Radiohead Score Fourth Billboard Hot 100 Hit As “Let Down” Goes Viral on TikTok

Radiohead’s “Let Down,” a song from their seminal 1997 LP OK Computer, has charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #91 after recently going viral on TikTok.

While Radiohead have found consistent success on Billboard’s album chart, they haven’t necessarily replicated it with their singles in America; “Let Down” now serves as the fourth Radiohead song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and their first to chart in 17 years, following “Creep” in 1993, “High And Dry” in 1996, and “Nude” in 2008.

The song’s recent viral stint isn’t owed to any specific zeitgeist reference (though it was used during the emotional climax of The Bear Season 1); instead, its newfound popularity comes from Gen Z discovering the song’s devastating tenor for the first time as well as a range of cinematic, sweeping, or emotional images with “Let Down” as the soundtrack.

“How can a song be so depressing yet so hopeful at the same time?,” reads the caption to one video using the song. “When the choir cover of ‘Let Down’ by Radiohead comes on and I start tearing up,” reads another, referencing one of the several choir renditions of the song. Watch some popular TikToks using “Let Down” below.

Radiohead haven’t released a new album since 2016’s A Moon Shaped Pool, but they’ve been gearing up for more action of late; this month, the band offered the live album Hail to the Thief Live Recordings 2003 – 2009, which featured altered and expanded arrangements of songs from their 2003 LP Hail to the Thief. Radiohead also celebrated the 30th anniversary of their 1995 album The Bends by unearthing a rare, previously unseen acoustic performance by Thom Yorke. Lastly, the group formed a new business entity earlier this year, suggesting that a new Radiohead era is imminent.

how can a song be so depressing yet so hopeful at the same time @Radiohead #letdown #radiohead #fyp

♬ Let Down – Radiohead

Cant believe 2020 is almost 6 years ago🥲 #fyp #foryou #nostalgia #growingup #2020

♬ Let Down – Radiohead

that whole album should come w/ a side effect warning for depression and extreme sadness

♬ original sound – LIGHTSUMMERKOREA

AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON THE BEAUTIFUL BOY EDITS #fyp #letdown #radiohead #stop

♬ Let Down – Radiohead