"Creep" Vs "Paperbag Writer"

Radiohead Bracket Time!

You know the drill: I'm working through a list of Radiohead songs to see which one comes out as the winner...which one is my favorite!

Creep



When you were here before
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
And I wish I was special
You're so fuckin' special
But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
I don't care if it hurts
I want to have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
When I'm not around
You're so fuckin' special
I wish I was special
But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo.
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
She's running out again,
She's running out
She's run run run run
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so fuckin' special
I wish I was special
But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo,
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
I don't belong here

(Pablo Honey. 1993)

Maybe Radiohead's most well-known song? Says something about it that it's over 20 years old and still can feel fresh. Soft-Loud-Soft magical formula and Thom Yorke sings some of those words just so perfectly. It might also be that I've been hearing this song for 20+ years and know what to listen for. 

Paperbag Writer

Blow into this paperbag,
Go home, stop grinning at everyone.
Blow into this paperbag,
Go home, stop grinning at everyone.
It was nice when it lasted,
But now it's gone.
It was nice when it lasted,
But now it's gone.
Blow into this paperbag.
Take your armor off,
You're not under attack.
Take your armor off,
You're not under attack.
Come on, come on.
Blow into this paperbag,
Go home, stop grinning at everyone.
Blow into this paperbag,
Go home, stop grinning at everyone.
And they were honeybees
On a blade of grass.
Take your armor off,
You're not under attack.
Blow into this paperbag.
Blow into this paperbag.

(Com Lag. 2003)

Dang, comparing songs released 10 years apart. "Paperbag Writer" is a weird one, too. It sounds like Thom Yorke took over a microphone as an orchestra was having a strings sectional. There isn't a lot of movement to this one and I find myself just waiting for something to happen. Like, where's the climax?

And the winner is...

Creep!