EP-iphanies: Radiohead’s “Creep” [French Ltd. Edition CD Single]

As you probably know by now, The Analog Kid lives for b-sides and non-album cuts. In this continuing series, I will share some of my favorite EPs and 12″ singles from over the years in their entirety. And since it’s digital, you don’t have to worry about correctly setting the turntable speed to 33⅓ or 45!

The French limited edition CD single for “Creep” might just be the rarest Radiohead collectible on the planet. Only 2,000 were pressed, and copies routinely fetch hundreds of dollars on the reseller market. I should know– I sold mine on eBay for over $300 in late 2005. It is a very rare day indeed when the Analog Kid parts with any part of his collection, but sometimes you simply must yield to common sense (and to a passion for all things burnt orange…).

I found my copy of the French Creep single in the used bin at a local CD store sometime in 2003. It immediately caught my eye, as I am a really big Radiohead fan and I had no idea this particular release even existed. I knew it had to be rare, but I had no idea how rare until I got it home and did some internet research. And how much did I pay for this ultimate Radiohead rarity, you ask? A whopping $4.99.

The fact that only 2,000 copies of the single were pressed certainly is the major reason for its high resale value, but another big attraction is the first appearance of a song that would go on to become the title track for Radiohead’s second album. This version (entitled “The Benz”) was recorded in February of 1993 during the so-called “Black Sessions” for Radio France, as were the live versions of  “Prove Yourself” and “Creep” (both originally released on Pablo Honey). These three cuts have never appeared on any other release, making this CD the crown jewel of any Radiohead collection.

Am I sad that I sold it? You bet I am, but it was truly necessary at the time. I was out of work in late 2005, and the $300 helped ensure my attendance at the legendary Texas-USC national championship game at the Rose Bowl in January of 2006. Was it worth it?

You bet your sweet ass it was. Besides, I made a high-quality copy of the disc so that I could still listen to it– and share it with you, of course.  Hook ’em!!

Radiohead: Creep [French Ltd. Edition CD Single]

EMI France, 1993

1. “Creep” (Radiohead)

Creep

2. “The Benz” [Black Sessions] (Radiohead)

The Benz [Black Session Version]

3. “Prove Yourself” [Black Sessions] (Radiohead)

Prove Yourself [Black Session Version]

4. “Creep” [Black Sessions] (Radiohead)

Creep [Black Session Version]

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Bonus Tracks!

The first rule of The Analog Kid blog is that if you write about a song on the Analog Kid blog, you share the song on the Analog Kid blog.

Radiohead: “The Bends” (Radiohead)

From the album The Bends

Capitol Records, 1995

The Bends