Go to Sleep

For other uses, see Go to Sleep (disambiguation).

"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 on the Canadian Singles Chart, number nine on the Italian Singles Chart, and number 12 on the UK singles chart.

"Go to Sleep"
Single by Radiohead
from the album Hail to the Thief
B-side	"I Am Citizen Insane" "Gagging Order" "I Am a Wicked Child" "Fog (Again)" (Live)
Released	18 August 2003 (2003-08-18)
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	3:21
Label	Parlophone Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Radiohead
Producer(s)	Nigel Godrich Radiohead
Radiohead singles chronology
"There There" (2003) "Go to Sleep" (2003) "2 + 2 = 5" (2003)
Music video
"Go to Sleep" on YouTube

Composition

The first part of "Go to Sleep" is composed in alternating bars of 4/4 and 12/8.^[1] It features a processed "stuttering" guitar sound created by Jonny Greenwood.^[2] Radiohead released a live version, recorded in Osaka, for the War Child charity in 2004.^[3]

Music video

A CGI animated music video was released for "Go to Sleep", directed by Alex Rutterford.^{[citation needed]} It depicts the singer, Thom Yorke, sitting in a park while people in business suits walk by rapidly. The classical buildings spontaneously crumble and reassemble themselves 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^[4]

Track listings

UK versions

CD 1 CDR6613

1. "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
2. "I Am Citizen Insane" - 3:31
3. "Fog (Again)" (Live) - 2:17

CD 2 CDRS6613

1. "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
2. "Gagging Order" - 3:35
3. "I Am a Wicked Child" - 3:05

12" 12R6613

1. "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
2. "I Am Citizen Insane" - 3:32
3. "I Am a Wicked Child" - 3:35

US version

CD 52953 released 3 September 2003 by Capitol Records

1. "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
2. "Gagging Order" - 3:35
3. "I Am a Wicked Child" - 3:07

7" R-19218

1. "Go to Sleep" - 3:21
2. "I Am Citizen Insane" - 3:30

Canada version

CD 1 52954

1. "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
2. "I Am Citizen Insane" - 3:35
3. "Fog (Again)" (Live) - 2:17

CD 2 52955

1. "Go to Sleep" - 3:23
2. "Gagging Order" - 3:35
3. "I Am a Wicked Child" - 3:07

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)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[5]	39
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[6]	10
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[7]	2
Denmark (Tracklisten)[8]	11
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[9]	14
France (SNEP)[10]	87
Germany (GfK)[11]	82
Ireland (IRMA)[12]	11
Italy (FIMI)[13]	9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14]	55
Scotland (OCC)[15]	10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16]	90
UK Singles (OCC)[17]	12
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[18]	2
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[7]	32

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United Kingdom	18 August 2003 (2003-08-18)	12-inch vinyl CD	Parlophone	[19]
United States		Triple A alternative radio	Capitol	[20]
Australia	1 September 2003 (2003-09-01)	12-inch vinyl CD	Parlophone	[21]