years, and is often played at Radiohead concerts.
The song has also been covered by a variety of artists, including Florence and the Machine, and even a cappella group Pentatonix.
11. “Pyramid Song”
“Pyramid Song” by Radiohead is a hauntingly beautiful song that has been captivating listeners since its release in 2001.
The song is a part of the band’s fifth studio album, Amnesiac, and was written by lead singer Thom Yorke and produced by Nigel Godrich.
The track is a melancholic ballad that is driven by a piano melody and Yorke’s distinctive vocals.
The lyrics of the song explore themes of mortality, with Yorke singing “I jumped in the river and what did I see?/Black-eyed angels swam with me”.
The song also features an interesting mix of musical styles, blending elements of jazz, classical, and alternative rock.
The song has been praised by critics and fans alike, and is often cited as one of Radiohead’s best works.
It has been covered by numerous artists, including jazz pianist Brad Mehldau and singer-songwriter Damien Rice.
The song has also been featured in several films and TV shows, including the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.
10. “Lotus Flower”
“Lotus Flower” by Radiohead is a song from the band’s 2011 album The King of Limbs.
The track is a slow-building electronic song, featuring frontman Thom Yorke’s signature falsetto vocals.
The song was released as the album’s second single in February 2011, and was accompanied by a music video directed by Garth Jennings.
The video features Yorke performing a dance routine in a white room, which has become a fan favorite.
The song has been praised for its hypnotic groove, and its lyrics have been interpreted as a metaphor for spiritual awakening.
The song has been covered by a variety of artists, including Bjork and The Flaming Lips.
Radiohead has performed the song live on numerous occasions, and it has become a staple of their live shows.
9. “Just”
The song “Just” by Radiohead is a classic example of the band’s unique sound.
It was the first single released from the band’s 1995 album, The Bends.
The song is an upbeat, guitar-driven rock song that features Thom Yorke’s signature vocal style.
The lyrics are about a person who is trying to make sense of the world around them and their own emotions.
The song has become a fan favorite and has been covered by many artists over the years.
The song was also featured in the movie adaptation of the novel High Fidelity.
Radiohead has been praised for their ability to blend different genres and create unique sounds.
They have won numerous awards, including nine Grammy Awards, and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Just” is a great example of the band’s talent and their ability to create powerful and meaningful music.
8. “Exit Music (For A Film)”
“Exit Music (For A Film)” by Radiohead is a song off their 1997 album OK Computer.
It is a melancholic track that builds on a simple piano riff and slowly builds up with strings and drums.
The lyrics are about a couple parting ways and the singer’s plea for them to stay together.
The song has been featured in a number of films, including Romeo + Juliet and The Hunger Games.
It is one of Radiohead’s most popular songs and has been covered by a number of artists.
The band has been praised for their ability to capture the emotion of a moment and the song is no exception.
The song has been described as a “hauntingly beautiful” and “emotionally charged” piece of music.
It has become a classic in the Radiohead catalogue and is still a fan favorite today.
7. “Bodysnatchers”
The song “Bodysnatchers” by Radiohead is a powerful and captivating track that showcases the band’s unique sound.
It was released in 2008 on the album In Rainbows and is the fourth track on the album.
The song has a driving rock beat and a hauntingly beautiful chorus.
The lyrics explore themes of alienation, paranoia, and the feeling of being trapped in a situation.
The song was written by Thom Yorke, the lead singer of Radiohead, and was produced by Nigel Godrich.
The song has a strong political message, with Yorke singing about the need to “get away from the city” and “leave it all behind”.
The song has been praised for its intense and emotional lyrics, as well as its powerful musical composition.
Radiohead has become known for their innovative and experimental sound, and “Bodysnatchers” is a perfect example of this.
The song has become a fan favorite and has been featured in various films and television shows.
6. “Paranoid Android”
“Paranoid Android” is a song by the iconic British band Radiohead, released on their third studio album OK Computer in 1997.
The song is known for its experimental sound, combining elements of rock, electronic, and classical music.
It is also noted for its length, clocking in at six minutes and twenty-three seconds, making it one of the longest songs on the album.
The track was written by lead singer Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood and is considered one of the band’s most iconic songs.
The song’s title is a reference to Marvin the Paranoid Android from the classic science fiction novel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
The song’s lyrics are often interpreted as a commentary on modern society, with Yorke’s vocals conveying a sense of alienation and paranoia.
Musically, the song is characterized by its dynamic structure, which features multiple changes in tempo and style throughout its duration.
The song has been praised by critics and fans alike, and is often cited as one of the best songs of the 1990s.
5. “Karma Police”
The song “Karma Police” by Radiohead is a classic from their 1997 album OK Computer.
It is a fan favorite and has been featured in many films and television shows.
The song is about a person who is being monitored by a “Karma Police”, who is punishing them for their misdeeds.
The lyrics are written from the perspective of a person who is trying to escape the oppressive control of this “Karma Police”.
The song was written by lead singer Thom Yorke and is a commentary on the oppressive nature of authority and the need to break free of it.
The song is musically complex, featuring a mix of electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, and drums.
The song has a driving beat and a catchy chorus that make it an instant classic.
The song has been covered by many artists and is an important part of Radiohead’s legacy.
4. “High And Dry”
The song “High And Dry” by Radiohead is a classic from their 1995 album The Bends.
It was written by lead singer Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood, and it is one of their most popular songs.
It is a melancholy ballad, with Yorke’s plaintive vocals accompanied by a sparse acoustic guitar and a subtle string section.
The lyrics are about a relationship that has ended, and the singer’s feelings of loneliness and longing.
The song was a hit in the UK, reaching number 15 on the singles chart, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
Radiohead have been one of the most influential bands of the last 30 years, with their unique blend of alternative rock, electronica, and experimental music.
They have won numerous awards, including the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 2018 for their album A Moon Shaped Pool.
The band have also been praised for their commitment to environmental causes, and their innovative approach to the music industry.
3. “Fake Plastic Trees”
Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is a hauntingly beautiful song that speaks to the loneliness of modern life.
It was released in 1995 as part of their second album, The Bends.
The song was written by lead singer Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood and features a mix of acoustic and electric guitars.
The lyrics explore themes of alienation, despair, and the artificiality of modern life, with Yorke’s vocals conveying a sense of longing and sadness.
The song was a critical success, with critics praising its poetic lyrics and Yorke’s emotive vocal performance.
It has since become a staple of Radiohead’s live performances, and has been covered by numerous artists, including Coldplay, John Mayer, and The Killers.
The song has been praised for its ability to capture the essence of modern life and its exploration of the human condition.
2. “No Surprises”
“No Surprises” by Radiohead is a melancholic track from their 1997 album, OK Computer.
It features a hauntingly beautiful melody and a sparse, yet powerful arrangement.
The song was written by lead singer Thom Yorke and produced by Nigel Godrich.
It was released as the third single from the album and reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
The lyrics of the song explore themes of resignation and acceptance in the face of life’s disappointments.
The song has a slow, steady rhythm, with a soft, gentle guitar and a simple but effective drum beat.
The chorus is a powerful and emotional plea for acceptance of life’s difficulties.
The song has become one of Radiohead’s most beloved and recognizable songs, and has been covered by many artists over the years.
It is a timeless classic, and a testament to the power of Radiohead’s music.
1. “Creep”
“Creep” by Radiohead is a classic alternative rock song that was released in 1992.
It was the first single off their debut album, Pablo Honey, and it was an immediate success.
The song is written from the perspective of an outsider who feels isolated and insecure, and it quickly became an anthem for the disaffected youth of the 1990s.
The song’s lyrics are dark and brooding, and the music is haunting and intense.
The track features a simple guitar riff and a drumbeat that builds in intensity as the song progresses.
The song’s success propelled Radiohead to fame, and it has since become one of their most iconic songs.
It has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various films, television shows, and video games.
It’s a timeless classic that has stood the test of time and still resonates with listeners today.
More than 10 years of experience playing and writing about guitars! When not writing, I can be found strumming away some Johnny Cash tunes. Favorite all time guitar is the Gibson Les Paul. #TeamGibson
