To them, it's a fulfillment of Radiohead's stereotype as a sad band that writes art music for intellectuals. I remember playing it in the car with a group of friends one day and halfway through one of them asked, 'Wait, the song is still going?' For that reason, some might dismiss the song as pretentious or overblown. For fans, 'Paranoid Android' is one of Radiohead's crown jewels, but the song can be jarring for first time listeners. It's a structure partially inspired by the through composed form of The Beatles' 'Happiness is a Warm Gun.' To create these sections, the band fused together parts from three different songs, each written by a different band member. 'Paranoid Android' is a six and a half minute odyssey comprised of four distinct sections. Savannah Wright: In this episode, Spencer will uncover the unexpected humor of that same song and explain why identifying that humor is essential to understanding Radiohead's work. Um, and I think it was like in the middle third of 'Paranoid Android' is when it really, when it kind of all clicked for me And um sitting on the floor of my, you know, teenage bedroom, uh, reading the lyrics that were printed in the liner notes and just sort of like having, that first spiritual experience you have with Radiohead. Spencer Kornhaber: You know, with that encouragement, I also remember borrowing, uh, my, my friend's father's copy of OK Computer and really wanting to understand it and not understanding it. The first album I remember listening to was Amnesiac, which threw me straight into the deep end. Savannah Wright: Our story departs slightly from there. You know, I was a music nerd in high school, but, uh, I remember she had the album Hail to the Thief and, uh, just sort of insisted that I listen to it, and um. Spencer Kornhaber: I mean, to be completely honest, your sister Marisa got me into Radiohead. Oddly enough, Spencer and I discovered Radiohead through the same person.

He wrote a piece a few years ago aboutthe irony and humor in OK Computer, an aspect of Radiohead's work we often overlook. Savannah Wright: This is Spencer Korn Haber, a pop culture writer for The Atlantic. And so I think it just says that part of hating Radiohead is, is missing a little bit of what's going on with them. I mean, those are the things that are like, have been said to me by people who don't like Radiohead over the years as someone who really loves Radiohead. Spencer Kornhaber: People often talk about Radiohead as the sad sack, self important, humorless guys making music to commit suicide to. Savannah Wright: Honestly, with a few exceptions, like 'Lotus Flower' or '15 Step,' all Radiohead songs are a bit sad, but that's not to say that they're only sad. Alicia Silverstone: Yuck! The maudlin music of the university station? Wah wah wah.

Remember this clip from Clueless in our first episode. Before OK Computer, Radiohead was generally known for their sad music. And it wasn't just Thom whom they labeled moody. Thom Yorke in particular was a subject of speculation for numerous critics, perhaps because of his moodiness during interviews, his disdain for fame, and his proclivity for writing depressing lyrics. In our last episode we talked about Radiohead's fickle relationship with the press. Savannah Wright: This is Fake Plastic Podcast, a podcast that unlocks the alchemy of Radiohead - one song, music video, or live performance at a time.

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