New Radiohead song - Harry Patch (In Memory Of) - charity DL

[6th.replicant]

Thought this might be of interest to music/hifi folks?

Radiohead has recorded an anti-war song in tribute to recently deceased WW1 veteran Harry Patch - Harry Patch (In Memory Of) - all profits will go to the Royal British Legion (DL cost: £1). The song can be downloaded (320kbps/MPEG) from the Radiohead website.

Further info, see this BBC.co.uk link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8184000/8184802.stm

Apologies if I've contravened this site's commercial rules, but, hey, it's for charity!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Direct download link here

Mind you, not sure what poor old Harry did to deserve that whiny 'adolescent poetry in the back of a rough book' nonsense, even if the cause is decent enough.

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Mmm, marginally better than Culture Club's War Song. But only just.

 

[hammill]

Not a fan then Andrew .....

 

[6th.replicant]

Andrew Everard:
Direct download link here

Mind you, not sure what poor old Harry did to deserve that whiny 'adolescent poetry in the back of a rough book' nonsense, even if the cause is decent enough.

Erm, seems that the lyrics are actually derived from Harry Patch's quotes. BBC.co.uk: "Thom Yorke, lead singer of the band Radiohead, was moved by the (Radio 4 Today programme's) interview (with Harry Patch) to write a tribute to the veteran, inspired by Harry Patch's words."

 

[Andrew Everard]

Inspired by... Derived from...

But then Harry Patch was neither a poet nor a songwriter, and didn't ask people to pay to hear what he said.

But fair enough, let's just settle for 'whiny nonsense' then...

And by the way, Mr Yorke, Harry Patch isn't the last survivor of the First World War: that's former seaman Claude Choules, who is 108 and now lives in Perth, Australia.

 

[Fenton Beasley]

Andrew Everard:
Inspired by... Derived from...

But then Harry Patch was neither a poet nor a songwriter, and didn't ask people to pay to hear what he said.

But fair enough, let's just settle for 'whiny nonsense' then...

And by the way, Mr Yorke, Harry Patch isn't the last survivor of the First World War: that's former seaman Claude Choules, who is 108 and now lives in Perth, Australia.

You say potato. I say delicious root vegetable.

 

[6th.replicant]

Andrew Everard:Inspired by... Derived from...

But fair enough, let's just settle for 'whiny nonsense' then...
Unusual, I know, but Telegraph.co.uk offers a tad more clarity:
"The Radiohead track Harry Patch (In Memory Of) was inspired by a radio interview with the former soldier recorded in 2005. In it, he spoke of his belief that politicians should not use innocent men and women to fight their battles, saying it was akin to mass murder. The song's lyrics are based on the interview.

'I am the only one that got through, the others died wherever they fell,' he said. 'It was an ambush, they came up from all sides. Give your leaders each a gun and then let them fight it out themselves. I've seen devils coming up from the ground, I've seen hell upon this earth...'"

Harry Patch (In Memory Of) lyrics:
"I am the only one that got through
The others died where ever they fell
It was an ambush
They came up from all sides
Give your leaders each a gun and then let them fight it out themselves
I've seen devils coming up from the ground
I've seen hell upon this earth
The next will be chemical but they will never learn."

 

[Andrew Everard]

Carmina... Burana, Burana... Carmina - Let's call the whole thing Orff...

 

[fatboyslimfast]

You've done that one before, Andrew!

Not sure, given that they gave away InRainbows, that a quid for the song is appropriate. If they really wanted to make a statement rather than cash, they should have given it away as a protest song...

 

[6th.replicant]

fatboyslimfast:Not sure, given that they gave away InRainbows, that a quid for the song is appropriate. If they really wanted to make a statement rather than cash, they should have given it away as a protest song...
The clue is in the phrase: "All profits will go to the Royal British Legion."

 

[Gerrardasnails]

6th.replicant:fatboyslimfast:... If they really wanted to make a statement rather than cash, they should have given it away as a protest song...

The clue is in the phrase: "All profits will go to the Royal British Legion."

I'm amazed that Radiohead get knocked. They make superlative music (whatever Andrew thinks), they think up ideas (good marketing or otherwise, it was different) to get their music out to the masses, now they have made a charity song. In Rainbows is so good, can you imagine the Rolling Stones giving away a brilliant album? Oops, they haven't produced one yet!

 

[Andrew Everard]

fatboyslimfast:You've done that one before, Andrew!

But then Radiohead have done the same song over and over again. The pony only has one trick...

My original comments, made with an awareness of the origin of some of the lyrics, were more about the delivery and tone of the piece than the content.

But anyway

fatboyslimfast:Not sure, given that they gave away InRainbows, that a quid for the
song is appropriate. If they really wanted to make a statement rather
than cash, they should have given it away as a protest song...

Well yes, but then if intended to raise a lot of money for the British Legion, which does very good work (the reason I posted the link in the first place), perhaps charging more would have been a smart move.

6th.replicant:The clue is in the phrase: "All profits will go to the Royal British Legion."

The clue is in the word "profits". Not 'Every penny paid for this download will go to the Royal British Legion', but "All profits".

Or is it one eye on being seen to be doing good, the other on riding the nation's mood and a spot of chart opportunism?

I thought that was the kind of thing only done by those in power this song purports to attack?

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Gerrardasnails:6th.replicant:fatboyslimfast:... If they really wanted to make a statement rather than cash, they should have given it away as a protest song... The clue is in the phrase: "All profits will go to the Royal British Legion." I'm amazed that Radiohead get knocked. They make superlative music (whatever Andrew thinks), they think up ideas (good marketing or otherwise, it was different) to get their music out to the masses, now they have made a charity song. In Rainbows is so good, can you imagine the Rolling Stones giving away a brilliant album? Oops, they haven't produced one yet!

Ooh- now thats harsh- I am not their biggest fan but Beggars Banquet and Exile on Main Street are pretty stonking albums. (yes I know-its a long time ago!)

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Apologies - I completely missed the charity connection. Not sure how. (hangs head)
.

 

[Alec]

radiohead and the stones are both roughly 1000000 times less good than they think they are, and than their fans think too.

radiohead did not just (see the myriad other expensive editions) give away in rainbows for free, so can we drop that misconception now?

Some good points above mr E, but they have, in fact, 3 tricks. the mediocre one, the good one, and the awful one, which they have performed in that order. they seem happy to have settled on the latter for for the last 9 years or so though.

 

[6th.replicant]

Seems that Radiohead is in a no-win situ: released now, the track is opportunist & self-promoting; released at a later date on an album & it would no doubt be deemed as a pious & self-indulgent 'filler'.

However, if, via Radio 1 et al DJs' chit-chat, the song raises awareness among the many whom are, sadly, all-too ignorant re the horrors of WW1, then, surely, it's a case of 'job done' Radiohead?

Perhaps charging more the £1 (approx going rate for a single-track DL?) would have deterred some potential punters - wasn't Band Aid's single (7- & 12-inch vinyl) priced similarly?

Of course, "all profits" does not imply that "every penny paid for this download will go to the Royal British Legion" - did I suggest that it did? However, "all profits" is mandatory catch-all legalese, albeit unfortunately ambiguous, re such 'charity projects', just in case somewhere in the deep & multi-layered world of IT/DLs/ISPs etc there is an 'honest admin fee' being deducted from the £1 DL. For example, in this instance, it could be the regular overall retainer that Radiohead pays to its website administrator/designers, which, in effect, would be deducted from the DL's £1?

[EDIT] Also, maybe the "all profits" caveat is referring to VAT - wasn't there much anger because Thatcher wouldn't waive the government's VAT haul from the Band Aid single. Or are charity records/DLs now VAT exempt?

BTW, thank you, Andrew, for posting the clickable link.

 

[Clare Newsome]

I loved the Radio 4 intro to the song this morning, with James Naughtie explaining that the lyrics, as well as link to the download, were on the Today website. Realised the need for link to lyrics when I couldn't hear a word Thom Yorke was singing....(and I don't mind Radiohead - have even enjoyed them live).

Still, it's all in a great cause, and I had a tear in my eye (no, not because of the singing) as I typically do when the subject of WW1 comes up. If anyone hasn't read Harry Patch's biography, I can highly recommend it.

 

[6th.replicant]

Clare Newsome:
I loved the Radio 4 intro to the song this morning, with James Naughtie explaining that the lyrics, as well as link to the download, were on the Today website. Realised the need for link to lyrics when I couldn't hear a word Thom Yorke was singing....(and I don't mind Radiohead - have even enjoyed them live).

Still, it's all in a great cause, and I had a tear in my eye (no, not because of the singing) as I typically do when the subject of WW1 comes up. If anyone hasn't read Harry Patch's biography, I can highly recommend it.

Careful, Clare, you can't post to this thread & take a tone that is rational & reasonable, while accepting Radiohead's tribute in the spirit in which it was intended!

 

[Anonymous]

6th.replicant:Clare Newsome:
I loved the Radio 4 intro to the song this morning, with James Naughtie explaining that the lyrics, as well as link to the download, were on the Today website. Realised the need for link to lyrics when I couldn't hear a word Thom Yorke was singing....(and I don't mind Radiohead - have even enjoyed them live).

Still, it's all in a great cause, and I had a tear in my eye (no, not because of the singing) as I typically do when the subject of WW1 comes up. If anyone hasn't read Harry Patch's biography, I can highly recommend it.

Careful, Claire, you can't post to this thread & take a tone that is rational & reasonable, while accepting Radiohead's tribute in the spirit in which it was intended!

The spelling is Clare - you'll be incurring extra wrath!

I like Radiohead. Period.

And their sentiments will be honest and for a good cause, we should all download it, regardless for £1. (I've just played it and it's poo!).

This thread reminds me of Mr Waters' words for 'The Fletcher Memorial Home'

Take all your overgrown infants away somewhere
And build them a home a little place of their own
The fletcher memorial
Home for incurable tyrants and kings
And they can appear to themselves every day
On closed circuit t.v.
To make sure theyre still real
Its the only connection they feel
ladies and gentlemen, please welcome reagan and haig
Mr. begin and friend mrs. thatcher and paisley
Mr. brezhnev and party
The ghost of mccarthy
The memories of nixon
And now adding colour a group of anonymous latin
American meat packing glitterati
Did they expect us to treat them with any respect
They can polish their medals and sharpen their
Smiles, and amuse themselves playing games for a while
Boom boom, bang bang, lie down youre dead
Safe in the permanent gaze of a cold glass eye
With their favourite toys
Theyll be good girls and boys
In the fletcher memorial home for colonial
Wasters of life and limb
Is everyone in?
Are you having a nice time?
Now the final solution can be applied.........

(His Dad was Eric Fletcher Waters, died 1944 in WW2 on the Anzio bridgehead)

 

[Andrew Everard]

6th.replicant:
Careful, Clare, you can't post to this thread & take a tone that is rational & reasonable, while accepting Radiohead's tribute in the spirit in which it was intended!

FWIW, I have made a donation to the RBL direct on its website, so I guess your thread and the publicity Radiohead has generated has had its effect.

But I refuse to download that old twonk, even it means a donation of an undisclosed percentage of my £1 will be made to the Legion.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

al7478:
radiohead and the stones are both roughly 1000000 times less good than they think they are, and than their fans think too.

radiohead did not just (see the myriad other expensive editions) give away in rainbows for free, so can we drop that misconception now?

Some good points above mr E, but they have, in fact, 3 tricks. the mediocre one, the good one, and the awful one, which they have performed in that order. they seem happy to have settled on the latter for for the last 9 years or so though.

In your opinion. If you had listened to any of their music over the past 9 years, you might have a different one.

 

[6th.replicant]

Andrew Everard:
6th.replicant:
Careful, Clare, you can't post to this thread & take a tone that is rational & reasonable, while accepting Radiohead's tribute in the spirit in which it was intended!

FWIW, I have made a donation to the RBL direct on its website, so I guess your thread and the publicity Radiohead has generated has had its effect.

But I refuse to download that old twonk, even it means a donation of an undisclosed percentage of my £1 will be made to the Legion.

A scholar & a gentleman - good man!

 

[Alec]

Gerrardasnails:al7478:

radiohead and the stones are both roughly 1000000 times less good than they think they are, and than their fans think too.

radiohead did not just (see the myriad other expensive editions) give away in rainbows for free, so can we drop that misconception now?

Some good points above mr E, but they have, in fact, 3 tricks. the mediocre one, the good one, and the awful one, which they have performed in that order. they seem happy to have settled on the latter for for the last 9 years or so though.

In your opinion. If you had listened to any of their music over the past 9 years, you might have a different one.

Are you really being so insulting as to presume i wrote the above without having heard their output over the last 9 years? you know what ass.u.me does, dont you?

It is possible to take someones opinion of your favourite bands/films/whatever too seriously.

 

[chebby]

I buy at least half a dozen poppies every year because I keep losing them or forget to move them to that day's clothes so have to buy yet another. So the BL do ok out of me every November. I was brought up to feel a bit ashamed if I was not wearing one in public.

Knowing you had bought one was not enough. Very old fashioned I know. Dad was a Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines when I was little and both parents had lost family or had family injured in WW2 so it was a big deal in our house. Plus I was an Air Cadet as a teen and woe betide any cadet turning out for remembrance Sunday without a poppy! (And it had to be a smart poppy. No curled edges. (I'll bet there was more than one poppy ironed before such occasions!)

I cannot stand RadioHead so I will not download their track but I promise I will be buying lots of poppies again this November.

We are finally seeing World War One enter into 'academic' history as the last people - who were actually there - pass away. This is in itself astonishing to me given that my own father (who died last year at 79) was only 22 during his service in the Korean war, and if any WW2 veterans prove as long lived as Harry Patch and Henry Allingham then we will wait until about 2040 before the last of them pass away! (Assuming someone of 18 was serving in 1945 and lives to 113).

I am in my (late) 40s and still remember as a child often talking to an 'old boy' who lived nearby and who had fought in the Boer war. I probably had no idea what the Boer War was until I was older, but that sense of continuity still boggles my mind a little. I had talked to someone who was alive for some 25 years of Queen Victoria's reign and it was the 1960s.

Using some of that 'Six Degrees... ' type thinking, that old chap I spoke to as a child could (as a child himself) have spoken to someone who had fought at the battle of Waterloo!

That is (partly) what we are losing along with Harry Patch and Henry Allingham.