"Go to Sleep" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released as the second single from their sixth studio album, Hail to the Thief (2003), on 18 August 2003. It reached number two in Canada, number nine in Italy and number 12 in the UK.
Composition The first part of "Go to Sleep" is composed in alternating bars of 4/4 and 12/8. It features a processed "stuttering" guitar sound created by Jonny Greenwood.
Music video A CGI music video was directed by Alex Rutterford. It depicts the singer, Thom Yorke, sitting in a park while people in business suits walk by rapidly. The classical buildings crumble and reassemble in modern style.
Release "Go to Sleep" was released as the second single from Radiohead's sixth studio album, Hail to the Thief (2003), on 18 August 2003. In 2023, Rolling Stone said it was not an appropriate choice of single but that EMI had wanted to "retrench Radiohead as a big rock band" to compete with acts such as Coldplay and Muse.
Radiohead released a live version, recorded in Osaka, for the War Child charity in 2004. Another live version was released on the 2025 album Hail to the Thief (Live Recordings 2003–2009).
Track listings UK versions CD 1 CDR6613 "Go to Sleep" - "I Am Citizen Insane" - "Fog (Again)" (Live) -
CD 2 CDRS6613 "Go to Sleep" - "Gagging Order" - "I Am a Wicked Child" -
12" 12R6613 "Go to Sleep" - "I Am Citizen Insane" - "I Am a Wicked Child" -
US version CD 52953 released 3 September 2003 by Capitol Records "Go to Sleep" - "Gagging Order" - "I Am a Wicked Child" -
7" R-19218 "Go to Sleep" - "I Am Citizen Insane" -
Canada version CD 1 52954 "Go to Sleep" - "I Am Citizen Insane" - "Fog (Again)" (Live) -
CD 2 52955 "Go to Sleep" - "Gagging Order" - "I Am a Wicked Child" -
Personnel Thom Yorke – vocals, guitar Jonny Greenwood – guitar, laptop, toy piano Ed O'Brien – guitar, backing vocals Colin Greenwood – bass Philip Selway – drums
Charts Chart (2003)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)2US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)32
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United KingdomParlophoneUnited StatesCapitolAustraliaParlophone
References