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Radiohead — Reckoner
Album: In Rainbows
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2688









Released: 2007
Length: 4:41
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Reckoner
You can't take it with you
Dancing for your pleasure

You are not to blame for
Bittersweet distractor
Dare not speak its name
Dedicated to all you
All human beings

Because we separate
Like ripples on a blank shore
(In rainbows)
Because we separate
Like ripples on a blank shore
(In rainbows)

Reckoner
Take me with you
Dedicated to all you
All human beings
Comments (481)add comment
Notable to also remember about this album - you paid whatever you wanted for it! Groundbreaking approach. And what a fantastic album it is, to take it for free for me would indeed feel like a crime.
RP has caused me to have greater appreciation for Radiohead
RH is hit or miss for me. This song is a HIT!! I never heard it before. Thanx RP!
 lee_sf wrote:

Anyone who might like modern dance connected with this tune should check out Take Me With You, by Robert Bondara. From 2017, but I'm not seeing it mentioned in any comments. Beautiful and evocative. 



Beautiful indeed! Thanks for posting. Makes me miss SYTYCD...
Anyone who might like modern dance connected with this tune should check out Take Me With You, by Robert Bondara. From 2017, but I'm not seeing it mentioned in any comments. Beautiful and evocative. 
 TianGongZhong wrote:
I am not sure not if I should pity Thom Yorke or admire him....I guess he knows that he cannot sing but he continues to "sing" anyhow.
 
Which suggests that you need a refresher course in what 'singing' means.
Either you've seen the amazing video, or you're about to go watch it right now.
Radiohead at their best.
the final nail in the coffin.
i hate radiohead, knobheads and tHOM yorke what a bullseye twat
I used to love this song about 5 years ago.. Now's the first time I'm listening to this since then. Awesome!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPWvpDm076o has a great live version of this song.
You can't take it with you
Dancing for your pleasure

You are not to blame for this
Bittersweet dis-tractor
Dare not speak its name
Dedicated to all you
All human beings

Because we are separated
Like ripples on the shore
Song: Reckoner
Artist: Radiohead
Album: In Rainbows
www.islatrip.com
 Egctheow wrote:
This sounds very similar to Noir Désir's and/or Sophie Hunger's Le Vent Nous Portera :-) 
I'm not pointing the finger or anything, I like all three songs. Just nicely strange.
 
Spot on "sounds like" Egctheow….prompted me to go 6 to 7 on this one today, I'm still growing in my like for RH, an acquired taste that I'm in process of acquiring….Long Live RP!!
This sounds very similar to Noir Désir's and/or Sophie Hunger's Le Vent Nous Portera :-) 
I'm not pointing the finger or anything, I like all three songs. Just nicely strange.
Goose pimples all over my body!
 TianGongZhong wrote:
I am not sure not if I should pity Thom Yorke or admire him....I guess he knows that he cannot sing but he continues to "sing" anyhow.
 
I admire him. While he will know his voice is certainly not what you would say 'classical' in its delivery, do you want everyone to subscribe to a set of 'rules' that say he must be this or do that? 

Nahhh, I would rather someone have passion and be brave enough to stand up and sing from his soul and heart. Then, it comes across as something given with passion and feeling. 
I am not sure not if I should pity Thom Yorke or admire him....I guess he knows that he cannot sing but he continues to "sing" anyhow.
I should listen to this album again tonight before hockey.  Might get me going.  I can picture listening to this song while weaving through traffic on the the way to the net to put it top shelf over the goalie's stick side shoulder.
Haters gonna hate. It's a solid song from a great band...
Ugh.  Well at least Creep was a good song.
Inexpressibly beautiful and moving, for me, it says "loss".....
 musicforme wrote:

It has got worse, a pity -1 is not an option

 
...looks like you are in the minority on that opinion. 7.8 says so.
 musicforme wrote:
Oooerrrrrooeerrrrrroooeeoorrrrooooor{#Razz}

 
It has got worse, a pity -1 is not an option
 Emwolb wrote:

Jupiter? Mars? Uranus?? cause it sure as hell ain't this planet

 
{#Propeller}

That's about right — although, imho, this is actually one of RH's better tracks. It's not quite a requiem, and it's got a Moby-ish quality that pumps it up. 
Oooerrrrrooeerrrrrroooeeoorrrrooooor{#Razz}
This should be on a never-ending audio loop for people viewing Edvard Munch's The Scream in a museum.
 
What kind of head-space was Tom Yorke in when he wrote this one? Wow   
Yeah. Goldfrapp is rated 7-ish... Loreena McKennitt same. Poor marks for world-class artists with angelic voice. Yet this junk with teeth grinding vocals is almost 8. Cannot believe it.
 lemmoth wrote:
Best band on the planet!!!!!!!

 
Jupiter? Mars? Uranus?? cause it sure as hell ain't this planet
 rdo wrote:

I like the Beatles but get with the times...Radiohead is a lot better.  Beatles would make my top 20 bands cut, so that's pretty good I'd say... And if you throw in the solo projects I could see their combined output making the top ten...not bad but not Radiohead by a long shot...quantity does not equal quality..critics give too much weight to the 100s of decent songs the Beatles wrote...but you must consider the "great-song" output which is lacking for the Beatles
 

{#Ass}
We don't have to consider any such damn thing. Because when the history of late 20th-21st century pop music is written, Radiohead's discography will pass in a few sentences of alt music analysis, while The Beatles will be rendered in multiple chapters.   
Best band on the planet!!!!!!!
Whine whine whine.....make it stop!!!!!!! {#Fire}
I've bittersweet memories of thinking a leitmotif and reckoner were synonym.
Wow!! Bill's on fire tonite!!  Yet again!  Thanks Bill & Rebecca :)
Awesome. Period.
That's a like. and another "buy"....!!
 B_Van wrote:
For me, this song has a deeply spiritual quality.  I sat in the dark and played it over and over the night my beloved 13 year old German Shepherd died.  

Somehow, the chemistry that went into this recording bleeds out into the ether and into my heart in a way that is inexpressible.  It is far beyond the haunting, yet cryptic lyrics.  There is some kind of sorrow and joy and love and pure energy that is healing and revealing and mystical.  It reminds me of the power of my relationship with my dear departed dog, Clara.  It gives me a glimpse - or some kind of flash of recognition of connecting with another sentient soul, and in this case, a beautiful canine soul. 

Thank you Radiohead.  

Thank you Universe. 
 
I can relate to this.  
 kingart wrote:
This comes off like Moby. On a bad day. 
Moby is better.
Pretty Sad Dynamic.  

 
Thus the 7.7 rating.
 1wolfy wrote:
Cream    where the shadows run from themselves

 
I always wondered if Yorke's falsetto singing style may have been partially influenced by that of Jack Bruce. 
 1wolfy wrote:
Cream    where the shadows run from themselves

 

Good call 1wolfy!  
 B_Van wrote:
For me, this song has a deeply spiritual quality.  I sat in the dark and played it over and over the night my beloved 13 year old German Shepherd died.  

Somehow, the chemistry that went into this recording bleeds out into the ether and into my heart in a way that is inexpressible.  It is far beyond the haunting, yet cryptic lyrics.  There is some kind of sorrow and joy and love and pure energy that is healing and revealing and mystical.  It reminds me of the power of my relationship with my dear departed dog, Clara.  It gives me a glimpse - or some kind of flash of recognition of connecting with another sentient soul, and in this case, a beautiful canine soul. 

Thank you Radiohead.  

Thank you Universe. 
 
What a lovely comment. Keep on keepin' on B_Van. Sorry for your loss, but glad you can find respite in this hauntingly achingly beautiful music.
their music sends you .....
For me, this song has a deeply spiritual quality.  I sat in the dark and played it over and over the night my beloved 13 year old German Shepherd died.  

Somehow, the chemistry that went into this recording bleeds out into the ether and into my heart in a way that is inexpressible.  It is far beyond the haunting, yet cryptic lyrics.  There is some kind of sorrow and joy and love and pure energy that is healing and revealing and mystical.  It reminds me of the power of my relationship with my dear departed dog, Clara.  It gives me a glimpse - or some kind of flash of recognition of connecting with another sentient soul, and in this case, a beautiful canine soul. 

Thank you Radiohead.  

Thank you Universe. 
 MrPeebles wrote:
I wish there was a way I could give this song an 11.

 
You just did. 
 
I wish there was a way I could give this song an 11.
This comes off like Moby. On a bad day. 
Moby is better.
Pretty Sad Dynamic.  
heartbreaking
That cymbal is so clear it sounds like the guy is in my doorway.  Neat.
have friday y'all.  can't take take it with you........   {#Cowboy}
 dynamaniak wrote:
In my world, there is no such thing as too much Radiohead.

 
In my world, 2 - 3 RH cuts are quite sufficient, thanks.
He's still whining ...
Where's the  "11" button ?
 dynamaniak wrote:
In my world, there is no such thing as too much Radiohead.

 

{#Wave} my words
 rdo wrote:
I like the Beatles but get with the times...Radiohead is a lot better.  Beatles would make my top 20 bands cut, so that's pretty good I'd say... And if you throw in the solo projects I could see their combined output making the top ten...not bad but not Radiohead by a long shot...quantity does not equal quality..critics give too much weight to the 100s of decent songs the Beatles wrote...but you must consider the "great-song" output which is lacking for the Beatles

 
{#Lol}  Thanks for the laugh!
(You were trying to be funny, right?)
mmmm, thanks Bill for a great set... saludos desde Colombia
 MikeszCZ wrote:
masterpiece.

 
Without question. A masterwork from this album!
In my world, there is no such thing as too much Radiohead.
masterpiece.
Ooooh - a VERY nice transition Bill from The Cure's Jupiter Crash into this - excellent!
 lemmoth wrote:
Back to Back - The Clash and Radiohead

The two most important musical trailblazing bands in Rock and Roll since the Beatles.

There I said it - now take your shots.

 
I like the Beatles but get with the times...Radiohead is a lot better.  Beatles would make my top 20 bands cut, so that's pretty good I'd say... And if you throw in the solo projects I could see their combined output making the top ten...not bad but not Radiohead by a long shot...quantity does not equal quality..critics give too much weight to the 100s of decent songs the Beatles wrote...but you must consider the "great-song" output which is lacking for the Beatles
 shellbella wrote:
Radio Paradise you are making my day!!!!  {#Heartkiss}

 

$5  -- worth so much more
Back to Back - The Clash and Radiohead

The two most important musical trailblazing bands in Rock and Roll since the Beatles.

There I said it - now take your shots.
...as a caterwaul! {#Headache}
I will forever associate autumn in Upstate NY with this album...especially this song.   Feels very good right now!
 black321 wrote:
 I paid $4 for this album, how much did you pay?

 
Much more.

Got it on vinyl.
Radio Paradise you are making my day!!!!  {#Heartkiss}
 I paid $4 for this album, how much did you pay?
You are on a roll tonight Bill!!!!

I always wondered what inspired this haunting song. I feel like I should be staring at Munch's "The Scream" painting while listening to this song.
 
Now I'm ready to pull some wings off of flies. 


 Nadine wrote:

oh noooooo. for the record: i for example, am not your "most people".

did you do a survey (the scientific kind, of course) for that bold statement?

i love romeotumas comments. in fact, as soon as I read that a song is okay in his book, I'll check it out "more seriously" for myself . and I looooooooooooove the "standout" green text. so I can find his comments quicker. :o)
 

Thank you!  I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...  hope you are having a marvelous Wednesday...


we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners in my church...  this song wails...  love it...
 
Cream    where the shadows run from themselves
 WonderLizard wrote:
Radiohead - Reckoner
Allman Brothers - Trouble No More
The Box Tops - The Letter
American Analog Set - Hard to Find

Great set, Bill. Took the gloom off a too-long Tuesday afternoon.
 
And two years later, a gloomy Thursday post-Sandy afternoon.
 Poacher wrote:


Fact is, most people here just put up with your inane repetative comments and 'standout' green text 
 
oh noooooo. for the record: i for example, am not your "most people".

did you do a survey (the scientific kind, of course) for that bold statement?

i love romeotumas comments. in fact, as soon as I read that a song is okay in his book, I'll check it out "more seriously" for myself . and I looooooooooooove the "standout" green text. so I can find his comments quicker. :o)
Unbelievable good song from RH .I always loved this band and the voice of tom York.thx bill for playing this

marvelous...  love it...
 
(green and repetet..repetat.. ah hell, same old stuff)
 kcar wrote:

Ditto, d-don. Poacher and sronis, no one's forcing you to read anyone's comments. If you don't like Romeotuma's posts, his use of green text makes it easy for you to skip his thoughts 

Not always a big fan of Radiohead, but this one really works for me. 

 
 

Same!
 d-don wrote:


Poacher, why the hate spew? Yeah, I'm one who has Romeo's back because I know a song he "be dancing" to is a solid song. I like the consistency of his comments. I always thought that music is the one thing we can all feel good around. Viewing your comments, I might have to rethink that. In the meantime, keep up the dance party, RT. I'm on my way.

 
Ditto, d-don. Poacher and sronis, no one's forcing you to read anyone's comments. If you don't like Romeotuma's posts, his use of green text makes it easy for you to skip his thoughts 

Not always a big fan of Radiohead, but this one really works for me. 

 
 Poacher wrote:
(deleted by admin)
 

Poacher, why the hate spew? Yeah, I'm one who has Romeo's back because I know a song he "be dancing" to is a solid song. I like the consistency of his comments. I always thought that music is the one thing we can all feel good around. Viewing your comments, I might have to rethink that. In the meantime, keep up the dance party, RT. I'm on my way.

 Stingray wrote:
I admit: change from 3 to 8!
Sometimes just stupid!
 
That's awesome.  Oddly, I look forward to the day I 'discover' a song I once derided...freedom to change one's mind is worthwhile freedom.
One of Colin Greenwood's best bass lines.... and thats saying something.
I've been waxing on about some of the old groups I saw relatively early on and loved.  But I rarely listened to old stuff, don't want to lice in the past.  Thanks to awesome groups like Radiohead I do not have to.
 sronis wrote:


Thanks for the update. All of us were really afraid that you changed your mind and gave it something other than 10 {#Cheesygrin}

Please, be sure to come back soon and comment again that you love this song / we be dancing / etc. otherwise, our lives will not be complete.
  
 romeotuma wrote:


"All of us"?  You mean you and your bag of beef jerky, new boy?

What do you think of the song, or are you just a troll here to insult all of us honest song commenters?

We be dancing...  love this song...
 

Hey, Romeo new boy, you are such a touchy twat. Fact is, most people here just put up with your inane repetative comments and 'standout' green text and anyone who dares to say anything against you gets a tirade of childish abuse. 

The sooner someone cuts off the WiFi to your hotel room the better.


I thought it was  a different band, massive attack maybe. Layered sound perhaps.
ABB and Radiohead, only here. Two of my favorite bands! 
 taps into something inexplicable but begging to be noticed
I admit: change from 3 to 8!
Sometimes just stupid!
 MikeszCZ wrote:
their best album so far.
 

{#Wall}

{#Silenced}
 romeotuma wrote:


Wow, it has been a long time since I have commented on this song...  awesome song...

 

Thanks for the update. All of us were really afraid that you changed your mind and gave it something other than 10 {#Cheesygrin}

Please, be sure to come back soon and comment again that you love this song / we be dancing / etc. otherwise, our lives will not be complete.
 MikeszCZ wrote:
their best album so far.
 
strong disagreement here

 Tizmself wrote:
Ok....this has very slowly grown on me. I've moved it from a 2 to a 5.
 

Agreed.  I am up to a 9. 
Ok....this has very slowly grown on me. I've moved it from a 2 to a 5.


I shared this album with someone who loves Creep and he was impressed. I wish he could hear it now. Thanks RP for putting that possibility out there.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I requested this weeks ago and thought I'd missed it!!!!!!!!! 
their best album so far.
Love it 
Love it
Love it

 gjones wrote: 

I know what you mean, I am lost for words myself. . . well, apart from these. 10


 PhoenixArtDj wrote:
Reckoner is a beautiful melodic serenade of the muse while OK Computer is the techno reverb anthem album. It's like comparing Dark Side of the Moon to Wish You Were Here. Two amazing albums with totally different tones.
 
{#High-five} Spot on!

 rlr511 wrote:

i didn't think about it until you mentioned it and I might have to agree.  But nothing can come close to Let Down.  I also agree with the notion that music is "hard hitting when you're in your early 20s.  That's so true!  So for me, OK computer is for my 20s.  In Rainbows is for my 30s.  I sure hope they come up with something when I'm in my 40s.  Don't break up!!!
  Quit mentioning your age...you're making me feel old!


I think I wrote this already. If you asked me I would tell you that I don't really "get" Radiohead, not since 'The Bends'.

And yet this track is absolutely gorgeous.
 Byronape wrote:

I so get that.  I didn't used to be much of a fan back in the days of OK Computer and Hail to the Thief.  However, after really enjoying In Rainbows with my wife (who deserves all the credit for turning me on to a lot of great music over the years) and taking the time to really let the glory that is Radiohead soak in, I'm officially a convert!

 
wives who love RH are the best sort of wives!

 DoctorHooey wrote:

Damn!!!
 
that's pretty rockin awesome

 Delboy77 wrote:

i rate ok computer as one of the finest works of art of all times, "in rainbows" is brilliant but for me not in the same league like ok computer.  i suppose music is much more hard-hitting when you're in your early 20ies :O) and full of anguish, fears etc.but i am confident that the rainbows will catch up with me.sooner or later.
 
i didn't think about it until you mentioned it and I might have to agree.  But nothing can come close to Let Down.  I also agree with the notion that music is "hard hitting when you're in your early 20s.  That's so true!  So for me, OK computer is for my 20s.  In Rainbows is for my 30s.  I sure hope they come up with something when I'm in my 40s.  Don't break up!!!


ahhh! the gorgeous tones of my favorite band.  love it when you guys play Radiohead!
Reckoner is a beautiful melodic serenade of the muse while OK Computer is the techno reverb anthem album. It's like comparing Dark Side of the Moon to Wish You Were Here. Two amazing albums with totally different tones.
Lovely song. Simple riffs yet still amazing.
 Angloray wrote:
Is "In Rainbows" anyone else's favorite among all the Radiohead albums? I'd even rank it higher than "OK Computer," or maybe just on equal par!
 
i rate ok computer as one of the finest works of art of all times, "in rainbows" is brilliant but for me not in the same league like ok computer.  i suppose music is much more hard-hitting when you're in your early 20ies :O) and full of anguish, fears etc.but i am confident that the rainbows will catch up with me.sooner or later.


shure a tune u can play on ur guitar, bill. {#Angel}
when I hear that cymbal and tamborine I think about little pieces of paper with bars and notes scribbled on them, all falling at my feet...
then, the piano and the strings, and all gets quiet in a parallel adventure, where music rules the universe...

I really like this tune a lot...but why must bands insist on having such substandard artwork for their album covers? Just don't get it. It's an opportunity to 'package' the whole thing. This cover just plain sucks...especially when you hear some of the music that accompanies it.
 sandpebble wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUmmsMeHAaE

Gnarls Barkley covering reckoner
 
Damn!!!
 johnjconn wrote:
I feel bad for those who don't connect to RH

 
I so get that.  I didn't used to be much of a fan back in the days of OK Computer and Hail to the Thief.  However, after really enjoying In Rainbows with my wife (who deserves all the credit for turning me on to a lot of great music over the years) and taking the time to really let the glory that is Radiohead soak in, I'm officially a convert!

 tanyaahogan wrote:
sounds like a mellow Muse tune ~ {#Bananapiano}    {#Drummer}     {#Bananajam}  {#Bounce}
 
Mwah?
what does it all mean...this devastating love affair...
Hey Thom! Snap out of it, man!
Man being slapped around the chops by wet fish
Bill has allowed me to discover that I like Radiohead. Who knew? Thanks Bill!
cymbals tweak my symbols...
 keller1 wrote:


The horror .............. the horror ...........

 

What, no Apocalypse Now era picture of Brando as Kurtz? 

{#Mrgreen}

 vandal wrote:
Twice in one week -
 

The horror .............. the horror ...........

Twice in one week - the face of good fortune smiles once again. . .
 steve_san_carlos wrote:
Masterful. I wish these guys took themselves just a bit less seriously, but this is a simply wonderful single.
 
You're right about the serious bit. Admittedly, their music requires a serious approach. In interviews I've seen a wide variance in personalities. Colin is usually the public face, and he tends to have the standard patter. Ed is quite the articulate gentleman that tends to have nice things to say—probably the most personable of the bunch. Phil seems pretty quiet but very likable. Thom is on another plane and has trouble stringing a full sentence together, not because he's daft—quite the opposite—he seems exceedingly brilliant, and it seems as if he has a million thoughts going through his head at once (it must be very noisy in there). And Jonny, well, Jonny is probably an alien from another planet—a musical genius, but definitely not much for words. Who cares—he's amazing.

It must be something to be in a room with these guys.