This is not a song that’s going to lift you out of the funk you’re in. In fact, its more likely to send you hurtling toward depression. And that’s what makes it a beautiful work of art. You can feel the ache in Thom Yorke’s voice, and the hopelessness emanating from the lyrics is like a punch in the gut.

The lyrics are so unnerving that Yorke has said on occasion that he feels like maybe some fans don’t get where its coming from. “Street Spirit” is so deep and meaningful to him that he doesn’t even feel like Radiohead wrote the song, but are merely a conveyor of the message. Says Thom, “I wish that song hadn’t picked us as its catalysts, and so I don’t claim it. It asks too much. I didn’t write that song.”

The tune marks an early high point for the band after the success of “Pablo Honey”, which has the oft-imitated “Creep” as its anchor. The superb black and white video, which was a transitional work in director Jonathan Glazer’s career as well, is the ideal complement to a song that is exactly what music should be, and how music should make you feel. Enjoy.

As is appropriate for any proper sporting event, we’ll lead off with ‘The National Anthem’. Note that this is one of the very few live performances of the song where they’re backed by the brass, as they are on the recorded version. Its SNL’s house band if you must know. Hope this wakes you up this morning, PLAY IT LOUD!