Pablo Honey

The debut album recorded in three weeks that launched Radiohead with their biggest hit, "Creep".

Pablo Honey is the debut studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 22 February 1993 in the UK by Parlophone and on 20 April 1993 in the US by Capitol Records. Produced by Sean Slade, Paul Q. Kolderie, and co-manager Chris Hufford, it was recorded over three weeks at Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Oxfordshire in 1992. The album reached number 22 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified double platinum there in 2013; in the US, it achieved platinum certification in 1995. While some critics found it underdeveloped or derivative compared to later work, it contains "Creep," which remains Radiohead's most successful single.

Quick Facts

Artist

Radiohead

Released

22 February 1993

Recorded

1992

Studio

Chipping Norton
Oxfordshire; Courtyard Studios
Oxfordshire

Genre

Alternative rock; grunge

Length

42:11

Label

Parlophone; Capitol

Producer

Sean Slade
Paul Q. Kolderie
Chris Hufford

Lore & Background

Radiohead formed in 1985 at Abingdon School as On a Friday, recording demos like the unofficial "Manic Hedgehog" cassette featuring early versions of tracks that would appear on Pablo Honey. After signing to EMI in late 1991 and changing their name, they released the unsuccessful EP Drill in 1992. Management, led by Chris Hufford and Bryce Edge, deliberately targeted the American market using US producers Sean Slade and Paul Q. Kolderie, who were impressed by "Stop Whispering" and Thom Yorke's vocals. The recording sessions at Chipping Norton were marked by the band's inexperience; they struggled with songs like "Inside My Head," which producer Kolderie called "not very melodic." However, an unexpected rehearsal of "Creep," considered a throwaway track by the band, resulted in studio-wide applause and convinced EMI to make it their debut single. The album title itself derives from a Jerky Boys prank call sketch where a caller says, "Pablo, honey? Please come to Florida," which Yorke felt appropriate as the members were "mothers' boys."

Reader's Guide

Pablo Honey blends alternative rock with elements of grunge, stadium rock, and jangle pop, drawing comparisons to Nirvana, U2, and Dinosaur Jr. The lyrics often explore outsider status and frustration; "Creep" features a quiet verse exploding into a loud chorus with guitar noise blasts, inspired by Yorke following a woman who attended their show. Other tracks like "Stop Whispering" address oppression, while "Anyone Can Play Guitar" mocks music industry pretension. The album's sound is characterized by raw energy and specific textures: the opening track "You" shifts between major and minor chords, and "Blow Out" mixes bossa nova, krautrock, and shoegaze. For fans, understanding Pablo Honey requires acknowledging its mixed reception; while it launched their career, band members have criticized it for weaker songwriting and their own studio inexperience. The album reached number 22 on the UK Albums Chart, achieving silver certification in February 1994 and double platinum by July 2013. In the US, it went gold in September 1993 and platinum in 1995. Live performances supporting Belly, PJ Harvey, and James helped solidify their presence, leading to the 1995 VHS release "Live at the Astoria."

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1	You	3:29
2	Creep	3:56
3	How Do You?	2:12
4	Stop Whispering	5:26
5	Thinking About You	2:41
6	Anyone Can Play Guitar	3:38
7	Ripcord	3:10
8	Vegetable	3:13
9	Prove Yourself	2:25
10	I Can't	4:13
11	Lurgee	3:08
12	Blow Out	4:40
Total length		42:11

Did You Know?

For the introduction to "Anyone Can Play Guitar," producer Paul Q. Kolderie had everyone in the studio, including the cook, create sounds on guitar; Jonny Greenwood used a paintbrush for his part.
"Creep" reached number 78 on the UK singles chart upon its initial release in September 1992 before climbing to number seven after being reissued in September 1993.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who or what is Pablo Honey?

Pablo Honey is not a person but the debut studio album by the English rock band Radiohead released in 1993. It serves as their first official collection of songs rather than a character within any fictional narrative.

Who produced the recordings for Pablo Honey?

Sean Slade and Paul Q. Kolderie managed production alongside co-manager Chris Hufford during a three-week session at Chipping Norton Recording Studios. Their collaboration created the raw alternative rock sound that defines this early era of the band's history.