Radiohead: Pyramid Song - Analysis

‘Pyramid Song’, written by Thom Yorke with contributions from Jonny Greenwood and Philip Selway, is one of Radiohead's most enduringly popular songs. In this essay, I analyse the harmony, rhythm and form of the song and suggest that the hypnotic feeling you get whilst listening to it comes about as a result of the music’s complex substructure. A lot of the content and inspiration for this essay comes from Brad Osborn's fantastic book 'Everything in its Right Place: Analyzing Radiohead'. If you're interesting in diving into the complex theory behind Radiohead's songs, then I thoroughly recommend you purchase this book (link below).
▶ Support my channel: / listeningin
▶ Subscribe: bit.ly/2PlVaMS
____________________
▶ Website: www.barnabymartin.com
▶ Twitter: / barnabymartin
EXPLANATION OF MOTIF NAMES
- Intro: First motif to be heard in the song
- Pyramid: Most used motif in the song
- Radix: When the notes of the major/minor thirds in each the chords of this motif are plotted against time (number of beats), the sequence looks like a square root sign (√), called a 'Radix' (Radix comes from the Latin for 'root')
- BACH: The major/minor thirds in the chords in this motif are, in order, A♮, G#, B, A#. If you transpose this sequence up a semitone (half-step), you get B♭, A, C, B♮. This is known as the 'BACH' motif - in German musical nomenclature, 'B' signifies a B♭ and 'H' signifies a B♮.
FURTHER WATCHING
Radiohead - Pyramid Song [Music Video]: • Radiohead - Pyramid Song
Everything In Its Right Place: A Conversation with Brad Osborn: • Everything In Its Righ...
FURTHER READING/RESEARCH
Everything in its Right Place: Analyzing Radiohead (Brad Osborn) - global.oup.com/academic/produ...
#radiohead #pyramidsong

[@ListeningIn]

Hi everyone - you might notice that there is a period in the video for about a minute where the video is blurred. This is to get it unblocked for the time-being while I contest the copyright claim. Hope you still enjoy it!

[@chowmanga]

Glad you got it back. I was trying to watch this video recently and saw it was taken down. Good work on the video. I really liked it.

[@tomazlm_]

It coincided with the analysis of the F# as a dominant to a nowhere-to-be-found B minor, and how it maybe isn't possible to define a key -- and I was thinking "What a brilliant visual depiction"

[@JoeOrtenzi]

it would help if you mentioned this in the video. very disconerting.

[@eracli0]

What’s crazy about Radiohead is i can see them intentionally doing this all on purpose but i can also see this all being one big coincidence because they’re just THAT good.

[@Djarjax]

I feel quite the same but I wouldn't say coincidence, I'd say it's both construction and feelings, intertwined. Or let's say, making coincidences happen from feelings/ideas and build around it, maybe, I don't know, I want to know.

[@lockyp204]

It’s on purpose. Because they are that good.

[@tadxo]

i would consider it coincidence if the rest of their music wasn’t also this thought out

[@jimrustle270]

@@lockyp204 Thom said he knocked this song out in 'five minutes,' so to a certain extent it's all coincidental genius. But Phil's drumming is definitely more considered and just incredible.

[@andorwid1880]

Id like to know their writing process. If they improvise most their music, they just are that good. If they write it and have clear intentions as they do, they still are that good. Genius manifests in many ways

[@TylerTylerTyler]

I was lucky enough to see Radiohead perform Pyramid Song, it felt like the outdoor stadium was going to disconnect from the Earth and fly us into outer space. I had to walk outside during the next song to gather myself. FEELING that song live has an effect on my body and mind

[@BassByTheBay]

Wow, you _were_ lucky! I can imagine how you must've felt because I feel similarly just listening to the song by myself. Hearing it live with thousands of other people vibing to it must be an out-of-body experience.

[@Labyrinth1010]

Same here. Outdoor show on the summer. Amnesiac tour. It was an out of body experience.

[@tonyaiken9612]

Always felt the lyrics to this song referred to Jeff Buckley’s tragic swim in the Wolf River in Memphis. The Pyramid is located there, the falsetto, “black-winged angel,” so many references

[@starshinemoonbeamlight]

💯 agree

[@brianbarona2929]

this just blew my mind

[@joshuagall7252]

It's 'black-eyed angel', but yes I agree

[@guts9160]

Too much final fantasy my friend

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

That would make sense given Thom Yorke was influenced by Jeff Buckley.

[@ScamboliReviews]

Insane production value, keep it going :)

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much - I will keep going!

[@tvnorminstudio3080]

Wait it’s that anime reviewer I used to be subbed to

[@imtm]

@@tvnorminstudio3080 no. It's the one you should be subbed to

[@SlyHikari03]

Didn’t know you were a music enjoyer too.. I mean, you used Chrono trigger music in your vids at one point.

[@terrenceandrew-blondin6485]

Its officially cannon. Scamboli likes Radiohead.

[@Torispets]

When this song came out, I was a musicology student in my third year and spent ages analysing the form of the song just in my bedroom, counting the beats and making the patterns make sense in my own mind. This video reminded me of those days, and it was delightful to see the notes written out, too. Thank you.

[@darchipelago6695]

Hi. Brad Osborn here. Absolutely fantastic work, and very generous toward my own scholarship!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much Brad! I couldn't have done this essay without your book!

[@rotisseriepossum]

I’m starting to think Radiohead is WAY different than I assumed

[@marth_6126]

Kid A and Amnesiac are trips down to the bone.

[@pinkraven4402]

What were you assuming? :3

[@destbar6610]

me too

[@suburbanindie]

Bro they went to Oxford

[@rotisseriepossum]

@@suburbanindie cool?

[@DavidBennettPiano]

I've just stumbled across your channel and I'm blown away! If you keep producing such stunning and thoughtful videos I predict that in 12 months time you'll have 100k subscribers for sure! Well done and keep going ✨✨

[@ListeningIn]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate that. I've been watching your videos for a long while - they've been a big inspiration. The only thing I find challenging is actually coming up with video ideas. How do you find yours?

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Listening In I’m glad you like my videos too! For topics, I generally find ideas when I’m listening to music casually... something interesting will catch my ear and I’ll make a note of it. Then when I have found a few examples with a common thread the video begins to write itself 🙂

[@ListeningIn]

That's interesting - thank you for letting me know. I like that, 'write itself' - you make it sound so easy...!

[@AfricanPriest]

12 months later, he has 60k subscribers

[@DavidBennettPiano]

African Priest It’s been 11 months and he’s gained 50k subscribers in that time! I certainly think he’s on his way to 100k. It’s just a matter of time 😃

[@timflatus]

Great analysis. Tonal uncertainty is a marvellous thing. I find it fascinating how some of the greatest pieces of music actually defy modern musical analysis to a certain extent. This shows us that music theory is primarily descriptive and shouldn't be considered to be proscriptive - if it sounds good, it is good.

[@GumbyGoons]

You need to learn the rules so you can figure out how to bend/break them

[@gmmgmmg]

I remember when I first heard this song, it was on MTV, I was hypnotised by the music and the video. As soon as it finished I run to the record shop to buy Amnesiac.

[@AndyChamberlainMusic]

Oh my god your graphics are getting even better than they already were, that's incredible. Holy shit man

[@cartersauce1344]

I’m pretty sure the background is from the music video.

[@krmnych_backlog]

This has to be one of the best edited videos I saw in my life. I know huge part of it was the Pyramid Song itself, but I got goosebumps from listening to this video. Excellent job.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much Vladimir!

[@sergioindigo6072]

SMELLS LIKE THEY PULLED THIS TUNE FROM JACK BRUCE - MORNING STORY from Harmony row album

[@linseyspolidoro5122]

Pyramid song always reminds me of Satie’s gnossienne no. 3. I know it’s a weird comparison and I’m not sure why exactly but I think it’s just that they both have that dark ethereal quality to them.

[@joooooooooooe]

As aggravating as it can be to hear theory applied to music - like revealing the mechanics of emotion - you do an excellent job of balancing the academic and analytical with the mystic and wonder of the listening experience. Enough so, that I realize any frustration to the analysis of one of my favorite songs, did not spoil the secrets of the experience, but expanded it. Reminds me of the first time I ever heard this song; the feeling of letting go of the familiar and floating into the unknown - a feeling of uneasy followed by a deep and primal sense of awe and wonder.

[@tikirifernando4324]

Please make more Radiohead content, this is AMAZING!!

[@alejandroalvarez7181]

PLEAAAASSEEEEE!!!!!

[@VarunDhabe]

Absolutely lovely analysis! The production quality is insane

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Varun!

[@andrevita2793]

I don't understand why this channel has so little recognition. Your analysis was fantastic, and the video is made with great expertise. I hope you go big!

[@patjoller]

impressive. A magnificent tribute done to the song that moves me the most... I could listen to it over and over again and still be transported by the beauty of it. It's been 19 years and it has the same impact on me that it had back then....

[@_CoasterNinja]

Completely agree!

[@mistapeper1283]

i love those quiet string noises at beggining sounding like crowd talking and those weird noises sounding like police sirens

[@notsoquiet6598]

I'm so proud of Radiohead...and so thankful for their music, it has brought me much healing over the years. A great breakdown L.I.

[@loumitchell3411]

I’m in literal tears over this. Music is a pure, pure emotional force.

[@Hairyfoot_Studio]

Brilliant analysis. I love this song by Radiohead, so hypnotic, ethereal and listenable all at the same time. I realised there was something magical about the song but having watched your video the attention to rythmical/harmonic detail and interplay between the members of the band in this piece is as you say astonishing. A remarkable achievement. Loved the video, subbed immediately.

[@HungryTacoBoy]

Nice profile picture!

[@Hairyfoot_Studio]

@@HungryTacoBoy Thanks :)

[@FrankyFeedler]

Before I get grilled: I like Radiohead as much as the next guy. But, it still strikes me as funny how the syncopation is glorified all over modern music history. All the body movements they make and all the confusion they try to overcome is attributed to brilliance in some way, rather than to being relatively inexperienced to it. A slow syncopation like this is not very challenging to play, on the whole spectrum of music skill. Yet: Hoobastank's The Reason has a much faster syncopation, being very confusing to play for a first time. Zero body movements and other gimmicks like double-time thinking involved. The amount of rave and credit they get: zero. Oh well :) Still love this song.

[@Bennyscrap]

​@@FrankyFeedlerdid "the reason" not get hugely popular? I think pyramid song gets the nod about syncopation because there's a LOT going on behind it. Not suggesting Hoobastank's song is simple, but in terms of complexity, pyramid song is considerably more complex due to the layers of syncopation and off rhythms and time signature meanderings. "The reason" is under graduate and "pyramid song" is doctorate level. But both should be appreciated, for sure.

[@FrankyFeedler]

@@Bennyscrap Hugely popular: yes, anyone raving about the brilliance of its syncopation: no. Again at fear of getting roasted: "pyramid song" is far from doctorate level. Again I love Radiohead, but that would be a disservice to the many people actually at doctorate level. Example (still not the most difficult yet many levels beyond said songs): Dream Theater - Breaking all Illusions. Uneven time signatures, switching to syncopation mid-riff, multiple styles and it all sounds totally accessible and musical.

[@icnocuicatl]

This is my favorite Radiohead song. This song is a spell.

[@shootsbraw]

I'm quite angry at KZbin for only showing me this channel now! 😱 They should really work on their discovery principles... This. Is. Great!

[@sodiumlights]

still the song of theirs that I love the most. Thanks for such a great breakdown. Nick Drake`s Riverman also has that ebb & flow.

[@samuelhillmusic]

My dude, the production value on these essays is insane! You're doing amazing work, keep it up!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much Samuel! Glad you're enjoying the essays!

[@olivertill7076]

Love the subtle use of James MacMillan in the background - Seven Last Words from the Cross was 8 years before this song!!

[@ctrysadballadman]

I played this song in my senior recital, and at the first rehearsal the piano intro didn't work. The pianist wasn't very familiar with Radiohead and was just following the sheet. That's when we figured out it has swing!!

[@antioche6276]

fantastic analysis. Very easy to understand, yet not simplistic. Great video as a whole. This is going, and staying in my favourite list.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this one in particular - getting the balance between complexity and simplicity took a while, so I'm pleased it showed.

[@bencornah6126]

i love music academics they always uncover things us mortals never can

[@okned8639]

i saw a lot of pyramid song analysis videos but never someting like these. Completly insane.

[@bohdannychkalo997]

Bruh! Your video editing is gorgeous! I would say - it's art, man.

[@thomshrike]

Respect and admiration from my side to this amazing analysis. In my opinion, alongside Everything in its right place, this is the best example of the genius of TY and the rest of the band, which is unrivaled in the context of modern popular music. It is so complex when analyzed, so imagine actually having the instinct to create it. I always like to mention that those two songs were allegedly written in the same week. That was a good week for music.

[@bmm8213]

I am blown away. Thanks

[@KnightofZyryab]

One of my favourite songs of all time, thank you so much for appreciating it.

[@nighttimeandsun]

Man radioheads music has always been a melancholic hug for me since I was 13 years old, I am now 22 and I still listen to their music especially when I'm in a situation where their music perfectly fits in

[@pioneernut7487]

Ive been listening their music since 2000 year. Im still 19

[@Braindown73]

What an incredible video, how have a only stumbled across this now? Fantastic stuff.

[@grantveebeejay535]

This is beautifully produced and the content is excellent. Thank you. I will be looking at more of your work now.

[@joshklinghopher]

Incredible video, I didn’t think this song could be any cooler. You ve actually made it seem more mystical with your analysis

[@kinglouiethethird]

absolutely brilliant analysis, you did this song justice.

[@jakobwagstrom1272]

Just came across your channel, fantastic work! I thought I already knew why Radiohead's songs are amazing, but you brought a whole new dimension to their music - well done!

[@GabiGluck]

Your video production and composition, structure, clarity is nothing short of stunning. Immediate subscriber.

[@peramarkovic7148]

Astonishing. Your video and analysis are completely in tune with this amazing music. Thank you.

[@ellewallace1173]

Thank you for this - I was so overwhelmed at the end of this video, I cried - I have always loved this song and to hear such an in depth analysis on it made me realise why I love it so much. I adore your content! I would LOVE to hear your analysis on Weird Fishes!

[@franciscomackenney7664]

you have put it beautifully. i can grasp now more consciously the mystery behind this song and i think i actually like it even more since i first watched you video. thanks for the analysis

[@86Rikki]

Mate. What a video. Amazing. This has been my favourite Radiohead song for a long time. Interesting to delve into it like this.

[@ThorsteinnSverrisson]

I love your videos. It's nice to finally start understanding why I've liked this song and other Radiohead songs so much.

[@yeastboyuk]

love your supportive wash of strings to accompany the descriptions of the various themes!

[@jgardner404]

Behind the pyramid theme, it's from one of the movements of James Macmillan's Seven Last Words.

[@biggabenne]

The visuals of this video were amazing with the music, it really helped with the "hypnosis" part of the song

[@TeamKlumb]

I love these videos. Keep up the great work!

[@_InTheBin]

Simply put: brilliant, just a brilliant analysis. Thank you so much for that and your work in general.

[@sadie8002]

SO happy I stumbled upon this! Stunning analysis !

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much!

[@sm1thereens]

i heard him say revolving and the amnesiac cover literally flashed in my brain

[@thesilverbrow2382]

Man, best music analysis channel I've seen in a long while.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much!

[@growshakephil]

I don’t understand music theory, or rather I’ve never studied it, but you did a splendid job of making sense of something so complex. I used to sit on my floor and try to imagine the moving parts of this song in full color and shape. You helped me put this exercise in order. 👏

[@ryannichols6368]

Thank you for this (and other) wonderful video. You have a true talent. Your ability to weave artistic imagery and thoughtful analysis into a clear yet profound narrative is truly impressive. Your videos have left my mind spinning with excitement and wonder.

[@ListeningIn]

It’s completely my pleasure! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my videos!

[@sectazy2153]

Brilliant, thx for taking the time to educate us.

[@ChEkAlOtIcH3]

Your channel is just what I needed, glad I stumbled across your videos, please keep up the work :D

[@HarmoniChris]

I much enjoy how you lay down the score visually, Barnaby. Your sheet music is always remarkably clean and well animated.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Christian!

[@Haniell]

your channel was just recommended to me by a friend - this is a great video, really professionally done. I was shocked to see you've only got 1k views so far! Your video deserves way more than that. I've subscribed. Keep them coming! Thanks

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video. I hope you also like what I've got planned!

[@thisistheglasshouse]

You deserve more attention! This is incredible!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much!

[@fratt41]

Pyramid Song is one of my favorite musical surprises, and your breakdown absolutely focuses on the surprises I didn't know I was experiencing. Hail Radiohead! Subbed. And need to go like the HTDC vid. Also really great.

[@rodneywriter]

This was incredibly interesting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@haydenmapel6087]

Amazing analysis and great production value.

[@NolanMillerPiano]

Fantastic video. I can't even imagine how long this took to put together. Thanks for your work!

[@ListeningIn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@distantcomets]

What a great video. Midlife Synthesist turned me on but I'm subbing. I've loved this song from the moment I heard it but never even considered what made it tick. Thanks!

[@LuckykidA]

Bravo! Many of us have no idea why we are drawn to such a beautiful and hypnotic song. The freaking genius of Radiohead.

[@el7021]

stumbled upon this song on spotify, didn’t know there was so much history behind it

[@Stomesissen]

What an amazing analysis! Thank you for this ❤

[@Stomesissen]

I can’t stop coming back here… ❤

[@liquidsolids9415]

Fantastic analysis. Well done. Thank you!

[@isalumo]

this video in incredible, thanks for sharing, really opened my eyes to the layers of this masterpiece

[@Dr_E_Yekley]

This analysis was posted when I was playing this song in the marching band. I remember being blown away when you mentioned that the "3 3 4 3 3" palindrome rhythm outlines the faces of a pyramid. Thank you for making this song sound more interesting than it already is.

[@sudev29]

I am crying just watching this. Brilliant.

[@Kobiwan_]

Quality video, fantastic production and excellent voice presence.

[@jeffwhite3625]

My favorite Radiohead song. Completely from another world. Your channel is Incredible. Much Thanks.

[@paoloantinori6822]

Not only the song is an incredible masterwork, but even this video with its music added to explication... A trascendental trip out of reality... loved it!!!

[@andrewdevine5223]

Thank you!! That was really brilliantly done.

[@Coocoocachoo809]

Love your work!

[@ianflanagan209]

4/4 Is normal time but done so strangly in this song, symbolizing death how it is normal yet strange at the same time.

[@chadwickmcfaggins9734]

i’ve been watching some of your videos and seeing my favourite band on your most recent upload has made me subscribe

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you for subscribing! I’m really glad you’ve been enjoying my videos.

[@malice221]

Excellent analysis of this song!

[@JBDazen]

WOW this analysis is a piece of art in itself :-) Thank you very much for this!

[@JoeBlack894]

I can feel your admirational vibe for radiohead throughout the whole video, and that's all I needed, perhaps :)

[@edyfung893]

You are doing the best things I could ever experience in this day and age! Thank you!

[@okb0ss336]

I don't know if you have heard Liszt's second ballade, but about a minute into the piece a chord sequence is played which sounds eerily similar to the progression in the song. Not sure if Radiohead was inspired by this but i like to think so! Also i recommend listening to the entire ballade if you haven't. I'm a big fan of Liszt and can gladly say it's one of my favourite pieces of his.

[@thovex]

thank you very much for the wonderful video. pyramid song is one of the greatest pieces of recorded music ever, IMHO. thank you

[@owenbarnes773]

brilliant breakdown of a brilliant song - thank you

[@loganschaedel449]

Something about that E major with an added ninth sounds so powerful 1:37

[@TheElectronCloud]

This is one of the most resonant analyses I’ve ever been privileged with experiencing. 🤯

[@hakilasy]

A esto le llamo contenido de muy alta calidad, impresionante análisis y asombrosa edición. Cheers.

[@eebrius]

Great analysis! Thx for your effort...

[@silentsililoquy]

i always say, Selway’s work on Amnesiac is outstanding.

[@anonymouscontent2229]

one of the best analysis till this point

[@rosshansenn]

This just has so much Brian Cox vibes, love the video man !

[@walterzamalis4846]

This is easily the best KZbin video I’ve ever seen.

[@willem9688]

Great channel you have, my man!

[@teenageslaves]

Incredible song... touches me deeply every time. Great musical analyses.

[@AndyChamberlainMusic]

Great analysis. Not a radiohead fan yet but now I might become one Again god your graphics are killer man. Keep it up!

[@ListeningIn]

Thanks Andy! You should definitely listen to their songs. I'd start with 'Amnesiac' (the album that contains 'Pyramid Song'), then go to 'Kid A'. Really glad you liked the visuals. When I found out how to do that dissolving effect, I was very pleased!