Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien Says They “Subconsciously Killed” “Lift” Because It Would’ve Made Them Too Popular
Yesterday, Radiohead announced the official reissue of their landmark album OK Computer, celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its release. The reissue, dubbed OKNOTOK, features three previously unreleased tracks from the band: “Man of War” (previously “Big Boots”), “I Promise,” and long-awaited fan favorite “Lift.” Acknowledging anticipation around its release, Ed O’Brien spoke to BBC 6 Music about “Lift” this morning. In the chat, he says the song’s initial reception—during their tour with Alanis Morissette ahead of OK Computer—alerted them to its mainstream potential. “If [‘Lift’] had been on that album, it would’ve taken us to a different place,” he says, “and probably we’d have sold a lot more records.” Instead of encouragement, O’Brien says, the pressure “felt like having a gun to your head.” In the end, they “subconsciously killed it,” because “if OK Computer had been [as popular as] Jagged Little Pill, it would’ve killed us.” Listen to the segment…