Radiohead fans try to guess the meaning of a cryptic video released ahead of OK Computer anniversary

Conor Heneghan

What does the REM reference at the end mean?

When it comes to Radiohead, very few things are straightforward.

The band have a reputation for evolution and innovation, whether through shifting through the genres from one album to the next or allowing fans to decide how much they wanted to pay for In Rainbows on its release in 2007.

This month marks the 20^th anniversary of the band’s most iconic album and arguably one of the most iconic albums of all time, OK Computer, which was (try not to feel old) released way back in May 1997.

Father Kevin (Tommy Tiernan) from Father Ted might not have been the biggest fan of the record, but it met with huge acclaim from fans and critics alike and features regularly on ‘greatest albums of all time’ lists.

The actual anniversary doesn’t arrive until May 21, but Radiohead teased their fans on Twitter on Monday with the release of a fairly cryptic video featuring the voice of a young girl reciting the lines of one of the most well-known tracks on the album, ‘Climbing up the Walls’ (see below).

pic.twitter.com/dsmAGh6bkm

— Radiohead (@radiohead) May 1, 2017

What it might actually mean or whether it even means anything at all remains unclear, but it hasn’t stopped fans getting excited, particularly about the mention of REM at the very end of the clip.

It would be optimistic in the extreme to think that it might possibly lead to the two bands going on tour together again, as they did in 1995, tantalising a prospect as that might be.

https://twitter.com/asluckyasus/status/859045036742279172

https://twitter.com/VasserMusic/status/859045047676919808

https://twitter.com/FernandoDante/status/859045071357915136

REM? Radiohead? Are you guys organising a rerun of Glastonbury 2003?

— Dean Samways FRSA 💚🇺🇦 (@Deanways) May 1, 2017

Ok computer's 20th year anniversary?! What is this??

— Daisy 🫶🏼 (@dreamsnydc) May 1, 2017

Guys guys it's a covers album feat. all their friends/faves & REM is the first artist revealed!

— 🇵🇸 little dragon 🐉 (@Shaheemab) May 1, 2017

We’re just going to have to keep an eye out to see if Radiohead follow up on a video that’s got a lot of people very excited, but in the meantime, why not revisit the track referenced in the video and remind yourself what made OK Computer so good in the first place.