Ethan Clarke
Fake Plastic Trees is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released in May 1995 from their second album, The Bends. The acoustic version of the song was featured in the 1995 film Clueless, which helped introduce Radiohead to a wider American audience. The song was inspired by Jeff Buckley, and lead singer Thom Yorke's performance is said to be incredibly emotional, with Yorke himself describing the recording as emerging from a very lonely, drunken evening and, well, a breakdown of sorts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Fake Plastic Trees |
| Band | Radiohead |
| Album | The Bends |
| Year of Release | 1995 |
| Record Label | Parlophone |
| Producer | John Leckie |
| Songwriter | Thom Yorke |
| Songwriter's Inspiration | Jeff Buckley |
| Genre | Rock Ballad |
| B-sides | India Rubber, How Can You Be Sure? |
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![Radiohead - The Bends [LP] (Vinyl/LP)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71GDh06SluL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- 'Fake Plastic Trees' is the third single from The Bends in the UK
- The song's acoustic version was used in the 1995 film Clueless
- The final version was influenced by Jeff Buckley
- Thom Yorke, Radiohead's songwriter, said the song was the product of a joke that wasn't really a joke
- Rolling Stone included Fake Plastic Trees at number 385 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
'Fake Plastic Trees' is the third single from The Bends in the UK
"Fake Plastic Trees" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead. It was released in May 1995 by Parlophone from their second album, The Bends. "Fake Plastic Trees" was the third single from The Bends in the UK and the first in the US.
Radiohead recorded "Fake Plastic Trees" at RAK Studios in London, with producer John Leckie. The band struggled to settle on an arrangement, dismissing one version as "pompous and bombastic". The final version was influenced by the American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley. Thom Yorke, Radiohead's songwriter, said the song was "the product of a joke that wasn't really a joke, a very lonely, drunken evening and, well, a breakdown of sorts".
According to bassist Colin Greenwood, Yorke recorded three takes of the song alone on acoustic guitar and then burst into tears. Yorke initially felt that the takes were too "vulnerable" but was persuaded by his bandmates to use them. Radiohead created the final version of "Fake Plastic Trees" by overdubbing their parts onto Yorke's performance.
"Fake Plastic Trees" reached the top 50 on the UK singles chart, as well as the charts in New Zealand, the US, and Canada. In 2003, Rolling Stone included the song at number 385 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". An acoustic version was also featured in the 1995 film Clueless, which helped introduce Radiohead to a wider American audience.
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The song's acoustic version was used in the 1995 film Clueless
"Fake Plastic Trees" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released in May 1995 from their second album, "The Bends". The song was recorded at RAK Studios in London with producer John Leckie.
The acoustic version of "Fake Plastic Trees" was featured in the 1995 film "Clueless", which helped introduce Radiohead to a wider American audience. The song was one of several Radiohead songs included in the film, with another being "My Iron Lung". The inclusion of "Fake Plastic Trees" in "Clueless" is notable for its impact on the band's exposure in the United States.
The acoustic version of the song is particularly poignant, highlighting the emotive dynamics of Thom Yorke's songwriting and raw, angelic falsetto. The vulnerability of Yorke's performance is evident, with the bassist Colin Greenwood recalling that Yorke played three takes before bursting into tears. Yorke initially considered these takes too vulnerable, but his bandmates persuaded him otherwise.
The acoustic version of "Fake Plastic Trees" is available on vinyl and CD releases, often coupled with other acoustic renditions of Radiohead songs such as "Bullet Proof (I Wish I Was...)", "Street Spirit", and "India Rubber". These acoustic versions showcase the band's mastery of B-sides, with emotive dynamics and ambient guitar ramblings that set them apart from their full-band counterparts.
The impact of "Fake Plastic Trees" extends beyond its appearance in "Clueless". The song has been recognised as one of the greatest rock ballads of the past two decades, lauded by artists like Alanis Morissette, who cited it as one of her favourite songs. It has also received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone including it in their list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2003.
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The final version was influenced by Jeff Buckley
"Fake Plastic Trees" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, and it was released in May 1995 from their second album, "The Bends". The final version of the song was influenced by Jeff Buckley, an American singer-songwriter.
Radiohead attended a concert by Jeff Buckley at the Garage in London. Thom Yorke later said that Buckley gave him the confidence to sing in falsetto. Inspired by Buckley, Yorke recorded a performance of "Fake Plastic Trees" alone on an acoustic guitar. According to Colin Greenwood, the band's bassist, Yorke played three takes and then burst into tears. Initially, Yorke did not want to use the takes, as he felt they were too "vulnerable". However, he was persuaded by his bandmates.
The final version of "Fake Plastic Trees" was created by overdubbing the band's parts onto Yorke's performance. The drummer, Philip Selway, described following Yorke's fluctuating tempo as a "nightmare". Despite the challenges, the song became a critical and commercial success, reaching the top 50 on multiple charts worldwide. It was included in Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2003.
In addition to influencing the creation of "Fake Plastic Trees", Jeff Buckley also had a profound impact on Thom Yorke's artistic expression. Buckley's vulnerable and emotional performance style encouraged Yorke to embrace a similar approach in his music. This influence extended beyond just "Fake Plastic Trees" and was evident in Radiohead's subsequent albums and live performances. Buckley's tragic death in 1997 only served to heighten the sense of vulnerability and loss that permeated Yorke's songwriting during this period.
The influence of Jeff Buckley on the final version of "Fake Plastic Trees" is undeniable, and it showcases the power of artistic inspiration and collaboration in shaping a song's direction and impact.
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Thom Yorke, Radiohead's songwriter, said the song was the product of a joke that wasn't really a joke
"Fake Plastic Trees" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released in May 1995 from their second album, The Bends. It was the third single from The Bends in the UK and the first in the US.
Thom Yorke, Radiohead's songwriter, said that "Fake Plastic Trees" was "the product of a joke that wasn't really a joke, a very lonely, drunken evening, and, well, a breakdown of sorts". Yorke has described the song as having a pisstake element, which he believes is helpful because breakdowns should not signal the end of happiness in one's life.
Yorke's lyrics for "Fake Plastic Trees" were influenced by a performance by the American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley, which gave him the confidence to sing in falsetto. The final version of the song was recorded alone by Yorke on an acoustic guitar. According to the bassist, Colin Greenwood, Yorke played three takes and then burst into tears. He initially did not want to use the takes, as he felt they were too "vulnerable", but was eventually persuaded by his bandmates.
The recording process for The Bends was stressful for Radiohead, as they felt pressured to release a successful follow-up to "Creep". Yorke, in particular, struggled with the pressure and, according to the band's co-manager, Chris Hufford, became "totally confused about what he wanted to do, what he was doing in a band and in his life". This confusion turned into a "mistrust of everyone around him".
Despite the difficulties, "Fake Plastic Trees" became one of Radiohead's most popular songs, reaching the top 50 on the UK singles chart, the New Zealand Singles Chart, the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, and the Canadian Rock/Alternative chart. In 2003, Rolling Stone included "Fake Plastic Trees" at number 385 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
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Rolling Stone included Fake Plastic Trees at number 385 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
"Fake Plastic Trees" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released in May 1995 by Parlophone from their second album, The Bends. The song was included in Rolling Stone's 2003 list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time", ranking at number 385. The song's inclusion in the list solidifies its place as one of the greatest songs ever recorded, recognised by music critics and fans alike.
The process of creating the "Fake Plastic Trees" was not without its challenges. Radiohead recorded the song at RAK Studios in London with producer John Leckie, and they struggled to settle on an arrangement. They dismissed one version as "pompous and bombastic". The final version was inspired by American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley, who gave Thom Yorke, the confidence to sing in falsetto. Yorke's emotional connection to the song is evident, as he reportedly broke down in tears after recording his vocals.
"Fake Plastic Trees" has received widespread acclaim and recognition for its impact on music. In addition to its inclusion in Rolling Stone's list, it reached the top 50 on several charts, including the UK singles chart, the New Zealand Singles Chart, and the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song has also been praised by other artists, such as Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, who called it one of her favourite songs and praised Yorke's vulnerability and exploration of materialism and fallibility in the lyrics.
The song has also had a lasting impact on popular culture. An acoustic version of "Fake Plastic Trees" was featured in the 1995 film Clueless, introducing Radiohead to a larger American audience. Additionally, the song has been voted as one of Radiohead's best by fans and critics, with Rolling Stone readers voting it as the third-best Radiohead song in 2011. The song continues to be celebrated and remembered as a landmark in the history of rock music.
Overall, "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead is a seminal song that has stood the test of time. Its inclusion in Rolling Stone's list at number 385 is a testament to its enduring quality, emotional depth, and influence on the music industry. The song continues to resonate with listeners and inspire new generations of musicians, solidifying its place as one of the greatest songs ever recorded.
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Frequently asked questions
The song "Fake Plastic Trees" is on Radiohead's second album, "The Bends", released in 1995.
Yes, "Fake Plastic Trees" reached the top 50 on the UK singles chart, the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, the Canadian Rock/Alternative chart, and the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Thom Yorke, the songwriter of "Fake Plastic Trees", said that the song laments the effects of consumerism on modern relationships.
Other songs on "The Bends" include "High and Dry", "My Iron Lung", and "Creep".
