How To Disappear Completely

Album: Kid A (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Thom Yorke: "I dreamt I was floating down the Liffey and there was nothing I could do. I was flying around Dublin and I really was in the dream. The whole song is my experiences of really floating." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jean Fuentes - Miami, FL
  • Some of the lyrics were inspired by a conversation Yorke had with R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe where Stipe suggested he deal with his issues by pulling the shutters down and saying, "I'm not here, this is not happening." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Trevor - Fulleron, CA
  • A lot of effort went into the string section, which was arranged by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and performed by the Orchestra of St. Johns. Before joining Radiohead, Greenwood considered studying music at the university level and has a talent for working various instruments into a piece. He spent about 2 weeks working on the arrangement, and worked closely with the conductor at the sessions.
  • How To Disappear Completely And Never Be Found is a book by Doug Richmond, released in 1986. It consists of a collection of short stories, always focused on the theme of taking French leave. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2

Comments: 14

  • Maria from CanadaHey Tony from Tennessee, are you ok? I'm worried for you man.
  • Hannah Taylor from Missouri, UsaYes Tony, are you there?? I found your correct concerning
  • Diarmuid from Dublin Jesus Tony from Tennesse, are you alright?
  • Robert from Brick New JerseyThe song reminds me of how Deepak Chopra describes quantum physics, as there are different realities created by our thoughts every moment of every day.
  • Tony from TennesseeI have suffered since the day I was born (born deformed) until this very day. I've also lost many loved ones. Also I'm mentally ill and have other health problems. I have told my psychologist (Whom I have been seeing for about 21 years) many times over the years that all this is really just a nightmare, that I'm not really here. Then last night I found this song for the first time while I was searching YouTube for rock songs about suffering. First time I've ever heard Radiohead. And to be honest I really do believe I'm not here. This is a nightmare someone is having, and I really wish whoever it is would wake up. I hate this horrible nightmare.
  • Sophie from Copenhagen, DenmarkActually, the lyrics are inspired by the disappearance of Manic Street Preachers guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards.
  • Stephen from Quarryville, Ksi heard it put once that this was the reaction of Yorke to the extreme popularity after ok computer. "I'm not here, this isnt happening". A beautiful song.
  • Ernie from Fort Myers, Flmy fav. Radiohead song hands down!
  • Elisabeth from Toronto, CanadaThis is a great song, but I can't listen to it anymore. I listened to it when I had really bad depression, and the song just summed up how I felt so detached from myself, like nothing was real. It's a really powerful song.
  • Joe from Dublinagreed, dylan... best thing about this song, i reckon, is the 2nd half 'ahhhhhh' bit - after it feels like there are too many sounds all starting to come together and getting jumbled up and that second 'ahhhhh' just seems to cut through it and straighten it all out. always... always makes the hairs on my neck stand up
  • Dylan from New Britain, CtI've heard alot abot Kid A being the hardest album of Radiohead's to get into. But I honestly just jumped right into it and I love almost every track on the whole CD. This was the first one that I really did like, though. Everything about it is perfect. It takes you plaes if your sitting in a dark room by yourself. The whole album does, for that matter. Wonderful track on a wonderful album by a wonderful band.
  • Greg from Hartford, Cthe's saying life is not what you tink it is. its not special...he's the opposite of an existential person. he thinks he is not in control.

    its just the sad truth of reaity..but given a good roll of the dice you can end up with heaven.
  • Matt from Cracow, PolandYorke said to NME in 2006 that "this is the most beautiful thing that we have ever done" and that's his favorite Radiohead song. For me, it's not about floating. It's like, sometimes in your live there are such a moments, when girl leaves you or someone close to you dies, that you just want to sit and cry and you're telling to yourself that it is so cruel that it can't be real ("that's not happening") and you wish to disappear ("I'm not here")
    I love this one.
  • Max from Sydney, AustraliaI get what thom is saying...When you feel like your invisible, you feel like you're floating..and in Thom's dream he must of actully been Invisible(even though i don't know what its like to me invisible, that my explination)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.