"The National Anthem" is the third track from the
alternative rock band
Radiohead's 2000 album
Kid A. The song is
moored to a repetitive bassline, has a processed
electronic production, and develops in a direction influenced by
jazz. It has been played at nearly every Radiohead concert since 2000.
Background and recording
The National Anthem is thought to have been previously attempted at recording sessions in 1994 and 1997, but according to
Radiohead member
Colin Greenwood, the band decided it was "too good to use it as a b-side for
OK Computer singles".
In the album recording, the bass is played by lead singer
Thom Yorke, who wrote the riff at age 16.
In the recording sessions, band members
Thom Yorke and
Jonny Greenwood conducted the session musicians, though Yorke lacks formal musical training. Yorke stated in an interview, "The running joke when we were in the studios was, 'Just blow. Just blow, just blow, just blow'"
, referring to the chaotic
brass section sound. It should be noted that although the recording sounds chaotic, each instrument is playing a solo to the riff.
Style
The
free jazz-style brass section featured in the song, influenced by
Charles Mingus,
creates a soundscape of chaos, and has been described as "a brass band marching into a brick wall" by one reviewer.
The song also features an
Ondes Martenot, played by
Jonny Greenwood, an early electronic instrument which was picked up by Greenwood for several songs on
Kid A and subsequent albums. Greenwood's usage of it was inspired by the music of
Olivier Messiaen.
Some also found "The National Anthem" reminiscent of the contemporary work of fellow UK bands
Primal Scream and
Spiritualized, with whom Radiohead had toured in 1998.
Live performances
"The National Anthem" was the opening song for most Radiohead concerts in 2000–2001, and is the first track on the band's 2001 album
I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings.
The song begins on stage with the band tuning to various radio stations, then mixing the transmissions and static with the
bassline. When the song is played live, normal Radiohead bassist
Colin Greenwood plays the riff, which uses a
Lovetone Big Cheese effects pedal to create a more distorted sound.
The ondes martenot is also more audible in live versions, thanks to the addition of guitarist
Ed O'Brien, who both doubles and expands on Greenwood's parts. Thom Yorke also adds
scat singing during some performances. Unlike the studio recorded version on
Kid A, the live version of the song is often not performed with a brass section and is replaced with guitar played by Thom in a stop-start rhythm.
Radiohead has performed with a brass section in their 2000 performances in
New York City (one of which was at Radiohead's taping for
Saturday Night Live using the house band), a 2001 performance in
London for the
BBC's Later with Jools Holland, and during a 2001 concert in
Paris, France.
Cover versions
The National Anthem has been covered by
Japanese
shamisen duo
Yoshida Brothers on their album
Prism.
Meshell Ndegeocello covered it for the tribute album
Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads.
Mr Russia covered it for the tribute album
Every Machine Makes A Mistake : A Tribute To Radiohead (
FTC Records).
Session Musicians
- Henry Binns - Rhythm sampling
