Radiohead's CD2: Breaking Down the Exclusive Companion to "In Rainbows"

"Down Is the New Up"
A song fans have either loved or loathed since its first performances in 2006, "Down Is the New Up" was once considered to be the centerpiece of In Rainbows because the band posted countless pieces of artwork by band designer Stanley Donwood on their Web site that illustrated the title. In its studio form, this piano-heavy slow funk song (think Hail to the Thief's "Punch-Up At a Wedding") remains largely the same as the live version until the 1:54 mark, when the most menacing violin strings this side of a James Bond theme creep in, breathing new life into the track. The strings hang around for the remainder of the song, while Yorke does his best Prince impression during the closing coda.

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