Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A complex, piano-led lullaby written by Thom Yorke for his newborn son, characterized by constantly changing time signatures, borrowed chords, and an atmospheric mood reminiscent of 'Pyramid Song.'
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: contemplative, dreamy, melancholy
Traditions: alternative rock, art rock
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 5/10 is within the normal pop-mix band. There is variation between verse and chorus, but it's the kind of variation most listeners encounter routinely.
Sudden changes: present. This song uses surprise as a feature. For focus or background listening, it's likely to pull your attention away; for active listening, that's often the point.
Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.
Predictability is low — this song does not follow standard verse-chorus form closely, and rewards active listening more than passive listening.
Vocal style: soft vocals.
Where this sits in Radiohead's catalog
We have 78 songs from Radiohead in the library. Of those, 7 are rated Safe, 55 Moderate, and 16 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 5/10 sits below the artist average of 6.6, making it the #69 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Hail to the Thief
We have 10 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.
- 2+2=5 — intense DR 8
- Videotape — moderate DR 6
- There There — moderate DR 7
- Myxomatosis — moderate DR 6
- 2 Plus 2 Equals 5 — intense DR 8
- A Wolf at the Door — intense DR 8
- Where I End and You Begin — moderate DR 7
- Go to Sleep — moderate DR 7
- Scatterbrain — moderate DR 6
2003 context
Released in 2003. We have 365 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.5/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 2000s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-14. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "Sail to the Moon"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Sail to the Moon" by Radiohead?
"Sail to the Moon" by Radiohead rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 5/10, moderate sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "Sail to the Moon" — what is its dynamic range?
"Sail to the Moon" has a dynamic range of 5/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.
Does "Sail to the Moon" have sudden or surprising changes?
Yes. "Sail to the Moon" uses surprise as a compositional feature. Expect unsignaled transitions.
What is "Sail to the Moon" best for?
In our library "Sail to the Moon" is recommended for: deep listening, introspective, meltdown recovery. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Sail to the Moon" released?
"Sail to the Moon" is from 2003, on the album "Hail to the Thief". It appears in our 2000s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Sail to the Moon"?
We tag "Sail to the Moon" as contemplative, dreamy, melancholy. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Sail to the Moon"?
The vocal style is soft vocals.
Should I listen to "Sail to the Moon"?
"Sail to the Moon" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.
Songs with the same DNA
layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
Safer alternatives with a similar feel
These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.
What this song means to people
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