Harry Styles confessed that he “lost [his] virginity” to Radiohead’s Talk Show Host while presenting frontman Thom Yorke with an award.
The former One Direction star didn’t hold back when he shared how Thom’s music has soundtracked his life in a lengthy speech in honour of his idol as he collected the Fellowship of the Ivors Academy at Thursday’s (21.05.26) Ivor Novello Awards.
Harry began his speech: “Thom Yorke has always had a way with words
“Over his almost 35 years of releasing music, he has taken feelings of anxiety and alienation, and turned them into atmospheres, anthems and art. From guitars to glitches, he has time and time again shown us what the future sounds like. Never compromising, a restless creative, an artist in its truest form. There are no two songs that sound alike.
“For so many of us, he lives atop this magical music mountain that we’re all attempting to climb.”
The 32-year-old singer drew laughs from the star-studded audience at Grosvenor House in London when he pointed out that he was born the year after Radiohead’s debut album, 1993’s Pablo Honey, came out.
He said: “Some of you had Radiohead albums at the time they were released. Their debut album came out the year before I was born. Just gonna let that sink.”
Harry then shared how he discovered the seminal alternative rock band’s music.
He continued: “So, I discovered their songs over time growing up inhaling the secondhand teenage angst from up the stairs separating my sister’s bedroom from where I sat below doing my homework.
“Thank you to my uncle Michael for burning her numerous CDs to try to convince her of some of what he referred to as some of the weirdest stuff.
“I found them again at parties [and] in treasured moments alone.”
He drew more laughter when he shared that the first time he had sex, it was to the 1996 Street Spirit (Fade Out) B-side Talk Show Host.
He spilled: “I lost my virginity to “Talk Show Host.” [laughter] I lost my virginity to the intro of Talk Show Host.”
Harry said he “cannot overstate how much” the 57-year-old songwriter’s “work continues to influence me.”
Adding that: “Without Exit Music, there would be no Watermelon Sugar. Imagine that. [laughter] A world without that song.”
Harry also recalled the time he bumped into his idol on the “cobbled streets” of Rome, and how relieved he was to discover that the “wizard was also a human”.
He concluded his speech: “It’s an honour to be here tonight to present Thom with this recognition of his enduring influence on British music. Radiohead is my favourite band. Thank you, Thom, forever.”
