Rewatching this video after a long time and realized that the "Do you like the kind of person you're writing for?" thing made me quit my previous band. That phrase kept me thinking about it for months, I made the decision and didn't know where I heard it, now I came by it by surprise, and man... Thank you for this. This was a very important decision in my life, I'm happy to restart my carrer thinking about this in the first place.
@@TheBariNoZ The theory with chart pop lovers is that they must be hard-working and out-going, because that leaves no freetime to expand their musical horizons? Clever deduction.
Fun fact: almost at the end of 1984, the guy is sitting at some sort cafe. He then writes 2+2=5 on the table and a few minutes later gets shot. The math symbolises how the government has broken him, has brainwashed him and now controls him. In the first publication however, he wrote 2+2=4, in contrast to what they want him to write. He still gets shot, but although they control his body, his mind remains his own. The resistance inside him lives on which gives the book a sort of “happy ending”. Funny how one number can chance so much huh?
They make great use of the phrygian mode. Also, their songs are sometimes so sparse that the vocal melody is often the only thing that binds the instruments together in any "music theory" sense. I love this band. always have- always will.
@@matiasgonzalez5053 a feeling of not belonging on this earth, like an alien, like you are from some other place and you dont get it what the f*** people are all about!
I've been writing songs for 20+ yrs and often decide to study a band or artist to understand their process. This video was tremendously useful and well-done. Thanks
As soon as 2+2=5 came on I had a great song idea and just had to write it down and pause the video. I leaned much more from this than I thought I would thanks so much for making this video.
I've been a fan of Radiohead since the first song I heard. I couldn't sleep one night and turned on MTV and "Just" was the video being played. I loved it...later on I realized they also did Creep which I had heard on the radio but at that time it wasn't being played much where I lived. Pretty sure I got up the next morning and went down and bought Pablo Honey and The Bends. I don't think I've missed any albums ever since.
I am currently musically illiterate ( in any professional sense) but I appreciated everything about this video. I'm an aspiring Caribbean rap artist, who has an appreciation for all other genres and radio head was one of my greatest discoveries. Subscribed.
I thought about it, but as is I already spend 1,5 weeks working on a video like this - a bouncy ball would add another day to that - so unfortunately, no :/
That's ok. But I would strongly urge you to adopt Mr Wilson's suggestion in your next video that utilizes music notation being displayed while the music is playing. I studied classical piano and then cello for about 15 years. I'm no great player or music reader by any stretch, but even I had trouble following. And even in those cases where I could follow, I still wanted the pace to bea hair slower during those times where you had the music notation and its underlying music being played simply so I could let your point (of the moment) sink in. I mean this entirely as constructive suggestion. Otherwise, your analyses of songs were instructive and elucidating of some themes I had never heard before in Radiohead's music. So thank you on that.
I would agree with the original comment as well. Doesn’t have to be bouncy ball action but anything to help guide us because my eyes were all over the place looking at the examples.
As someone who has absolutely no idea what he's looking at, but is very intrigued. A small loading bar going across the layout would be more efficient and effective than a bouncy Ball.
You know, I never thought about this before, but it also fits really well with what Yorke has said about street spirit (look it up if you don't know what I mean).
Respect voor het leven gekomen door de komende dagen naar zithoek met de hoogte van de komende dagen naar zithoek met de hoogte van de komende dagen naar zithoek met de hoogte van de komende dagen naar zithoek met de hoogte van de komende dagen naar je een goeie film te zien in Middelburg van het leven van een voordeur open voor alle verkeer in een goeie film te zien zijn jullie al in Middelburg van het
Not sure I agree. Many of Yorke's lyrics, particularly those referring to actual 'alien' experiences or events are analogous to depression. Subjective view of course.
"Deep not wide." I love it. I honestly don't understand half of what ur saying, i have no music theory training, but I still get the jist of most of it just from intentionally exposing myself to so much of it. I produce mainly hip hop but my interest lies in using music to convey and manipulate emotions. Chords progressions are the key.
This is probably my favorite video out by you so far. A wonderful analysis, some critical points about artistry discussed very clearly, and even quality resources. I like how you compared your fanbase and your outreach here, too. Definitely motivating and inspiring as a developing artist. Thank you.
Radiohead to me has the best riffs and musical engineering of all time. There is something about the way they put things together that brings it into a beautiful contrasting, meshing sound
Fantastic, that's exactly what I was hoping to get through this channel! More, please! How about Muse, Bowie, The National, Pink Floyd, Elbow and Qotsa next?
i fell in love with radiohead after i saw warren's video about the hidden syncopation in videotape,so i listened to their whole discography and they became my favorite band
feroui hamza the funny thing about this comment is how I'm confident there will be many Radiohead fans here who know exactly what you mean because they know who Warren is and have watched his video on Videotape.
Never left a comment on RUclips. I am an Icelandic composer with an MFA in this shit - but wow I have learned so much from you. Thank you so much for that hard work you put in :)
Awesome job ! It´s basically the first time someone actually told me about the stylsitic devices in radiohead´s music that make me like the weird and dark sound... I´d really love you to make one of those videos about my favourite band of all time : MUSE might end up pretty similar to this one but I´ve always felt like Muse managed to make radiohead´s sound a little more accessible by not relying on too wild key changes or too sudden changes in time signature but still containing the complexity in their late romantic chord progressions and incredible instrumentaions of their songs.
I think this is a fantastic video. I know nothing about music theory, though I dabble with instruments and was former professional dancer. I came to youtube trying to understand why I'm so drawn to Radiohead's music - dreary, but not bleak - enchanting and sometimes phantasmagorical. I knew it was in the chord structures, but I needed someone to tell me. So thank you for that!
This has been the most enlightening and inspiring episode in a long time and I don't even listen to radiohead! Great work! On this season I'd really really love to see Biffy Clyro, but I think they aren't important enough. I think they're a great band to analyse, especially when you look at songs like wave upon wave upon wave, and I love their music ^^
I hardly understood any of it, but I loved it and now have greater appreciation of just how much goes into creating the music I take for granted. Thank you!
Those chord changes and semi tones is what makes Radiohead one of the best bands in the world . The inventive creativity is hard at work in every song , crafted to perfection this music gives us a glimpse into the result of the combined will of these dedicated intellects . Along with interpol there are precious few bands that brings this kind of excellence into the world over and over. This is a great video in that it shows us the writing process and the decisions that are made in that process. Thx HS 👍
Great video! Radiohead is one of my favorites bands. I never get tired of listen to them. Other videos I would like to watch, are about the chord progression of Jeff Buckley and the dark and haunting atmospheres in Trent Reznor's music.
You never touched on the syncopation of "Videotape" but this was a wonderful video. I've seen a couple now, and plan to watch many more. Thank you for creating something that is accurate, entertaining, and shows me where I can learn and improve.
I want you to know, I do not understand music theory and have never played an instrument, and this was by far one of the most fascinating videos about modern music I have seen. You do a great job of making this accessible, and that got me to subscribe. Thanks!
Outstanding video. Radiohead is, for me, the most creative and best rock group ever. Alienation? Yes, very. Is maybe why is a music to be apreciated alone and with a good audio set, just to feel all de details of each music. Thank you mate.
Question is did they think about all this theory or did they just feel it and that was the end result? When I write I try to turn off the theory in my brain so I don't go to obvious places musically. These progressions may have just happened organically.
I don't think for a second Radiohead constructed their songs through theory. They just popped out of the weirdness of Thom Yorke's mind. But the technical analysis is very interesting and useful to me to understand the band and their music on a deeper level.
Rapture and inspiration is an art of music. Not analysis. Not mathematics. Sorry for my English. Восторг, вдохновение - вот сущность искусства, музыка. Не анализ. не математика.
Edward Mellett I would imagine the guys in Radiohead know a fair amount of theory but yes, they probably won’t be thinking about it - once you know stuff you just do it. Plus, modal interchange or parallel chords is hardly ingenious, it’s pretty basic stuff.
I think Kurt Cobain would beg to disagree with your statement about the artist being able to choose their fans. He wrote In Bloom to mock their jock fans that "liked to sing along" but that "don't know what it means."
I never blamed the Grateful Dead for their fans but I do blame the other jam bands for theirs.....Phish used to pretend the Dead were not much of an influence (' we are more into Zappa'). If you get successful you really cannot pick your fans.It is important if you find yerself with fans who do not get what you are saying it is good to address this ( Nirvana'"In Bloom", Brad Paisley 'Southern Comfort Zone)
I loved the ending of this video, I really struggle with the thought that I’ll never top the charts, but I don’t want to make boring music for simple people 😶🤣
Your last statement (1000 true fan theory) may just have helped start to unlock a creative desert I’ve been in. Desert of fear tbh. Afraid to write. It’s not about all of them, just me and those that care.
Exactly! If you haven't seen it yet, I'd also recommend this latest live Q&A video where I talk about that a little more: ruclips.net/video/Wx3mOz7i36I/видео.html
That Radiohead-esque ambient... just a handful of bands/musicians are able to make me feel this special feeling. dEUS is one of them. Just awesome! Great video, probably your best.
That study had a huge impact on my perception. I can't stop thinking about it. I used to listen to rock-indie-punk music... , in time my self-esteem improved and now I listen to more rap and still listen to alternative rock in general. Eye-opening
"Tinker Tailor", from their latest album, is also made entirely of major chords. But the bizarre intervals and the arrangement turn out incredibly creepy. Another cool thing: Thom uses a lot of pedal notes throughout his progressions, specially those written on the piano ("Pyramid Song", "Everything In Its Right Place", "The Daily Mail").
Terrific show, that said how been a songwriter and working with them for 30 years I would be absolutely dumbfounded if Radiohead were to break apart theory within their writing process. I think it would be more along the lines of "Here is something cool that is in our heads, let's get it out on record. Great channel. Subscribed.
i had to pause 10 minutes into this to make this comment. You have just rationally explianed to me why ive been possessed with an obsession for radiohead for the past 6 years now. Further youve helped verballize my own internal interests in music writing. it feels like you just handed me an infinity stone. thank you
When thom sang the word such a chill “ exit music ( for a film) “ I literally got a chill and every one I know has said the same. His voice can form the emotion
Just getting into radiohead and I really do wonder where they get the ideas for a lot of their songs. I mean paranoid Android is just changing bass notes over a chord but sounds soo full and amazing. The compositions are genius. 15 step using 5/4 time and suss / extended chords is beautiful. For the minor to major changes, Debussy and satie experimented with that a bit. And in "my funny valentine", you have a Cm played over descending bass notes. But radio head makes it all so natural and takes it to an entirely original place. I'm properly in awe of radio head. Even more than I was with Bill Evans earlier.
Saw them live once in Sydney Australia. Beautiful and unforgettable, one might say exquisite. I have a lot to say about their song structures that I witnessed that night. I won't discus it unless asked. Ave all.
Can we discus it privately as I don't think this is the place? You can find me on fb or I'll give you an email address. Needless to say I only saw them once and have never heard an album, but I was raving about their song writing for years afterwards.
I love Radiohead (listend to the seens the 90s, started to really appreciate them recently). This video touch stuff I don't yet grasp. I will re visit it until I do. Thank you.
You're making it too complicated! For example, "My iron lung" can be analyzed as being in C minor, with emphasis on major dominant (G, sometimes with the 7th). There's nothing dorian about it, the scale being used is simply C melodic minor :) Greenwood is a huge Bach fan, and you can really tell! Also the "strange slash chords"-example, Fm - Fsus2/E, looks unnecessarily strange. Why not Fm - Csus/E? The structure (tonic - dominant) becomes immediately apparent.
Please forgive my nitpicking, but the video's explanation of "Maj7 Neapolitan chord" is wrong. A neapolitan chord is a major chord on the bII degree (usually with the third in the bass.) So a neapolitan chord resolving into a dominant E would be something like Bb/F or Bb/D. IMO that paranoid android progression is simply Gm - Dm/F - E7. Looks awful alot like D minor doesn't it? Subdominant - tonic (third in the bass) - secondary dominant.
@@zachariesmith7174 Well, you can call it Cadd4/E then :) But I don't really see the problem calling it Csus/E since the third is indeed excluded in the chord that is played over the bass note. Just like you can write C/Eb even though a major chord clearly doesn't include the minor third.
You’re almost definitely not going to do this, but I’m really interested in how Tigers Jaw work at the moment. I feel like they’re able to get a little more complex with their chords than you’d expect without you noticing most of the time and I’d like to get a video on them. That said, I don’t expect you to release one.
What an intelligent analysis of an intelligent band! Thank you for making this video! Also, the point you make about song-writers choosing their style of music in order to choose the people they want around them blew my mind! As an amateur song-writer myself, this idea really resonates with me, and maybe even helps me understand my choice of career path! Thank you a million times!!
Well firstly.. Thank you for introducing me to 21 pilots.. Had NO CLUE who they were.. The guy from 21 pilots voice reminds me a little of Chester (Linkin Park).. love the deep bass sound. As for Radiohead.. I for one liked your analysis. If we ALL thought the same and had the same opinion, the world would be devoid of creativity. I enjoyed your review.. so thanks for Sharing. As for all the comments below, and to come.. All this negativity over a review.. guys it's JUST a Review... Jeez man, just chill the fuck out!! He was basically saying their Chord progressions are cool.. as a Music writer, I think so too. Also, I personally think the Drummer and the Bass player are the fucking Rockstars on Creep! without them, that song would not have had the impact ... their insanely great chem is the foundation of the song, so it's not just the grunge guitar or vocals.. its the overall sound that made Creep such a great song, That... and the Lyrical Content which was really outside the box. Thats My Opinion..
Maybe a "meta-observation" on their usage of that b-flat in 'Creep'. It is used the moment the lyrics hit "I don't belong here" (with emphasis on 'belong', that is where the b-flat lands on) and well, it is quite nice that, the exact note which basically dictates whether or not you're in a major or minor chord (or triad) is used here in the exact opposite way it should be. It's a b-flat, we're in G major. That b-flat literally doesn't belong there.
13:06 This is so true. And RUclips has vast largely untapped potential for channels talking about songwriting/music theory at a slightly advanced level. I have always tried to find good music theory channels on RUclips, most of the first real music theory channels that actually started were in 2015/16. For example, Rick Beato's videos go into a lot of depth, perhaps even as much as an undergraduate course in music theory, and it is clearly a very successful channel, for a very niche audience.
I understood what you said in the context of what I was hearing in the music. Hearing the music is what makes it alluring, understanding it is what makes it interesting.
Julien Destange Elliott Smith was a talent rarely seen his lyrics were raw indigenous to the darkness of streets. musically, the genius that went into the discovery of an alternate tuning to circumference the intent of the lyrical message (no name no.5) an artist Gone Too Soon
Elliott Smith would be fascinating. He's one of those artists who could turn a complex chord progression into a sweet gem of melancholic pop. So many interesting key changes and pivot chords but it never seemed like he was trying to show off, he just loved the creativity of crafting songs. Also there's a similarity to Radiohead in that I feel like his songs are very much built around the chord progressions with the vocal melody being implied by those progressions. There's a lot of variety there too, from the almost sinister, ominous lo-fi folk sound of songs from his self-titled album (Christian Brothers being a good example with an incredibly fascinating guitar arrangement) to the breezy 60's sounding pop of a song like Baby Britain from the album Xo. Some really interesting tunings too. Always amazed by how natural and seamless he could make such complex music sound.
The beauty of Elliott Smith is it's so simple...Until it isn't. On first listen (musically) it seems fairly standard and easy to repeat but then when you investigate further there's so much complexity. Not just in his playing but in his writing and harmony as well. In terms of this vid he often uses a similar chromatic shift downwards in chords that seems to blend effortlessly into the progression. From a Basement on a Hill is almost perfect to me. God damn I adore his music.
Oh, I know that. I'm not sure how much is "Filled in" but it's still one of my favourites from him. It's such a shame that that album seemed to undoubtedly be an evolution to a next stage that never came to fruition. All the "Soundscape" parts definitely felt like a new part of him- he even talked about it as such. Do you know the story about his GF and sister when he played "King's Crossing" live? About the line "Give me one good reason not to do it". It's one of the reasons I can't join in this stupid castigation of her when no one else really knows what happened.
There's a lot on the mu-major out there, but I'd also enjoy an SD analysis as well on some of their more abstract tunes, like Dr. Wu, Your Gold Teeth II, Glamour Profession, My Rival, Deacon Blues. Hell, do em all
Video: Don't leave because of all the music theory
Me: That's... Why I'm here.
I love Radiohead; their second album Origin Of Symmetry is amazing!
Have you ever heard of Muse? They have an album called Kid A and it’s really good.
You’re both wrong, Kid A and Origin Of Symmetry are both *Coldplay* albums.
Please, do a little research before you comment 😐
@@guit4rguy nah ok computer by them is better
@@rizvanxd8724 I can see your reasoning for that opinion. My personal favorite by Muse is actually In Rainbows.
@@tencioviedo1248 Coldplay is my favorite radiohead song
Rewatching this video after a long time and realized that the "Do you like the kind of person you're writing for?" thing made me quit my previous band. That phrase kept me thinking about it for months, I made the decision and didn't know where I heard it, now I came by it by surprise, and man... Thank you for this. This was a very important decision in my life, I'm happy to restart my carrer thinking about this in the first place.
What was your earlier target audience like and what is it now?
@@kozhikkaalan maybe it was his bandmates?
I once sold some furniture to Thom Yorke. #oxfordlife
“Ok, Mr Yorke, that will be $2,000 for the chair, $2,000 for the pillow....that comes to $5,000 please”
@@zoltannemeth8864 What?! But 2+2 doesn't equal... Oh.
That sofa makes you look pretty comfy...
@@rome8180 sitting, sleeping gucci little piggy
nice man
Biggest takeaway: all music fans are creative, and none are hard-working
ahahaha. chart pop are. but i'll definetly keep my ease and creativity. dont care dat much for hardworking nor outgoing
well.. book is a big word. 10 pages in a journal :)
Perhaps they should decipher between people who like jazz and people who pretend they like jazz.
@@TheBariNoZ The theory with chart pop lovers is that they must be hard-working and out-going, because that leaves no freetime to expand their musical horizons? Clever deduction.
Depends on ones own idea of what hard work is truly
The thing about Radiohead’s music is its heartbreaking beauty. Beauty. Beauty.
2 + 2 = 5 is taken from the book 1984 by George Orwell.
Thanks for the bellyfeel-un-good brother.
i thought orwell writes books not music???
@@F-Andre
True but the math is the same...
George Orwell is rarely credited for his brilliant songwriting. Way ahead of his time.
Fun fact: almost at the end of 1984, the guy is sitting at some sort cafe. He then writes 2+2=5 on the table and a few minutes later gets shot. The math symbolises how the government has broken him, has brainwashed him and now controls him. In the first publication however, he wrote 2+2=4, in contrast to what they want him to write. He still gets shot, but although they control his body, his mind remains his own. The resistance inside him lives on which gives the book a sort of “happy ending”. Funny how one number can chance so much huh?
They make great use of the phrygian mode. Also, their songs are sometimes so sparse that the vocal melody is often the only thing that binds the instruments together in any "music theory" sense. I love this band. always have- always will.
Scatterbrain
Describe Radiohead in one word most precisely? Alienation.
Describe radiohead in one word? Radiohead.
I still don't know what the heck does alienation means
@@matiasgonzalez5053 a feeling of not belonging on this earth, like an alien, like you are from some other place and you dont get it what the f*** people are all about!
@@kristorn oh thanks, makes sense
@@matiasgonzalez5053 you are welcome!!!
I've been writing songs for 20+ yrs and often decide to study a band or artist to understand their process. This video was tremendously useful and well-done. Thanks
As soon as 2+2=5 came on I had a great song idea and just had to write it down and pause the video. I leaned much more from this than I thought I would thanks so much for making this video.
I think of Radiohead as deep, dark and intriguing
I've been a fan of Radiohead since the first song I heard. I couldn't sleep one night and turned on MTV and "Just" was the video being played. I loved it...later on I realized they also did Creep which I had heard on the radio but at that time it wasn't being played much where I lived. Pretty sure I got up the next morning and went down and bought Pablo Honey and The Bends. I don't think I've missed any albums ever since.
3 Words.
Flan in theface
Dance you fucker
Dance you fucker
Don't you dare
Don't you dare
FAT. UGLY. DEAD
Paused- Three words to describe RadioHead... Timeless, Emotionally-charged, Atmospheric. 💗🌹
It's far from timeless. It sounds very much of its time. I'm with you on the other two.
I think Radiohead is very much alike to Muse, am I the only one?
Yep, just like 21-pilots
I am currently musically illiterate ( in any professional sense) but I appreciated everything about this video. I'm an aspiring Caribbean rap artist, who has an appreciation for all other genres and radio head was one of my greatest discoveries. Subscribed.
The musical notation really needs some of that bouncy ball action so it's easier to anticipate the point of interest.
I thought about it, but as is I already spend 1,5 weeks working on a video like this - a bouncy ball would add another day to that - so unfortunately, no :/
That's ok. But I would strongly urge you to adopt Mr Wilson's suggestion in your next video that utilizes music notation being displayed while the music is playing. I studied classical piano and then cello for about 15 years. I'm no great player or music reader by any stretch, but even I had trouble following. And even in those cases where I could follow, I still wanted the pace to bea hair slower during those times where you had the music notation and its underlying music being played simply so I could let your point (of the moment) sink in. I mean this entirely as constructive suggestion. Otherwise, your analyses of songs were instructive and elucidating of some themes I had never heard before in Radiohead's music. So thank you on that.
I would agree with the original comment as well. Doesn’t have to be bouncy ball action but anything to help guide us because my eyes were all over the place looking at the examples.
I agree about bouncy ball - maybe you could pay a lackey who knows how to insert bouncy balls at correct point!
As someone who has absolutely no idea what he's looking at, but is very intrigued. A small loading bar going across the layout would be more efficient and effective than a bouncy Ball.
06:33 Thom actually sings 'what's that?' not 'what's left' as it's written there!!
actually I'm pretty sure the the lyric is, "what's thhhheeeeeeeeiiiaaaauueeehhhhhh."
@@mabeylane7163 (i may... be paranoid... but not an... android)
Alienation vs Sadness is a great point. Radiohead is not about "sadness" (at least not generally.)
You know, I never thought about this before, but it also fits really well with what Yorke has said about street spirit (look it up if you don't know what I mean).
Respect voor het leven gekomen door de komende dagen naar zithoek met de hoogte van de komende dagen naar zithoek met de hoogte van de komende dagen naar zithoek met de hoogte van de komende dagen naar zithoek met de hoogte van de komende dagen naar je een goeie film te zien in Middelburg van het leven van een voordeur open voor alle verkeer in een goeie film te zien zijn jullie al in Middelburg van het
Not sure I agree. Many of Yorke's lyrics, particularly those referring to actual 'alien' experiences or events are analogous to depression. Subjective view of course.
I like Radiohead but, I have to admit, Yorke does look a little alien (like, maybe, half alien).
Moon shaped pool was pretty sad
"Deep not wide."
I love it. I honestly don't understand half of what ur saying, i have no music theory training, but I still get the jist of most of it just from intentionally exposing myself to so much of it.
I produce mainly hip hop but my interest lies in using music to convey and manipulate emotions. Chords progressions are the key.
Fantastic content. Love the theory break downs.
This is probably my favorite video out by you so far. A wonderful analysis, some critical points about artistry discussed very clearly, and even quality resources. I like how you compared your fanbase and your outreach here, too. Definitely motivating and inspiring as a developing artist. Thank you.
Tyler Tinari thanks for express everything I'd like to say - with better English
Loved this video! It'd be great to see one on Queens of the Stone Age - they've got some really distinct quirks harmony and melody-wise.
Yes. I with you 100% on this. QOTSA and Radiohead are my biggest music inspiration
Charley A yes !! “Like Clockwork” is absolutely gorgeous and glorious.
Absolutely. QotSA is one of my favourites.
Charley A i think theyre painfully simple but wtf do i know
Radiohead to me has the best riffs and musical engineering of all time. There is something about the way they put things together that brings it into a beautiful contrasting, meshing sound
Fantastic, that's exactly what I was hoping to get through this channel! More, please! How about Muse, Bowie, The National, Pink Floyd, Elbow and Qotsa next?
QOTSA would fit this series perfectly IMO.
This was great! I'd love to see an analysis of Nine Inch Nails/Trent Reznor's songwriting
I cannot be happier that I found this channel. Incredible analysis and great trust in your audience to stick with you.
Brilliant. They are just B R I L L I A N T. They're creative, original, real and dreamy at the same time.
i fell in love with radiohead after i saw warren's video about the hidden syncopation in videotape,so i listened to their whole discography and they became my favorite band
feroui hamza the funny thing about this comment is how I'm confident there will be many Radiohead fans here who know exactly what you mean because they know who Warren is and have watched his video on Videotape.
If you like radiohead and play guitar, you'll know Warren for sure haha
feroui hamza welcome
Warren is cool
Shout outs to ma nigga Warren !
Never left a comment on RUclips. I am an Icelandic composer with an MFA in this shit - but wow I have learned so much from you. Thank you so much for that hard work you put in :)
Awesome job ! It´s basically the first time someone actually told me about the stylsitic devices in radiohead´s music that make me like the weird and dark sound...
I´d really love you to make one of those videos about my favourite band of all time : MUSE
might end up pretty similar to this one but I´ve always felt like Muse managed to make radiohead´s sound a little more accessible by not relying on too wild key changes or too sudden changes in time signature but still containing the complexity in their late romantic chord progressions and incredible instrumentaions of their songs.
Amazing as always. I'll be here waiting for RHCP's video
I think this is a fantastic video. I know nothing about music theory, though I dabble with instruments and was former professional dancer. I came to youtube trying to understand why I'm so drawn to Radiohead's music - dreary, but not bleak - enchanting and sometimes phantasmagorical. I knew it was in the chord structures, but I needed someone to tell me. So thank you for that!
This has been the most enlightening and inspiring episode in a long time and I don't even listen to radiohead! Great work! On this season I'd really really love to see Biffy Clyro, but I think they aren't important enough. I think they're a great band to analyse, especially when you look at songs like wave upon wave upon wave, and I love their music ^^
Hear hear! Mon the Biff!
Never thought I would see pop is dead analyzed professionally
I hardly understood any of it, but I loved it and now have greater appreciation of just how much goes into creating the music I take for granted. Thank you!
Vampire Weekend would be an interesting one to do! They use a lot of interesting elements from the music of the world.
Derian Silva cat power
Those chord changes and semi tones is what makes Radiohead one of the best bands in the world . The inventive creativity is hard at work in every song , crafted to perfection this music gives us
a glimpse into the result of the combined will of these dedicated intellects . Along with interpol there are precious few bands that brings this kind of excellence into the world over and over. This is a great video in that it shows us the writing process and the decisions that are made in that process.
Thx HS 👍
Great video! Radiohead is one of my favorites bands. I never get tired of listen to them. Other videos I would like to watch, are about the chord progression of Jeff Buckley and the dark and haunting atmospheres in Trent Reznor's music.
You never touched on the syncopation of "Videotape" but this was a wonderful video. I've seen a couple now, and plan to watch many more. Thank you for creating something that is accurate, entertaining, and shows me where I can learn and improve.
Watch earworm from vox for a videotape analysis!! It's great
whenever radiohead comes to my mind is about freedom, mixed emotions and clear love. Artistic aprroach perfectly fit.
please don’t compare radiohead to twenty one pilots
Blasphemy
Thats cringe
i don't see what's so wrong about it
Ah the elitist radiohead fan
Maroeska Van de Kamp i’m not even that into radiohead but 21 pilots just ain’t it
21 pilot and radiohead in same sentence haha what the f
21 pilots and radiohead mentioned in the same video hahahahahaha
Laughing at all the Philistines getting mad at the realization that their entry tier "smart" pop band is the same as another shitty pop band
@@silovitipanj4958 Ahh...a butt hurt Muse fan.
@@cristoff30 smelly
@@cristoff30 sorry, what about. Muse?
Brilliant visual essay on a brilliant band. So very well articulated!
Nice explanation of what makes music dark, moody, interesting use of dark leading tones.
excactly.. he makes me understand radiohead better
can you do an episode about Pink Floyd???!!? PLEASEEEE
I want you to know, I do not understand music theory and have never played an instrument, and this was by far one of the most fascinating videos about modern music I have seen. You do a great job of making this accessible, and that got me to subscribe. Thanks!
I'd love to see Portishead on this series.
Gautier Milewski OMG yes
yeeeeeeee
Please please please YES
Could you possibly do a Blur chord progression video, they have some interesting ones
Oh yes, I was searching for this comment!
Outstanding video. Radiohead is, for me, the most creative and best rock group ever. Alienation? Yes, very. Is maybe why is a music to be apreciated alone and with a good audio set, just to feel all de details of each music. Thank you mate.
Seriously, who the heck disliked this?!?
Amazing work as always, Friedemann!
Tom from myspace
People who understand music theory.
Question is did they think about all this theory or did they just feel it and that was the end result? When I write I try to turn off the theory in my brain so I don't go to obvious places musically. These progressions may have just happened organically.
When you know enough theory, you can use it without thinking. It won't be "obvious" because your techniques will be so advanced and varied.
I don't think for a second Radiohead constructed their songs through theory. They just popped out of the weirdness of Thom Yorke's mind. But the technical analysis is very interesting and useful to me to understand the band and their music on a deeper level.
Rapture and inspiration is an art of music. Not analysis. Not mathematics. Sorry for my English. Восторг, вдохновение - вот сущность искусства, музыка. Не анализ. не математика.
Edward Mellett I would imagine the guys in Radiohead know a fair amount of theory but yes, they probably won’t be thinking about it - once you know stuff you just do it. Plus, modal interchange or parallel chords is hardly ingenious, it’s pretty basic stuff.
sometimes when you analyse the harmony its difficult to imagine these chords just popped into Yorke's head; he must know at least a little theory
Radiohead is a beam of light in the world where no hope left
6:43 I think the lyrics was "what's that"?
I think Kurt Cobain would beg to disagree with your statement about the artist being able to choose their fans. He wrote In Bloom to mock their jock fans that "liked to sing along" but that "don't know what it means."
Kurt Cobain sucked lmao
Pauli...
I never blamed the Grateful Dead for their fans but I do blame the other jam bands for theirs.....Phish used to pretend the Dead were not much of an influence (' we are more into Zappa'). If you get successful you really cannot pick your fans.It is important if you find yerself with fans who do not get what you are saying it is good to address this ( Nirvana'"In Bloom", Brad Paisley 'Southern Comfort Zone)
Fun fact my iron lung was Radiohead’s direct responce to the popularity of Creep
*** Knows not what it means.
A Neapolitan!!! 😍 I remember analyzing Bach in school and learning about those. Gotta love Radiohead
I can’t believe he used Pop is Dead as an example
I loved the ending of this video, I really struggle with the thought that I’ll never top the charts, but I don’t want to make boring music for simple people 😶🤣
Thank you for this, I appreciate that you decided to make videos for those who want to be greater. I applaud you for it. Cheers
Woah
*Grabs Guitar*
Your last statement (1000 true fan theory) may just have helped start to unlock a creative desert I’ve been in. Desert of fear tbh. Afraid to write. It’s not about all of them, just me and those that care.
Exactly! If you haven't seen it yet, I'd also recommend this latest live Q&A video where I talk about that a little more: ruclips.net/video/Wx3mOz7i36I/видео.html
That Radiohead-esque ambient... just a handful of bands/musicians are able to make me feel this special feeling. dEUS is one of them. Just awesome!
Great video, probably your best.
You compared Radiohead to 21 pilots once, I'm warning you. You compare them twice, nope I'm out
Bibliothekaresse come on 21 pilots is good not better or even close but still
@@rijulbhagi8731 a
all he said is that they have similar themes sometimes but that Radiohead has smarter writers than Tyler Joseph.
he compared their fans genius. either way - get out then.
Bibliothekaresse 21 Pilots recent album is great 👍🏻
Atmospheric, Evolving, Moving, Masterful, Experimental
That study had a huge impact on my perception. I can't stop thinking about it. I used to listen to rock-indie-punk music... , in time my self-esteem improved and now I listen to more rap and still listen to alternative rock in general. Eye-opening
"Tinker Tailor", from their latest album, is also made entirely of major chords. But the bizarre intervals and the arrangement turn out incredibly creepy.
Another cool thing: Thom uses a lot of pedal notes throughout his progressions, specially those written on the piano ("Pyramid Song", "Everything In Its Right Place", "The Daily Mail").
Terrific show, that said how been a songwriter and working with them for 30 years I would be absolutely dumbfounded if Radiohead were to break apart theory within their writing process. I think it would be more along the lines of "Here is something cool that is in our heads, let's get it out on record. Great channel. Subscribed.
i had to pause 10 minutes into this to make this comment.
You have just rationally explianed to me why ive been possessed with an obsession for radiohead for the past 6 years now.
Further youve helped verballize my own internal interests in music writing.
it feels like you just handed me an infinity stone.
thank you
also ive never had a music teacher but i genuinely wish i could study under you.
awesome! radiohead one of my fav artist😍
Can you make a video about Talking Heads? They’re a band I’ve never quite understood but have always found compelling.
When thom sang the word such a chill “ exit music ( for a film) “ I literally got a chill and every one I know has said the same. His voice can form the emotion
Just getting into radiohead and I really do wonder where they get the ideas for a lot of their songs. I mean paranoid Android is just changing bass notes over a chord but sounds soo full and amazing. The compositions are genius. 15 step using 5/4 time and suss / extended chords is beautiful.
For the minor to major changes, Debussy and satie experimented with that a bit.
And in "my funny valentine", you have a Cm played over descending bass notes.
But radio head makes it all so natural and takes it to an entirely original place.
I'm properly in awe of radio head. Even more than I was with Bill Evans earlier.
Please do My Bloody Valentine
THIS THIS THIS
nope. just mbv
Saw them live once in Sydney Australia. Beautiful and unforgettable, one might say exquisite. I have a lot to say about their song structures that I witnessed that night. I won't discus it unless asked. Ave all.
Barney Coman please indulge us!
Can we discus it privately as I don't think this is the place? You can find me on fb or I'll give you an email address. Needless to say I only saw them once and have never heard an album, but I was raving about their song writing for years afterwards.
I love Radiohead (listend to the seens the 90s, started to really appreciate them recently). This video touch stuff I don't yet grasp. I will re visit it until I do. Thank you.
damn. you just earned a sub! I can't believe I haven't seen any of your videos suggested or come across you before. This video is great!
Jon Shafto Thanks Jon, means a lot and welcome to the community :)
You're making it too complicated! For example, "My iron lung" can be analyzed as being in C minor, with emphasis on major dominant (G, sometimes with the 7th). There's nothing dorian about it, the scale being used is simply C melodic minor :) Greenwood is a huge Bach fan, and you can really tell!
Also the "strange slash chords"-example, Fm - Fsus2/E, looks unnecessarily strange. Why not Fm - Csus/E? The structure (tonic - dominant) becomes immediately apparent.
Please forgive my nitpicking, but the video's explanation of "Maj7 Neapolitan chord" is wrong. A neapolitan chord is a major chord on the bII degree (usually with the third in the bass.) So a neapolitan chord resolving into a dominant E would be something like Bb/F or Bb/D.
IMO that paranoid android progression is simply Gm - Dm/F - E7. Looks awful alot like D minor doesn't it? Subdominant - tonic (third in the bass) - secondary dominant.
You seem very knowledgeable. I'd love to discuss some theory with you
a sus chord doesn't include the third, Csus / E is the equivalent of C in second postion with extension notes
@@zachariesmith7174 Well, you can call it Cadd4/E then :) But I don't really see the problem calling it Csus/E since the third is indeed excluded in the chord that is played over the bass note. Just like you can write C/Eb even though a major chord clearly doesn't include the minor third.
I hear/ see C melodic minor on that one too...don't see no dorian
You just earned a new hardcore fan of this series. This video is awesome, especially last part.
I loved it!
Love this!! Could you do a series on Sufjan Stevens? 🙏🏼
Tame Impala is also a great one to do :)
Excellent ! Didn't understand that much, but could make musical sense out of it. Love love love Radiohead, so that probably helped 🤷♥️
You’re almost definitely not going to do this, but I’m really interested in how Tigers Jaw work at the moment. I feel like they’re able to get a little more complex with their chords than you’d expect without you noticing most of the time and I’d like to get a video on them. That said, I don’t expect you to release one.
That transition at 8:48 👌🏼
What an intelligent analysis of an intelligent band! Thank you for making this video! Also, the point you make about song-writers choosing their style of music in order to choose the people they want around them blew my mind! As an amateur song-writer myself, this idea really resonates with me, and maybe even helps me understand my choice of career path! Thank you a million times!!
Now this.
Thank you.
Your content is really breathtaking.
thanks :)!
Well firstly.. Thank you for introducing me to 21 pilots.. Had NO CLUE who they were.. The guy from 21 pilots voice reminds me a little of Chester (Linkin Park).. love the deep bass sound. As for Radiohead.. I for one liked your analysis. If we ALL thought the same and had the same opinion, the world would be devoid of creativity. I enjoyed your review.. so thanks for Sharing. As for all the comments below, and to come.. All this negativity over a review.. guys it's JUST a Review... Jeez man, just chill the fuck out!! He was basically saying their Chord progressions are cool.. as a Music writer, I think so too. Also, I personally think the Drummer and the Bass player are the fucking Rockstars on Creep! without them, that song would not have had the impact ... their insanely great chem is the foundation of the song, so it's not just the grunge guitar or vocals.. its the overall sound that made Creep such a great song, That... and the Lyrical Content which was really outside the box. Thats My Opinion..
Fascinating stuff, thanks for going deeper rather than wider. Other stuff - Tom Waits, Bjork, Smiths
I would like to know more about José Gonzalez´s type of composing. Great job man, thanks!
Please break down Plini's music! 😩😍
And modern prog in general...also some **djent!** pls..
Gabriel Chavarria Pilin's music
All aboard the lydian traaaaaain!!
Maybe a "meta-observation" on their usage of that b-flat in 'Creep'. It is used the moment the lyrics hit "I don't belong here" (with emphasis on 'belong', that is where the b-flat lands on) and well, it is quite nice that, the exact note which basically dictates whether or not you're in a major or minor chord (or triad) is used here in the exact opposite way it should be. It's a b-flat, we're in G major. That b-flat literally doesn't belong there.
13:06 This is so true. And RUclips has vast largely untapped potential for channels talking about songwriting/music theory at a slightly advanced level. I have always tried to find good music theory channels on RUclips, most of the first real music theory channels that actually started were in 2015/16. For example, Rick Beato's videos go into a lot of depth, perhaps even as much as an undergraduate course in music theory, and it is clearly a very successful channel, for a very niche audience.
It would be interesting to break down producers like Mura Masa o Kaytranada, thank you for your help! ✨
u r a great person to break down music it dosent matter how good u r in music theary u still understand it
Radiohead are musical geniuses. I love the use of major chords replacing minor ones (the crazy, out-of-place smile feel).
I just subscribed, and let it be known, this video and others like it is why. Keep em coming!
I understood what you said in the context of what I was hearing in the music. Hearing the music is what makes it alluring, understanding it is what makes it interesting.
Elliott Smith would be quite tricky!
Julien Destange Elliott Smith was a talent rarely seen his lyrics were raw indigenous to the darkness of streets. musically, the genius that went into the discovery of an alternate tuning to circumference the intent of the lyrical message (no name no.5) an artist Gone Too Soon
Elliott Smith would be fascinating. He's one of those artists who could turn a complex chord progression into a sweet gem of melancholic pop. So many interesting key changes and pivot chords but it never seemed like he was trying to show off, he just loved the creativity of crafting songs. Also there's a similarity to Radiohead in that I feel like his songs are very much built around the chord progressions with the vocal melody being implied by those progressions. There's a lot of variety there too, from the almost sinister, ominous lo-fi folk sound of songs from his self-titled album (Christian Brothers being a good example with an incredibly fascinating guitar arrangement) to the breezy 60's sounding pop of a song like Baby Britain from the album Xo. Some really interesting tunings too. Always amazed by how natural and seamless he could make such complex music sound.
Good idea, I'd love a video on his songwriting, it was so fascinating !
The beauty of Elliott Smith is it's so simple...Until it isn't. On first listen (musically) it seems fairly standard and easy to repeat but then when you investigate further there's so much complexity. Not just in his playing but in his writing and harmony as well. In terms of this vid he often uses a similar chromatic shift downwards in chords that seems to blend effortlessly into the progression. From a Basement on a Hill is almost perfect to me.
God damn I adore his music.
Oh, I know that. I'm not sure how much is "Filled in" but it's still one of my favourites from him. It's such a shame that that album seemed to undoubtedly be an evolution to a next stage that never came to fruition. All the "Soundscape" parts definitely felt like a new part of him- he even talked about it as such.
Do you know the story about his GF and sister when he played "King's Crossing" live? About the line "Give me one good reason not to do it". It's one of the reasons I can't join in this stupid castigation of her when no one else really knows what happened.
I defo asked for radiohead last video
you did! :)
Great channel and incredible analysis. Props to you for the service you are providing to all of us... Thank you
Awesome work, maybe you could examine Tool's work?
THIS!
Can you do one on Steely Dan please?
There's a lot on the mu-major out there, but I'd also enjoy an SD analysis as well on some of their more abstract tunes, like Dr. Wu, Your Gold Teeth II, Glamour Profession, My Rival, Deacon Blues. Hell, do em all
we both like to do cocaineeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
King Crimson. Talking heads. Zappa.
All three of those would be great too.
Ha love me some steely. Stevie Wonder would be cool as well...