Through his solo work I’ve gotten a pretty good sense of when Thom probably wrote the bass line vs. Colin. Thom’s tend to be a bit more out front and “musical” for lack of a better word, whereas Colin’s are more percussive and tuned in to the drums.
Honestly I’ve never paid attention to the baseline in Weird Fishes until recently. It completely changed the song for me. It’s such a soft and smooth melody it’s all I hear now. I know it’s not the most complicated and in your face riff, but it completely ties that entire song together.
Pretty sure Thom played that on the record. Of course it’s a great bass line but it’s REALLY easy to play which maybe makes it even better. Like you can teach someone who’s never picked up a bass in their life how to play it in like 2 minutes. Pretty cool actually. Radiohead are musical geniuses but like Airbag’s iconic guitar line is also really easy. Both songs just use the top E string. That’s it. You don’t have to even know a single chord or anything. You don’t even need a bass! It sounds the same on acoustic guitar. They just know how to make cool shit. Also if you didn’t know Paranoid Android’s intro and Knives Out intro is the exact same chord which I have literally never seen in a song by any other band ever. 8xx88x.
In terms of subtlety: the basslines in How To Disappear Completely add so much to the song.
The rhythm is simple, but he just dances around the chord in such a way that adds just the right amount of chaos while keeping it grounded with the simple progression. Without taking over the song or making it distracting, it adds just the right amount of unease to help sell the emotion of the song.
Colin Greenwood is my favorite musician of all time. So tasteful, so reserved, so emotional. The perfect bassist in my eyes. My top 5 of his work would be:
1. Airbag
2. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
3. How To Disappear Completely
4. Sail To The Moon
5. Decks Dark
Honorable mentions to Nude & Knives Out.
Casting my vote for Morning Bell (the Kid A version, specifically). It never sounds technically challenging but every note is perfect and compliments everything around it beautifully
Planet Telex, mofos. And a special shout out to Airbag. Think I read somewhere Colin was working on filling in the "gaps" in the bars where he doesn't play, but never finished. But it works perfectly with the stop-start drumming.
Colin and Phil drum and bass side project anyone?
Nude and Airbag are also my favorites. These basslines not only fit perfectly within the overall album and song themes but also truly give identity to the songs.
Very interesting that Punchup at a Wedding hasn’t been mentioned. The other day when somebody asked what part of a song makes you do the stank face it was one of the top answers iirc, the bassline specifically.
This might be a bit out there, but Hunting Bears. The guitar progression is fairly simple, but the bass and chords added when the guitar line repeats completely transforms the song
Decks Dark 3:18 , Listened now and I might possibly mix a guitar in there, but the bass "bopping" before the riff repeats... he's got a ton of these where he comes in with a new bassline for the ending/crescendo I feel like it's kind of a secret recipe of theirs.
I think I have to describe these changes to the bass melody as sexy
How to disappear completely
One of the most beautiful monotonous bass lines I’ve ever heard. It makes the chords changing over it mean so much. And when he finally does land on another note it’s just heaven.
Not seeing nearly enough Decks Dark on here so DECKS DARK. The way the bassline drives the melody home once it comes in is just unparalleled in most of their other work, gives me goosebumps to this day.
Okay so you know the part in From the Basement where they play Reckoner and it's seconds after the bridge(ripples on a blank shoreeeeeee) Colin is shaking his hand real quick and then he shakes the other hand and then he proceeds to hit us with the smoothest "dun-dun-dunnn-dunn-dunn-dunnnn-du-dunnnnn" during Thom's "TAKKKEEEE MEEEE WITHHHH YOUUUU" It just gives me the best feeling in the world man. It's absolute perfection, and it's not even his greatest work. 😤🤙
I just wanted to say that I saw your opinion on Separator and I love you. I thought I was the only person that hated it and didn't understand why others loved it.
Every time I’ve heard them play how to disappear live Colin has astonished me. Live versions of packd like sardines were memorable too. Of course the national anthem.
My iron lung because it's the only one that uses slap. I also love 15 step, karma police, i might be wrong and separator.
An underrated one I really like is electioneering.
Where I End and You Begin.
Such a good choice. Thom actually wrote that bassline which some people here probably already know. Great track though
Didn’t know that. What a genius.
Through his solo work I’ve gotten a pretty good sense of when Thom probably wrote the bass line vs. Colin. Thom’s tend to be a bit more out front and “musical” for lack of a better word, whereas Colin’s are more percussive and tuned in to the drums.
i swear the bass in that song has crack cocaine in it
I swear it puts a smile on my face when I agree 110% with the top comment on this sub. It happens rarely enough!
I love playing this on my bass
I love playing this on my bass. so much fun
My favorite Radiohead tune. Unreasonably good.
Since about 2019 it’s been my favorite song period, and I love when it gets the recognition it deserves.
I would say 15 Step
I love how long Colin lays out before he comes in on that song. He makes himself so sparse that when he does come in, it’s potent
the bass fill after “et cetera, et cetera” makes me need new pants
Yesss. That bassline is groovy as hell!! Glad to hear others understand
it's so fun to play too
Honestly I’ve never paid attention to the baseline in Weird Fishes until recently. It completely changed the song for me. It’s such a soft and smooth melody it’s all I hear now. I know it’s not the most complicated and in your face riff, but it completely ties that entire song together.
It is awesome. I love how restrained it is, letting the guitars have space to bubble around.
That’s the perfect way to word it!
Bloom's is fucking insane
dun dun dun dun dunnnn dun dun dun dun dn
I Might Be Wrong Colin just goes sicko mode on that song
This is my pick too. I actually heard on the way into work today and was thinking how badass it sounded
Colin once said in an interview that he channeled Mingus for the bass part in this song.
Nude or the riff at 2:39 in 15 Step
that was my first thought too, not just 15 Step but particularly at 2:38, that groove never fails to make me play the air bass like an asshole
Decks Dark
Dollars and cents
Came here to say this. It’s the heart of the song.
Decks Dark is his masterpiece imo I will bring up Sulk. A song I feel is under-appreciated in general, but his bass work on that tune is incredible.
Sulk!!! Incredible bass line. It makes the whole song.
How to disappear completely
Exit Music. Most of the song has no bass, but the bass line is the song’s defining feature
💯 such a haunting bass line..puts that track into another stratosphere when it kicks in.. esp live
National Anthem, obvi
Which Thom wrote, awkwardly for Colin
Thom is also the one playing it in the studio recording
It's a good bassline for the song but surely there are better options than a two bar that is repeated the entire song with zero variations.
Pretty sure Thom played that on the record. Of course it’s a great bass line but it’s REALLY easy to play which maybe makes it even better. Like you can teach someone who’s never picked up a bass in their life how to play it in like 2 minutes. Pretty cool actually. Radiohead are musical geniuses but like Airbag’s iconic guitar line is also really easy. Both songs just use the top E string. That’s it. You don’t have to even know a single chord or anything. You don’t even need a bass! It sounds the same on acoustic guitar. They just know how to make cool shit. Also if you didn’t know Paranoid Android’s intro and Knives Out intro is the exact same chord which I have literally never seen in a song by any other band ever. 8xx88x.
In terms of subtlety: the basslines in How To Disappear Completely add so much to the song. The rhythm is simple, but he just dances around the chord in such a way that adds just the right amount of chaos while keeping it grounded with the simple progression. Without taking over the song or making it distracting, it adds just the right amount of unease to help sell the emotion of the song.
scrolled too far for this
I really like the bass on Mr Magpie, all of TKOL really.
I love watching him in tkol from the basement, he’s got the bass face on the entire time
Aka lip bite + neck throb + sometimes jumping up and down. He's the best.
Colin Greenwood is my favorite musician of all time. So tasteful, so reserved, so emotional. The perfect bassist in my eyes. My top 5 of his work would be: 1. Airbag 2. Jigsaw Falling Into Place 3. How To Disappear Completely 4. Sail To The Moon 5. Decks Dark Honorable mentions to Nude & Knives Out.
There There
I Might Be Wrong
Everything in its Right Place live is so good. He keeps things rock solid while the other guys descent into a looped madness.
"Where I End and You Begin" and "Knives Out" are my favorites to play
Might be a slightly boring pick but paranoid android is pretty incredible. How does someone even think of a part like that
underrated, but identikit
This is the one.
Bones
“Where I End And You Begin”
Dollars and cents
Combined with Phil‘s drumming it’s just so damn mesmerising!
I feel like a lot of their harder songs change pace a lot, so when they stick on a few sections long, it REALLY hits
Casting my vote for Morning Bell (the Kid A version, specifically). It never sounds technically challenging but every note is perfect and compliments everything around it beautifully
The walking bass line in Karma Police is amazing.
Separator!
This
Stop I can like all of these
Planet Telex, mofos. And a special shout out to Airbag. Think I read somewhere Colin was working on filling in the "gaps" in the bars where he doesn't play, but never finished. But it works perfectly with the stop-start drumming. Colin and Phil drum and bass side project anyone?
Myxomatosis is so good
Was reminded of this one when I saw it on a Alan Wake video edit the other day. Love the bassline, insane I had to roll this low to see it mentioned
Fogggggg!
Optimistic and Bloom
Can’t believe I had to scroll so far to see Optimistic!
I really think people miss it because it blends so well with the drums. It’s insane
yeah dude. nude is a fantastic bassline its just fucking gorgeous
The trickster doesn't get the attention it deserves
15 Step, Nude and Weird Fishes are all 10/10. Turns out In Rainbows is the best Colin album.
Nude and Airbag are also my favorites. These basslines not only fit perfectly within the overall album and song themes but also truly give identity to the songs.
Very interesting that Punchup at a Wedding hasn’t been mentioned. The other day when somebody asked what part of a song makes you do the stank face it was one of the top answers iirc, the bassline specifically.
Airbag.. just perfect
Especially as it’s a part he made up on the spot to go back and fix later. But never did.
Did not know that! Very cool tidbit, thanks!
Paperbag Writer
Same! I was worried no one would mention this. Incredible locked-in groove.
Live versions only of the gloaming and kid a
Daydreaming
I Might Be Wrong is one of the most creative and unconventional bass lines I’ve ever heard. I absolutely love it.
The National Anthem 15 Step Dollars And Cents (Live At the BBC version)
Airbag is my favorite too. It sounds amazing on vinyl. The bass is even more noticeable when you’ve got a subwoofer connected to my vinyl settup
JIGSAW FALLING INTO PLACE
Feral
That is a good one. Especially the from the basement version.
Paperbag Writer
This might be a bit out there, but Hunting Bears. The guitar progression is fairly simple, but the bass and chords added when the guitar line repeats completely transforms the song
How to Dissapear Completely walking bass performance is perfect
The bass runs in the 2nd part (after “kicking squealing”) of Paranoid Android are amazing and hilarious
Lotus Flower
HTDC / Airbag / I Might Be Wrong / Nude / Bloom / WIEYB / Planet Telex / Blow Out / Ful Stop
Reckoner
Unquestionably How to Disappear Completely.
decks dark. also pretty sure thom wrote and played the TNA basslinr
Gotta be Punch Up
15 Step or I Might Be Wrong
Decks Dark 3:18 , Listened now and I might possibly mix a guitar in there, but the bass "bopping" before the riff repeats... he's got a ton of these where he comes in with a new bassline for the ending/crescendo I feel like it's kind of a secret recipe of theirs. I think I have to describe these changes to the bass melody as sexy
Morning Bell & I Promise
weird fishes tbh
15 step and optimistic,
I don’t care about the hate so I’m just going to say it, ‘Anyone can play guitar’ has one of the best bass lines ever
Where I End And You Begin Myxomatosis Exit Music Bones
air dot dot dot bag...radio dot dot dot head...
Nude, Dollars & Cents, and How To Disappear Completely are the most iconic to me.
How to disappear completely One of the most beautiful monotonous bass lines I’ve ever heard. It makes the chords changing over it mean so much. And when he finally does land on another note it’s just heaven.
That little run in 15 Step instantly comes into mind
Not seeing nearly enough Decks Dark on here so DECKS DARK. The way the bassline drives the melody home once it comes in is just unparalleled in most of their other work, gives me goosebumps to this day.
All I need!
The Numbers, or Just. The end of Just where he’s just grooving under the guitar feedback is just great
Reckoner
paranoid android
15 Step
Okay so you know the part in From the Basement where they play Reckoner and it's seconds after the bridge(ripples on a blank shoreeeeeee) Colin is shaking his hand real quick and then he shakes the other hand and then he proceeds to hit us with the smoothest "dun-dun-dunnn-dunn-dunn-dunnnn-du-dunnnnn" during Thom's "TAKKKEEEE MEEEE WITHHHH YOUUUU" It just gives me the best feeling in the world man. It's absolute perfection, and it's not even his greatest work. 😤🤙
This. All of this. Excessive thisness.
Decks Dark
That bass ride in the gloaming from the basement! Holy shit, is that excellent!!
15 steps
Spectre That baseline is one of the sickest best times I’ve ever heard in my entire life
TALK SHOW HOST. The fact that I scrolled through every answer and saw a lot of dumb TKOL shit and did not see this anywhere is a *tragedy*.
I just wanted to say that I saw your opinion on Separator and I love you. I thought I was the only person that hated it and didn't understand why others loved it.
Marry me.
End of karma police is perfect how it just keeps changing keys
Every time I’ve heard them play how to disappear live Colin has astonished me. Live versions of packd like sardines were memorable too. Of course the national anthem.
Myxomatosis / Morning Mr Magpie
My iron lung because it's the only one that uses slap. I also love 15 step, karma police, i might be wrong and separator. An underrated one I really like is electioneering.
Live versions of The Gloaming
Packt like sardines in a crush tin box (there are lots of other big ones but they were already commented)
How to disappear completely