Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien Says They “Subconsciously Killed” “Lift” Because It Would’ve Made Them Too Popular

Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien Says They “Subconsciously Killed” “Lift” Because It Would’ve Made Them Too Popular
Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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…