Did Prince and Radiohead fall out?
While Prince and Radiohead are very dissimilar in music and live performance, they do share one another’s views on music being explored in the online world. Neither was a fan of streaming services and giving away their art for free, which anyone would think would make them allies, but it caused a comment that left some fans questioning their relationship.
When the true potential of the internet was realised, and bands started to upload their music onto various streaming services, Prince and Radiohead were quick to criticise the move. It’s hardly a surprise, as the two were always very private regarding gigs and events, with Prince even banning phones from performances and parties at risk of content getting leaked onto the internet.
“The internet’s completely over,” he said, “I don’t see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else. They won’t pay me in advance for it and then they get angry when they can’t get it.”
“The internet’s like MTV,” he continued, “At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers, and that can’t be good for you.”
Both Prince and Radiohead were keen on keeping their music publishing rights themselves. This meant not releasing new music on the likes of iTunes and Spotify and instead making it so that fans could download their music from the artist’s websites. Prince and Radiohead set up a download link where fans could pay whatever amount they saw fit. The artists weren’t necessarily set to gain financially from it; it was more a matter of principle.
It’s unclear whether or not the two were ever fans of each other’s music, but they stood in solidarity with one another for a time, which was ironically the starting point for their alleged discontent.
Prince decided he would cover their hit song ‘Creep’ because he seemed like a natural ally to Radiohead. Doing so was a big moment, so fans immediately took to their phones to capture it. Many of those fans posted the video to YouTube, which Prince didn’t like. He took the videos down, and that’s where the disagreement with Radiohead started, as the band thought Prince was trying to pull rank by deciding whether one of their songs should exist online or not.
“Really? He’s blocked it?” said Thom Yorke, “Surely, we should block it. Hang on a moment… well, tell him to unblock it. It’s our… song.”
The comment is somewhat ironic – potentially also tongue in cheek – given that both shared views on how music should be distributed online. It’s likely if Prince had gone to Radiohead initially, they would have agreed to have the video taken down, but given he did it without their consent, that was seen as Prince trying to act like he was bigger than the band.
It’s still unclear what Prince’s mindset was when he blocked the video. Given his stance on music and the internet, it’s likely that he just wanted it gone to preserve the song’s integrity and the importance of live music, but we will never know. The issue of how music should be consumed is still hotly contended today; the only difference is that most modern musicians don’t have a choice in the matter.
This comment aside, though, there’s no substantial evidence to suggest a direct or notable falling out between Prince and Radiohead. In fact, their interactions seemed fairly minimal, if they had any at all beyond the odd quip here and there. Both artists were known for their individuality and distinct musical styles, which didn’t necessarily intersect often in the public eye or in the realm of collaborations.
Both Prince and Radiohead have left indelible imprints on the music industry, influencing generations of musicians in their own right. While their paths might not have crossed significantly in the public domain, their impact on music remains profound and enduring.
