Listen to Radiohead’s New Single: A Tribute to Harry Patch
By Seraphina L.
Rejoice Radiohead fans! The band has a new download single today! In a track titled, “Harry Patch (In Memory Of),” Radiohead pays tribute to the last living veteran of the British World War I.
The track debuted on BBC Radio 4′s Today program this morning, but the importance of the song will remain a major influence on Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and many others who were touched by the story of Harry Patch.
Many people know about Harry Patch from his interview a few years ago titled, “Last Tommy,” in which he told the tale of his time serving as a private from June to September 1917, and fighting the battle of Passchendaele in 1917. Yorke was inspired to write a tribute song because of the way Patch talked about war. He elaborates by stating:
“I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor. It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us. I hope we do not forget.”
The song was recorded just a few weeks before Patch passed away on July 25th. Components of the track include lush string arrangements and haunting vocals – giving the listener a pleasant but contemplative feel. (As most Radiohead songs do!)
The song is available for download on Radiohead’s website and costs only £1. All proceeds from the track will go to the Royal British Legion, a charity for serving and former members of the Armed Forces. [Times Online]
Take a listen to it via youtube below. The gorgeous song is definitely worth buying, especially when it goes to a good cause!
Will you be buying the new single?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 8:14PM
[...] commercial reasons. This subject spawned their opinions on Radiohead’s release of “Harry Patch (In Memory Of).” It was the mass-message which Thom Yorke sent out that bothered the duo the most. Their [...]