How Radiohead use Time Signatures

I look at the clever uses of time signatures and clave in 15 Step, Everything In It's Right Place, Morning Bell and Paranoid Android.
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[@HintOfLogic]

and THIS is why Radiohead's drummer(s) are vastly underrated.

[@an_isopod]

do you mean Philip or the CR-78?

[@gideons6126]

@@an_isopod yeah

[@TheBetterGamerz]

Phillip plays all the drum machine patterns live on his set. He says he loves the challenge of translating the feeling of the electronic beat onto a kit.

[@michaelhird432]

@@TheBetterGamerz and he does an amazing job of it too

[@TheJenniferKK]

Yesss! Very few people have enough rhythm for this.

[@Kam3hameha]

Fun fact about 15 steps: One suggestion for the meaning of the title is that the majority of popular songs are written in or 4/4 or less frequently 3/4, which would require a 12 or 16 step to stay in time when dancing. However, somebody dancing to a song with a 5/4 time signature could confidently stay in time with a 15 step dance.

[@jbarren14]

Kam3hameha fun idea, but the title comes from the content of the lyrics. 15 step refers to the 15 steps that lead up to the gallows which would also explain the lyric “Fifteen steps, then a sheer drop” the sheer drop being the floor being pulled under you, getting hung. The presence of death in this song “one by one/ it comes to us all/ it’s as soft as your pillow” is a clearer reason for the 15 step title in my opinion

[@StuartQuinn]

@@jbarren14 Do you know this as a fact? I.e. do you have a source? Google seems to think there were 13 steps. www.google.com/search?q=how+many+steps+to+the+gallows Given that Thom said the song came out of a rhythmic experiment, so the lyrics were probably written to fit the 15-step rhythmic structure.

[@StyxTBuferd]

@@jbarren14 It's probably both of those reasons. 15 steps to the gallows, and that in itself might have inspired the song to be in 5/4 to make it a 15 step dance. I know for some of the artwork on In Rainbows around that time there was an image of a box figure with arms who was put in a 3x5 grid of 15 different poses, likely playing off the idea that it's a dance. Anyway, point I'm making is that one reason is not exclusive to another- songs can thematically and mechanically tie multiple ideas together. Which one was first is sort of irrelevant.

[@AkimboOfficial]

I think because its a drum machine groove, it was just programmed with a 15 step long pattern.

[@gabrielbennett9053]

@@AkimboOfficial Firstly, steps measure pitch in music, not rhythm. Secondly, the two bar loop is 10 beats, not 15.

[@tommywilson4806]

I've always counted Paranoid Android as being in 8/8 but I think that's because it makes the 7/8 transition easier to count

[@ata5855]

8/8 is correct

[@eloypintos6764]

💀💀

[@meddiefrercury828]

Pyramid Song always seems to have sparked up some discussion as to what time signature it's written in

[@Henry3Studios]

It’s in a swung 4/4

[@BearFattfilm]

It’s syncopated 4/4.

[@ata5855]

It's very slow clave pattern, over two bars: 3+3+4+3+3, counting eighths (a palindrome).

[@debarchan123]

15 step's bass line is a banger

[@Rosebud-rr2co]

Alternative Title : How time signatures use you

[@YVZSTUDIOS]

After listening to Paranoid Android so much, I already got used to it's time signatures that it sounds totally normal to me 😅

[@b1gBud00bo1]

I never even noticed the time signatures! I need to fucking listen 🤯

[@lordgrendell]

Everything in it's right place was my first year musicology transcription project... I tried a lot of different phrasing but found ultimately the phrase fits best as 10/8, and it definitely counts better in 10: 4+3+3.

[@lordgrendell]

And further to this, I think decameter is central to the theme of Kid A.

[@regolithia]

Sail to The Moon and Pyramid Song! Idioteque and maybe Videotape?

[@avram3scu]

Pyramid song is in 4/4! Time for a video on this?

[@avram3scu]

Actually, so are Idioteque and Videotape. Idioteque uses irregular phrasing, though, and Videotape's beat is offset from where you think it should be. Bless this band's creativity.

[@regolithia]

Ángel I can never play the piano part in time :(

[@avram3scu]

@Chernobog imagine it's in 4/4 around 110bpm. Then play 2 dotted quarters, half note, 4 dotted quarters, half note, 4 dotted quarters, half note, 4 dotted quarters, half note, 2 dotted quarters. It's definitely a palindrome but you have to know where the beat is. Imagine it in a swing feel. The first, third, and fourth notes of the four-measure pattern land on the beat and the rest are syncopated.

[@juansaavedra145]

It’s easier to play Pyramid Song as a 3+3+4+3+3/8, and that’s how the band conceptualized it, and I’m a 100% sure. If you take a piece of paper that’s divided into a triangle, then another triangle, then a square and then 2 triangles and you fold that, you form a pyramid, that’s why it’s called pyramid song. Plus it just fits!

[@ujjwalreal]

I really love the shift from 6/8 to 5/8 in You

[@GeoffreyGentryMusic]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who enjoys that.

[@ujjwalreal]

@@GeoffreyGentryMusic love that song and the rhythm

[@dominicmariano9201]

I remember the exhilaration of figuring out 5/4 time. When I learned '15 Steps' on guitar, I would clap out the rhythm for a few minutes before picking up the instrument, to get the rhythm locked into my brain. Did the same for 'Paranoid Android' and 'You'. So much fun.

[@EmeraldMinotaur]

I'd love to hear your take on Soundgarden's usage of complex time signatures

[@nicolasriveros943]

And how Matt Fuckin Cameron is a drum God because of it.

[@liamfidler3824]

Well a funny thing about that, from what I've heard Soundgarden writes all of their music intuitively. They don't pay attention to time signatures(Matt Cameron excluded). It's all just playing the same riffs over again and jamming them out and throwing stuff over them and I personally find that really cool.

[@polyrtm5545]

I played paranoid android in marching band. I'm so glad I was in pit.

[@ieuanphillips4963]

Ur lucky

[@regolithia]

YESSSSSS FINALLY MORE RADIOHEAD

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Back by popular demand!

[@djed7235]

just what we need :DD

[@AmberAmber]

New to this wonderful channel, and I can't get enough Radiohead or really anything he addresses xoxoxoxo

[@AmberAmber]

New to this wonderful channel, and I can't get enough Radiohead or really anything he addresses xoxoxoxo

[@booklover-hu9tw]

perfect

[@MrNobody_Music]

I've never been a massive fan of radiohead but understanding their time signatures has really made me appreciate them more and understand math rock more. Thank you 😁

[@hkmrsrg1367]

In Rainbows to me is Radiohead's best album. The whole album is just absolutely amazing.

[@colinedmunds2238]

Check out King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s “crumbling castle” for accessible 5/4 shenanigans

[@anonymoususer2756]

Also My Wave by Soundgarden.

[@Georgeirfx]

@@anonymoususer2756 Verses and choruses there are accessible, but bridges are really brutal

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

Damn dude, I didn't even know they snuck a 5/4 to 4/4 thing into Everything in it's right place. Such a great band. Also that was a funny clip of Dave Brubeck you got for the end. Nice.

[@LostInAce]

Well, this was one example of a fine explanation of four Radiohead songs' time signatures, young man. Thank you!

[@user-zy2pl3ji1h]

Thank you for teaching us these incredible things

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you for listening!

[@AugustoGuerrero__Main__]

Incredible well explained! Loved the video about jazz rhythm at the end too!!

[@CultureDTCTV]

How Tool uses time signatures

[@baronmorris]

A bit masturbatory imo. But to each their own.

[@alvareo92]

Wow certainly no one has covered that before

[@t.hussain921]

baronmorris try hearing Dream Theater's Dance of Eternity

[@bradoozy]

Abuse them until it sounds right.

[@arpitdas4263]

@@t.hussain921 That's a double attack jackoff right there

[@monkblazer264]

Really enjoyed the video! It's criminal that you're small as it amazing! I think a video on syncopation based riffs say Videotape, Jigsaws Falling into Place and Meeting In The Isle. Also Pyramid Song and Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box.

[@JonSebastianF]

4:05, You might want to mention that the snare drum does _not_ follow the 2-bar pattern but just plays the clave. The snare drum does after all almost drown out the clapping, so most listeners will probably be confused when mistaking the snare drum for the clapping.

[@joschlunde]

9:55 I have to say when I hear that tubular bells riff I feel like 14 note version is the normal, natural version and the 16 note has _extra_ notes added making it feel unnaturally extended and uneasy. You say earlier about how one can create accents within the melody or riff, well I hear the ‘E’ as an accent and when you take the one from the lead in, it forms a kind of ‘1, 2, 3, half rest, 1, 2, 3, half rest..’ pattern which is then disrupted by the extra beat in the second bar.

[@taylordcraig]

Gotta agree here, the extended line feels weird to me like it delays the next.

[@xfightmenowx]

This answers a lot of questions and had me counting everything in the video. Great job, wish I had this kind of skill decoding rhythm.

[@danletras]

Bennett on Elliot Smith would be great - and much needed.

[@austinh953]

Keep up the good work! Radiohead is arguably the greatest artist of our generation.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

you're here quick! Thank you. Radiohead are my favourite artist!

[@austinh953]

@@DavidBennettPiano Just perfect timing and luck haha

[@CultureDTCTV]

True

[@AntonAdelson]

IMHO Radiohead is the best band of all time. Better than Beatles

[@bluesnaggletooth1660]

Anton Adelson there a many great bands like Radiohead. None have the accomplishments The Beatles have.

[@carterpresley966]

Bloom has some trippy stuff in it rhythm-wise, it would be great to see an analysis of that song.

[@trevorclover]

I watched a live show in which Thom counted "... 4, 5" for 'Everything In I'ts Right Place' which to me makes more sense, if you think it that way it is very close to the same idea in 15 step you pointed out.

[@AxelDrochon]

I love and admire the way you're talking about Radiohead. Your technicity is refreshing and admirable. I can't wait to know more about your knowledge on my favorite band. Thanks for this great work !

[@vhampyre01]

Dude... You should have A LOT more subscribers. Great analysis! Keep up the good work.

[@Escobar1519]

what an amazing video man, I think you are the one that explains this kind of things better for beginners and I like it a lot. Keep it up!

[@rockw3ll327]

What time signature do you want to write your song in? Radiohead: Yes

[@astralandreid]

Yes has amazing time signatures on their songs

[@za4310]

I think for "yesterday I woke up suckin on a lemon" part of everything in it's right place, it's easier to read if you subdivide the 10/4 so it's two measures of 5/4 for each segment, and have the quarter note rest at the end of each second segment. That way instead of having to count a different time signature you can just play a rest at the end of each phrase, which is pretty easy to do.

[@andrewjeffries8721]

Thank you David for your work in song timing studies! I appraciate being taught by you!

[@RussellSclafani]

Dude you really broke it down! It's incredible how they write music. I learned something, thanks

[@VaughnFrederick]

Yessss dude. Love your videos, and your Radiohead ones specifically!

[@chippyjones894]

I must say, this is an excellent channel. Keep up the good work brotha

[@melbamiller]

Fascinating. Thanks for explaining this so well.

[@aheendwhz1]

In Everything in its right place, there's a little misstake, as the played riff does not make the change from F to C, but starts on some sort of C chord (when Thom starts sining, the riff will change to that version starting on F). But for the rest, this video is amazing as your videos are usually.

[@matte_vcc]

Man great great video, more videos about radiohead use of time signature!!

[@PotionSipper]

just heard "the lick" being played in the intro music lol

[@peterjuff]

Great video as always!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks very much :)

[@fobt90]

Ur videos have top notch quality. Very informative and intellectual.

[@marcoscorrea93]

great video, very informative and well done. Wish you the best

[@tonyreyes4500]

Im really happy to see someone who loves Radiohead as much as i do. Bends is their best album in my opinion

[@b1gBud00bo1]

Tony Reyes HA! I actually don’t mind that opinion... I was gonna say as if but I just immediately thought of the debut album (forgot what it was called lol)

[@hickorymccay2994]

@@b1gBud00bo1 Pablo Honey.

[@hose455]

Keep them radiohead videos coming

[@Moinsdeuxcat]

5:40 Also known as the "Logical Song 10/4"

[@fettycheese2498]

I’ve only just noticed that Go To Sleep from Radiohead is (for the first half) conceptualized as an alternating 4/4 6/4. It uses 4 quarter notes like a normal song but then uses 4 dotted quarter notes in the next bar, sounding like it has slowed down, and a stuttering effect

[@annaotherdimension4900]

Thank you for giving even more depth to these songs! Love your analysis!

[@educostanzo]

That was neat, great job! I would add Pyramid Song, that if I'm correct adds measures of 3-3-4-3-3, a pattern that would form a pyramid shape if looked geoometrically.

[@ivonikolovski4050]

In let down there's a polyrythm with two guitars playing in 5/8 and an acoustic, bass and drums in 4/4.That's cool

[@byronp2311]

One piece that drove me nuts in HS was Dance of Maya from the Mahavishnu Orchestra. It is obviously in an odd time signature, but in the middle, it seemed to switch to a completely different one. What is astounding is that at the end, the two sections are played together, one on top of the other and it is obvious then that it was the same dame time all along. I think the thing is in 10/4 but I could be wrong. This is a perfect example of how breaking up measures differently sound so....well, different.

[@ruralontarioduster202]

Yessssss more Radiohead!! This makes my day

[@Bushify13]

This is such a good channel

[@mystupidtheories6554]

I just stumbled upon your page it’s great and I’ve watched a few videos thanks for your time and thought into what you make

[@dollfaceinlove]

you’re better at explaining than my primary school music teacher

[@iantaylor5930]

They do subtle, clever things with rhythm all the time. For example, the drum intro of Reckoner starts on beat 4, completely disconcerting the listener when you start counting along with it.

[@KeithOtisEdwards]

Kid, you're brilliant! I wish I had your musicianship.

[@composer7325]

Excellent,would you do more on beatle modulations.Your analysis is excellent,thank you.

[@victorcobane6644]

Thank you for this video! I knew I loved Radiohead, and wanted to try incorporating some of their ideas in my own compositions, but I still felt confused as to what those ideas were, in their basest most actionable steps. This helps!

[@nightpandas7178]

Actually the best music theory channel on YT

Super interesting, thanks Dave!

[@andrileonardo]

Love your vids! Well done!

[@njhendritrini3234]

Boy did I enjoy this video!

[@cardboardu6019]

i drove to campus for a semester with kid a and amnesiac starting from the beginning every morning and if u do that everything in its right place is in your head somewhere forever

[@joshlamar9319]

Everything I love about Radiohead explained so clearly. Thank you!!

[@musicjst]

So great! Cheers David :D

[@liamzriouil9597]

Amazing video , really keep it up

[@chrisglass4350]

Well explained, Sir. Subscribed

[@bill_automated1226]

Another brilliant video. Thank you David.

[@matiamus2465]

Very good, i'm pleased. Thank you!

[@officialpierluk]

thanks, I had figure out a lot of it myself, being also a prog rock fan, but, that transition from chorus to verse in everything in its right place always made me scraching my hair when i was trying to play it by ear

[@senoreverything6366]

Great quality video!

[@gpeddino]

There are not many other cases of different time signatures in the Radiohead canon, BUT they really like to use rhythmic displacement by rearranging the accents within the bars. Some examples: "Pyramid Song", "Videotape", "Ful Stop", "Tinker Tailor", "Little By Little", "The Butcher". Also, two examples of overlapping time signatures (generating polyrhythm): "In Limbo" and "Let Down".

[@GustavoLovato]

Brilliant video! I would love to hear your analysis of Genesis' 'Turn It On Again' main riff (in 13), Sting's 'I Hung My Head' (in 9) and 'Seven Days' (in 5) and whatever is happening in the pre-chorus of Van Halen's 'Jump' which I'm not smart enough to figure out (the part with the lyrics 'Can't you see me standing here I've got my back against the record machine ..') before going back to the standard 4/4 of the chorus (I think something happens during the guitar solo too before going to the synth solo) and also the pre-chorus of 'Unchained' which has some odd bars which make it very interesting.

[@pellek7386]

How to get a popular video: make a Radiohead video. Love those, man, keep up the great work!

[@soulsticemakes4676]

If you're okay with something a little more funky, I'd highly recommend Phillip Glass - Einstein on the Beach: Knee Play 1 (I know it's a mouthful)

[@pietamato4587]

Everything in it's Right Place is in 10/4 all the way through. It doens't change time signatures although the accents change from section to section.

[@jimmykellar]

piet amato Sorry friend, I politely disagree. The correct way to transcribe is determined by one of two things. Either the intention of the creator (which I’d be happy to comply if you show me Thom Yorke stating such thing) or second, a complete utilitarian approach way in which the transcriber is transcribing for most efficient communication for the one reading the music. Which, in this second approach, is a subjective judgement. How come you say so straight forwardly that this song is 10/4 all the way through?

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

Great video. Love both versions of Morning Bell, the 5/4 version is more interesting, but the regular chords of the 4/4 version give it a really sinister feel

[@Fexxis_]

see i love that bit of paranoid android because it really feels like that cutting out beats idea

[@dariocaporuscio8701]

I love the pyramid song syncopated piano riff... But I think it could be notated as a 4 bar ostinato in 4/4 with only bar 1 and 3 of the riff on the main beat

[@ExtraGifted]

That's cool you mentioned Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" in context of "15 steps" because there was absolutely brilliant video of both of them mashed up. It's called "Radiohead vs Dave Brubeck - Five Step"; though it's (likely) not available on KZbin anymore, I found the audiotrack of it on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/juanchov182/radiohead-fivestep)

[@hospitalizedeire]

Excellent video - Thank you 👍🏻

[@lucyiliffe1799]

Hello, ooo I'm new to trying to understand musical techniques. Have found this video via my love for 'Radiohead'. Have you done any explanations of the wonderful 'Porcupine Tree'? Thank you.

[@MrLsa12345]

Great Job! I'd like to hear you elaborate Dream Theater's time signatures.

[@CollisionDream16]

The dance of eternity, Octavarium

[@AshleyTrenkle]

Fantastic video. Thanks for making!

[@Wozniak_15]

Yeay... Radiohead are great ! So glad to see such a deep analysis of their music....legends.

[@matthewjamestaylor]

Great video. Thanks.

[@eugenesnow]

In limbo is a great example

[@chrisduran]

Wave to Anchor by Hundred Waters is my fav time signature ride of the moment

[@pandanurse]

Paranoid Android's time signature changes are done so seamlessly that I legit never noticed it until now

[@jeffk412]

well done!

[@user-en6tz3iy1z]

Weird Fishes. The drums are in 4/4, there's one guitar in 3/8, another in 5/8 and a third in 10/8. Those parts are played harmonically(at the shame time) in varied combinations, sometimes all together. They blend beautifully.

[@johnbo2488]

4 years old! Still holds up

[@d3a1990]

Videotape had fascinating syncopations

[@MaxGiu]

one of my fav radiohead songs

[@MaxGiu]

oh im not a "true radioheado fan"... i mean i love them but i dont know everysong by heart and stuff like that... 15 step is in one of my top 5..

[@Nafinafnaf]

It isn’t a David Bennett video without at least one Radiohead song, even if it’s not even about Radiohead

[@JustOneQuestionWhy]

KEEP DOING RADIOHEAD IT MAKES MY LIFE ILY!!!!