Radiohead are responding to the Department of Homeland Security’s ICE account’s use of their song with a clear statement – making it abundantly clear what they think about it.
The year 2025 was a big and quite successful one for Radiohead. The Brits embarked on a brilliant European tour, which was consistently celebrated by critics, fans and colleagues from the music industry – the performances were considered highlights of the concert year. Singer Thom Yorke in particular is known for political positions; In the recent past he ruled out appearances in Israel. Now he and his bandmates are making another political statement.
“Fuck you!”
Radiohead recently made a clear statement directed at the US Customs and Immigration Services (ICE). The trigger was the use of the song “Lee Down,” which the band released on their 1997 album OK COMPUTER, in an Instagram reel on the Department of Homeland Security account.
The group responded to this with a statement in which they made it clear what they thought about the use of the song – and found a very clear choice of words: “We demand that the amateurs who manage the ICE social media account delete it. That’s not funny, this song means a lot to us and other people, and you can’t just appropriate it. And also: fuck you!”
Radiohead weren’t the first
Radiohead were not the first artists to find themselves on the social media accounts of US institutions and to defend themselves against it. Sabrina Carpenter and Bruce Springsteen have also already been at odds with the White House. A song by the pop singer was played in a reel that showed radical action against migrants. In the wake of escalating protests against ICE in Minneapolis, the boss released a song that strongly criticized the agency’s actions.
Is the band working on new music?
Recently, Radiohead made positive headlines for fans because the band founded a new company. This could indicate work on a new project – it’s been like this before: albums or tours followed the founding of a company. So it remains exciting about the band.
