On the record: Radiohead’s new album sales
By Susan Pugh on Jan. 10, 2008
Q: Now that the new Radiohead album is available in stores, how many people actually paid for it when it was available for download?
A: In a revolutionary move, Radiohead made its new album, “In Rainbows,” available on its Web site in October, and left the price up to the discretion of its fans. The “pay what you want” strategy, which ended Dec. 10, has had mixed results. One report states that two-thirds of the estimated 1.2 million people who downloaded the album in October paid nothing for it. Those fans who did pay something paid an average of $2.25 for the album. Radiohead has since disputed these claims and has not made any sales figures available. Regardless of the money made, or lost, during the download-only promotion, the album received lots of media attention and critical praise. With its high showing on the charts following its release to retail stores in late December, it appears the both the band and its fans will be happy with the results.
Q: I live in North Carolina and the school colors of the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons are gold and black. Why, then, when Donald Fagen sings about the Alabama Crimson Tide, does he sing “Call me Deacon Blues” in the song of the same name?
A: Perhaps the most acclaimed song on one of Steely Dan’s most acclaimed albums, “Aja” (1977), “Deacon Blues” does not have anything specifically to do with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Fagen has been quoted as saying the song is about a young, naïve suburban kid who has fallen in love with jazz while lamenting the life of a musician who must “crawl like a viper through these suburban streets.” Certainly, “Aja” is among the jazziest albums in Steely Dan’s discography. Fagen reportedly has said the line was really meant to be ironic. He felt that the nickname, “Crimson Tide,” was a “grandiose name” for a southern football team. Since the Crimson Tide was a traditional “winning” team at that time, Fagen wanted an equally grandiose name that the narrator of his song could use to refer to himself, a proverbial “loser.” The word and color “blue” has traditionally been used to connote depression or the doldrums.
Q: Can you identify a song that’s in “Shrek the Third?” It’s the song that plays during the scene in which Arthur leaves the castle.
A: The song is “9 Crimes” by Damien Rice. Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1973, Rice released his first album in 2003 and received heavy airplay in Europe thanks to the songs “Cannonball” and “The Blower’s Daughter.” His second album, “9,” was released in 2006 and included “9 Crimes.” It is one of many songs from his two albums that also feature vocalist Lisa Hannigan. In addition to “Shrek the Third,” “9 Crimes” was also featured in an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” It is one of many of Rice’s songs to be featured in movies and television shows. “The Blower’s Daughter” was featured prominently in the movie “Closer” and the television shows “Bones” and “CSI.” Other songs, like “Cannonball” and “Cold Water,” have been featured in television shows, like “Alias,” “Lost,” “House” and “Crossing Jordan.”
-What’s the name of that song? Where are they now? What does that lyric mean? Send your questions about songs, albums and musicians to or visit http://www.musicontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are freelance music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
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