RADIOHEAD The Tourist ~ Composer Reaction and Dissection ~ The Decomposer Lounge 

This is one of those albums I think everyone needs to hear beginning to end at one point in their life. I consider it the best album of all time.

Fun fact - Thom's vocal on this was a quick guide track he knocked out with the understanding he'd do a more rehearsed "proper" take later on, but they liked it so much, and how relaxed he sounded, that it's the final take they used :)

I love this song anyway, but what I absolutely ADORE about this song is hearing it in the context of the album. It's the last of 12 songs on OK Computer. The preceding 11 tracks all deal with various anxieties and stresses of modern life, sort of predicting our digital malaise of today when it was released 24 years ago. I won't dig through the themes of each song individually, but the computerized "spoken word" in Fitter Happier is sort of a mission statement for the album as whole. Crushed by the rat race of modern life, the materialism, etc., Fitter Happier eventually describes us all as "a pig in a cage on antibiotics". It is heart-wrenching existential dread, wrapped up in some deliriously lovely melodies and an occasional awesome bass line. The Tourist comes on at the end, and it is the antitheses (or, maybe, the resolution) to that sense of world-weariness. Not only are the lyrics telling us to SLOW DOWN, but the pace of the song does as well. It lulls you into this dreamlike sense of the melody, which gently folds along and might truly be the most soothing thing the band has ever recorded. And that triangle at the end? [/chefs kiss] After watching the ending of Mad Men (not spoiling anything, but if you've seen it, you know), it definitely gives me a new appreciation for that little chime at the end. In all the stress of my life, I think I most often (and by a wide margin) relate to the other 11 tracks on OK Computer. But damned if don't NEED The Tourist.

Colin Greenwood is such an underrated bassist❤️👏

You should do Let Down frome the same album. The song blows minds.

If I could I'd watch every person experience radiohead songs for the first time, let alone someone with such expertise. Appreciated man!

You should definitely do “Let Down” by Radiohead at some point. Maybe their most cathartic song, although it’s a grower for most people, so it might not “wow” you right out of the gate. But trust me, it gets better every time you come back to it.

I hope you eventually do "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi". My favorite song ever. I'm loving all your videos but the Radiohead ones are special

Can't go wrong on Radiohead...ever! so many great songs..."The National Anthem" might be a song you would like!

“I’m sorry it took me so long to stop. I just didn’t want to.” I love it. 💕

The backing vocalist for Radiohead is Ed O’Brian, manages to perfectly harmonise with Thom. Also the bassist is Colin Greenwood (brother of lead guitarist) and is an underrated genius.

Radiohead was the soundtrack of my teens. I remember sitting in my basement, feeling out of place, sad, lonely and these guys were my security blanket. Makes my heart ache still listening to these tracks in my 40s. I'd like to go back and tell that kid "it's gonna get better".

The choral element is Jonny Greenwood (composer) using an effect on his keyboard. The sound was used a few times throughout OK Computer. When playing it live he used to hit the keys with his guitar-head whilst playing his lead parts

Life in a glasshouse, from Radiohead’s Amnesiac is crazy, awesome horns

My favourite song off my favourite album of all time. This one has a memory attached to it for me. Back in 97 a mate of mine I'd grown up with from being at school with him, handed me this CD and said "You have to hear this". He died in a car crash the day after. I listened to the album after I heard about the accident, as I hadn't got round to it after he lent it to me, and I thought of him, then I heard this track and the loss hit me so hard. Even now this song makes me cry a bit as it makes me think back to that time and him as a person. I like to listen to this album on vinyl now. I sit in the dark, crank it up and just let it wash over me. It's utter beauty from start to finish.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Let Down and Burn the Witch, both by Radiohead. The former simply because its my favourite Radiohead song, and the latter because I think you'd really dig the strings.

Thom Yorkes' voice has an amazing cello-like quality, which is why his harmonies are so beautiful.

I vividly remember the first time I heard this song. I must've been about 15 and lying in bed one morning. My sister was playing it loudly in the bedroom next door. And I just lay there listening, and was profoundly moved by Thom's melodies. I'm 34 now and still feel the same way when I hear it.

I recommend Daily Mail from Radiohead, it has such an awesome climatic ending and the build-up is so unique.

The level of excitement that went through me when I saw you were doing another Radiohead song is almost embarrassing. Great song! Loved hearing your thoughts on it.

Holy crap! I can't believe that I'm actually watching this within a year of its release. I'm always so far behind the curve... I'll write this, assuming that nobody reads it; 1. Where was I.... doing 6 years straight in Federal Prison, learning to play guitar on an $80 beat up yamaha acoustic with no frets left. My ex-wife adored Radiohead, buy my stubborn ego wouldn't allow me to appreciate anything that I hadn't discovered on my own. When I did give them a fair listen, I wrote an apology letter (for that and many ego-based decisions that lead to a 80+ page letter). First song complete was Karma Police (spell irony), 2nd was Nutshell by AIC and first "complex" was Call of Ktulu by Metallica. I think this song was number 5 or 6 that I learned. 2. This track always reminded me of Depeche Mode's "Death's Door". I loved the sort-of Jazz style drums. 3. The background in the chorus... I'm currently out of town on work so I'm watching this on my AirBook with Shure drummer in-ear headphones. At home I listen to tracks on either my beyerdynamics or fluid audio fpx7 monitors. I often listen to both, as it gives different nuances. I don't think there's an actual chorus here. I think it's just synth from Jonny Greenwood. (Although I still want a set of original Mackie HR824 like you seem to have. Friends with Barefoot and SM9s state the HRs are still king). 4. Stop apologizing for not digging into the lyrics. As much as I appreciate the lyrical depth (think of the poetic genius Leonard Cohen), there's something to be said for the overarching composition and it's artistic parts. I want to view an exhibit of Gustav Klimt. Whilst my art teacher friend started examining the brush strokes and formation of the painting, I just started to weep at the overwhelming beauty. Sometimes we can get too close to see the picture. Lyrics have their place (Tool's lyrics are a good example), but only AFTER we step back and look at the art as a whole. 5. Thank you, as always, for taking the time. As a pseudo-musician, I always learn from your input on this channel. In the next year, I should be on better financial ground and I will certainly be contributing to your work and coffee (as a former Navy guy, I understand the importance of Coffee). 6. Peace unto you and yours.

The choral sounds in the back of the chorus is actually done with the Mellotron.

everytime you listen to radiohead you're like "this is why i love doing this channel" lol

I remember skipping class and queueing outside the record store at 9am waiting for them to open up on the release date for OK COMPUTER! Incredible album!

Along with The Mars Volta’s “Frances The Mute” and Tool’s “Lateralus,” “Ok Computer,” by Radiohead is one of those albums I think ranks as one of the best ever made, and “The Tourist,” is such an underrated track. With that said, “Climbing Up Walls” might still be my favorite Radiohead track, (and then “Electioneering”.) A track I would recommend is actually a mashup of Radiohead & Dave Brubeck by Overdub, “Five Step,” (from around the early 2010s.) OK Computer, one of the albums that made 1997 such an amazing year for music, (also Björk’s “Homogenic”.) I am not certain about where I was when I first heard this track but I do remember exactly where I was when I first heard the third track on the album, “Subterranean Homesick Alien.” I think it would’ve been the day after Christmas, I had just gotten this album for the holiday, and I took a walk in the morning-sun had not yet reached its peak-and that song started while I was nearing the end of the street parallel to the one I grew up on. I remember looking over at the last house on the street, it has a large side yard my friends and I cut through to get to the backyard of a friend’s house, and in the carport of the house was tons of empty cages lined up along the back and side walls, (that always creeped me out.) I cannot remember a song really connecting with me more than that one did during a first listen. The heartbeat thing, that’s interesting, because as an English major we sometimes talk about how iambic pentameter also echoes the heart’s beating, and discuss or debate how that doesn’t or doesn’t impact Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter in his works.

The background choral sound is a mellotron and it makes this track simply amazing!

I remember the first time I listened to this album all the way through. I was about 17, laying in my bed with the lights off, just absorbing it. And this comes on as the last track and ascends me even further than I already was throughout the previous 11 tracks. That bell at the end is almost like waking up from the dream state this album puts you in. If I'm honest I couldn't really tell you what any of the songs were about or what even half of the lyrics were at the time. But I knew at that moment that this album was one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard, and probably *will* ever hear. 6 years later it's still my favorite.

The two sessions that Radiohead did for BBC's Live From The Basement series are brilliant. The videos are on their RU-vid channel. The sound is incredible, the playing is stellar and you get to see the masterful playing in an intimate setting. It'll help propel your new found love of Radiohead.

God, your Radiohead videos are the best...please do "There There (The Boney King of Nowhere)," "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi," and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place."

No lie, I was out walking YESTERDAY, with music on shuffle, and this song came on. And I suddenly thought, “Oh gosh, I haven’t checked out Geebz In a while. The Tourist is probably too obscure, but I wonder if he’s looked at any other Radiohead.” So now I’m kind of freaking out.

What I love the most with these Radiohead decompositions, is that I'm experiencing Radiohead at the same time as you, Geebz, and as so many others out there. I never got into Radiohead's works growing up, and somehow missed hearing nearly every song except for _Creep_ on the radio, or along the way in life. I'm picking up Pablo Honey and The Bends sometime soon (probably around this Christmas) and can't wait to dive into the rest of their catalog and experience them through their history. I missed the bandwagon for Metallica and got almost all of their studio albums at once in the same fashion. Radiohead are absolutely the best at creating that slow, creeping wall of sound, with subtle layers to the atmosphere of music they create. Can't wait to get into more of them, because all the songs I've listened to here from them are standout and are something that I could put on queue day in and out for me. Thanks for the great vid, Geebz, and keep on rockin'! Awwwright!

That triangle at the end, symbolises so much but I'm too stupid to know what!

I remember buying OK Computer on release day at age 19, taking it home, putting it in my CD player and listening to it in full, because that was what you did, right? I don’t remember exactly what went through my head, but The Tourist immediately struck me as a very special closer to an incredible album. I just could not believe this was the same band that had released The Bends only two years prior. I mean, I love The Bends but OK Computer took them to a whole new level.

When I listen to Radiohead there are feelings I can't tell..you can put them into words. Thank you for this ✨✨✨ Really would like to see your reaction to "Let Down" 🙏

I love it when you decompose Radiohead!

I don't care who you are, or how long you've been listening to music, or what kind... if this doesn't strike you as beautiful and brilliant, you are missing something imcredible.

This song encapsulates so much about Radiohead. True musical genius.

Goosebumps every time the chorus kicks in and I’ve heard it hundreds of times. That’s the sign of a special track… well, special album in this case

It is also the last song on the lp. Would recommend to check out National Anthem. THAT "SONG" is something

I was driving down a country rd, late 1999 in the snowy, winding passes through the NC mountains. When finally, i made it to the end of this, my fav album (i replayed side A for months like a dork😞) When Jonny and Thom met in the harmony at the end, i cried because i felt their pain, having just lost my best friend in a climbing accident. I had to pull the car over, it was pitch dark midnight, with my headlights peering into the vacant snowy expanse. I played this song over 3 times before returning to the road.

You gotta do “When the Sun Hits” by Slowdive. You just gotta

Oh man this song is so good. When this came out I was in love with all the tracks I was hearing on the radio, but one day I was listening to the CD and I got lost with this song. Got to the end and was like wow, that was fucking beautiful! Such a good bookend for this album

I wonder if it's hard to resist making this "The Radiohead Channel". KoG seems so happy doing their breakdowns.

..... where was I when I first heard this song? When this album came out in 1997, I still wasn't over my extended honeymoon phase with their previous album, The Bends. By the time I got to this song, the corner of the room was cozy and warm from where I had become a nested ball, tears of joy glistening down my face. Tripping without drugs with the right music is something rare indeed.

The tourist has always been one of my favourite Radiohead tracks... its so beautiful .You have to listen to fake plastic trees or idioteque as it was a real change in direction for them. I envy you so much listening to these songs for the first time 👍.

Through the years, since OK Computer's release, 'The Tourist' has become one of my absolute favorite songs. I also think it's Thom's best vocal performance. Hands down.

When I first heard this track, I was 18, it was on my first listen of OK Computer and I was in tears at this point. I carried the album, along with Sigur Ros' "Agaetis Byrjun", while travelling Europe. It was magnificent, vast and endless! Can't wait for more Radiohead with you!! They are also for me, along Tool and a few others, in a very special category. Oh, and when you were doing the keyboard gestures, that was the lovely Mellotron choirs in the back. Awright! Cheers! :)

My first trip to the US in 1999, I sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and listened to this song on my discman, watching the world go by. It was one of the most powerful and unforgettable moments of my life. This song, this band, are everything to me.

Man I had to stop the video half way through and listen the whole album. Jeez that sound is not only so full in its own track but as the final track of the album it truly does center you and bring you back. Masters.

When I first heard this, I was laying on my apartment floor with headphones on listening to the album from start to finish. There were goosebumps, gasps of delight and tears…and then I started it over again. It is a gorgeous cathartic escape, always. Looooove reliving this journey through your incredible ears! 🤘🏼🎼❤️

This track came on a free CD on the cover of Q magazine. Q used to have some cracking free music on the cover discs. I was never a massive fan of Radiohead back when OK Computer was released but slowly got into them over time and this has always been on of my favourite tracks of theirs.

This is my favorite song of of OK computer- i love it to death

So glad you’re doing more Radiohead!

I've always found this track gives me Pink Floyd vibes too. Saw this live in Montreal. Was Amazing.

Can't say enough about how great Radiohead is! Can't wait till you get around to Bloom or weird fishes/arpeggi... both are amazing

Radiohead reaches inside of your soul and claims it over and over again every time you listen to them, and THAT is not a bad thing.

Let's just sit here and appreciate how perfect it is that THIS is a song where you got lost in it a little bit and didn't pause until after the first chorus. Geebz has inadvertently illustrated the very theme of the song.

I love every person in Radiohead but Colin is my very favorite. And he is definitely among my favorite bassists.

The very first time I ever truly "listened" to this song, like sat down and listened to it... I was going through a lot. Life was messy. The slow soft music in the beginning got to me, it was something I needed, and then the chorus came in, "Hey man, slow down." I was just... It was like they were speaking to me. It's a song that keeps me in check and reminds me to be alive while living. Living and being alive are two totally different things, and if you let yourself go, you'll never know what life can truly be.

I'm sure you'll get around to it some day, but "Nude" is the Radiohead song I am most anticipating a reaction from you

OK Computer is in the same category of The Dark Side of the moon. The songs get bigger in the purpose of the purpose of the conceptual album. You must do a full album review @Key of Geebz

yes I remember where I was when I first listened to this song, I was traveling in a car going 40km/hr with my 2 friends, getting high, discussing the trivialities of life, the unpredictable creative journey of an artist, from the first hit of the kick drum and pluck of the bass I sank 4 feet into the car seat, the tempo and time signature took me off guard and the balance of intensity and gentleness this song carried left me speechless and questioning all unconscious efforts we make as part of the rat race that we all run.

Please disect The National Anthem by Radiohead next!

Oh man this one is going to be an experience. This is my favourite Radiohead closer

I love hearing you articulate why I love Radiohead

When I first heard The Tourist, in 98 it was with the whole album. I was 26, renting a 2 bedroom flat in Sydney Australia, working as a train driver. Also, please add Codex to your Radiohead list, thanks.

I'm so glad to have seen you vibe to my favorite Radiohead song, Thanks Geebz! First time I heard that song, I was driving a big rig down a narrow snowy road, had it on repeat for half an hour after I first heard it, absolutely enthralled. Everytime I listen to it, my mind goes back on that path. Awright!

O my goodness! I love when you do RADIOHEAD! This is one if the most beautiful songs ever!

this song makes me cry. Tool and Radiohead literally gave me reasons to keep going so many times. they are the greatest of my generation, right up there with the Beatles and Led Zeppelin. their music means so much to me its hard to put into words.

Brilliant band, brilliant tune. I think you would really like Tinker Tailor from A Moon Shaped Pool with the string arrangement. And as always, here is my humble request for Svefn-g-Englar by Sigur Rós

I've seen Radiohead live several times, and this was the closing song on a few tours. A great message and fitting for the end of a great evening. By the way, they perform all their stuff as brilliantly as on the recordings!!

I know many have already suggested it, but “Let Down” is such an unbelievably worthwhile listen. The production is just absolutely stellar! Layer upon layer of vocal and guitar harmonies (and a killer falsetto) make it one of the most euphoric climaxes I’ve ever heard in a song. I have a huge soft spot for Airbag as well. The crunchy angular beats combined with that amazing bass groove are pure magic.

This is a song that does actually always take me back to when I first heard it and was learning more about Radiohead. I was in middle school and my older sister gave it to me (she always made sure I was listening to good music). When I hear this song, I always remember laying on my bedroom floor with my walkman discovering all sorts of great music and completely immersing myself in it.

The choir sound is actually a mellotron commonly used in 70s prog by bands like Genesis and Yes. Rush played with them a bit on some of their earlier recordings as well.

I love Radiohead, I feel that every member of that band is a flippin' genius, including their producer Nigel Godrich... and the artist Stanley Donwood that does all of their album covers! lol.

Getting stoned in a buddies batcave secret basement closet with the guys. Radiohead provided the soundtrack to alot of my youth. I'm anxious to see tour next BTBAM video, hoping it's the pre colors or maybe colors 2

Thanks Geebz for reviewing Radiohead. If you’re taking suggestions I would say just about any of them. But seriously thanks for doing your work. You’re one of a few I found who gives Radiohead their proper credit

I'm sure I've said this before, but Ok Computer is one of the best albums ever made

amazing band! Slint - Good Morning Captain :)

An awesome closing track from the greatest album ever made!

The national anthem, motion picture soundtrack, or jigsaw falling into place!

Beautiful song from a beautiful album. It's a fun one to belt out while singing along. Thanks for your videos. :)

"Idiot, slow down" really is emotionally piercing to me! So many of us live too fast and we need to slow down and have gratitude for the now. This is especially powerful when you know what the song "Airbag" is about.

Many thanks for the videos. It's great to get your take on my old favorites. Cheers!

Amazing reaction once again. Thank you!

I keep repeating my band suggestion: OCEANSIZE. If you love Radiohead, you'll love them, too. Steven Wilson liked them. Maybe "You Wish", "Saturday Morning Breakfast Show" or "One Day All This Could Be Yours" from their first album "Effloresce".

I heard some of Pink Floyds Echoes in parts of that. Beautiful song by Radiohead. Thanks for this one Geebz!

love that whole album

Great vid geebz.. like always. Sooo many other songs from them I’d think you would like

My favorite song of all time along with Across the Universe. That's a track to close an album!

I love what you do, man. I've been watching your videos for a long time now, and they're always so delightful. I normally don't enjoy reaction videos, but your passion and pure enjoyment/appreciation for music is infectious and always inspiring, grounding, and insightful. You've got a wise head on those shoulders! I appreciate you and all that you do! Much love from Canada.

One of my favourite Radiohead tracks, it often makes me get very tearful, dependent on how I am! The chords and the melody gives me goosebumps, it's a really beautiful piece. Thanks for reacting to this!

I'm so glad to see you enjoying v Radiohead so much. They're truly fantastic.

Driving home late at night with my 16 year old future music teacher daughter.. This is the song she asked to know who it was, made me play again and then became a full Radiohead fan from that moment ❤️ She went on to study Radiohead at one point in her music degree ironically ❤️❤️

As a composer, you might appreciate even more their work after this. They get yet more interesting harmonically. A good example of this is Pyramid Song. It’s entirely gorgeous, but also very inventive in its harmonic and rhythmic progression

Beautiful. Nothing else to say 👌

What we first hear when we’re in the womb. That thought just intrigued the heck out of me. Amazing analysis man! Thank you for this. I love all your videos!! Keep em comin!

Well....looks like i'm going to bingelisten OK computer once again.... you brought me back to this period of my life! Thanks! The number of times i listened to this with my headphones....ahhhh good ol times!

Thank you so much for this. I cannot wait for more of your Radiohead reactions. I always get excited when I see one on my subscription page. Please do "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" asap, lol. Preferably the live one from The basement.

Still so many picks from Radiohead I could say. I feel a lot of the focus has been on their first few albums so could be cool to hear you react to something from ‘In Rainbows’ or maybe even ‘Hail to the Thief’ with something like ‘A Wolf at the Door’ or ‘Myxomatosis.’ Also, please explore ‘Portishead.’ I’ve mentioned several times the song ‘Roads’ but really anything from then to start your Portishead journey would be amazing. You would not regret it