I want a perfect body/
I want a perfect soul.
I want you to notice.

“Creep” is the song that made Radiohead famous.  For a couple years it appeared Radiohead might be a one-hit wonder. That was mostly a function of how big this song was on the radio and how little commercial airplay the rest of their catalogue received.  In hindsight, they are one of the most important and influential bands of the 90s with Nirvana and Green Day.

Radiohead
The narrator feels like a “creep” because that is how society has labels men who approach women who are more attractive. And he wants to approach a particular woman who is out of his league. He places her on a pedestal–this is obvious and problematic.  Equally problematic are his feelings of self-hatred for feeling attraction and society’s reaction to “ugly” people.

We initially feel him to be a sympathetic character. I believe this is what makes the song connect with so many people.  We have all had feelings of inferiority and approaching strangers is difficult for anyone. We are rooting for him and we identify with him.

However, things turn south toward the end of the song. He describes her running out the door.  Is this woman so insensitive, or is it more likely that he is exhibiting creepy behavior? Or perhaps he is an unreliable narrator and not telling us all the details or giving us a distorted version of the story. We don’t know.

The melody of the song is amazing as are the vocals. It does sound a bit like another song on this list, The Hollies The Air That I Breathe, so perhaps that is a particular chord progression that just works. Obviously, the songs are unique enough to both deserve a spot on this list. The best part of the song is when the electric guitar comes in on “I’m so fucking special… (tat)(tat)..(tat)(tat)…(wahhh)..(that’s a guitar sound).

Radiohead avoids playing it live, which is annoying. I don’t care if you’re sick of playing it. I payed a lot of money for this once in a lifetime experience. Sing the song I want.

Creep Lyrics

When you were here before
Couldn’t look you in the eye
You’re just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You’re so fuckin’ special

But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here

I don’t care if it hurts
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
When I’m not around
You’re so fuckin’ special

I wish I was special
But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here, oh, oh

She’s running out the door
She’s running out
She run, run, run, run
Run

Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You’re so fuckin’ special
I wish I was special

But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here
I don’t belong here