Radiohead's Masterpiece in Orchestration

[@Hairyfoot_Studio]

How to disappear completely is definitely one of the finest pieces of their career (so far). So many great songs came out of the Kid A/Amnesiac sessions, but it was Jonny Greenwood coming into his own as a composer and arranger that elevated Radiohead into one of the all time greats of British music

[@fishsmellbad1862]

Probably my favourite Radiohead song, followed by The Numbers and Videotape.

[@shoegaze_bitch1506]

One of the best songs of the 21ct and one of the most underrated

[@nininerikomi7786]

One of the all time greats of western music, not just British. The Numbers my other fave...

[@HungryTacoBoy]

Nice profile picture.

[@Demonicurse666]

Listen to how to disappear into strings

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Brilliant breakdown with stunning graphics 😀😀 great work!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you David! (took your advice - thank you!).

[@mabeylane7163]

wait this isn't a video by you?

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

Is this a crossover episode

[@hammerjohn9290]

😁😁gud gud

[@momo-hs5jn]

@@ListeningIn how did you animate those graphics?

[@gpeddino]

The sudden change to E major at the end never fails to give me goosebumps. Probably the most amazing moment in Radiohead's career.

[@spnhm34]

Um, they did the same change in Street Spirit. Don’t mind me while i duck for cover

[@aquiloni_m]

⁠​⁠​⁠isn’t the context different though? Street spirit is in A minor. 🤔 this song is in D? so the context in Street Spirit is a major 5 chord. In this one it’s a major 2 chord? Music theory people help me over here plz lol

[@aquiloni_m]

Or is it actually F# minor (A major)?

[@gpeddino]

@@aquiloni_m I would say the song is in A major, so the verses alternate between IV and vi, and the chorus alternates between I and vi. So when the E chord arrives, it works as a dominant.

[@capguncarcrash]

SAME ugh i’m so very glad they knew what they were doing musically, make already great songs that much greater

[@chrisvanderploeg6563]

And to think Jonny Greenwood was in his 20s when he arranged this.

[@BloodyArmourKnight]

And look what he do with "Phantom Thread" a very beautiful work.

[@sieteocho]

And to think all the Beatles were in their 20s when they were the Beatles.

[@wewepolapy]

@@sieteocho The Beatles are nothing compared to RH

[@oznebabyy]

@@wewepolapy they were innovative in their own right. for their time they were quite ahead of the curve, take “revolver” tomorrow never knows or “srg pepper”... yes, they started off with simple love songs, but “pablo honey” is not a masterpiece either. what im trying to say is that its great that we were gifted with such talented british musicians, and we should not diminish the impact of certain bands. they all are an important part of musical history.

[@Mikhael_bureau]

Fact is, a lot of people can actually doing this kind of innovation......problem is, they are mostly contemporary music student that dont have any interest in commercial and pop music.

[@jimharris6389]

I'll never tire of Kid A. It's a masterpiece in its entirety

[@MrHermanRinger]

my favourite album of all time :-)

[@simonedgbaston]

@@MrHermanRinger 🎶 It & Abmnesiac go together 🎵

[@ab8jeh]

@@MrHermanRinger yep mine too.

[@brosandimusic]

jonny greenwood is gonna go down as one of the greatest composers of our time. like working on radiohead aside, his control of full cinematic scores!! just insane

[@MoviesILoveandsocanyou]

I’m utterly in awe of your ability to cogently explain this stuff. Also, Kid A rules.

[@ListeningIn]

Wow, thank you Josh! Kid A most definitely rules.

[@clytnvgl]

i’ve never wanted to be 5 people at once so badly

[@vickhs]

The first time I heard this song (only a couple months ago since I'm a Radiohead newbie who only became a fan during quarantine) I half expected it to end by the time the strings take over the music... and then 8:21 just happens! The way his voice returns to focus is SO beautiful, oh my god. It's like the briefest moment of clarity in a gloomy day, like you're drowning in the dissonant sound of the strings and all of a sudden his voice pulls you back to the surface and allows you to finally breathe. Just... goosebumps, man. I still have a long way to go on my Radiohead journey but I'm loving every second of it.

[@itchywitch]

Welcome to our world made beautiful by Radiohead ❤

[@buttonman1831]

I have been a Radiohead fan for a few years now. Highly recommend "In Rainbows" which I personally think is their most well crafted album, ok Robot is great, A Moon shaped Pool is a fantastic easy going album, I like "the bends" as well. In Rainbows, OK Computer, and Kid A can all make the case for best album.

[@vickhs]

@@buttonman1831 OK Computer and In Rainbows are the two albums I've lost count on how many times I replayed! So far they're my favorites but In Rainbows is a little more special in my heart so I agree with you. Kid A was denser than what I expected so I've only listened to it twice (as well as AMSP), while the others I've only listened once, but I plan to return to them soon. Radiohead is certainly not made for a single listen so I'm taking it easy and slowly.

[@luizspindola]

That's my favorite part as well! You described it perfectly

[@HungryTacoBoy]

@@buttonman1831 "ok Robot" Had a bit of a chuckle with that.

[@monikamylonopoyloy6223]

The most beautiful song they ever did indeed. Haunting.

[@NeuralOscillations]

Nice avi

[@josephmcfadden6513]

@@NeuralOscillations Agreed about the JB avi. Y’all should check out Tamino if you haven’t already. Colin Greenwood even played on his stuff. : )

[@simenstory3321]

Kid A is a masterpiece, and this song, oh man... Possibly my favorite Radiohead song of all time. Superb video!

[@castor3873]

and my favorite song of all time ;)

[@nicholasharshbarger4454]

It’s almost as good as Pyramid Song, which is no small feat.

[@RetrogradeBeats]

Kid A changed the way I heard music years ago

[@TalkingWithTom]

thank you for this. you explain the theory behind why the orchestration is so good without getting bogged down in jargon. anyone could watch this video and be captivated, not just musicians, which is really a massive testament to your ability to talk about music

[@ListeningIn]

Hi! Thank you so much! I’ve been meaning to reply to this for a while - I really loved video breaking down the story behind the song. It was fascinating, and incredibly captivating. Our two videos make quite a good pair!

[@davidwestonsmith1305]

I've always loved the way that Yorke's vocals literally disappear into the string section when everything drops out. It causes unease and tension which is finally allowed to release when the bass and guitar resume bringing with a breath that allows you to relax. It's art of the highest form as it has absolute control over the listener. Stunning.

[@neilcavanagh]

Wonderful video. I love how Yorke's vocal part "gives in" at the end, swooping up in falsetto to sing along with the guitar line, and then the voice..."disappears completely." It's an arrangement-level interpretation of the song's title and theme. The vocal has a focus for the listener (however modest and subtle) throughout the song, but in the end, the voice literally fades itself into a background part.

[@matheusfantinel7970]

I always interpreted that part as sort of surviving a panic attack. The instrumental part becomes distorted and really anxiety-inducing, but the voice remains with the same melody, although a bit faded in the background, but still keeps melodic and "wins" at the end, when the instrumental part goes back to its original state. It does cause that effect on me. When listening to it with headphones, the distorted instrumentals give anxiety, but if I focus solely on the voice, that effect quickly goes away. I feel this goes really well with the lyrics of the song.

[@mariamman]

No wonder Thom called it the most beautiful thing they’ve ever created

[@C0RRUPT3DITOR]

I know this video is 3 years old and you most likely won't see this comment but.. This was amazing.. I knew How To Disappear Completely was a masterpiece but even I could have never fathomed it's complexity. Thank you. I'm definitely subscribing.

[@harri00413]

Same here

[@Ombromanzo]

"it begins with an exhalation" Even without any technical musical knowledge I really enjoy (even partilly understand) your videos. I'm loving the edit, your voice tone and in general RadioHead. But what I think is really genius is the way you explain the "making of". Everyone should at least once dive such deep in their songs. It is a change of perspective that leads to a better understanding. Thank you so much!

[@ChevisPreston]

Sometimes I wonder if Johnny Greenwood even puts in thought or if he can just naturally create soundscapes like this in his head

[@markstevens8571]

As a long-time admirer of Radiohead and a person with limited musical theory, I found this utterly fascinating. Thank you so much. Can't wait to see what you made of the Pyramid Song.

[@willem9688]

I was finding words how to comment on this video, but then I read yours.. I agree.

[@noamlitt]

B-L-O-W-N A-W-A-Y. Some of the best content on the INTERNET man. Really. Greatly Appreciate your work

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you much Noam!!!!

[@mateuszd6614]

could you imagine a better combination than your favourite visual narrator talking about your favourite track of your favourite band?

[@BetaBreaking]

This song always happens to make me cry without fail. The strings absolutely pull me in and never stops in making me feel completely small and uneasy. It taps into some primal area of my brain that evokes sadness and confusion

[@findlaylennie7984]

I know very little about music theory but can still follow along. Thankyou for this!

[@syrup-]

You know, the best thing about it is that we come up with all these musical terms to describe the way Radiohead makes this all happen. In reality, though, it's nonintentional & doesn't inherently rely on all of that.

[@sleekism]

Idk, Jonny Greenwood who arranged it really knows his theory. I'll bet some of it is deliberate. But I understand what you mean about how when dissecting we see the patterns that were simply intuited by the guys that made it

[@whoops9443]

Incredible video. This is probably my favorite track on Kid A, it's so gorgeous. I've always appreciated that bit at the end, where the strings go haywire and the melodies devolve into this sinister mass of sound that evokes the image of floating away perfectly - until Thom pulls it back in. It's a beautifully triumphant moment in such a gloomy song.

[@i.j.dragonfly3123]

One of a tiny handful of songs I consider to be perfect. Every time I listen, I connect with something new, and my heart breaks all over again.

[@TandisJenhudson]

I’m glad this video found me. Thank you

[@ExileOnDaytonStreet]

I love love love love love love this song.... an it's amazing to me how well everyone's part in this one works. The bass line alone feels like a masterpiece in being simple and meandering at the same time.

[@theodoredavidmooney5703]

I have heard "How To...." so many times and the parts are memorized and established in my head. This enabled me to completely understand & appreciate this breakdown in just one viewing. Well done! A fine addition to the ongoing journey of study we get to immerse in as fans of this fantastic band. Thank you!

[@Coolyourbootsman]

Outstanding breakdown.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Paul!

[@DamianWayneRogue]

this is my favourite song period. i'm always taken aback by the simultaneous simplicity and emotional complexity of it. thanks for this lovely analysis!

[@aaronpescasio]

This is the greatest music-related video on KZbin.

[@michaelpurdieabbott7743]

You can really hear the influence Scott Walker had on this record. Check out the beginning of “Its raining today”

[@chrisvanderploeg6563]

Yes!

[@mikehattias5837]

Came here to see if anyone wrote this

[@the_emmo]

omg you're right!

[@crobinso2010]

Exactly.

[@dejanmarkov14]

Thank you man for revealing Scott Walker to me

[@esthershih5575]

How to disappear completely is amazing. For me it's my second fav after Motion Picture Soundtrack, which literally tears me apart every single time.

[@willrobins]

A beautiful song, and just the tip of the KID A iceberg

[@bluecarrotrm]

Fantastic work! I love how you don't just do the musical math but you try to lay out the emotional content of the song. I loved your approach to the Howard Shore music for the same reason. Keep making these videos. You are wonderful at it.

[@BlueLotus-Eater]

There are many, many problems in the world today; yet, sometimes I can put them aside and just fall into some specific aspect in the world of art-such as your Radiohead analyses-and marvel at the beauty, and mastery, and passion of certain people (like Radiohead), and then again in the appreciation of some others who also relish in their talent (like you.) I cannot believe this is free on the internet. Are you gifted? I cannot answer that because I do not have the knowledge to judge such things. But this, what you have created, is a gift. So, thank you. 🙏

[@spacerpunk]

How come your videos don't have millions of views? this is an AMAZING analysis.

[@АнастасияБ-б6п]

Before watching the video I didn't even notice how the strings disappear right before he sings "I'm not here"

[@kaorimg1230]

I loooove this breakdown, especially the use of musical scores mixed with clever annotation and animation to make it all accessible to non-musicians like me. RH is the first band that made me want to dive in this deep. On the page it looks so deliberate, but their actual process seems more like alchemy.

[@ermanevcil]

Ah man, great work ! Already in love with the song since many years. It is a pleasure to see what is actually going on. Many thanks

[@malloryknox6950]

RIP my friend, BENNY..... he absolutely loved this entire album.... A true photography... I miss u, I loveS U

[@bananaaudio]

I loved everything about this. Thank you for taking the time to make these.

[@ListeningIn]

You are so welcome!

[@potsnpaninis]

Whenever I’m listening to this song, I consistently hear an overtone at 8:22 this part. It’s so cool!

[@nickmetts]

Great analysis of one of my favorite Radiohead songs. I can still vividly remember the first time I heard this song on a chilly, cloudy day back in October 2000. My wife (who was then just my best friend) and I bought Kid A as soon as it came out. We were already thoroughly in love with Radiohead after OK Computer and The Bends, but Kid A really placed them amongst my musical pantheon. As we were listening to the album I remember tearing up toward the end of "How to Disappear Completely" because I was overwhelmed by the sheer beauty. Placing this song right after "The National Anthem" was a brilliant move.

[@joshuanesbit]

this is phenomenal - superb editing too

[@BrianKrock]

Whoa! I love your editing style- it really allows your thorough analysis to sink in pleasurably. I’m so inspired!

[@BradenHolmes]

Love the way you comment while letting the track play on. Really great stuff!

[@milanetc4865]

Wow. Would love to listen to more of your analyses of Radiohead songs. Thank you.

[@Phyx1us]

This breakdown is as perfect as the song itself. Everything about this video and other videos from you are just brilliant. The build-up towards the ending gave me goosebumps.

[@atalantafugiens0426]

7:05 this chord change right here is my favorite part of the song

[@sleekism]

Same, and it's all so high, it's almost like the violins are voices used as instruments screaming really high

[@peramarkovic7148]

Fantastic, wonderful work. Perspicacious analysis, excellent vocabulary, but video - incomparable. I lost my breath when I saw sheet music for entire song. These sheets are absolutely visual miracle, it's enjoyment per se to see them and follow the song through these notes and symbols... Thank you.

[@rory_wilson]

This is exceptional analysis. I come back and listen to this and your pyramid and spector videos over and over. Inspirational.

[@eriktempelman2097]

Kid A will be listened to, analyzed, and most of all, enjoyed in centuries to come. Thanks

[@Typderkeinevidsmacht]

Oh wow, another band I can now appreciate the genius of thanks to your videos. Thank you!

[@Kjelteman]

HOW is the YT algorithm only showing me your work now?!??! I've never subbed so fast. You immediately strike me as one of the best video essayists around. Very excited for you and your KZbin journey, thank you for the amazing content!

[@worrywirt]

Wow! This video was amazing, a perfect, easily understandable breakdown even for those not well-versed in music theory. Plus hearing all the different parts isolated made me fall in love with this song all over again. I kinda wish I could do this for all my (other) favourite songs.

[@ins1demanwhitaker527]

Probably the best upload I've ever seen on KZbin. One of my favourite songs of all time. Production value, knowledge and overall editing are incredible. Your obviously passionate about music, and your use of words really brings that to the fore. 10/10

[@tinaaneke]

I’m so thankful you popped up in my recommended some days ago and I took a chance to look into your channel. Such a carefully and beautifully crafted video for a song deserving of no less. I don’t know much of musical theory but you provided so much clarity as to why certain sections of this song (i.e. the g natural breakthrough in the strings has always been so impactful in capturing the splintered feeling the song emotes) - elevate it to among the bands greatest contributions to music. Can’t wait for more videos like this of other acts.

[@Pablosammy1]

Superb video, this deserves more views!

[@christianschoeneman7692]

I just found your channel this evening. I'm astounded. This is so much more than what I had expected in quality, composition, and content - thank you so much for putting this up. Your reasoning, descriptions, and graphics are undoubtedly fully immersive. Thank you!

[@krollpeter]

I suspect what you have done is the most competent analysis of How To Disappear Completely.

[@thisistheglasshouse]

Extremely well done as always. I hope this blows up!

[@consumeproduce]

LOVE this! HTDC is my favorite Radiohead song. That epic rise to the e major is just incredible.

[@Kneza99]

I'm blown away by the quality, great job on the pacing of the video. Thank you for making this.

[@skydoors]

Brilliant video! I particularly love when the strings play those gorgeous cluster chords at 3:00, just before the synths come in

[@alistaircornacchio5727]

I think you must be a genuis, these productions are literally among the top class if not the best media I've ever consumed

[@BlackMarketHoney]

This song floors me every time I here it. Stunning. I love how the Orchestra gets all twisted up towards the end, then the bass comes in and resolves it. It is like a being stuck in a storm at sea, then you see the lighthouse. The bass pulls you back to safety. The bass is the heart beat of the song. It stops during the twisted orchestra section, then brings the song back to life. All the best. Rich in Sweden.

[@chompy_didit8399]

As if I needed a reminder that this is my favorite Radiohead song ever…anyways, this was a fantastic video!!! Super well edited and explained, be proud of yourself with this one!

[@steph4356]

Thank god KZbin recommended me this channel! Love the production quality, keep it up.

[@yeastboyuk]

Another great example of how RH pitch notes between notes to create uncertainty - musical anxiety. My other favourite is how Thom subtly pitches out then modulates back in on the opening lines of Exit Music for a film. Great fun to sing and doesn't sound wrong. I guess RH's greatest achievement is no matter how they twist and bend melody harmony and rhythm, everything is in it's right place....

[@wormonthesidewalk]

This has always been one of my favorite radiohead songs but seeing how it's arranged makes it even better

[@paulcolin1264]

This video is a masterpiece in explanation

[@stephenbarrette610]

The song is a masterpiece and this analysis and presentation matches it. Thank you for a brilliant video.

[@greenwood3596]

Brilliant work ! Love this song. I've recently heard Scott Walker's It's raining today and I can't help but think about the influence it had on the orchestration of How to disappear, especially the microtonal note at the beginning. Another Radiohead's masterpiece :)

[@JamesAndTheMindstep]

Holy crap this is how you do an analysis video. Incredible work.

[@theodoredavidmooney5703]

Fun Fact: This song was the inspiration for Micheal Stipe when he wrote the lyrics for REM's song titled "Disappear" off their brilliant REVEAL album. On a band break Stipe ended up at some type of rave event somewhere in the world during his travels. Upon finally being recognized by someone he was asked: "what are you doing here?" Stipe replied: "I came to disappear."

[@marcusjohnson488]

I read that Stipe provided the idea for this song when Thom asked him about how to cope with stardom. He was losing his marbles from the pressure buildup. He advised him on learning how to disappear as a coping mechanism.

[@perrywilliams5407]

Thank you for this wonderful analysis and for giving us insight into the musical intricacies of one of the most masterful songs ever written.

[@fishstickkitty8068]

Kid a is a game changer!! This video was great at explaining and the editing was on point!!

[@skoto8219]

Ok at the risk of sounding slightly insane (and I am whiskyposting right now): This analysis really hit me on an emotional level. I've known this song since it came out and, maybe it's the optimist in me, but I've always leaned towards thinking of it as: - beginning in D major - shifting back and forth between D and F# minor for a while - ending in F# minor But what you show here is that we never really were in D major at any point (even with those swelling G-naturals in the third verse - I would have objected to calling them "non-diatonic" before watching this!) You get glimpses of D major but inevitably you get dragged back down (you "disappear"?) into F# minor. Which is actually where you were the whole time - you were just in denial about it. That's why the song is so painful. Amazing work, thank you.

[@Geekritique]

Wow, I loved this so much. Thank you!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Dak!!

[@SpiralCasterPlaysPedals]

I started watching this and couldn’t stop until it was over. You broke down everything I’ve felt about this piece into the mathematical science that is theory but explained it like poetry. Well done man 👏

[@muhannadqaisi5227]

You are a genius. Your channel deserves much more recognition.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Bhatt_Hole]

Genius?

[@paultreneary]

An analysis that's simply going to improve my enjoyment of a truly wonderful peice of music - going to cue (or queue) it up for a listen in a few minutes...

[@wanmeireles7182]

What is funny is that I've been listening to Radiohead for 15 years now but only now that I'm making my own music is that I'm becoming to understand how amazing their songwriting/composing is. EDIT: but I have no idea what you're talking about in this video 'cause I know nothing about music theory, I just know that their music sounds different and unique

[@keverton123]

written when Thom was close to a breakdown on the 1997 tour he phoned Michael stipe and asked how he dealt with the endless touring to which he replied just close the curtains and say "I'm not here, this isn't happening"

[@robertmcmanus498]

Wow, this editing. Impeccable.

[@omaryorke]

That breathing you mentioned is Ondes Martenot used all around the entire song mixed with strings and electronic sounds. This song is one of the first Jonny uses that instrument and my favorite Radiohead song of all time.

[@noahhite1699]

The analysis, presentation, and editing on this is just phenomenal! You have earned yourself a new subscriber

[@RolandMDV]

Thank you so much for answering questions about my favorite Radiohead song that have been bothering me since the day I heard it for the first time in 2001.

[@bent.5062]

One of the more interesting points for me with regard to that string/guitar A>F# motif is that when Thom sings his final "I'm not here," he switches to falsetto to match the register of the strings, and the timbre of his voice changes completely. His voice matches the music, mirroring it in a way so that it is seemingly absorbed by these disparate sounds. In that moment, he ceases to "be there" both lyrically and musically. He becomes part of the background. It's a very clever climax to both the growing soundscape and growing intensity of the anxiety outlined in the music, bringing them all into focus together

[@NedJeffery]

This might be the most beautiful to watch musical analysis I've ever seen.

[@victorponderosa]

Great breakdowns!... How to Disapear Completely is one of my favorite songs by Radiohead and one I always listen to when revisiting Kid A! This song has always reminded me of The Moody Blues, The Night

[@tangmaster123]

dude this is the best video i've seen on YT in a while! Brilliant work

[@christopherrowley7506]

That e major coming out of the chaos makes me cry. One of the most beautiful moments of music

[@MaddelynKayKay]

What an amazing breakdown of an incredible song. My favorite by the way. So informative, so well thought out and presented.

[@benmurray2931]

The production you have put into this is quite extraordinary. Just superbly done.

[@thesnagglewolf]

This is such an incredible breakdown of an incredible song.

[@fettycheese2498]

I hope to see more Radiohead analysis videos soon. I loved your analysis on Pyramid Song and I really enjoyed this one. Your editing is also very good.