20 YEARS AGO: UNKLE Ft. Thom Yorke - Rabbit In Your Headlights

Released 20 years ago, 'Psyence Fiction' was the much-hyped debut album from UNKLE (aka James Lavelle and DJ Shadow), which featured an array of high profile guests. Slated as a disappointment at the time, it actually stands up rather well today. It was released August 24th 1998. Featuring the unmistakable vocals of Thom Yorke, this excellent single was written by Yorke and DJ Shadow. The track takes its title from a quote from the 1990 film Jacob's Ladder, and dialog from the film is also one of many samples on the song. It also samples the percussion from Talk Talk's 'New Grass', Dutch band Supersister, over Satie to the film Contact (1997).
The song's acclaimed but initially controversial music video was directed by Jonathan Glazer and won numerous awards. It stars Denis Lavant as a man wearing a heavy parka and walking along the middle of the road in a busy car tunnel. He appears to be out of his mind, mumbling and shouting incoherences.... After being knocked down by various cars several times, eventually the man removes his parka and throws it on the ground. Then, as the song's beat stops, leaving just a piano playing, the man stops as well. He smiles and opens his arms in a crucifix-like position. A MK2 Cavalier is coming his way and makes no intention of stopping. The car hits the man, but this time he stands unmoved, and the car destroys itself on impact.