Earlier today, Thom Yorke appeared on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Desert Island Discs’ segment — a program that invites a guest to discuss the eight songs they’d take with them if they were stranded on a desert island. During the interview, Yorke detailed losing his partner of 23-years and his campaigning on climate change.
Yorke revealed that the eight records he’d find solace in if somehow left stranded on a desert island are ‘It’s Raining Today’ by Scott Walker, ‘Lilac Rine’ by Nina Simone, ‘Murmur’ by R.E.M, ‘Born Under Punches’ by Talking Heads, ‘Blue Horizon’ by Sidney Bechet, ‘After the Gold Rush’ by Neil Young, ‘Freeman Hardy & Willis Acid’ by Aphex Twi and Squarepusher, and ‘Le Jardin Feérique’ — a song he cites as piece of music that inspired him to explore writing classical music.
The Radiohead frontman acknowledged that he feels like a “hypocrite” for his campaigning on climate change.”
“The thing I’ve always struggled somewhat with is if I’m campaigning on climate change, I’m someone who has to fly for my work.
“I totally agree I’m a hypocrite but, what do you want to do about it?” he revealed.
“You can do stuff but the real stuff has to happen in Parliament and the UN and has to happen now, we’re out of time.”
Yorke delved into the grief he experiences following the passing of Rachel Owen, his partner of 23 years, who died following a battle with cancer.
“When the kids’ mum died, it was a very difficult period and we went through a lot,” Yorke revealed. “It was very hard. She suffered a great deal and my ambition is to make sure that we have come out of it alright, and I hope that’s what’s happening.”
Thom Yorke released his latest solo record, ANIMA, in June this year. The album was accompanied with a short film by director Paul Thomas Anderson.
