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Why Radiohead Nearly Became a One-Hit Wonder After ‘Creep’

What would the future of alt-rock sound like without Radiohead? “Creep” almost made that nightmare a reality.

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What would the pop culture landscape look like without Radiohead as a pillar of alt-rock? Had the Thom Yorke-led project not taken off when it did, music then and in the future would be drastically changed. For example, Coldplay, Muse, Bloc Party, and Snow Patrol, to name a few, would sound very different without Radiohead.

This reality came so close to occurring, however, after “Creep” threatened to make the band a one-hit wonder. Radiohead’s debut single was included on their 1993 album Pablo Honey. But it became such a blight on their discography that they refused to play it live for more than a decade.

Despite all this, it’s still a beloved Radiohead staple for casual fans and perhaps a begrudging favorite for certain diehards. But “Creep” almost managed to strand Radiohead in one-hit wonder purgatory.........

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