# In 1997, Thom Yorke made his masterpiece. After production wrapped, he vowed to never hear it again

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1997-thom-yorke-made-his-masterpiece-after-production-wrapped-he-vowed-to-never-hear-it-again/
- Published: 2026-10-30T16:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T16:35:54+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1997-thom-yorke-masterpiece-never-hear-again/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- *OK Computer* brought Radiohead huge success and new expectations.
- Thom Yorke resisted a proposed two-year tour.
- The band followed it with the sonic shift of *Kid A*.

## Summary

Radiohead’s 1997 album *OK Computer* transformed the band’s sound and brought major critical and commercial success, but its triumph also created expectations that they would keep touring and repeating that style. Thom Yorke said he was already tired of performing the songs by the time recording had finished and wanted the band to move on, rather than let the album’s success constrain their next work.

Yorke recalled begging the band’s management not to commit to a two-year tour, saying he needed to move on. He feared that repeatedly playing the songs would damage his relationship with the album and hinder his creativity. Radiohead went on to release *Kid A* in 2000, another acclaimed record that shifted their sound further.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.