The REAL History and Meaning Behind Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees"

Poetic Wax • February 16, 2025
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Poetic Wax

@andyfenstermaker

About

Welcome to Poetic Wax, a weekly music history series in which I (your host Andy Fenstermaker) dig into the vinyl record collection I started back in the 1990s to uncover the (sometimes) little known or little told history of a band, album, song, or scene from within. Of course, you don't need to love vinyl to enjoy these stories! And along the way, I’ll also drop occasional vinyl collecting tips, product reviews, countdowns, and more. This channel is album about the love of music, exploration, and education. Let’s dig in…

Video Description

"Fake Plastic Trees" is one of Radiohead's most heartbreaking songs. But what does it mean? And how did Thom Yorke come up with those lyrics? This is the REAL history and meaning behind the classic song off Radiohead's sophomore album The Bends, how they recorded it, and how it became one of their most endearing tracks. 👉 Subscribe for More Vinyl Videos: https://youtube.com/c/AndyFenstermaker/?sub_confirmation=1 WATCH NEXT: ✓ The Story of The Bends: https://youtu.be/7Lcrjc5Mzm4 ✓ The Story of Creep: https://youtu.be/vzab4SglvHw ✓ The Death of Scott Weiland: https://youtu.be/YaPtoeoL_3g 🎥 Poetic Wax Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLylroYWVYWWXL84MH1T4Qr0wrRzjwlGMR 🎧 Get The Bends on Vinyl: https://amzn.to/42Ze7Nc 🎧 More Radiohead on Vinyl: https://amzn.to/42W3gn4 Poetic Wax is hosted by Andy Fenstermaker. CHAPTERS: 0:00 The Story of "Fake Plastic Trees" 1:15 Radiohead’s Early Struggles with The Bends 3:53 How Jeff Buckley Influenced “Fake Plastic Trees” 5:56 Britpop and The Bends 7:59 Fake Plastic Trees' Clueless Connection 9:10 The Meaning Behind Fake Plastic Trees 11:29 The Power of the "Fake Plastic Trees" Music Video 12:31 The Gradual Success and Lasting Legacy of "Fake Plastic Trees" CLIP REFERENCES: Radiohead "Fake Plastic Trees" (Glastonbury, 2003) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDS4wOd_o1 Radiohead "Fake Plastic Trees" (Glastonbury, 2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sseeWU25RvA Toys 'R Us Super Toy Run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-QO6AeLiIc Radiohead "Fake Plastic Trees" (Late Night with Conan, 1995) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRicAP8zPik Radiohead Interview in a Shop 1995 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc8Dy--GnSw Radiohead Interview (MTV, 1995) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR3HVqBD5oE Radiohead Interview (Vancouver BC, 1995): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdqIIG9lXU4 Jeff Buckley "Grace" (The Late Show, 1995) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjP1d8WzIg #radiohead #fakeplastictrees #thomyorke #thebends #vinylcommunity #vinylrecords #vinylcollection #andyfenstermaker #fensepost #vinylchannel #poeticwax #musicessay #musicstory #albumstory #musichistory #albumhistory #musicdocumentary

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