Karma Police // RADIOHEAD musical analysis

[@Inequities]

It’s super rare to find someone that breaks down great songs like this that is able to play the music themselves, break it down music theory-wise, and also have the vocal chops to sing along with it and sound beautiful. Really a diamond in the rough ixi is!!

[@Inequities]

@@tullfarley4962 haha yikes. It’s a saying.

[@tullfarley4962]

@@Inequities yeah, have you looked up what the saying means? Here’s what Brittanica dictionary says it means: “a person who has talent or other good qualities but who is not polite, educated, socially skilled, etc.” Is THAT really what you meant to express here? Words matter, don’t they?

[@Inequities]

@@tullfarley4962 yeah, someone needs to tell the encyclopedia that isn’t at all what that means 😂 a diamond in the rough is someone who is a DIAMOND (rare, beautiful) in the ROUGH (a big area where it’s tough to find diamonds) lol. It’s not that hard to understand.

[@petegiant]

12:52 I'm sure they were inspired by Sexy Sadie by The Beatles for the chorus.

[@blakebellis]

Always feel Karma Police borrows chordally and sonically from Sexy Sadie by the Beatles. Both masterpiece pop songs

[@andreideferrer]

I'm psyched every time there is a new video on this series!

[@danielkoschalka3955]

Me too. Wait till ixi announces she’s doing In Rainbows too…right, Ixi? 😁😁😁

[@jfryk]

​@@danielkoschalka3955literal bucket list series to tune into

[@davidethridge5748]

Thank you for casually teaching me music theory in a fun relatable way. I always break out the old Casio with your videos!

[@vaughnnewman8903]

A great song from a truly great album; they were way ahead of their time. I enjoy reaction videos because I can live vicariously through the reactors. I especially enjoy reaction videos from experts in the field (musicians, voice coaches, etc.). Maybe it's a feeling of validation they bring but just as much that they can explain why a certain song, transition, etc. is so good and they truly appreciate what they're experiencing for the first time. You are a great teacher of musical theory and I would definitely enroll in your class. Thanks for all the time and effort you've put forth over the years- it's much appreciated.

[@audiostein]

At 24:13 when you mention the pitched up humming, I always imagine it as a vast cosmic space kitten "Meeeaoooowwww......Meeeaaaooowwwwwww" I don't think I've ever seen someone talk about how that sound was generated before, but your theory kinda makes sense

[@benedictdoonan_artist]

It's wonderful that the lyric contains a "phew". "Phew, just for a minute there I lost myself". Phew is a lovely English exclamation of relief that never appears in lyrics. I have never heard it used anywhere else. Playful is right. I used to play in a band and it was an effort to stop playing Colin's rising falling bass line over the whole thing. It was an act of self control that mostly failed.

[@deepspaceocean]

I like it how Radiohead keeps hurting me and I always come back for more.

[@RuthlessMojo]

Another great video. Your teaching style is always clear, succinct and easy to follow. Your mastery of music theory is impressive.

[@musicatto1]

My favorite 'new' find on KZbin ! (new for me, anyway)...thanks so much for these awesome videos!

[@Atom-E.B.E.]

this song pretty much taught me all the chords (non-power) that I ever needed to know on guitar, almost

[@n3ffo]

Thom Yorke finding the most beautiful way to sing 'Hitler'

[@tee-nw5vx]

INSTANTLY subscribed. The way you explained everything, with so much passion and interest, brought back my interest in music theory. Felt like a nerdy music enthusiast again! Thank you so much!!

[@iximusic]

🤓♥️

[@JAYDUBYAH29]

You’re such an endearing person. Wonderful teacher and authentic lover and student of the sacred art of music. I so want all the success in the world for you! Thanks for what you do.

[@joelabbott]

Beatles angle - The C-D-G chords in “This is what you get…” are a similar loop as Imagine’s “You may say I’m a dreamer…” a 4-5-1 progression, with a connecting chord to loop back to the 4. ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ has an almost identical 4-5-1 loop in the chorus: C-D-G.

[@Lexcoaster]

This is the song that got me to finally "understand" Radiohead. I heard that change towards the end and the penny just dropped. ☺

[@guymulry6168]

Amazing video!! Excellent breakdown. The switch-up on the outro to Dmaj hits my soul hard every time.

[@burgerbobbelcher]

I would happily pay to hear your ixi-piano radiohead covers.

[@ziadop]

No need to talk again about the great analysis you provide in each video, but I believe we also have to acknowledge the amount of work that goes to video editing .. BRAVO!

[@cornishwavesmusic]

Love your channel, always a treat, esp BoC - Radiohead - Aphex

[@davidc6997]

I'd like to hear more of your lovely singing. Great video

[@JamesNelmondo]

Your reactions are so competent and beautiful. Thank you.

[@HomeroGonzalez1982]

This channel deserve much more views and subscribers. Thank you for making this vids… keep it comming!

[@Tuckermoore]

I totally agree w your interpretation regarding irony. In a way I think the whole album is earnestness wrapped in irony. Airbag is another great example imo. Thom was using my generation’s (gen z) language (meta-irony) before we were even born. Imo that’s why this album has such immense longevity. We’re currently grappling with the qualms he was singing abt back then

[@Tuckermoore]

Great video and my cats say hi to yours

[@hardlux]

You have made the music I have loved for decades sexy again. Thank you.

[@saturninebear]

So good! I love your videos and I am 100% musically inept/illiterate.

[@buti]

amazing analysis, as always!

[@matthewgriffin5155]

Killed it again, Ixi!

[@Stoy-boy]

OMG, your new kitty is exceptionally beautiful. 😍 Thank you for showing us. 💕

[@PkTwothousand]

Ayooo!!

[@B0K1T0]

Very nice one again ♥I'm practicing this song since a few days (or sort of re-triggered by an absolutely gorgeous and unique cover by Scary Pockets & Monica Martin, whose low voice is also a bit easier to sing along with for me than Thom's 😆). And it's quite tough for my skill level, but that only makes me more motived and it is a joy to play with all those embellishments that I would never have dreamed coming out of my fingers when I first heard it somewhere in the 90s. Especially that Fadd9 chord indeed, can't get enough of it 🥹. I've noticed it sounds really cool as a cramped "clustered FGA[ ]C" block as well, that's one these things of the piano that surprises me that I was never aware of (just started learning the instrument beginning of last year).

[@alastairwinner]

Another Radiohead song that provokes great emotion for me, especially as it goes into the end section.

[@ab7dasker]

Perfect and enlightening analysis. Thank you for sharing!

[@Stumpyblue]

Another band that wore their Beatlesque hearts on their sleeve were Crowded House (formerly SplitEnz) The tension in musical expression between the brothers Neil and Tim matched the style of John and Paul respectively over their careers Just like the cuddly Paul and dissonant John vibes in this gorgeous song

you got so much Karma for letting Pax close to the mic 😻

[@kaplingatmana5138]

Thank you so much for covering this!!

[@paulmulligan2895]

You're so good at this!

[@aaronfacer]

This was awesome! I can remember teaching myself piano by following the chords to this song in my dad's copy of the OK Computer tab/music book.

[@ErlandKarlek]

Lol, you're so in love with Thom it is even funny. Apart from that, awesome song and awesome analysis.

[@mysteriousoul]

Best breakdown of this song ever - absolutely superb and sublime - theory, chops, delightful playfulness and sharply expressive yet sharp as a tack. Thank you 🙏 P.S. Karma Police always reminds me of Sexy Sadie by The Beatles

[@gummipappa]

Always interesting as usual! Maybe someone already mentioned this but I believe that last "random piano chord" at the end is to lead into Fitter Happier, the next song of the album. It could obviously just be "the mics were on and Tom played a chord, decided to leave it in because it adds some humanity to the song"

[@paulransdell]

Superb. Thank you again!

[@leemcintyre3943]

I've shared your videos a lot recently. Love everything that you do! Very much appreciated!!!

[@lionhead7497]

wow what a talent, thanks for your articulation

[@David-Hope]

It’s based on Sexy Sadie by The Beatles.

[@discocat2500]

You rock ixi! Thanks for this!

[@teblake3]

Very nice Thanks for this

[@neptunethemystic]

Please cover this song. It sounds so beautiful in your voice!!

[@storm14k]

You make me want to get my piano proficiency up. 🤣 Bucket list goal is to play the Revolutionary Etude but we all know that ain't happening. If I just get to a good point of playing my chords and a number of their voicings with ease such that I can have fun with my favorite songs I'm good. 🤣

[@freeziski]

chords are at 10:58

[@mkwilson1394]

Oh God, there's a Steely Dan mu major chord in Karma Police! Ooooooh that Fadd9

[@SantiagoDeSimone]

thank you!

[@sagittated]

At 4:26, when you highlight the arpeggio, it reminded me kinda of the opening Am chord in Hurt.

[@mattbates3203]

Excellent analysis and insight - thank you. I've always thought of Radiohead as the Beatles of my time when it comes to inventiveness, creativity, all out musicianship and challenging us with their continually developing style. Thanks @ixi

[@SemsFm]

love your vibesss

[@Inequities]

I never realized the melody is sung almost completely on the off-beats. Amazing.

[@dermoooojj255]

I somehow missed this last week, great song

[@kambinoxwins]

"FLAAAAT SIIIXTH!" 😂

[@Dronefromsector7-fz3ek]

The "This is what you get" is extremely similar to Sexy Sadie by The Beatles. I think a nod from Thom to the White Album.

[@BottleMakesMusic]

There's something about this album that just taps into the zeitgeist of 1997 here in the UK. A lot of pivotal albums were released that year, that still stand the test of time. OK Computer was definitely one of them. Some of the finest musicianship and lyricism ever. I was in my second year at university. I vividly remember this track (and really, the whole album) being on rotation a lot back then. At turns whimsical and melancholic. Uplifting then depressing. A tale of a bright, glorious future ahead, then the agony and realisation of adult life in a society that cares less and less. Twenty-some years later and yes, I'm still on the fucking payroll.

[@ДаниилГлебов-я4ш]

Great analysis as always. It would be great if you did an analysis of Talk Talk's later songs, something from Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock. A lot of harmonic and rhytmic stuff there.

[@markgatland977]

I'll second that! I'd love to see some Talk Talk breakdowns 👍

[@yoav12094]

You’re great!

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

i play the second chord as, on guitar, a minor with an f sharp bass aka - f sharp half diminished aka a f sharp minor 7 flat 5.

[@billniel676]

wonderful video! subscribed!!

[@klovvin]

This channel is really good. Its better than Song Exploder

[@pugsofsmallstreet5858]

Ugh…. You’re amazing 😮

[@danherrera3700]

Love it

[@DerekPower]

Hearing "arrest this man" sounds like a voice-breaking where he's nervously making an assertion. Think of it like someone who wants to report something but is normally too timid to do anything, let alone demand someone's arrest. But don't arrest kitteh =D

[@claymccoy]

Didn't think I was going to get a surprise piano solo from your kitty, LOL.

[@the_algo_rhythm]

Lost it at "chordus interruptus."

[@travelservices1200]

Same!

[@kaitlyn6021]

I always get so much from these videos, especially notes on rhythm or intervals! Now I wonder if you'll go over the piano in Fitter Happier... I'm quite fond of it!

[@iximusic]

Yes I sure am!

[@kaitlyn6021]

Hooray!!@@iximusic

[@xMithras]

I can't help but find you super funny

[@spacem0th]

3:53 just me or does it cut out for a bit there

[@iximusic]

Thank you friend! I've cut out the oopsie segment using KZbin's editor and the change will go live in a few hours.

[@spacem0th]

No problem ixi! Awesome analysis by the way! 🥰

[@JobbityGifford]

Wondering if @ixi you've seen 'Meeting People is Easy'? Before they perform on SNL, you see Johnny Greenwood scoring something out, and then plays that very bit on a Rhodes over the last section of Karma Police. It's excellent. Naturally.

[@DeeTeaDee]

I did this on piano for my music gcse 26 years ago . Christ im old

[@triciasaurus]

you know youre gonna be a good drummer when your name is literally phil

[@Phazur]

The second chord brought me here as it's interesting to see how people play it. It sure depends on voicing. I play it as Am on guitar, but lifting a finger so you kind of an Am over F#. You could call it an F# half dim now. Because of convenience and lifting a finger, you do have the open E string on top as well, as well as the open D in the middle. This would be a D9 if you strum all 6 strings. So I guess it's a D9 over F# then? David Bennett notes it like that. I have seen people play it as D over F# on guitar, but that sounds way too bright to me. Again, it all depends on the mix of notes and blend of guitar and piano I guess

[@douglasennis7291]

Good Karma that the Beatles gave them permission to use the Sexy Sadie piano 🎹 for the "this is what you get" part 👍🏻😎🔥

[@marknewbold2583]

They didn't bother to ask when they used The Air That I Breathe

[@ou7shined972]

Another track that to me subtly tips the hat and winks to Pink Floyd

[@fulsomekitten2585]

I'd LOVE to hear you break down the Smile's songs!

[@iximusic]

Here's the whole album! kzbin.infoaLnm0LFYPjc

[@hi2u670]

was that a lil futrama reference near the end? great video

[@nigelmartin3339]

Brilliant. Please do some Beatles 😄

[@davidgerrard8661]

Sexy Sadie crossed with Bohemian Rhapsody 😊

[@gearsofsounds]

Of course there’s the C, the second chord is in fact a D7/F# on the guitar F# - D - A - C but only on the guitar and that’s the beauty of it

[@tee-nw5vx]

can you also someday analyse "a mistake" by fiona apple?

[@JohnL2112]

Minor quibble! if the 9 "resolves" its a sus2 (the only reason i am saying anything about it is because you are so awesome, i can't truly find fault :P )

[@oblivionpro69]

So your actually wrong. She was referring to a Fadd9 chord where the 9 resolves down to an F. She never said what your claiming she said and you seem confused about the chord she was referring to.

[@billyalarie929]

fucking phenomenal video, as usual. SPOILER AHEAD: . . . . . . . ."CHORDUS INTERRUPTUS" LMFAO

[@Inequities]

Kudos to ixi for getting this up on YT! Radiohead are notoriously bad blockers.

[@johnpaulclarkson4671]

Let's check back in a couple of days

[@lsweed]

Since when?

[@Inequities]

@@lsweed aren’t they?

[@iximusic]

I've had good luck with one Radiohead song per video. When I listen to an entire Radiohead album in one video, it gets blocked.

[@el_guingo]

Hey Ix! Great video (as always) but I got to disagree on something 🤔 I don't think the song is in A minor, but in G major. I know this is kind of debatable but consider this: 1)There's never an A minor cadence, but from a G major perspective the chorus is basically a 4-5-1 of G 2) There's also that recurrent D/F# chord, which doesn't belong to A minor... It makes more sense to consider the F chord as the actual outside chord than the recurrent D. Besides...just by ear, to me that was the chord that felt outside, not the D. As I say, this is debatable and harmony is always an interpretation, but it is nice to point out different perspectives. Looking forward to the next vid!

[@BubonicCure]

I love you for falling in love with OK Computer like I did.

[@antonsomov9342]

can't wait for fitter, happier

[@jasonbushell7080]

How has this not got more views!! x

[@caospasajeroable]

The thin line between Karma Police and Wild World from Cat Stevens😂

[@TheRobotKiddo]

Please give a listen to King Krule :)

[@jamesupton5601]

I've not seen the whole video, does it mention the part that sounds like 'Sexy Sadie' by the beatles?

[@iximusic]

No, sorry!

[@jamesupton5601]

@@iximusic I love both bands, and interestingly you actually mentioned the Beatles style chords. Apparently Thom never denied the connection. And to be honest, the Beatles were not scared of taking other melodies sometimes (shh) kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5u9o62Hl7pqkKs

[@wertor666]

Sexy Sadie by The Beatles

[@OAlem]

Thanks!

[@danielkoschalka3955]

Yeah, I’m sure Thom must have had Sexy Sadie in mind when he wrote the chords sequence for the verse. It’s so very similar in feel that anyone who knew Sexy Sadie noticed the similarity when they heard karma Police for the first time.

[@OAlem]

@@danielkoschalka3955 it's one of the flaws in the movie Yesterday. Since The Beatles never existed then Oasis doesn't either. But Jack has a Radiohead poster on his wall. How does Radiohead fit in that universe?

[@danielkoschalka3955]

@@OAlem I suspect with the concept of the butterfly effect, nobody born after the early sixties (like me) would be alive today if the Beatles had never existed. My parents would have led slightly different lives, and may not have met, for example. And if they had met, they might well have had kids slightly earlier or later, etc etc. and yes, I am overthinking this… So Thom Yorke would not exist, not to mention the other members, and therefore Radiohead would not either.

[@OAlem]

@@danielkoschalka3955 Exactly. The butterfly effect, first calculated by a weather computer, cancels the Mandela effect. If Spielberg really was spelled "Speilberg" then the entire German language would change. In a world without the Beatles some other band would fill that void, but we might be 20 years behind, like we're still just inventing grunge in that timeline.

[@stephenstrang590]

Cant believe that you only have 110 comments. I seem to comment on every video? Ahhhh..

[@MrBmnmtfk]

Chordus interruptus lmao 😂

[@fs3k84]

please next could you cover the nuance of c418's contribution to the Minecraft soundtrack?