The Numbers

Album: A Moon Shaped Pool (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Thom Yorke first played this protest song about global warming during the December 4, 2015 Pathway to Paris climate change concert at Le Trianon in the French capital. Yorke performed two Moon Shaped Pool tracks, "The Numbers" (then known as "Silent Spring") and "Desert Island Disk," during his solo gig. As he played "Silent Spring," Yorke could be heard saying, "This is Jonny (Greenwood, guitar)'s bit, which I can't play."
  • The tracklisting for A Moon Shaped Pool is entirely in alphabetical order, showing Radiohead indeed like Everything in its Right Place. There has been speculation the song's name was changed from "Silent Spring" to help fit in with the album's structure.
  • The video was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and shot in a park in Tarzana, California. Anderson adopts a stripped-back approach for the clip, which features just Thom Yorke, Johnny Greenwood, two guitars and a CR78 synthesizer. The Boogie Night and Punch Drunk Love director previously teamed up with the band to create the visuals for "Daydreaming," "Burn The Witch" and "Present Tense."

Comments: 1

  • Gray Billings from The Desertpeople need to start listening to this message. pure genius
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.