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Gots To Get Paid

Filed under: Music Minute

radiohead.jpg

Thom Yorke has changed his tune!

The Radiohead frontman is saying the 'pay as you'd like' scheme the band used to launch their last release, In Rainbows, was just a one-off thing.

"I think it was a one-off response to a particular situation… It was a one-off in terms of a story. It was one of those things where we were in the position of everyone asking us what we were going to do. I don't think it would have the same significance now anyway, if we chose to give something away again. It was a moment in time, " Yorke told the Hollywood Reporter.

Radiohead was not pleased with their record label at the time, EMI, when they decided to adopt the 'scheme'. They were reportedly saying 'fuck you' to the music industry's 'decaying (business) model'.

Yeah!

But wait…

Interesting - the report goes on to point out that the band has remained quiet about whether the 'pay as you'd like experiment' was a success, with many fans thought to have downloaded the album without paying anything at all.

Why pay for the cow when you're getting the milk for free?????

Moooooo, bitches!

Radiohead's 'pay as you go' stunt unleashed a number of copycat stunt releases — Nine Inch Nails and just recently Coldplay offered music to their fans for free.

It will be interesting to see if any of these bands goes the free route a second time!

[Image via WENN.]



66 comments to “Gots To Get Paid”

  1. yessss says – reply to this
    1

    yessssssss

  2. yessssssssss says – reply to this
    2

    second!!

  3. yesssssssssss says – reply to this
    3

    haha, nobody's up!!

  4. yesssssssss says – reply to this
    4

    how many can i go??

  5. yesssssssssss says – reply to this
    5

    wow, im gonna stop, cause im bored
    gail rules :)

  6. ka says – reply to this
    6

    makes sense

  7. Keylailah says – reply to this
    7

    first

  8. first bia says – reply to this
    8

    first!!!!

  9. Keylailah says – reply to this
    9

    damn! oh, well

  10. eyes says – reply to this
    10

    FRIRST!!! YESSS

  11. iheartperez says – reply to this
    11

    i love them anyway!!! ill pay!!! theyre awesome!!! and i love you PEREZ! you are a crazy bitch!

  12. eyes says – reply to this
    12

    oh well… 11th is good for me.. lol

  13. leilani says – reply to this
    13

    mooooo, bitches, mooooooo!

  14. teelime says – reply to this
    14

    goddamnit NIN didn't copy, perez! and trent will most likely do it again because he made like 1.5 million in the first week he released Ghosts I-IV online.

  15. Anapinkf says – reply to this
    15

    He's Thom Yorke, he can do whatever he wants with it, it's his music…though the "pay as you like" was one of the greatest ideas in my opinion.

  16. {i ♥ PEREZ..EVERYONE ELZE ZUCKZAZZZ}}♥} says – reply to this
    16

    [[[[[[[[[[[[[[ GREAT BAND ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]OBAMAZ CHICKENZHIT]]]

  17. plumb says – reply to this
    17

    dont know why…but i love that im first.
    love radiohead. sigh

  18. kelly says – reply to this
    18

    Trent Reznor of NIN already has. He let people download the abum Ghosts I-IV for free and now is letting people download his new song Discipline for free.

  19. Hugh Jass says – reply to this
    19

    Perez loves cock!

  20. Jodi says – reply to this
    20

    It's a serious point for them - the option of free music is equally free publicity, albeit not forever, for I think Radiohead were smart enough to realise that some copycat systems would be put in place, and then there would be a bit of a glut for a time. As you see with Coldplay, a smaller free gesture is perhaps the way forward, not that "Violet Hill" has much of a monetary value bar the last, and beautiful, thirty-five seconds.

    One thing that people forget however is that The Smashing Pumpkins offered "Machina II: The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music" as a free album on the internet…eight years ago, and there may be other bands that did the same thing, bands through my own ignorance that I am neglecting.

    ^Jodi

  21. Laura says – reply to this
    21

    Stop blogging about Radiohead. They're too great to be involved with this gossip bullshit.
    Sorry, P-rez

  22. Sarah says – reply to this
    22

    Nine Inch Nails has already given music away for free for the 2:nd time (go to their website and download a single called discipline). Not to metion SAUL WILLIMAS - he even did it before nine inch nails released ghosts I-IV! So sad that Radiohead get's credit for making their fans "choose what to pay" for their album in a CRAPPY quality-version and then charging shitloads for the actual cd. And coldplay the bitches, gives away 1 song within a limited time span.. pfffff… pfff.. the NIN way is the only way.

  23. LORD HAVE MERCY..REV. WRIGHT THINKS HEZ RUNNING says – reply to this
    23

    ”””””'SOMEONE ….pleaze tell the rev. wright that hiz name”””””””'

    ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; and al sharptonz name waz NO ON THE BALLOT/////

    ZO ZTFU NOW BITCHEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ U KILLED OBAMA..

    AND OBAMA KILLED HIMZELF WHEN HE LIED ABOUT THE REV.

    GROWING UP POOR…WHEN IN FACT HE GREW UP UPPERMIDDLE

    CLAZZ…ELITE SCHOOL…80% WHITE..HE HAZ NO IDEA WHAT IT

    IZ LIKE TO BE A BLACK PERSON..SO Y SO MUCH HATRED PREACHED

    FROM SOMEONE THAT WAZ PRIVILEGED…TO DRAW THE BLACK

    PEOPLE INTO HIS CHURCH..HE HAD TO SAY WHAT THEY WANT

    TO HEAR.AND THEY WANT TO KEEP HEARING THE SAME OLD

    SHIT..SO
    I WILL KEEP
    SAYING THE SAME OLD SHIT AND SEE HOW THE REV. AND THEM
    LIKE IT..
    AND OBAMA…STOP BEING A PUZZY….DEBATE..AND I WANT MY
    …………….FREAKING FIRZT VOTE IN MY LIFE TO COUNT……..
    WHAT THE FUCK????????????????????????????????????????????

  24. SKIPPERBARBIE says – reply to this
    24

    GOTSA???
    I SEE YOU'RE USING MARIAH'S LYRICS AGAIN,ANYWAY
    I GOTSA MIGRATE,
    BYE!

  25. Aimée says – reply to this
    25

    Good question about their success, P! Keep us posted.

  26. Patrico Suave says – reply to this
    26

    Actually, NIN only released part of their album free for download (about 10 songs), not the whole album (about 32 songs). Then they charged different prices for varying buying options ranging from $10 for the double CD or $300 for a deluxe edition.

  27. jac says – reply to this
    27

    Trent Reznor did it first and is not going to stop doing it because he has already made his money now he's doing his music for us!!! get your facts straight I know you just think Trent is hot (which he totally is) and that he's a loser now but you are totally wrong. He is making good music while your little mimi and other shitty acts are complete sell outs and only want major money.

  28. carrie says – reply to this
    28

    what's interesting is that you don't know what you're talking about. nin was no where near a copy cat of radiohead's 'insincere' online effort. nin took it above and beyond AND still made a mint.

  29. Krunchy says – reply to this
    29

    Both NIN and Radiohead made bank with their "giving it away for free" as people could download it and if they liked it, they paid. Radiohead averaged about 6 bucks for each downloaded album, which is probably more than most bands make from a REAL record label per CD, plus they didn't have to pay "promotional fees" aka bribing Perez' ass to gush about the band.

    They also have limited edition versions for Mega-fans for 75 bucks and up, something that Trent sold out in 2 days. 75 bucks each for 5000 copies, all in HIS pocket, not the record company. Perez, YOU DO THE MATH.

    Even Metallica is talking about bypassing the record company after this next CD. YES, that Metallica!

  30. down beat says – reply to this
    30

    It will all PAY OFF WHEN THEY TOUR. touring is the savior of the recording Ind. it separates to real musicians from the the Brittney spears of the world

  31. nark says – reply to this
    31

    FOR THE RECORD, TRENT REZNOR OF NIN DID NOT COPY COLDPLAY. HE HAD BEEN PLANNING ON RELEASING MUSIC FOR FREE FOR A LONG TIME NOW. HE NO LONGER HAS A LABLE AND UNLIKE COLDPLAY HES STAYING UNSIGNED

  32. Sam says – reply to this
    32

    I was honest unlike some douchebags. I paid 5 pounds. Thats 10 dollars American. I think that was pretty fair considering they didn't have materials and packaging and transportation costs.

  33. caro says – reply to this
    33

    nine inch nails did twice and the new single can dowload free on official site

  34. Bex says – reply to this
    34

    Nine inch Nails have given their music away more than once (quite a few times if you count the Saul Williams album), and will probably continue to do so.
    I must admit though, the way they released Ghosts was probably the way to go… Allowing people a small selection for free, then charging a reasonable rate for the rest.
    They gotta make money somehow!

  35. m says – reply to this
    35

    Perez you idiot, Trent Reznor ALREADY DID IT AGAIN!!!! DISCIPLINE!!!! nin.com!!!!!

  36. Rachel says – reply to this
    36

    Uhm, they HAVE.

    NIN released the album with the pay as you go, and Trent Reznor produced Saul William's album, which was free or 5 bucks.

    They released their new single free as well.

    Research your shit, Perez.

  37. sophie says – reply to this
    37

    RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST_

  38. Fiona says – reply to this
    38

    First of all, none of this is news. Radiohead from the start claimed that this was a shot at the record companies. Also, although Yorke never came out and said this is was one time deal, it was somewhat expected seeing as how they released the album following and based around the bands comments that this wouldn't be a regular occurance. Thirdly, they did make a decent amount of cash doing so, the average price sold online for In Rainbows was 9$ so there you go, they didn't get stinking rich, but they didn't lose out either. Also not to mention that this money didn't go directly to the evil corporate hands, which was the whole point of the stunt in the first place.

  39. alli says – reply to this
    39

    Shortly after the nose-thumbing "pay what you want" stunt, Radiohead signed with LiveNation, with none other than DMB's manager Coran Capshaw at the helm. Coran gets it, 100%, and knows how to both be fair to consumers and make money for the artists in this era. He is an awesome businessman (trust me, I'm from Charlottesville and for years have been amazed by how well he keeps ahead of the curve), and we should just relax and look forward to whatever comes next for our beloved Radiohead.

  40. Sam says – reply to this
    40

    My wife and I got tickets for the Dallas show on the 17th of May. CAN"T WAIT! First time for both of us seeing them and we have seen tons of bands. This is gonna ROCK!

  41. pooltop says – reply to this
    41

    Perez,
    Once again, you're very wrong. Radiohead made more of of In Rainbows than they've made from any of their previous studio releases and that was in ONE DAY. Thom has spoken about it in many interviews and magazines.
    But they probably won't do it again. Like he said, it was a response to a specific situation. By the time they release their next album (could be as long as 4 years if history repeats itself) there will hopefully be a solution to the current problem with pirating and file sharing that allows fans and bands to work together.
    But suggesting that the band hasn't spoken publicly about how much they've made is ridiculous. The numbers were upwards of 6 million dollars for the initial release and then they made more off of the vinyl pack (that sold out quickly) and then the regular store release of the CD which happened around the first of the year.
    They banked on In Rainbows hard and it paid off financially. You just have to realize that most bands don't make shit on their album sales and rather rely on ticket sales and merch sales to make the majority of their income.

  42. m says – reply to this
    42

    this is NOT news. their manager released this is a statement in fucking DECEMBER 2007. GET WITH IT.

  43. m says – reply to this
    43

    also, i paid for the download. 8 bucks.

  44. Erica says – reply to this
    44

    Re: Sam – EXCUSE ME! Unlike some Americans…..!?!?!?!??! I am an American and I paid $20 bc thats the normal price of the CD…Radiohead is one of my favorite bands and I choose to support their music. Dont go around saying that 'Americans" did not pay or are not fair when many Radiohead fans, regardless of where they come from, did not pay. The true fans respect them enough to pay for the album….dont go pointing the finger at Americans. Btw, they are g2 make a crap ton on their tour, I just paid $400 for 2 seats, so I wouldnt worry about it.

  45. Nee says – reply to this
    45

    Giving music away for free is not new. The Grateful Dead allowed people to tape and share their shows and it turned them into the #1 touring bands for YEARS! And this was back in the day when ticket prices were not $100 for nose bleed seats. Long live Jerry Garcia!

  46. Therese says – reply to this
    46

    I paid for my In Rainbows download, and I know I wasn't the only one. It was definitely worth my money!

  47. Mandy says – reply to this
    47

    I was very generous and gave them like- $6 euro. I NEVER GOT ANYTHING!!

  48. Ashley says – reply to this
    48

    I also paid full price for Radiohead's "In Rainbows" because true fans of bands and actual music support their favorite bands, like it'd seriously be a cold day in hell if Mariah or Madonna, or someone in that catagory released a "pay if you like it".

  49. omar says – reply to this
    49

    NIN didn't copy Radiohead. Trent had already used a pay $5 or get for free for Saul William's album, and then went a slightly different route (and moer succesful one at that) come release of his Ghosts project. So there.

  50. lady_d says – reply to this
    50

    thom yorke and radiohead can do whatever they want- they are simple creative geniuses and as long as they keep making amazing music and touring i will be forever happy. besides, if this is what gets them into magazines (and not DUIs, crotch shots, hookers, coke, meth, booze etc….) then congrats boys

  51. jenn says – reply to this
    51

    calling NIN's experiments in getting their stuff and Saul Williams' etc. out there a copycat stunt release is ignorant at best.

    you're in that biz and you should know better.

  52. childe says – reply to this
    52

    ni has made their albums availble for download a second time with ghosts I-V as well as singles, all for minimal fees

  53. Kloche says – reply to this
    53

    NIN is definitely more committed to this method of distribution than Radiohead ever was. And they have successful refined the model to the point to point where they successfully yeilded over 700K downloads in the first week. And most of those were paid downloads. So I would hardy call NIN a copycat.

  54. lalala says – reply to this
    54

    YOU IDIOT THIS ALBUM HAS MADE MORE MONEY THAN ALL OF THEIR ALBUMS TOGETHER….JUST LOOK IT UP FAT IDIOT

  55. Kevin says – reply to this
    55

    Radiohead probably made about £2-3 on each sale, far more than they got with EMI for album sales which i think Ed O'Brien said was about £1 per album sold.
    I doubt Radiohead will do another honesty box download for an album release. They will probably do what they did with the physical cd release of In Rainbows i.e. Sign a distrobution deal with XL recordings again, while Radiohead retains all rights to the recordings. They will probably earn more cash from the upcoming tour. This sort of model won't work for bands and artists that are just starting out, unless they get support from a fanbase or record label.

    Trent wasn't the first with this method of releasing an album online i.e. Pay what you like or pay nothing at all. He's just refined his model via Radiohead's experiment.
    My friend Mary Bichner, released her band's EP "Exercises in Modern pop" for free online a few years ago on the band's website www.boxfive.org As did a bunch of other artists who aren't as well known as the likes of NiN and Radiohead.

  56. bumscratcher says – reply to this
    56

    I bought the full boxset of 'In rainbows' and it was SO worth it. The download was just a tiny part of the In Rainbows experience. All the twats who downloaded it for free are….. twats.

    Why is Perez reporting this? Most of his fans are to stupid to listen to Radiohead!

  57. bumscratcher says – reply to this
    57

    Re: bumscratcher

    I meant: TOO stupid to listen to Radiohead!Re: bumscratcher

  58. Jigsaw says – reply to this
    58

    According to Rolling Stone, Radiohead banked more on "In Rainbows" then any other album.

  59. Jen says – reply to this
    59

    1. It wasn't about the money. They don't give a shit.
    2. It's funny how coldplay always copies what radiohead does. hahaha.

  60. k says – reply to this
    60

    trent made over a million dollars. he made a small portion of the entire release for free. he set prices for various formats of the album that you choose to get it in. $5 for mp3s. $10 for cd. $75 for deluxe editions with bunch of extra stuff. $300 for limited edition, signed and numbered–only 2000 copies. all 2000 were sold. that's 600,000 bucks right there, in his pocket.

    for a musician or band of trent's stature, that is a guaranteed method.

  61. cara says – reply to this
    61

    god, you're such a douchebag. there is no doubt in my mind that both radiohead and nin do what they do because they love music.

    "it'll be interesting if they do it for a second time" go fuck yourself, it would be a cold day in hell before you or any of your fucking idols did anything for the love of the craft as opposed to the love of money. get off your high horse you asshole.

    and besides the fact, why would radiohead go free again? the purpose was already achieved the first time around. god you're so fucking stupid i wish god would strike you.

  62. lexilooOoOoO says – reply to this
    62

    i love you thom..see you monday =)

  63. PEREZ HILTON IS AN IDIOT says – reply to this
    63

    Seriously, wtf is wrong with you? You are now in the "music business", yet you still refuse to accept reality?
    NINE INCH NAILS DID NOT FUCKING COPY RADIOHEAD. Trent Reznor produced Saul William's album, and then offered it for free or $5 on the official NIN website. THEN he gave away songs from Year Zero (before it's release) in random bathrooms using flash drives that fans would find while on tour as part of a RPG that spread across the entire internet which coincided with the album release. Then he had the four choices of free or various payments for Ghosts I-IV. The man is a fucking genius, stop being a petty dick. There is obviously some kind of jealousy there, being as you ALWAYS try to put NIN down. What's the matter Perez? He blew you off or wouldn't give you the time of day? More time learning, less time spouting off bullshit, you dumbass.

  64. ikr says – reply to this
    64

    Re: PEREZ HILTON IS AN IDIOT
    exactly! and don't forget he is giving away his latest single now on the nin site too!!!
    nin=awesome long standing musical talent…perez=put a fork in him, he's done!!

  65. sivia says – reply to this
    65

    Re: carrie

    yeah! that's right! Radiohead released low quality shit while NIN released high quality (in terms of sound/recording) material.

    Radiohead pretended to be good, NIN were good.

  66. ashyballs says – reply to this
    66

    There's not really anything to understand here. Like he said, it was an 'in-the-moment things. I will say, I paid for the download, and I bought the box set. That's because I love them so much. I get to see them on 5/8…sigh…