Radiohead Demands Removal of 'Let Down' From ICE Instagram Post
Radiohead is taking aim at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over an unauthorized use of one of their most beloved tracks. The Oxford rock legends fired back on February 27th after discovering their 1997 single "Let Down" had been posted to ICE's official Instagram account without consent.
In a blunt statement, the band didn't mince words: "We demand that the amateurs in control of the I.C.E. social media account take it down. It ain't funny. This song means a lot to us and other people, and you don't get to appropriate it without a fight. Also, go fuck yourselves."
"Let Down" carries deep resonance for fans worldwide. Released on the band's landmark 1997 album OK Computer, the track has become a cultural touchstone, racking up more than 690 million streams on Spotify alone. The song's themes of hope filtered through alienation and uncertainty have given it staying power across generations of listeners.
The incident marks the second music rights headache for Radiohead insiders within weeks. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood also recently confronted Universal over unauthorized use of his film score work. The composer had written music for the 2017 Paul Thomas Anderson film Phantom Thread, but discovered portions appearing in the documentary Melania without his knowledge or approval—a clear violation of his composer agreement with the studio.
Both disputes underline ongoing tensions around music licensing in the digital age, where content spreads faster than permissions can catch up.
James Cordero has been writing about music since his college radio days. He covers pop, Latin, and R&B for SongLyrics and never misses a good debut album.