The King of Limbs cover art

  Studio Album · No. 8

The King of Limbs Songwriting Credits by Radiohead

2011 XL Recordings 8 tracks 37 min

Produced by Nigel Godrich, Radiohead  ·  Engineered by Nigel Godrich, Drew Brown, Darrell Thorp

XL Recordings ElectronicaExperimental RockArt Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 8 of 8 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 8 / 8 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 8 tracks with documented writers, by whether Radiohead carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
8 trackswritten by Radiohead 0 tracksoutside writers
Radiohead's roles on this album

Share of the 8 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

8
Tracks
5
Lyricists
2
Producers
2011
Released
Data Insight

As with the rest of Radiohead's catalog, all eight songs on The King of Limbs are credited jointly to the five band members rather than to individual writers, keeping the group's collective-authorship convention intact. Nigel Godrich again produced and engineered the record with the band, joined by additional engineers Drew Brown and Darrell Thorp. The album leans heavily on looped rhythms and electronic textures, building tracks from layered samples and programmed beats. It was self-released digitally in February 2011 before physical and international editions followed through XL Recordings.

Radiohead's eighth studio album, released February 18, 2011 as a surprise digital download, followed by a physical release in March. At 8 tracks and 37 minutes it is their shortest album, and its densely layered rhythmic and electronic textures were inspired by the ancient oak Keeill Vael in Savernake Forest. All songs are credited collectively to Radiohead. The album was self-released digitally before distribution through XL Recordings, continuing the band's pioneering approach to album release strategies established with In Rainbows.

Track Listing & Credits 8 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Bloom
Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Nigel GodrichRadiohead Thom Yorke (Lead Vocals)
2
Morning Mr Magpie
Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Nigel GodrichRadiohead Thom Yorke (Lead Vocals)
3
Little by Little
Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Nigel GodrichRadiohead Thom Yorke (Lead Vocals)
4
Feral
Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Nigel GodrichRadiohead Thom Yorke (Lead Vocals)
5
Lotus Flower #33
Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Nigel GodrichRadiohead Thom Yorke (Lead Vocals)
6
Codex
Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Nigel GodrichRadiohead Thom Yorke (Lead Vocals)
7
Give Up the Ghost
Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Nigel GodrichRadiohead Thom Yorke (Lead Vocals)
8
Separator
Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Thom YorkeJonny GreenwoodColin GreenwoodEd O'BrienPhil Selway Nigel GodrichRadiohead Thom Yorke (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 7 contributors

More from Radiohead

Frequently Asked Questions The King of Limbs

Did Radiohead write The King of Limbs themselves?
Yes. All eight songs on The King of Limbs are credited collectively to Radiohead's five members: Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway. The band uses this shared-credit approach across every album rather than crediting individual songwriters. Nigel Godrich produced and engineered the record with the band.
Who produced The King of Limbs?
Nigel Godrich produced The King of Limbs, continuing his role as Radiohead's longtime studio collaborator. He also engineered and mixed the album, with additional engineering from Drew Brown and Darrell Thorp. Bob Ludwig mastered the record.
What chart position did Lotus Flower reach?
'Lotus Flower' reached number 33 on the UK Singles Chart in 2011. It was the most prominent song associated with The King of Limbs and was accompanied by a widely shared video featuring Thom Yorke dancing. The track is one of the album's best-known songs.
Did The King of Limbs have any singles?
Radiohead did not release a conventional commercial single from The King of Limbs, though 'Lotus Flower' served as the album's main promotional track and charted at number 33 in the UK. The band also issued 'Supercollider' and 'The Butcher' as a double A-side for Record Store Day in April 2011. These releases were limited rather than standard chart singles.
How was The King of Limbs released?
Radiohead self-released The King of Limbs as a digital download in February 2011, with physical CD and vinyl editions and international distribution through XL Recordings following shortly after. The release continued the band's approach of issuing music directly rather than relying solely on a traditional label. It was announced only days before becoming available.
What genre is The King of Limbs?
The King of Limbs is primarily described as electronica and experimental rock. The album is built around looped rhythms, layered samples and programmed beats rather than conventional band arrangements. Its second half shifts toward more spacious, atmospheric songs.
Did The King of Limbs win any awards?
The King of Limbs did not win major awards, though it received several Grammy nominations at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012, including Best Alternative Music Album. 'Lotus Flower' earned nominations for its music video and as a song. None of these nominations converted to wins.

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