ON THIS DAY IN 2000 - MICHAEL STIPE'S ADVICE TO THOM YORKE BECAME HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY

ON THIS DAY IN 2000 — MICHAEL STIPE’S ADVICE TO THOM YORKE BECAME “HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY” 🎧

On October 2, 2000, Radiohead released Kid A. Among its most emotionally powerful moments was a song rooted not in a grand musical plan, but in a private coping technique shared between two singers. 🌫️

During the overwhelming period surrounding Radiohead’s OK Computer tour, Thom Yorke turned to R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe for help. Yorke was struggling to cope with the intensity of what was happening around him. Stipe advised him to shut everything out and repeat a simple thought to himself: “I’m not here, this isn’t happening.”

Yorke carried those words into “How to Disappear Completely,” where they became the song’s central refrain. By 1997, Radiohead were already discussing and performing early versions of the piece, connecting it closely to Yorke’s experiences during the band’s rapid rise and relentless touring. 🌀

The song continued evolving before reaching Kid A. During the album sessions, Radiohead moved it beyond its earlier form, with Jonny Greenwood developing the unsettled string arrangement and using the Ondes Martenot to help create its floating, disembodied atmosphere. 🎻

Then the influence travelled back in the other direction. While working on R.E.M.’s “Disappear,” Stipe became worried that he had borrowed from Radiohead’s song and contacted Yorke. Yorke reminded him that “How to Disappear Completely” had itself grown from advice Stipe had given him years earlier. 🔄

Stipe did not write Radiohead’s song—but one compassionate suggestion became part of its emotional foundation. What began as a way to endure an unbearable moment became music for anyone who has ever wished, briefly, to vanish. ✨

#Radiohead #KidA #HowToDisappearCompletely #ThomYorke #MichaelStipe #REM #OnThisDay #musicOnOff