10 More Huge Songs That Bands Refused To Play Live
2. Creep - Radiohead
Imagine if you had created something that was so insanely popular, yet you couldn’t stand it one bit. If you’re a member of Radiohead, then you don’t have to imagine.
Taken from their 1992 debut album Pablo Honey, Creep is an anthem for the undervalued, a call to arms for anyone who sees themself as different, isolated, or unloved. It was a massive hit and almost single-handedly launched the band’s career. Unfortunately, all this success came at a price.
Radiohead got thoroughly sick of playing Creep, especially when audience members would leave their shows after they performed it. Frontman Thom Yorke once described the song as “a cover”, as he felt no attachment to the track whatsoever. Once they got big enough, it was put to one side.
It hasn’t been a fixed part of the band’s set since 1998, and though their stance on Creep has softened with time, Radiohead only play it when they really want to.
In 2023, Yorke gave another interview where he said that he found Creep “difficult” to sing now that his vocal range has dropped. Although, he could just be saying that to get out of playing it.