10 Greatest Ever Radiohead Songs
5. Exit Music (For A Film)
As most Radiohead fans will know, Exit Music was originally written for the 1996 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Baz Luhrmann. It was included on OK Computer a year later, and ended up playing during the closing credits of the film.
The lyrics, specifically the first verse, clearly parallel the story of Romeo and Juliet. “Wake from your sleep, the drying of your tears” is obviously a reference to Juliet appearing to be dead but is asleep instead.
Just like the 1996 adaptation, the song draws parallels between the original Romeo and Juliet story and contemporary relationship issues. After all, the story about conflicting familial interests and non-acceptance is relevant in today’s society as well.
Musically, the song is just as powerful. It starts of extremely sombre in its first half, before bursiting into a crescendo of drums, guitars and synthesisers.
The fluidity of the music and lyrics has allowed the song to take on new meaning and life in contemporary culture, being used in different ways in popular shows like Westworld and Black Mirror.
Exit Music is very different to the rest of OK Computer, but remains one of the strongest on the record.