Go to Sleep
2003 single by Radiohead
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"Go to Sleep" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released as the second single from their sixth studio album, Hail to the Thief (2003), on 18 August 2003. It reached number two in Canada, number nine in Italy and number 12 in the UK.
- "I Am Citizen Insane"
- "Gagging Order"
- "I Am a Wicked Child"
- "Fog (Again)" (Live)
| "Go to Sleep" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Radiohead | ||||
| from the album Hail to the Thief | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 18 August 2003 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 3:21 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter | Radiohead | |||
| Producers |
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| Radiohead singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Go to Sleep" on YouTube | ||||
Composition
The first part of "Go to Sleep" is composed in alternating bars of 4/4 and 12/8.[1] It features a processed "stuttering" guitar sound created by Jonny Greenwood.[2]
Music video
A CGI animated music video was released for "Go to Sleep", directed by Alex Rutterford.[citation needed] It depicts the singer, Thom Yorke, sitting in a park while people in business suits walk by rapidly. The classical buildings spontaneously crumble and reassemble themselves in modern style.
Release
"Go to Sleep" was released as the second single from Radiohead's sixth studio album, Hail to the Thief (2003), on 18 August 2003.[3] In 2023, Rolling Stone said it was not an appropriate choice of single but that EMI had wanted to "retrench Radiohead as a big rock band" to compete with acts such as Coldplay and Muse.[4]
Radiohead released a live version, recorded in Osaka, for the War Child charity in 2004.[5] Another live version was released on the 2025 album Hail to the Thief (Live Recordings 2003–2009).[6]
Track listings
UK versions
CD 1 CDR6613
- "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
- "I Am Citizen Insane" - 3:31
- "Fog (Again)" (Live) - 2:17
CD 2 CDRS6613
- "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
- "Gagging Order" - 3:35
- "I Am a Wicked Child" - 3:05
12" 12R6613
- "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
- "I Am Citizen Insane" - 3:32
- "I Am a Wicked Child" - 3:35
US version
CD 52953 released 3 September 2003 by Capitol Records
- "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
- "Gagging Order" - 3:35
- "I Am a Wicked Child" - 3:07
7" R-19218
- "Go to Sleep" - 3:21
- "I Am Citizen Insane" - 3:30
Canada version
CD 1 52954
- "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
- "I Am Citizen Insane" - 3:35
- "Fog (Again)" (Live) - 2:17
CD 2 52955
- "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
- "Gagging Order" - 3:35
- "I Am a Wicked Child" - 3:07
Personnel
- Thom Yorke – vocals, guitar
- Jonny Greenwood – guitar, laptop, toy piano
- Ed O'Brien – guitar, backing vocals
- Colin Greenwood – bass
- Philip Selway – drums
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[7] | 39 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[8] | 10 |
| Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[9] | 2 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten)[10] | 11 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[11] | 14 |
| France (SNEP)[12] | 87 |
| Germany (GfK)[13] | 82 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[14] | 11 |
| Italy (FIMI)[15] | 9 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] | 55 |
| Scotland Singles (OCC)[17] | 10 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[18] | 90 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[19] | 12 |
| UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[20] | 2 |
| US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[9] | 32 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 18 August 2003 |
|
Parlophone | [21] |
| United States | Capitol | [22] | ||
| Australia | 1 September 2003 |
|
Parlophone | [23] |