20 essential songs for your Radiohead playlist

With kick off our list with an underrated piece from the band's career-defining 1997 release OK Computer. Originally written to be included at the end of the 1996 film Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, the hauntingly mesmerizing "Exit Music (For a Film) -- such a catchy title -- was never used in the movie. However, according to the January 2008 edition of Mojo, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke said this track helped set the stage for the rest of what would become the Grammy-Award winning OK Computer. 

Radiohead's direction-changing fourth studio album Kid A might not have suited the tastes of all fans of the band. However, it did win another Grammy Award and was the group's first album to top the Billboard 200 in the United States. Thom Yorke and Co. abandoned their rock principles for a highly experimental, yet creatively versatile album, that dabbled in electronica, neo-classical and even jazz — just to name a few genres. The latter two completely encapsulate "The National Anthem," which, with its notable foundational bassline and searing brass work, is truly a one-of-kind track from the band.  

The material for Radiohead's fifth studio album Amnesiac, was essentially part of the Kid A sessions, though the decision against putting out a double album was made in part because the band likely knew the sound and direction of Kid A would send a good chunk of Radiohead fans into a tizzy. One year later, Amnesiac was released and it features a similar vibe as Kid A, and received comparable critical praise. Meanwhile, "Knives Out," one of two released singles from the album, actually could have found a home on any of the band's first three records. There's definitely a Smiths influence on the track.

From Radiohead's most recent studio album, 2016's A Moon Shaped Pool. "Burn the Witch" is a superbly arranged and composed piece of art rock that is easy to digest. It conjures up images of a pursuit or action-film chase scene, or sitting in front of an orchestra pit. "Burn the Witch," which has the moxie to hang with any of the great tracks in the Radiohead catalog, earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song. 

Recorded during the sessions for the band's second studio album — and breakout — The Bends (1995), on which it was included, and also the title of a 1994 EP of the same name. The tune has long been lauded as one of the best examples of guitarist Jonny Greenwood's innovative and creative talent on the instrument. In this particular case, incorporating his own lo-fi approach and concocting a droning sound — rather similar to something coming out of the Seattle music scene during that time period. 'My Iron Lung' is a favorite of those fans who fancy the heavier Radiohead musical moments. 

Another strong moment from The Bends, "Just" is all about the guitars, and Jonny Greenwood's ability to do wonders with the instrument. It truly is impressive just how many chords Greenwood is able to cram into the track, which cracked the top 20 in the United Kingdom. There are some critics who consider the song an anthem within the alternative/indie persuasion. And, though maybe not as prominently hailed as other tracks on this list, is certainly worthy of inclusion.

The other released single from Amnesiac. "Pyramid Song" has long been considered the most successful and worthy cut off the record. It reached No. 5 on the UK Singles chart and top 10 in seven other countries. The piano-driven tune is rather soothing on the ears, and a nice break from some of the more over-the-top electronica moments in the record -- or Kid A, for that matter. 

One of the more tamer, straight-forward songs on Kid A. An acoustic ballad, "How to Disappear Completely" actually took a small village to create. Arranged by the massively talented Jonny Greenwood, the tune also features the renowned United Kingdom's Orchestra of St John's. It has a flow and overall composition that even those turned off by the 180-degree turn of Kid A can still appreciate what Radiohead had to offer at the time.

One reason Kid A enjoyed massive critical success was because it proved an alt-rock band like Radiohead could move on from its Brit-pop roots and put together a highly sophisticated album that showed just how musically and conceptually talented the collective has essentially always been. The space-age, modestly industrial "Idioteque" is considered by music critics and historians as the highlight of the album, and one of the great tracks of the decade. It was also a product of the times, when the alternative landscape was getting more electronic and experimentation was all the rage.

"Let Down" began as a promotional single off OK Computer and has since turned into one of the band's most unheralded tracks from the record — and perhaps their entire catalog. Sure, it's one of Radiohead's more melancholy — even downright depressing, if one will — tunes and was ultimately overshadowed by the more prominent singles off the group's iconic album. That said, it has the potential to stick with a listener and hold its own with other Radiohead classics.

Perhaps the most impressive part about this lauded Radiohead track from 2007's pay-as-you-download In Rainbows, is Thom Yorke's falsetto vocal performance. Now, it's obviously not the first time Yorke has shown off his range, but this might be the most impressive, which would be saying a lot. There's almost a Bono-like quality to his vocals, which highlight a tune that also features some pleasing string arrangements, courtesy of Jonny Greenwood.

The first single from Radiohead's Hail to the Thief (2003) album, "There, There" is another rock journey by the band. It's a building piece that packs both emotion and controlled fury, not to mention some of the heaviest use of percussion in the band's vast catalog. It was a top-five hit on the UK Singles chart, and interestingly enough, reached No. 1 on the UK Rock & Metal chart. Radiohead fans who might have been put off by Kid A and Amnesiac should have welcomed this track.

Depending on who is doing the listening, "Everything In Its Right Place" is one of the great songs of the 2000s, or the reason to stop listening to Radiohead all together. Arguably the highlight of Kid A, the track has the foundation of a traditional Radiohead alternative rock song that fans appreciated from its first three records, but was worked to fit into a synthesizing base that paced the track. In many ways, "Everything In Its Right Place" is a bridge to cross for those who loved the band's previous work and were drawn in via the innovative Kid A. 

More from The Bends, "Street Spirit" is an example of just how good Radiohead is at producing a rock song. There are no theatrics or playing around with the composition of "Street Spirit," which is a four-plus minute journey that makes the listeners feel like the roof is about to blow off at any point during its run. The band considers it one of their collectively important works from a songwriting standpoint. It's a track that has the potential to grow on one's ears without the need to overindulge.

The progressively trippy, dreamy, almost futuristic vibe of OK Computer is what made the album so unique. Comparisons of the band to Pink Floyd were flowing freely at the time, but there was also a healthy dose of mainstream alternative. Like this popular number, which was the second single from the record and a favorite when MTV was still playing videos on a regular basis. Perhaps more so than any other song on OK Computer, "Karma Police" offers something for just about every level of alt-music fan; not too far out there, but edgy enough to maintain the appropriate level of alternative street credibility.

OK, we just mentioned the Pink Floyd vibe that Radiohead put out on OK Computer. That's not more evident than with this underrated track, which conjures up images of pre-Dark Side of the Moon, Syd Barrett-era Floyd, but with plenty of modern-day mainstream alternative zest, of course. Though never released as a single from the album, "Subterranean Homesick Alien" continues to have a special place in the hearts — and ears — of Radiohead lifers. 

At the time, the nearly 6 1/2-minute "Paranoid Android" seemed an interesting choice, to say the least, as the first single off OK Computer. Inspired by the famed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy science fiction franchise, the space-age tune didn't necessarily fully engross American listeners (while still a consistent presence on MTV), but was captivating enough to be the band's highest-charting song in the United Kingdom (peaking at No. 3 on the UK Singles chart). Over the years, it has drawn comparisons to material off the Beatles' "White Album" (namely, the song "Happiness Is a Warm Gun"), been lauded by metal fans, and continually praised for its overall innovative musical genius. 

One of Radiohead's most recognized songs, the origins of the track actually precede the band's founding, as Thom Yorke was playing a version of it while in a previous group. Acoustically driven, it might be Radiohead's most accessible mainstream song, and remains one of the highlights from The Bends even though it never cracked the Top 40 in the United States, nor the Top 10 in the U.K. Still, for alternative music fans who think Radiohead is too deep or advanced for their musical tastes, "High and Dry" is just the right speed.   

Technically, this is where it all began for Radiohead. The band's first single, from its 1992 debut album Pablo Honey, "Creep" remains one of the great alternative rock songs of all time. While the lyrics, regarding a seemingly obsessed individual infatuated with another who might not reciprocate, the haunting pop vibe of the tune is intoxicating, not to mention the guitar bursts from the immensely talented Jonny Greenwood. The track peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., but No. 2 on the Alternative Airplay chart, and opened the door for Radiohead to dominant the alternative landscape for years to come.

By this point, choosing the best song from a band with an extensively versatile and creative catalog like Radiohead is purely subjective. In this case," we go with The Bends' gem "Fake Plastic Trees." The intoxicating melody and building emotion of the music are the stars, and made even more impressive considering Thom Yorke has mentioned the lyrics arose from what was essentially stream-of-consciousness thinking and mental gibberish. The result is one of the most popular songs in the band's history and one of the best of the 1990s. Meanwhile, the acoustic version might be even better than the plugged-in original.