Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

Why Artists Try So Hard To Recreate Successful Songs, According to Thom Yorke: ‘It’s Like a Form of Madness’

Thom Yorke and Harry Styles talk about the pressure to recreate successful songs and how they avoid repetition in their songwriting.

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

When Radiohead made it big with “Creep” in 1993, there was a push to recreate that success. Their label had them touring extensively to capitalize on the song’s popularity, but that ultimately soured the band on the whole experience. They almost became a one-hit wonder because of it, too burnt out and paranoid about making a successful follow-up.

So it makes sense that Thom Yorke has gone on to become an artistic chameleon. He frequently steps outside of previous comfort zones, instead of worrying about repeating the same success. That’s a lesson he had to learn the hard way after many years, as he told Harry Styles in an October 2026 Rolling Stone interview.

Styles is also considered somewhat of a chameleon. He’s dabbled in different sounds, looks, themes, and compositions since the end of his boy band days. Different media as well, taking on several acting roles in recent years. But in speaking with Yorke, the two discussed how they manage to avoid repetition. Specifically, the commercialization that comes after success.

Thom Yorke on the Enjoyment of ‘Starting Over From Scratch’ When Writing New Music

When asked how they avoid repeating themselves, Thom Yorke answered, “I can’t, even if I wanted to. I couldn’t do it again.” He added, “If you write........

© Vice