The song first appeared as the B-side of the Radiohead single "Street Spirit (Fade Out)". In fact, the classic version and a movie version exist. The film version became famous as the Nellee Hooper mix in the movie Romeo and Juliet - with Leonardo di Caprio and Claire Danes. Romeo, who has just been banished to Mantua, lives there in a caravan on a dusty end-time desert site for campers. In this dusty atmosphere, the song emphasizes the desolation on the one hand, but also Romeo's determination with its lyrics.
For those who don't know the movie, here's the trailer. Guns instead of swords, filmed against the backdrop of New Mexico, a fantastic soundtrack that is worth its own recommendation here and one of the films that paved the way for Leonardo di Caprio's career.
There shouldn't really be much more to write about Radiohead. However, one thing is remarkable: their success did not come suddenly. Critics and fans needed a lot of time to listen to it. OK Computer, which is now one of the best albums of all time, was still critically questioned on its debut and it took time for the quality to be recognized. Radiohead also changed from Brit Pop to experimental electronic music.
I have included both versions of Talk Show Host in the playlist. Have fun listening. It won't be the last song by Radiohead on this blog - probably 😉