# Thom Yorke's R.E.M. advice

> Radiohead's Thom Yorke shares R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe's advice on not hiding from fame.
- Title: Thom Yorke's R.E.M. advice · NME | Shortify
- Summary: Radiohead's Thom Yorke shares R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe's advice on not hiding from fame. Thom Yorke credits R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe with teaching him to stop…
- Keywords: thom yorke, rem, michael stipe, radiohead, music, advice, fame, kid a, culture, Thom, Yorke's, NME
- Source: NME — https://nme.com/news/music/radiohead-thom-yorke-important-advice-rem-michael-stipe-3972855
- Published: 2026-10-10T10:04:55+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: thom yorke, rem, michael stipe, radiohead, music, advice, fame, kid a, culture
## Thom Yorke shares advice
Thom Yorke recalled R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe giving him advice during Radiohead's early fame struggles.

> If you don’t care, they don’t care. If you’re not looking, they’re not looking.
## Stipe's test of advice
Stipe tested the advice in Stockholm by telling Yorke to try it at a busy club.

> Try it
## Advice became a song
Yorke used Stipe's advice as the central refrain for Radiohead's 2000 song 'How To Disappear Completely'.

> I’m not here, this isn’t happening.
## Long friendship
Yorke and Stipe have worked together for over three decades since their 1995 tour.

> We needed swagger, to be loud and raw
## Stipe's role
Stipe described Yorke as a trusted advisor for music industry decisions and a source of cross-inspiration.

> He’s one of the people that I go to for advice in the industry of music
## Key takeaway

Thom Yorke credits R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe with teaching him to stop hiding during Radiohead's early fame struggles.