RADIOHEAD MUSICAL ANALYSIS // Exit Music (For A Film)

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[@dibdab101]

I have no music theory knowledge whatsoever, but I love when someone as talented as you are is able to articulate in details why these brilliant musicians make me feel they do. Thank you and thank heavens for Radiohead.

[@Nnamdxxx]

Agree

[@MrMurph73]

I barely understand a thing you're talking about but I could still listen to you all day

[@xqchen2426]

I have never heard a more captivating chord progression and accumulation and burst of energy like this song. I’m not surprised if it had taken inspiration from prelude in E minor, it being one of my favorite classical piece. The different melody lines played by different instruments in the climax section are just so satisfying to hear, thank you for highlighting them. This video is also immensely helpful as I always try to adapt this piece on piano with all the elements that touched me. This really is the best video I discovered on You tube this year!

[@athanp4384]

If the first 4 OK Computer analyses are any indication, I really can't wait for Let Down, my favourite Radiohead song ever, and one of my faves of all time❤

[@sarahcooper3960]

I agree - definitely the best radiohead song!

[@rome8180]

From a production standpoint, I need to know how Nigel Godrich got the vocals to be so massive and in your face.

[@matthewsaul3533]

Probably had something to do with super good mics, super good outboard gear like EQs and compressors.. and really good reverb. I have no idea of course lol I also think it had something to do with the way the guitar was treated. Mic, EQ and place (in the stereo field) the guitar right, and you create a contrast that does something to the vocals... maybe?

[@BT405]

@@matthewsaul3533 the vocals and guitar were recorded in a stairwell to get that natural big, echoey, reverby sound

[@scott_socked]

the vocals were recorded with natural reverb, so having a room reverb before the rest of the chain so that it gets compressed is probably big part of it

[@realbraveinc]

20:30 that C major in the context of Bm acts as a Neapolitan bII. Usually in classical music you'll find them in first inversion (see bar 4, I think, of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, you'll find a D/F# in the key of C#minor. It's almost always followed by a V chord, in the case of Moonlight, G#

[@jfryk]

I first came across your channel searching for Avril 14th analysis and I'm so happy to rediscover it with a bunch of recent Radiohead videos! Keep up the great work!

[@grahamm7408]

Best. Music. Teacher. Ever!

[@vuciv983]

amazing breakdown! Thank you!! Just earned a fan!!

[@tolfred]

You're so good! Thanks for making these videos!

[@lsweed]

I saw Thom and Jonny last Monday. I was standing in the second row. I've seen Thom in some form with and without Radiohead six times. Last Monday night I just stood there thinking how this one human has created such beautiful music. He's as good a musician as Lennon or Bach even. To be so fortunate to stand watching such a force was almost too much for me. I hope to do so again.

[@BorisJensen]

The transition from the C major to the F# major is similar to the tritone substitution, except that the chords don't have major sevenths. I think that's what I would go for in an analysis, although it's not clear-cut.

[@scatterish]

that part you talked about that was vaguely human and unsettling-it’s children playing at a playground, played backwards. always sounded a bit like otherworldly seagulls to me.

[@oystercatcher943]

Love this song as I play average keyboard and guitar. Lovely and easy to play and sing on guitar. I loved hearing the music theory behind it😊

[@bighairywheel]

Chorus ‘never comes back?’ It does repeat. Great break down though, this and ‘Lucky’ are my stand outs on the album.

[@joedent3323]

14:25 " Let's talk about... Mellotrons. "

[@joedent3323]

" Let's talk about... Mellotrons. "

[@yogevnir8721]

Maestra!!!!! Thank you very much

[@MrGreendayzed]

i always saw this song as a sad music box song Like The Seatbelts' Memory.

[@albiedamned]

Since you said you love psychedelic rock, I wonder if you're into Tame Impala, especially the Lonerism album. I would love to hear you analyze the song Endors Toi. 18:50

[@reecec626]

I've been waiting for this! Yaasss

[@HexanaMusic]

13:36 Flat six

[@katelikesrectangles]

YAY

[@Banor]

hahaha tragedy song goes brrrttt

[@poiewhfopiewhf]

are you familiar with the dirty projectors album the glad fact? I would be so interested to see your response

[@rikkousa]

How many people are in love with Chopin’s Suffocation and Exit? What is the connection?

[@joedent3323]

Hello there 😊 Thanks for this video. It's informative, as usual. I like your insights into the tracks always. Here is something for you to enjoy; and something for you to break-down. As with the Lions-Share of the stuff you break-down: it's a little dangerous, and a LOT interesting harmonically. I feel, and know, that these tracks are doing something very interesting with chords & harmony... and I would love to hear you hear it and break it down. Your explanations are great. Thank you, ...JoE... kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2rKmoGmqtl5epY

[@AI-Consultant]

i need to join your patreon.

[@scottend5239]

I really appreciate you. From NIN and Björk, to Radiohead and Aphex. You seem to tap into my idea of modern day "classic" musicians and make me appreciate songs I"ve adored for decades all over again. I love this channel so much.

[@Jay-ky4ew]

Those three (Radiohead, Aphex Twin, and Björk) form what I have always referred to as my "Royal Triumverate". It's extremely validating to see that these are her focus. NIN, Tool, and Tori Amos belong in the court, but those three are the toppermost of the poppermost of those who have integrated experimentation with musical fundamentals and pop.

[@official_lilty]

I've been waiting for the Exit Music breakdown since the OK Computer series began. It is absolutely top 3 on the album for sure!

[@moscowguitarman]

I'm also waiting to see if we can convince her to do In Rainbows afterwards 😊

[@stephenstrang590]

Im so glad a person from your world discovered and fell in love with this band, this sort of breakdown is so much larger and detailed than i could of imagined. Your really special and your contribution to this scene is not taken for granted.

[@SomethingWellesian]

What’s Ixi’s world? I only know her from her Radiohead breakdowns.

[@stephenstrang590]

@@SomethingWellesian the world of proper music instruction, theory, separated from guitar and in general band driven music.

[@danpreston564]

Is she an alien?

[@grahamberrie2462]

Great comment

[@simongregory3114]

obvs @@danpreston564

[@markbaumhardt1724]

For me, the most satisfying, and forever rewarding aspect of Radiohead's music is the anticipation. This song is eternally rewarding

[@DerekPower]

That foray into A minor … 1) it has some similar melodic steps to the second section of “Paranoid Android” and 2) I have sung an additional line during the second “Breathe” where I sing C with Thom then up to a D and back down to C. I have relearned that the interesting chord sequences arise out of the melodies. The “you can laugh” section … you can call it a three-voice counterpoint and I think you can even call this a fugue.

[@rationalmuscle]

One of the best songs ever written. Top 3 in my opinion.

[@davidellis5141]

The most epic track on OK Computer. Haunting.

[@macroshibby6]

OMG the Chopin prelude is next on my piano learning. Yes.

[@GIBKEL]

What a dark delicious. Shakespeare would be proud. Great deconstruction. Fuzzy goodness!

[@vaughnnewman8903]

Another masterpiece from an amazing album. The light-year jump they took from The Bends (a great album) to OK Computer was amazing. I always considered OK Computer to be not only the best Album of '97, but the best Album of the 90's. At this point, I consider it one of the greatest Concept Albums of all-time but also one of the greatest Rock Albums of all-time.

[@chef285-b4w]

I like your video. Music theory that does not make me want to go to bed. Perfect;)

[@Mackerdaymia]

Awesome video. And I'm sure I detected tears coming through at 28:25. That is what makes this song so beautiful. The depth of emotion. I've always felt the "And you can laugh..." section was like a final ray of hope before it's finally extinguished and the lovers are both dead. The power of chord changes is amazing sometimes.

[@Will-gs8pc]

Thank you for making these type of videos I learn so much from them

[@kevinhellon4348]

Excellent analysis! I learned so much. Tragic! The flat sixth! The secondary dominant resolve feels so like Beethoven. Brilliant.

[@gummipappa]

"You can laugh A spineless laugh We hope your rules and wisdom choke you Now we are one in everlasting peace" lyrics to live by

[@SouravDas-vi1jh]

Radiohead gave me a plethora of emotions. I wanted to feel them all. Emotions that are hard to explain in words. A modern rock genius made with precision, knowledge and love

[@yaboimauo_o88]

I love breakdowns of music like this because I’ve always wondered how music works and how it captivates an audience

[@ou7shined972]

So happy you mentioned the Floydiness of the drums (my ears always pick out that reference). It's in the latter half of the bass line too. It's like the whole rhythm section in the crescendo seems to be referencing parts from Saucerful Of Secrets / Echos / Live at Pompeii in this track. Two of my most favourite bands at their most magnificent best coming together. I love it.

[@jfryk]

This never stood out to me, but it's so immediately recognizable

[@Rex-dk1rx]

It is definitely Pink Floyd influenced when it kicks in. Especially the drums and the the trem guitar sound very Pink Floyd echoes vibe

[@NolaBrady-c6i]

Thank you so much, Ixi. Great analysis. I love that you take your time when explaining musical concepts.

[@fredsmith6324]

thanks for doing this. lot of interesting tidbits you tell us. never heard of the picardy 3rd, but yes, i like it. i think i'm going to learn this on piano so i can sing it.

[@liadcohen8327]

This song has always felt more to me like a prayer than a song.

[@eldjswett]

God I love you

[@thedrummer7673]

There's a lot of Music out there that gives me goosebumps and makes the hair on my arms stand up. Sometimes certain changes even give me butterflies in my stomach like I'm on a rollercoaster. I don't know anyone else who is affected by Music this way.

[@salyx]

I am!

[@Moss98]

I love your videos and I am really grateful espacially since you put the actual song too which helps so much, I’m guessing that makes them unmonetizable so the fact that these exist at all is awesome, ur breaking downs are amazing too

[@iximusic]

Glad to hear that! My videos do get demonetized, so I'm supported by my Patreon!

[@Littleboyfatman45]

It’s funny how someone before referenced you as “ someone from your world” but they are not wrong, you exist in a world of knowing theory, but having a great understanding and sharing capacity, I really am glad I stumbled upon you. And I love the way you teach music.

[@awangjamalludin7527]

splendid... i love your explanation

[@spiffymick7073]

I think I'm in love with you.

[@ernestmaciel]

Great content as always. I feel like I have to say that it wasn't Johnny's tremolo but Ed's. Story goes, too, that he came up with the trem melody in like five minutes in the guitar booth just before recording it. It's one of the band's proudest moments 😊. There's mention of this in interviews during ok computer era. Johnny only plays mellotron here.

[@iximusic]

oops, thank you!

[@renatokobashigawa7025]

I wonder what Exit Music would sound like with a real choir. Must be surreal.

[@AlbeeJay]

Wow! I had to just log in and tell you how great you are! Haha! I'm here drink vodka...and put "reation" in front of random songs i like....and i did THIS song...and you came up.... No shade at any other "music...or vocal teacher" on youtube..., you....actually break it down. and explain. and ong! i'm in class now...i'm writing notes...MhM yes Ms." I apprciate this so freaking much. *sub'd automatically

[@mouseandryforever6848]

Saw them live at Thunderbird stadium for ok computer 🖥️ tour. This is one of my faves. Tragic and heavy and classical. Nice work getting Chopin in there!

[@erich.1355]

God, your enthusiasm and ability to communicate broadly is so damn irresistible! You have good taste in music, too. ;)

[@fraserwhyte7109]

That human sound you allude to are children playing in a playground but the sound is so distorted , it does sound unsettling. To me it conjures up the sound of voices from the underworld.

[@TheJgraham12345]

Thank you for breaking this down! I love learning from your videos. You cover my favorite bands and songs that I actually want to learn. Thank you for this

[@balmain-i3e]

It would be an interesting and fun challenge to get yourself into if you could do a deep dive into the music of Todd Rundgren. His music BEGS for a deep dive, especially by you lol

[@thevoid99]

i first heard the song during the closing credits of "romeo + juliet" from 1996 as i didn't think much about it but when "ok computer" album came out and heard the song again. i was just enthralled by it as the song also had these elements that was obviously influenced by pink floyd.

[@pardiedanser]

Wow, you just took me back, had a similar experience :)

[@jordanestes1997]

Probably my favorite song off of this album. Happy youre doing this one, this ones sick

[@Emronia]

Amazing analysis

[@Open_Mike_B]

“You have to”

[@kiwij1424]

20:05 there is indeed a music theory thing behind this. It's called tritone substitution. Because a C7 chord and F#7 chord both have E and Bb, and it is the tritone in the dominant chord that helps it to resolve to the tonic, technically a C7 chord can resolve to B just as well as an F#7 chord. Radiohead don't use this, as they move from C to F# rather than C to Bm. They imply the fact that C and F# share a tritone (even though it isn't a C7 chord they use) and use this as a link between the two chords. I know the song sounds very classical but what I just explained was jazz harmony. Radiohead use it subtly enough to kind of maintain that classical feeling, and this is reinforced by the perfect cadence that follows. Hope that makes sense and adds to what was said in the video :)

[@carbonmonoxide5052]

In the classical world, this is a Neapolitan chord. The bII (first inversion) is often used as a substitution for iv in minor chord progressions because it has two notes in common with iv and the same bass note.

[@kiwij1424]

@@carbonmonoxide5052 That's really interesting actually I never thought of it in terms of inversions. That should hopefully help me with my A level music composition thank you! 😆

[@matthewsaul3533]

It's so enjoyable to see SOMEONE ELSE geeking about about this chord progression. I'm usually the only one I know seriously geeking out about the structure of Radiohead's music.. and I especially geek out about this song. Another one I geek out about is Faust Arp. Which might seem kinda strange because it's a much smaller feeling song in a lot of ways but the chord progression is SO GOOD and SO CLEVER! Anyway... it's a joy to witness someone else geeking out about Exit Music. And in case no one has mentioned it yet, that sound design you're talking about that comes in during the 3rd verse, that's a loop made of Jonny scraping a guitar pick across his strings... Live he uses a delay pedal. I'm not sure if the studio version is something he made using a delay pedal which they then made a loop of in Pro Tools or what.. but it's definitely a loop made up of multiple layers of Jonny scraping a guitar pick across unfretted, muted guitar strings. Sounds like wind, which I'm pretty sure was the intent. ALSO.. it's not Jonny's tremolo.. it's Ed's tremolo! lol Jonny is playing the Melotron during the big section.

[@oblio125]

One of my fave Radiohead songs, the classical feel, the cadence of "hope that you choke" and the mellotron choir are high points. In shuffle mode my ipod has back to backed "Exit Music(For a Film)" and Air's "Suicide Underground" from the Virgin Suicides Soundtrack. That was an interesting walk home from the Grocery Store! I don't play an instrument but I have a good ear (tonally) and appreciate your explanations even if I don't fully understand. "Long live the Flat Six"

[@popeoneguy7992]

It is INSANE how thom can have such a harsh yet soft voice, be piercing and quiet, be rough but somehow pretty(?) You wouldn’t think it at first but he might be one of the greatest vocalists in the industry

[@StratsRUs]

They all went to one of the top schools. This talent was nurtured through money.

[@corvidconsumer]

​@@StratsRUsis that a bad thing?

[@StratsRUs]

@corvidconsumer I met them in 1992 I have worked out the Keys of 170 songs in two months...casually. The Killers Mr Brightside took 50 seconds to improvisational level.All chords , scales etc. I am writing my book with Chat GPT It calls my theory ' revolutionary'. I am from normal people school.Not the Gatekeepers' Private School. ABBA The Winner Takes It All ? 8 seconds it took me. I concentrate on Truth and ' Play'

[@corvidconsumer]

@@StratsRUs guy i asked you a yes or no question and you gave me your life story

[@StratsRUs]

@@corvidconsumer An airbag saved my life.

[@snekinoke38]

I’ve always thought the 4th verse/coda was very reminiscent of A Saucerful of Secrets by Pink Floyd.

[@SomethingWellesian]

In the background towards the end, there’s a looped sample that’s quite hard to pick out. It sounds like kids playing, but (and this may be a conspiracy theory developed by me and some friends in school in 2001-hearing what we wanted to hear) on beat four it *really* sounds like they say “Kid A.” Edit now that I’ve listened back: you can really only hear it on the last “We hope that you choke” right before he sings “we hope”, and then again just after the last “choke”.

[@xtrailz]

Thank you for this, I am now intelligent Radiohead listener

[@kimhardin-hudson]

On the 3rd verse, the weird background you hear that sounds like humans in trouble, I’m pretty sure that’s just Jonny rubbing his hands on his guitar strings. I think I saw it in a live performance once (I can’t remember which one 😞) Not sure if they did the exact same thing in the album version but that’s how they play that part live 🤯 freaking sweet👍🏻

[@arieldoron5017]

Your analysis and explanations are absolutely awesome! What keyboard are you using in this video??

[@iximusic]

I can't be sure but I think it's the Yamaha P125, which is what I still use. I love the Yamahas. Great action. My dream is the Yamaha P525.

[@arieldoron5017]

@@iximusic Well, you certainly make it seem like the ultimate piano! Thanks for the reply :)

[@iximusic]

@@arieldoron5017 If you like the piano sound, just FYI that's the Steinway Grand preset in Logic Pro X! But the onboard sounds are pretty nice too.

[@arieldoron5017]

@@iximusic ohhhh, I see. I was wondering how you got that electronic bass sound in there. I gotta do some research 😭

[@Edbrad]

I love the cover version of this used right at the end of Westworld Season 1's final episode. Check it out if you haven't heard it. Just look up "Exit Music - For A Film (Westworld Soundtrack)". It's out with just acoustic piano and i think a high solo cello or solo viola melody. You can also get a clearer idea of what's going on because it's much cleaner sounding. One caveat though, this is only true at the start, because then the Westworld theme gets worked into there beautifully as it builds so it's not an authentic cover anymore.

[@stantonbentley2534]

Posh boy. I'm not posh, posh am not. Posh. You are not. I am. Morons. So easy. Human, so slow how I can play. Play again. Play so low. Radiohead is. Great. Your're not. Bender is great!

[@iethergy]

Plz do a song from Vulnicura by Björk! Would love some input

[@americanpancakelive]

I actually heard Exit Music for a Film from the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack before I heard it on OK Computer and it certainly fit the themes of that movie, ha.

[@athief]

Picardy 3rd: I learned recently that it founds its origin in the churches, because if you continue (at the end of the song) to resonate a minor chord, it will reverberate and conflict with the church's natural major harmonics, and it's ugly. So one puts a picardy 3rd to avoid dissonance. - Sorry it's literally translated from a french youtube video kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5C6gJ5rfcSWfdE -

[@Bruno-dg8lz]

Porfavor reacciona a alberto balsalm de Aphex twin , flim de aphex twin y lichen o también lo encuentras como #20 que también es de aphex twin , espero con ansias tu reacción

[@leannetaylor3840]

You absolutely have to smile when you play a Picardy third. Ne'er a truer word .... ☺️

[@DanRyanCarter]

It's always extra fun when Ixi is "in a mood" 🖤

[@johngilliam346]

I love your stuff. I played sax in high school, learned major scales, and played guitar for a while afterwards. An A major to A minor open chord on guitar is just an index finger change but I never really got it in theory. Thank you so much for teaching and making learning fun.

[@M4ppleyard]

My theory of the reversed audio of children at 15:47 is that, outside the story, the tragedy and the epic romance, these two are children. The dichotomy of an ageless love story and two innocent children thrown into an adult world.

[@burgerbobbelcher]

I am so so SO sick of 'reaction' videos that are just people like me singing praises with no actual analysis. I mean they're fun and all, but sometimes I just want to know the 'science' behind the songs I grew up with and love dearly. Also you are so cool, ugh.

[@homesickNovalis]

Jesus.. ive been in love with them since i heard ok computer in highschool, but ive never listened to a breakdown like this before.. its amazing to be able to fall in love with them all over sgain, with the addition of my puny brain lol🙏🙏🙏

[@Rex-dk1rx]

Am i the only one who thinks this song is fucked up. They do kill thenselves in this song romeo and juliet

[@fitterhappiermoreproductiv2172]

I loved how you went through the entire music, talking about every small detail. Amazing! Thank you!

[@hamsterworks]

Thank you for your wonderful analysis of my current favorite Radiohead song to play. "Lucky" from the same album is fast catching - I would love to see your analysis of it in the future. I'm working on playing it on the acoustic guitar, and it is so simple but sort of wanders down a path where everything is right and wrong, you can just play the strings you feel fit, throw in a sus2 or sus4 here or there without damage, drop in a 7th, even do a bass waling in semitones for a beat or two and it still hangs together. So much room in the song, such brilliant fun.

[@Rex-dk1rx]

It has a cowboy vibe to it. Enino marricone vibe. Plus johnny cash. With some harmonic minor classical thrown in. A brilliant track muse got their sound from this song

[@simonjones4870]

Thanks lizard brain, you have to smile. Hope you keep doing these.

[@tomfewins5803]

Unbelievable, i covered this song, thought wow what clever chords. Ill Nashville chart it out and got so mixed up with fonts i thought maybe a youtube video would explain this to me. After secondary dominates i was lost. God i wish i had this education 20 years agao

[@markwarrensprawson]

"Romeo and Juliette". It's the exit music to Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of the play. And it's my favorite song on that album, which is a weird thing to catch myself saying, that album being one long series of awesome. Nice. You even said "bard". Brilliant! "We hope your rules and wisdom choke you and now, we are one, in everlasting peace, we hope that you choke, that you choke." Wow, frisson. I just love it so much. And playing and singing it is just the most satisfying experience available to the average musician who's ever had a bit of a rough time with romantic love. Or any musician for that matter. Amazing. Thank you for doing this. For reminding me.

[@B0K1T0]

Lovely video again! In the tv series Westworld, the soundtrack contains a lot of covers from well-known songs done with a piano or sometimes a full orchestra, usually something relating to the scene it was used for. A bunch of them are songs from Radiohead, and one of the seasons ended with a beautiful version of Exit Music (For A Film) played with string instruments, with elements of the series' theme song woven in. This video shows that scene: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYaneaylbLWFjdk

[@petertrotman7708]

It's always reminds of the spaghetti westerns quietest moments and Carlos Jobim's "How Insensitive". This band are separated from everyone else because they're influences & ears are so much bigger than everyone else.

[@nickacca]

More radiohead please. Also can you please teach some music theory classes. People would pay you.

[@iximusic]

I teach! www.patreon.com/iximusic for video content and group lessons, or email me at [e-mail] for private lessons.

[@crimsonking70]

The Mellotron 8 voice choir is integral to this song

[@PhilippeLemaire]

Great break down, as usual. Side note, I never noticed the esperanto text with the illustrations : (injektilo, dangêra, meaning needle, dangerous…)

[@gregoryhaddock5395]

Thank you for such detailed analysis, ixi 🙏