Fake Plastic Trees

Thom Yorke, Radiohead's songwriter, said "Fake Plastic Trees" was "the product of a joke that wasn't really a joke, a very lonely, drunken evening and, well, a breakdown of sorts".Black, Johnny. "[http://www.blender.com/guide/67167/greatest-songs-ever-fake-plastic-trees.html The Greatest Songs Ever! Fake Plastic Trees]". Blender.com. 15 May 2003. Retrieved on 10 March 2010. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614085905/http://www.blender.com/guide/67167/greatest-songs-ever-fake-plastic-trees.html |date=14 June 2009 }} He said the song arose from a melody he had "no idea what to do with". He did not take his usual approach of keeping note "of whatever my head's singing at the particular moment" or forcing "some nifty phrases" he devised onto the melody, and instead "just recorded whatever was going on in my head". He said: "I wrote those words and laughed. I thought they were really funny, especially that bit about polystyrene."Randall, p. 158-59

Radiohead recorded "Fake Plastic Trees" for their second album, The Bends, in 1994 at RAK Studios, London, with the producer John Leckie.{{citation |last=Black |first=Johnny |title=The Greatest Songs Ever! Fake Plastic Trees |date=1 June 2003 |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=824 |magazine=Blender |access-date=15 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409000921/http://blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=824 |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 April 2007}} The sessions were strained, as Radiohead were under pressure from their record label, EMI, to record a single to match the success of their debut, "Creep".{{cite book |last=Randall |first=Mac |title=Exit Music: The Radiohead Story |date=12 September 2000 |publisher=Delta |isbn=978-0-385-33393-1 |page=121 |url=https://archive.org/details/radioheadstoryex0000rand |url-access=registration}} The guitarist Ed O'Brien likened one early version of "Fake Plastic Trees" to the Guns N' Roses song "November Rain", saying it was "pompous and bombastic ... just the worst".{{Cite web |last=Randall |first=Mac |date=15 May 2015 |title=Radiohead's The Bends 20 years later: reexamining a modern rock masterpiece |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/high-dive-look-radioheads-bends-20-years-later |access-date=2019-09-20 |website=Guitar World |language=en}}

One evening, Radiohead attended a concert by the American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley at the Garage, London.{{Cite web |last=Power |first=Ed |date=2022-10-15 |title=How Jeff Buckley changed Radiohead's 'Fake Plastic Trees' |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/how-a-jeff-buckley-concert-changed-radioheads-fake-plastic-trees/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=Far Out |language=en-US}} Yorke later said that Buckley gave him the confidence to sing in falsetto, and Leckie said: "It made [Thom] realise you could sing in a falsetto without sounding dripping."{{Cite web |last=Runtagh |first=Jordan |date=2019-08-23 |title=Jeff Buckley's Grace: 10 things you didn't know |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/jeff-buckley-grace-things-you-didnt-know-867539/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} Inspired by Buckley, Yorke recorded a performance of "Fake Plastic Trees" alone on acoustic guitar. According to the bassist, Colin Greenwood, Yorke played three takes, then burst into tears.{{Cite journal |last=Dalton |first=Stephen |date=September 1997 |title=The dour and the glory |journal=Vox |publisher=IPC Media |issue=}} Yorke initially did not want to use the takes, saying they were too "vulnerable", but was persuaded by his bandmates.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Damian |date=2023-09-12 |title=Thom Yorke on why he cried hearing 'Fake Plastic Trees' played back to him for the first time |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/thom-yorke-why-he-cried-hearing-fake-plastic-trees-played-back-to-him-3496671 |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

Radiohead created the final version of "Fake Plastic Trees" by overdubbing their parts onto Yorke's performance. The drummer, Philip Selway, described following Yorke's fluctuating tempo: "Part of the beauty was the way it would actually slip in and out, but trying to follow it was a nightmare."{{Cite journal |last=Wittet |first=T. Bruce |date=August 1996 |title=Phil Selway |journal=Modern Drummer |publisher=David Frangioni}}

Reviewing The Bends, the European magazine Music & Media wrote that "Fake Plastic Trees" "best illustrates [Radiohead's] ambitions".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-04-01.pdf|title=New Releases: Albums|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=13|date=1 April 1995|page=9|access-date=14 March 2025}} Writing for NME in May 1995, John Mulvey felt that it lacked substance. Both critics drew comparisons with the rock band U2.{{cite journal |first=John |last=Mulvey |title=Review: Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees (Parlophone) |journal=NME |publisher=IPC Media |issue=20 May 1995 |page=54}} Mark Frith from Smash Hits gave "Fake Plastic Trees" two out of five, writing: "Mournfully slow and really unremarkable, this will probably only appeal to die-hard fans."{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Frith|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/54314369020/in/album-72177720323679935/|title=Singles|work=Smash Hits|date=10 May 1995|page=61|access-date=10 February 2025|author-link=Mark Frith}}

The Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, whom Radiohead supported on tour in 1996, said "Fake Plastic Trees" was one of her favourite songs, writing: "It's this intangible, spiritual thing. It's a mood piece but lyrically [Yorke] delves into his own vulnerability and talks about materialism and fallibility ... His voice is fragile, but there's nothing premeditated about the way he performs."{{Cite news |last=Alanis |first=Morissette |author-link=Alanis Morissette |date=12 October 1995 |title=Alanis Morissette on 'Fake Plastic Trees' by Radiohead |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/riffs-alanis-morissette-on-fake-plastic-trees-by-radiohead-1577323.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220707140838/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/riffs-alanis-morissette-on-fake-plastic-trees-by-radiohead-1577323.html |archive-date=2022-07-07 |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}} Morissette covered the song on her 1996 tour.{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Stephen |date=August 2011 |title=Radiohead: 'We were spitting and fighting and crying...' |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/radiohead-we-were-spitting-and-fighting-and-crying-73254/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318062952/https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/radiohead-we-were-spitting-and-fighting-and-crying-73254/ |archive-date=18 March 2023 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Uncut |language=en-GB}}

In 2003, Rolling Stone included "Fake Plastic Trees" at number 385 on its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.{{Cite web |date=2003-12-11 |title=500 Greatest Songs of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-151127/radiohead-fake-plastic-trees-53469/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} In 2011, Rolling Stone readers voted it the third-best Radiohead song, with the critic Andy Greene writing that it was "one of Radiohead's most anthemic songs".{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=2011-10-12 |title=Readers' poll: the 10 best Radiohead songs |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-radiohead-songs-19659/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} In 2009, "Fake Plastic Trees" was voted the 28th-best song on the Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time list.{{Cite web |date=19 July 2009 |title=Countdown {{!}} Hottest 100 - Of All Time |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100_alltime/countdown/cd_21-30.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122071231/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100_alltime/countdown/cd_21-30.htm |archive-date=22 January 2010 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Triple J}}

An acoustic version was used in the 1995 film Clueless and introduced Radiohead to a larger American audience.{{Cite web |last1=Al |first1=Horner |last2=Twells |first2=John |last3=Lobenfeld |first3=Claire |date=2016-04-13 |title=Radiohead on film: The 9 best uses of their songs on screen |url=https://www.factmag.com/2016/04/13/radiohead-best-tv-film-song-moments/ |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=Fact |language=en-US}} In 2017, Pitchfork credited "Fake Plastic Trees" and another Bends song, "High and Dry", for influencing the "airbrushed" post-Britpop of Coldplay and Travis.{{cite web |date=29 March 2017 |title=The 50 Best Britpop Albums |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/10045-the-50-best-britpop-albums/?page=5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602164010/http://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/10045-the-50-best-britpop-albums/?page=5 |archive-date=2 June 2017 |access-date=30 May 2017 |website=Pitchfork}} It was covered by the singers Hayley Williams and Vance Joy.{{Cite web |last=Sose |first=Fuamoli |date=2020-08-11 |title=Hayley Williams serves fans an acoustic cover of Radiohead's 'Fake Plastic Trees' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/hayley-williams-paramore-cover-radiohead-fake-plastic-trees/12546818 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |date=2015-04-02 |title=Vance Joy covers Radiohead 'Fake Plastic Trees' for Like A Version [2015] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/like-a-version/vance-joy-covers-radiohead-fake-plastic-trees-for-like-a-version/102142566 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}}

All tracks are written by Radiohead (Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood, Philip Selway).

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• UK and European single (CD1){{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDRS 6411|location=UK}}{{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 8 82161 2 8|location=Europe}}
• UK and New Zealand single (cassette){{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=MC single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 8 82161 4 2|location=UK}}{{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=MC single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=8821614|location=New Zealand}}{{efn|Same tracks appear on the two sides of the cassette tape.}}
• Australian single (CD){{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=8821612|location=Australia}}

1. "Fake Plastic Trees" – 4:52
2. "India Rubber" – 3:26
3. "How Can You Be Sure?" – 4:21

• UK and European single (CD2){{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDR 6411|location=UK}}{{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 8 82162 2 7|location=Europe}}

1. "Fake Plastic Trees" – 4:52
2. "Fake Plastic Trees" (Acoustic Version) – 4:41
3. "Bullet Proof..I Wish I Was" (Acoustic Version) – 3:34
4. "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" (Acoustic Version) – 4:26

• UK and US promo (CD){{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD promo liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDRDJ 6411|location=UK}}{{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD promo liner notes|publisher=Capitol|id=dpro-79567|location=US}}

1. "Fake Plastic Trees" (Edit){{efn|Noted as (single edit) on the US promo.}} – 4:11
2. "Fake Plastic Trees" (Album Version) – 4:50

{{col-2}}

• US single (CD){{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD single liner notes|publisher=Capitol|id=C2 7243 8 58424 2 9|location=US}}

1. "Fake Plastic Trees" (Album Version) – 4:50
2. "Planet Telex" (Hexidecimal Mix) – 6:44
3. "Killer Cars" – 3:02
4. "Fake Plastic Trees" (Acoustic Version) – 4:45

• US jukebox single (7"){{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=7-inch vinyl jukebox single liner notes|publisher=Capitol|id=S7-18728|location=US}}

1. "Fake Plastic Trees" – 4:50
2. "The Bends" – 4:03

• Dutch single (CD){{Cite AV media notes|title=Fake Plastic Trees|others=Radiohead|date=1995|type=CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 8 82203 2 3|location=Netherlands}}

1. "Fake Plastic Trees" – 4:52
2. "India Rubber" – 3:26
3. "How Can You Be Sure?" – 4:21
4. "Fake Plastic Trees" (Acoustic Version) – 4:43

{{col-end}}

Radiohead

• Thom Yorke – vocals, acoustic guitar, string arrangements
• Jonny Greenwood – electric guitar, Hammond organ, string arrangements
• Ed O'Brien – electric guitar
• Colin Greenwood – bass
• Philip Selway – drums

Additional performers

• Caroline Lavelle – cello
• John Matthias – viola, violin

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Radiohead|title=Fake Plastic Trees|award=Platinum|relyear=1995|certyear=2020|access-date=1 December 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Radiohead|title=Fake Plastic Trees|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|id=15669-1730-1|access-date=21 July 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{YouTube|n5h0qHwNrHk|"Fake Plastic Trees" video}}

{{Radiohead}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fake Plastic Trees}}

Category:Radiohead songs

Category:1990s ballads

Category:1995 singles

Category:Environmental songs

Category:Music videos directed by Jake Scott (director)

Category:Parlophone singles

Category:Rock ballads

Category:Songs written by Thom Yorke

Category:Songs written by Colin Greenwood

Category:Songs written by Jonny Greenwood

Category:Songs written by Philip Selway

Category:Songs written by Ed O'Brien

Category:Song recordings produced by John Leckie