Capitol cuts 32 seconds out of “Let Down” for American radio

The version of “Let Down” on American radio is 32 seconds shorter than the one on OK Computer, and what has gone is the quiet interlude in the middle. Capitol Records made the edit. We whacked it¹, Phil Costello, the label's senior vice president of radio promotion, tells Rolling Stone. In its first two weeks, 55 stations added “Let Down”.

Trimming singles has long been routine at Top 40, but it has only lately become common at modern-rock radio. Costello says no change is made without the artist's approval. He argues that had the label not made the edit, stations could have, because cheap new equipment now lets programmers cut songs for themselves.