Coming Up With The Sunshine: Radio-Ed O'Brien's Favourite Music | Page 11 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

10. Bill WithersBill Withers Live at Carnegie Hall

I remember first listening to this during the OK Computer tour, too, with Colin [Greenwood]. The only thing I’d really known by him before – Bill, I mean, not Colin,– was ‘Lovely Day’. When I’d got into him, he’d retired from the music industry, but years later, a documentary, Still Bill, came out about why he’d done that, and I’d really encourage any fan of his to get hold of it. He’s just this lovely family man, doing joinery, talking about how he doesn’t want to make music for the sake of it in this really lovely, gentle way. 

There’s a wisdom in his personality, too, a wisdom really comes out in his singing voice, and his music. He doesn’t come across as an artist driven by the need to express himself creatively either, which is interesting. He comes across as a human being, a husband and a father before he’s a musician. He talks about why that’s important, and that really resonated with that way of thinking.


PreviousNext Record

Don’t Miss The Quietus Digest

Start each weekend with our free email newsletter.

Help Support The Quietus in 2025

If you’ve read something you love on our site today, please consider becoming a tQ subscriber – our journalism is mostly funded this way. We’ve got some bonus perks waiting for you too.

Subscribe Now