Radiohead's Creep: The Misfits' Anthem
"Creep" is one of Radiohead's most iconic songs, and at the same time, one of the most controversial in the band's history. It was released in 1992 as the lead single from their debut album, Pablo Honey (1993).
🔹 History and meaning
The song talks about insecurity, low self-esteem, and the feeling of not belonging. The lyrics, written by Thom Yorke, follow the perspective of someone who feels inadequate and invisible to the person they love. The famous line "I wish I was special, but I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo" reflects this feeling of alienation and despair.
Yorke was inspired by a personal experience: according to the story, he wrote the song about a girl he was in love with but who he felt was out of his reach.
🔹 Sound and Composition
The song has a simple but effective structure, with a melancholic chord progression. One of the most characteristic moments is Jonny Greenwood's guitar explosion before the chorus, when he hits the strings hard to give it a distorted and unexpected sound.
🔹 Reception and Legacy
- Initially, the song was unsuccessful, but after being re-released in 1993, it became a worldwide hit, especially in the US and UK.
- It was Radiohead's** first major exposure, although the band soon rejected it because they felt it pigeonholed them as "a one-hit wonder band."
- Despite this, Creep remains one of their most beloved songs, even though they rarely play it live.
🔹 Controversies
- The song bears a strong resemblance to The Hollies' The Air That I Breathe, leading to a plagiarism lawsuit. As a result, Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood (writers of The Hollies) were credited as co-writers.
🔹 Why is it still so popular?
Despite Radiohead's rejection, Creep has remained a generational anthem because many relate to its message of feeling out of place. It has also been covered by a number of artists, from Prince to Macy Gray, proving its lasting impact.
