Original Performance: Radiohead
Written by: Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Jonny Greenwood, Philip Selway, Thom Yorke
Written by: Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Jonny Greenwood, Philip Selway, Thom Yorke
Live Versions:
Lyrics:
Creep [Live version (a)]:
Beck (after "Loser" ended): Some bands, they don't like to do that first song that people heard. They're all, "You know, that wasn't me." Right?
Wayne: Yea, Beck, when I went to see Radiohead, they didn't want to do "Creep."
Beck: I know! Right, there's nothing to be... it's a different time and a different place... maybe you're not at that place now, but there's a little piece of you in there somewhere.
Wayne: Exactly. So when you guys see Radiohead next, just demand they do "Creep."
Beck: Haha! No no, give 'em a break. You know?
Wayne: Along with the new songs as well!
Beck: They're, more power to them... they're going for... they're exploring. It's easy to be precious about that kind of thing. So there it is. Whoomp, there it is. There it was.
["Already Dead" starts. They play the first verse.]
Beck: Hold on a second. We should do:
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo
Whatever makes you happy... whatever makes you run
So very special, we're so special
But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo!
What the hell am I doing here, I don't belong here
I'm running out again... no not enough run run run ruuuuuuun
'Cause I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here, I don't belong here
Mmmmm
Beck: I guess it's true. I've never learned the song, but you've heard it so many times.
Wayne: So fuck, now Radiohead doesn't have to do it. You do it!
Beck: I actually liked doing that! I enjoyed that.
Beck (after "Loser" ended): Some bands, they don't like to do that first song that people heard. They're all, "You know, that wasn't me." Right?
Wayne: Yea, Beck, when I went to see Radiohead, they didn't want to do "Creep."
Beck: I know! Right, there's nothing to be... it's a different time and a different place... maybe you're not at that place now, but there's a little piece of you in there somewhere.
Wayne: Exactly. So when you guys see Radiohead next, just demand they do "Creep."
Beck: Haha! No no, give 'em a break. You know?
Wayne: Along with the new songs as well!
Beck: They're, more power to them... they're going for... they're exploring. It's easy to be precious about that kind of thing. So there it is. Whoomp, there it is. There it was.
["Already Dead" starts. They play the first verse.]
Beck: Hold on a second. We should do:
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo
Whatever makes you happy... whatever makes you run
So very special, we're so special
But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo!
What the hell am I doing here, I don't belong here
I'm running out again... no not enough run run run ruuuuuuun
'Cause I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here, I don't belong here
Mmmmm
Beck: I guess it's true. I've never learned the song, but you've heard it so many times.
Wayne: So fuck, now Radiohead doesn't have to do it. You do it!
Beck: I actually liked doing that! I enjoyed that.
The Song:
"Creep" is the Radiohead song, from their album Pablo Honey.
It's pretty easy to see the connection between Beck/"Loser," the Flaming Lips/"She Don't Use Jelly," and Radiohead/"Creep." These songs placed unreasonable pressure on the artists, and labelled them "one-hit wonders," but they all have proven themselves since by doing stronger, just-as-memorable, brilliant work. There is also no denying, that despite these criticisms and pressures, these are great songs.
"Creep" is the Radiohead song, from their album Pablo Honey.
It's pretty easy to see the connection between Beck/"Loser," the Flaming Lips/"She Don't Use Jelly," and Radiohead/"Creep." These songs placed unreasonable pressure on the artists, and labelled them "one-hit wonders," but they all have proven themselves since by doing stronger, just-as-memorable, brilliant work. There is also no denying, that despite these criticisms and pressures, these are great songs.
Live:
Played live 5 times:
Earliest known live version: November 14, 2002
Latest known live version: August 20, 2006
FIRST TIME
Played on November 14 2002 in Fort Worth, TX. After "Loser," Beck mentioned how he's not like some bands who don't play their big hits, though he could understand their point of view. He also recognized that there's still part of him in each song, even if they aren't where he's at anymore. Wayne, the Flaming Lips' singer, then mentioned that Radiohead doesn't do "Creep" anymore. They then continued the concert, beginning "Already Dead," which Beck stopped part way through saying "Stop, stop...something's not right here!" The Lips stopped and Beck started to sing "Creep"! The Lips joined in.
SECOND TIME
Going back to the song's connection with "Loser" (the "one-hit wonder" status, the self-depreciation, etc.), on August 18 2003, Beck was playing his long electric guitar freak-out version of "Loser." Near the end of it, he started rapping the chorus to "Creep" in a similar cadence to the "Loser" verses.
THIRD TIME
In 2006, Beck played Bonnaroo, a gigantic festival in Tennessee. The Saturday headliner was Radiohead, and Beck played right before them, on the same stage. So naturally, he kicked off with a little acoustic version of "Creep." "I don't think Radiohead is going to do this one," Beck announces. Then he starts to sing the chorus, then tries the falsetto part, then hums a bit. It doesn't last long.
FOURTH and FIFTH TIMES
Apparently Beck did the same thing a few months later at the V Festival in England, at which Radiohead was also the headliner. (The festival was two nights, in two different cities.)
Played live 5 times:
Earliest known live version: November 14, 2002
Latest known live version: August 20, 2006
FIRST TIME
Played on November 14 2002 in Fort Worth, TX. After "Loser," Beck mentioned how he's not like some bands who don't play their big hits, though he could understand their point of view. He also recognized that there's still part of him in each song, even if they aren't where he's at anymore. Wayne, the Flaming Lips' singer, then mentioned that Radiohead doesn't do "Creep" anymore. They then continued the concert, beginning "Already Dead," which Beck stopped part way through saying "Stop, stop...something's not right here!" The Lips stopped and Beck started to sing "Creep"! The Lips joined in.
SECOND TIME
Going back to the song's connection with "Loser" (the "one-hit wonder" status, the self-depreciation, etc.), on August 18 2003, Beck was playing his long electric guitar freak-out version of "Loser." Near the end of it, he started rapping the chorus to "Creep" in a similar cadence to the "Loser" verses.
THIRD TIME
In 2006, Beck played Bonnaroo, a gigantic festival in Tennessee. The Saturday headliner was Radiohead, and Beck played right before them, on the same stage. So naturally, he kicked off with a little acoustic version of "Creep." "I don't think Radiohead is going to do this one," Beck announces. Then he starts to sing the chorus, then tries the falsetto part, then hums a bit. It doesn't last long.
FOURTH and FIFTH TIMES
Apparently Beck did the same thing a few months later at the V Festival in England, at which Radiohead was also the headliner. (The festival was two nights, in two different cities.)
Notes:
- Beck and Radiohead seem to be becoming friends. They share a producer in Nigel Godrich. Beck has been seen at their shows in LA, and they went to one of his in August 2002. Radiohead also asked Beck to play at their concert festival in Oxford. Beck also sang "I'm Set Free" once with Thom Yorke.
- Thanks to Scott for the info about the show... he was lucky enough to have been at the Fort Worth concert!
- [From Radiohead's original]
When you were here before, couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel, your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather in a beautiful world
I wish I was special, you're so fucking special
But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
I don't care if it hurts, I wanna have control
I wanna perfect body, I wanna perfect soul
I want you to notice when I'm not around
You're so fucking special...I wish I was special
But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
Oh oh she's running out again
She's running out, she's run run run...
Whatever makes you happy, whatever you want
You're so fucking special, I wish I was special
But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
I don't belong here