Nick Cave has said he regards Radiohead's Thom Yorke as "the voice of the people," contrasting Yorke's ability to articulate collective frustration with his own more personal, insular songwriting. Speaking in 2008, Cave explained that while his lyrics might be more clearly articulated, he never saw himself as a source of wisdom or a spokesperson for society, whereas Yorke has consistently channelled wider public anger, particularly towards politics and institutions, through Radiohead's music.

Cave pointed to tracks such as "No Surprises" and "Electioneering" from OK Computer as evidence of Yorke's anti-establishment voice, which resonated broadly with listeners. However, the article notes that this connection was tested in 2025, when Yorke issued a lengthy statement addressing his prior silence on the Gaza conflict, denying support for "extremism or dehumanisation" and describing the toll social media "witch hunts" had taken on his mental health.