Which version of Radiohead's Videotape is better?

[BlackSwan]

"Do you have a favourite song from the record?

Thom: “Videotape. I wanted to put it first, but somebody pointed out it if we did that people would turn the record straight off. [laughs] I like it because it very much happened despite me. And the others took reigns on it. Turned it to the stripped down thing. Personally speaking, I think this is the best thing we ever created, cause it has this inexpressible substance thing going on, behind what’s the specifics of the song. So I’m really really proud of that."

"Yorke described the process of composing "Videotape" as "absolute agony", stating that the song "went through every possible parameter". One day, Yorke left the studio, returning to find that Godrich and Jonny Greenwood had stripped the song down to the version found on the album, a minimal piano ballad. "

I still like the 2006 version better... what do you think?

The Bonnaroo 2006 version...
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or the In Rainbows 2008 version...
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[shakermaker113]

I think the change in the light show is far greater than the change in the song.

though I like the new version of the song better. actually I can say that about all the in rainbows songs, comparing the 2006 tour to the released versions.

[betao]

the 2006 version wins. have to love the climactic build up.

[fikus222]

In the 2008 version I don't like hearing bass so early in the song.

2006 ftw.

[psycobetabuckdown]

I like the 06 version better but it wouldn't fit the album, that's what's important. Jonny and Nigel did the right thing by stripping it down. And I have no clue how Thom would've had the album organized with Videotape at the beginning. I'm interested.

[DFrank]

I agree with Betao. Theres much more of a climatic buildup in the 06 version. However, I dont understand how that version wouldnt fit with the rest of In Rainbows?

[bartelby]

IMO - no recording's ever beat the first time they ever played it London:

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[bartelby]

by recording, i mean the actual Hammersmith boot of that....the youtube clip doesn't do it justice

[Mr. Dylanja]

Why the fuck didn't I go to Roo 06 :nono

[psycobetabuckdown]

I agree with Betao. Theres much more of a climatic buildup in the 06 version. However, I dont understand how that version wouldnt fit with the rest of In Rainbows?

Too avant-garde. Too much shit going on to end the album. I like the way Videotape ends the album quietly and simply.

[matsuolost]

Too avant-garde. Too much shit going on to end the album. I like the way Videotape ends the album quietly and simply.

the problem is that the album version completely lacks emotion
i wouldve been fine with a stripped down version if it was like the from the basement session
that's pure class
of course with my first choice being the 06 version but the one that ultimately made the album was horrible, at least for someone who was familiar with the possibilities of the song or the emotion it used to be played with

its something in thom's voice, or the rushed piano, that just doesn't do it like it used to

[amyzzz]

Why the fuck didn't I go to Roo 06 :nono
Ugh. I ask myself that every day. :nono

[psycobetabuckdown]

the problem is that the album version completely lacks emotion
i wouldve been fine with a stripped down version if it was like the from the basement session
that's pure class
of course with my first choice being the 06 version but the one that ultimately made the album was horrible, at least for someone who was familiar with the possibilities of the song or the emotion it used to be played with

its something in thom's voice, or the rushed piano, that just doesn't do it like it used to

Yeah I kind of agree with you here. I still think it's good, but I agree that the lack of emotion in this song prevents In Rainbows from being great like you-know-what other albums they made. However, I don't know that this Bonnarroo version would have made more sense album-wise, and for my previously-stated reason I think it would have made less sense. In Rainbows just doesn't take the sound in that direction.