Black Star

Album: The Bends (1995)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lead singer Thom Yorke: "This is about sex in the morning. It's the best time to have it. Especially if you have brushed your teeth before."
  • John Leckie, who produced The Bends, was away the day the band recorded this. The result is a more raw and improvised sound then the rest of the album. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2
  • According to Q magazine April 2008, this track was initially regarded as B-side material recorded by the studio's assistant engineer Nigel Godrich. However Godrich, who was to become the band's regular producer, bonded with the band and it was promoted onto the album after a playback.

Comments: 6

  • Karly ShayEasily one of the best songs. It’s just so good!
  • Spatula Man from St. Louis MoIt's about their amp going out. Black Star is the brand.
  • Jordan from Toronto, OnThis is one of my favourite songs hands down.
  • David from Austin, Txobviously this song is about a failing relationship. "the bends" album was much more about relationships and the emotions involved than radiohead's later albums which revolve around the state of politics and the world.
  • Robby from New York, NyTo be honest i think this song is inadverntly about a failed marriage, because the concept of a black star can be interpreted as a light of hope that has been fizzled out due to certain unforeseen circumstances such as decadent fame and irreverent incontinence towards worldy appetites...but to be honest, it is my belief that the greatest songs and poems are going to be vague to the extent of asking the reader to convey his or her own interpretation to the lyrics on diplay, to which the interpretation will derive itself from personal experiences and judgement, so whatever you wish the song to be, that it will be.
  • Joe from Chicago, Arthis is one of radiohead's best songs i love the lyrics they remind me of alot of things. Rock on radiohead hopefully we can see a new album from you shortly.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.