2. Nude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbWBRnDK_AE Artist: RadioheadAlbum: 'In Rainbows'Year: 2007 In some ways, 'Nude' is the Radiohead song. After all, it's been with the band as far back as 'OK Computer' and was released ten years later; that's one hell of a track to hold back throughout such a golden age. And there's something about every Radiohead era packed into that track, from Jonny's lush strings to Ed's placid guitar tone, but what makes it truly, quintessentially Radiohead is the melody. It rises, cavorts and loop-the-loops in such a way that it almost nullifies every other instrument; Thom's vocal is so sweet and pure that even the lyrical shooting down of ambitions doesn't sour the tone. It really is as perfect a ballad as you'll ever hear: chorusless, but leading to a giant waterfall for Thom's melody to slope down, before the coda washes it away. It's one of the most disarming songs you'll ever hear, and trust me, it's just as good live.