In Rainbows (2007)
Radiohead is at their most poignant when they’re at the piano. This is one of those songs. It is one of those songs where the instruments themselves conjure the images spoken of in the song. As Thom sings about “videotape”, the drums tap out a syncopation familiar to those who have used VCRs before. You can see a grainy, long-ago-taped image playing on a screen. And going dark.
Notable lyric: When I’m at the pearly gates / This will be on my videotape / my videotape / Mephistopheles is just beneath / and he’s reaching up to / grab me
Thom Yorke revealed why he turned down Paul McCartney to do a duet: ‘Uhh, ’cause I can’t play piano. Not like that. I had to explain to him that, I listened to the tune – “Mr Bellamy†– and I really liked the song, but the piano playing involved two hands doing things separately. I don’t have that skill available. I said to him, “I strum piano, that’s it.â€â€˜
http://www.ateaseweb.com/2007/12/09/observer-your-questions-answered/