Radiohead - Reckoner (By Clement Picon) 

Thom Yorke's vocals on this song are stunning. They are absolutely perfect --- haunting, ethereal, beautiful... I've liked Radiohead since Pablo Honey, and I am so pleased to hear how very far the band has come. This is the most profound song I've heard in a long time, as well.

Used to listen to this while shooting H. Now I can enjoy it sober. Getting clean is possible. 6 years now.

Im 36. I grew up on radiohead. Im am the mother of two teenagers. My 16 yo daughter is all into Ariana Grande, Rhianna and Lady Gaga. My 14 yo old guitar playing boy loves Iron Maiden, Megadeth and Pantara. Radiohead brings us all together to bask in the beauty of it unique sound, awesome vocals and sheer beauty. We bond. Its an amazing thing.

Listening to this song while in the mental hospital for a suicide attempt. This song brings me peace, it is so beautiful. I’m glad I am still here to be able to listen to it

This song is a perfect example of how music can make you feel emotions you didn't even know you had.

2:49 is one of the most beautiful moments in music history

[Verse 1] Reckoner Can't take it with you Dancing for your pleasure [Verse 2] You are not to blame for Bittersweet distractors Dare not speak its name [Refrain] Dedicated to all hu- All human beings [Bridge] Because we separate Like ripples on a blank shore Because we separate (In rainbows) Like ripples on a blank shore (In rainbows) [Verse 3] Reckoner Take me with you [Refrain] Dedicated to all hu- All human beings

The most beautiful song ever. Period.

Who else got goosebumps on the transition from @3:07 "ripples on a blank shore" to "reckoner". It was so haunting, a tear fell down my cheek.

The song is so richly vibrant through its middle, then it slowly leaves you, like life.

3:17 Sorry but this has to be one of the best transitions i have ever heard. Thoms voice going up and down and the “mmmhhh” fits SO GOOD.

3:16 This part simply blows my mind, when the song kicks in with full force.

Is it healthy to listen to a song 15x in a row

Funfact: At the golden ratio of the album, which happens to be in this song, the background vocals can be heard singing "In Rainbows" (name of the album).

This song still gives me chills.

Reckoner Radiohead Lyrics Reckoner You can't take it with yer Dancing for your pleasure You are not to blame for Bittersweet distractors Dare not speak its name Dedicated to all human beings Because we separate Like ripples on a blank shore In rainbows Because we separate Like ripples on a blank shore Reckoner Take me with yer Dedicated to all human beings

I want this song to be the last thing I hear before I die. It will be a nice transition.

2:24 onwards is just orgasmic. In rainbows is the best Radiohead album, one of the greatest albums ever. And when the Backing vocals say “In rainbows” when Thom sings “Separate like ripples on a blank shore”. Goosebumps

I blew out my car speakers when I heard this song for the first time. it was a beautiful moment in life.

Thom's quiet harmony in the background from "You are not to blame" (1:30) is probably my favourite part of the song and no ones even mentioned it

55 years old guy here. Listening on Radiohead since OK computer was released. Happy to see so many young but also educated people on this forum.

I remember not really getting this the first time I heard it. As with all of the best Radiohead tracks, it took a few listens and then I was completely obsessed. It's that 'In Rainbows' line Thom sings under 'because we separate like ripples on a black shore' that got me. One of the most transcendental moments in any song, ever.

The most intelligent, creative band ever.Every song is like a rembrandt painting.

People say this is a sad song. It's uplifting. Miss you, Mum.

Idk why so many ppl think OK computer is their best album. It is a masterpiece, but not their best work imo. For me its in rainbows hands down. It stirs up sooo many emotions in me, its amazing .Only kid a comes close

Song "meaning"- taken from the highest voted answer The color of Goehte's masterpiece has rippled through the medium of Radiohead with their album, In Rainbows. The character, Faust, observes that life is not about some great search for divine light, but rather, it is about the practice of living with the enlightenment of God at your back; thus allowing it to guide you forward through your organic life, and not lead you down a dead-end path of obsession. This is essentially what the phrase "In Rainbows" means. It is the recognition that the source light which governs our world cannot really be seen nor fully understood by human beings ("dare not speak its name"). Although we have moments of clarity and deep understanding, these moments are generally temporary and don't last very long. As Thom Yorke said of the album, "It very much explores the ideas of transience. It starts in one place and ends somewhere completely different." This is the transient nature of human consciousness being described by the character Faust in the passage.; Yet how superb, across the tumult braided, The painted rainbow's changeful life is bending, Now clearly drawn, dissolving now and faded, And evermore the showers of dew descending! Of human striving there's no symbol fuller: Consider, and 'tis easy comprehending - Life is not light, but the refracted color. -Faust II So who is The Reckoner? At a concert in Glendale, Arizona, Thom Yorke stated: "..it [the song, Reckoner] was born out of a very trippy dream, one of those ones you wake up from and go, 'aww man, I don't want to wake up from that, ever.'" The Reckoner is the one who wakes you up when you wish to remain in your current perceived reality or dream-state. It is the transient way of true nature that we all need to reckon with and accept. For Faust, this means that he must live up to his bargain with Mephistopheles, who represents the Devil. Note that Mephistopheles is mentioned by-name in another song on the album: Videotape. As the story goes, Faust becomes so obsessed with discovering the true nature of life, he summons Mephistopheles to help him in this quest. Mephistopheles agrees to serve Faust right up until the moment he reaches the height of human wisdom/happiness/fulfillment; at which point, he will claim Faust's soul. Faust agrees to the deal because he actually thinks it would be impossible for him to reach that height. Ultimately, however, Faust does experience a moment of pure happiness, and so Mephistopheles attempts to claim his soul... that is, Faust is woken up from his happy slumber. Luckily, Faust is ultimately rescued by a group of angels who escort him to heaven before Mephistopheles can take him. The theme of transience can also be seen in the previous song on the album, Faust Arp ("it's on again, off again, on again")... another obvious reference to the tale of Faust. The sound of the music, like Reckoner, is also heavy with percussion and transient in that it folds over on itself between piano & guitar portions. The most accessible metaphor that I can see for this idea is how people tend to want to escape from reality (that's the "bittersweet distractor"), and would rather call in sick on their day of reckoning. They, unlike The Reckoner (or Buddha, if you prefer) cannot overcome the division between self and other (i.e. subject and object, which make for the transient/dualistic ways of human beings). Again, we have moments of clarity and understanding, but they don't last.. "like ripples on a blank shore".

my fav after Let Down, just perfect. When Thom decides to show his falsetto it really takes a song to the next level, really emotional. Also the guitar opening...

The ending when the song is fading out almost makes me cry. The live version from the basement stretches it out a bit which is really nice.

Dedicated to all human beings.

Sat here 12 years after losing my dad, reminiscing in a house that I blind rented and just so happens to be laid out almost the same as my dads house was. He’s the reason my love for Radiohead exists. Thinking of you old man

Without doubt the greatest Radiohead track. Masterpiece of music

One of the best songs of life

Captains of the World; the 90 second period/background sound between the first and the next iconic mbappe moment brought me here. what a fitting gem.

" Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore " ......shivers every time.

I'm in tears.

This song is about death , the fragility life. The song is delicate, his vocals could fall at any moment, the drums like a heartbeat. I feel this song connects me with some higher place , transcendent of human ability. Simplicity yet magical.

I fuckin love this song

I cry everytime I hear this song and yet it lifts my soul. Possibly the greatest Radiohead song. Possibly the greatest song of all time. If there was one song I could listen to before I die, it'd be Reckoner.

If you're not crying to this song, you're listening to it wrong

This song is cruelly underrated.

i love these comments..i wish i knew people like this in real life:p

The strings on this song are probably the most beautiful I've ever heard.

with a quality set of headphones it doesn't get any better

I used to lay in bed as a teenager and listen to this song over and over... as soon as it came to the end, I would hit the back button on the CD player. Memories...

It is my moms favorite radiohead song. She nerver listens to music, but when i play this beauty, she always tells me to make it louder.

Soooo happy to hear that other people adore this song like I do.. almost like a magic spell when I first heard this song and still does something to me to this day..

A good reminder that music isnt about sales its about art. Damn

that riff is so Frusciante... John should've joined Atoms for Peace

here after listening this in captains of the world !!

This part from 2:26 to 3:18 is one of the pieces of music of ANY song in my opinion...

I did so much to finally find this song

In Rainbows is a masterpiece

Heard this song for the first time about 2 yrs ago....I can't explain what it is about this song....But when you get it.. You get it.....This song has gotten me through some tough times.

in '09, i was a 19 year old kid in way over his head having some pretty intense experiences in afghanistan. this song, and the entire album really, was something that affected me on an almost religious level and rarely went long between listens. that string section which closes out the track helped me come to some pretty heavy reckonings that i might not have otherwise. i know thom and co. are unlikely to ever read this, but i just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. i'll be listening to this album when i'm 80.

I love so many songs and enjoy them a great deal but this? This song is painfully beautiful, it's probably one of the most gorgeous songs to ever be produced and probably will stay that way for an eternity. The song is... it's pure gold.

Wherever I am .. whatever I am doing Time stops When I hear this

In Rainbows is a hell of a Album for containing beasts like: -Reckoner -Jigsaw falling into place -Nude

Fun fact: This is the title track of In Rainbows. The album was originally going to be called Reckoner, but was changed to In Rainbows cause of the line in this song.

This should have a lot more views

All I know is that Radiohead is my comfort. When things are the darkest, there music can lead me back into the light. I wonder if they even know they've actually saved lives ❤️

I'm actually in a bad mood and this song always make me cry... It's a masterpiece. I will remember this song forever

this is probably my favourite radiohead song

HOW can you NOT love this... Radiohead is killing me with their beautiful songs

The best Radiohead song, and the most beautifully composed and moving piece of music ever created.

朝の4時に聴いています まだ生きてます

When you look up the word evocative in a Thesaurus this song should blast from the page.

End all song of our lifetime.

This is a nice animation, not seen this accompaniment before. Other than that I have to echo most of the other comments here; this song is a long standing fave now, a bit of medicine for me when things get just that little bit too much. Beautiful music.

this song is a masterpiece. Radiohead don't know how to stop.

i listen the first song of radiohead when i am 14.....now im 38......and is the same sensation....this band is another world...another harmony...another universe...another reality

It took me about 7 listens before I could like, appreciate, and ultimately love this song. It's without a doubt one of their best songs. So simple in structure yet incredibly profound. Such an amazing mix of emotions in under five minutes. Wow!

One of the best drum beats ever. And the ending gives chills every time

Thom Yorke VOICE IS AWESOME

Godlike music

Is this the best song ever? Why is this so evocative whenever I listen to it..

geweldig nummer...ogen dicht,geluid hard en het nummer helemaal afluisteren... hemels.toch!!!

Pure eargasm everyfucking time

Thank you Clement Picon for this awesome music video! Love this song by Radiohead, hope this is never taken down by You Tube

Music is the best natural drug

The most beautiful song I've ever heard

Reckoner You can't take it with yer Dancing for your pleasure You are not to blame for Bittersweet distractors Dare not speak its name Dedicated to all human beings Because we separate Like ripples on a blank shore In rainbows Because we separate Like ripples on a blank shore

Makes me feel like i want to detach from this realm to a neverending blissful journey...

Such a regular guy sings so angelically ❤

I gotta say, Clement did a great job on this video! What an honor that Radiohead chose it as their official "Reckoner" video. I LOVE this song! It's my absolute favorite! Rock on!

There are less sand grains on the beach than there are galaxies in the Universe, and every one of them dust sparkles of impermanence.

The first time I heard this song I was struck by its beauty, but the more I listen to this song the more I appreciate it. I've been listening to Raiohead off and on ever since Pablo Honey, and I have to say that I think this is the best song they've ever made. Thom Yorke's vocals on this song are ethereal, stunning, and utterly PERFECT... So much so that I cry now when I listen to this song. It's amazing to hear how much his voice and the band as a whole have evolved over the years.

Ese puente hermano, lo mejor que he escuchado en mi vida

These lyrics been haunting me lately... Dancing for you pleasure... Because we separate, like ripples on a blank shore... That's very poetic.

Best song ever made! my god

reckoner is the perfect song...and such a nice simple guitar riff....genius

I'm not usually one to get too emotionally invested in music, but this song is one of the most beautiful I'll ever hear, and makes me feel things I never thought I could.

at 3:33 when the strings kick in..goodness gracious i have never heard anything like that

this one is kept deep inside my soul. i just listen to this song in very special moments

A decade ago I used to listen to this song on loop because I didn't know what to think of my life, I just knew it wasn't right. Since then I cut everyone I knew out if my life and got 100% sober. Thanks for the amazing song.

Nothing short of a masterpiece. Still blows me away after every listen.

My favorite song of Radiohead. It just makes you feel something no other song makes you feel. You just want to cry because you somehow connect to it so much.

Reminds me of Sébastien Tellier - La Ritournelle (worth a listen!)

At every hard stage of my life i was accidentally back to this Masterpiece.

this song is like ten years by now and i still can't enough of it - thanks Radiohead

I LOVE YOU RADIOHEAD, they make me forget about most of the things, and feel more confident about myself sometimes