Radiohead’s Early-Career Masterpiece Leads A Sale Surge

A viral TikTok surge pushes Radiohead’s “Let Down” and albums like OK Computer and The Bends back onto U.K. charts in a rare sales boost. Studio portrait of Radiohead, Phil Selway, Jonny Greenwood, Thom Yorke, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Luna theater, Brussels, Belgium, 5th December 1995. (Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)

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Just a few weeks ago, Radiohead’s song “Let Down” began picking up steam on TikTok. The tune quickly went viral and has spent more than a month reaching both longtime fans of the band and those who were previously unfamiliar with the track.

Although “Let Down” was actually released decades ago, its recent success has spread to much of the Grammy-winning act’s catalog. All the attention being paid to the tune — and to Radiohead in general — seems to be powering something of a comeback for the group.

Multiple albums, which have already enjoyed their time in the spotlight, are now on the rise in the United Kingdom, and impressively, it’s not just streams that are growing. Pure purchases are growing noticeably as well, which is a relatively uncommon occurrence when virality is involved.

Radiohead Fills Three Spots on the Official Albums Sales Chart

This week, Radiohead claims three spaces on the Official Albums Sales chart, the U.K. ranking that looks at the bestselling projects of any length or style. Three of the group’s titles are rising — some by just one space, while others grow much more dramatically.

OK Computer, which includes “Let Down” on its tracklist, ascends four rungs to No. 23, and it stands as Radiohead’s current highest-placed and highest-rising full-length on the Official Albums Sales chart. At the same time, In Rainbows improves by just one space to No. 48. Further down the list, The Bends enjoys a significant push, jumping more than 20 spots to settle at No. 50.

OK Computer Emerges as Radiohead’s Most Successful Album

Among all of Radiohead’s charting albums, OK Computer is the most successful when looking at the total number of rankings on which it appears. The Bends and In Rainbows live on three tallies apiece, while OK Computer reaches one more and performs best overall, as it also hits No. 74 on the consumption-based Official Albums chart.

“Let Down” Manages a Revival, and It’s Not Alone

Radiohead may have “Let Down” to thank for this moment of glory, as the albums currently performing the best for the group are tied to the viral tune, but it’s not the group’s only hit song right now. “Let Down” itself appears on just two rankings, climbing on both the Official Singles Sales chart and the Official Streaming Chart. Another smash, “Creep,” also manages to inch north two spaces on the streaming-only tally.