Harmony
Radiohead’s 'Karma Police' is a masterclass in harmonic instability, famously tipping its hat to The Beatles' 'Sexy Sadie' through its use of a descending chromatic inner voice. The verse is built on a shifting modal foundation; by alternating between a D major chord (featuring an F#) and an F major chord, the song pivots between A Dorian and A Aeolian modes. This creates a 'seasick' feeling where the listener is never quite sure where the tonal center lies, perfectly mirroring the narrator's self-righteous paranoia and eventual psychological breakdown. The chorus shifts the energy toward G major, but it refuses to stay settled. The introduction of an F#7 chord acts as a secondary dominant (V of iii), pulling the ear toward B minor. This tension is never quite resolved in a traditional pop sense, instead leading into the lush, descending 'For a minute there, I lost myself' outro. This final section abandons the claustrophobic shifts of the verse for a more expansive Bm - D - G - D - E7 progression, where the E major chord introduces a G# that provides a surprising, Picardy-third-style lift, suggesting a moment of clarity or surrender amidst the static-filled finale.
Rhythm
The rhythm is generally slow and deliberate, with a steady 4/4 time signature. The drums enter more prominently in the latter half of the song, building towards a more intense and driving feel.
Groove: Ballad with a rock edge
Melody
The melody is haunting and memorable, sung with a subdued and emotionally charged delivery by Thom Yorke. The vocal melody complements the song's melancholic atmosphere.
Range: Moderate range, focusing on the middle register.
Structure
Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Outro
Intro
Verse 1
Chorus
Verse 2
Chorus
Bridge
Outro
📝 Lyrics
paranoid · melancholic · cynical
Theme
Social conformity, authoritarian surveillance, and the dehumanizing nature of modern bureaucracy.
Surface
An imaginary authority force that punishes people for petty social annoyances and non-conformity, such as having a weird haircut or talking too much.
Deeper meaning
A critique of 1990s corporate culture and the 'policing' of social behavior. It explores how individuals project their insecurities onto others through judgment, only to realize their own complicity in the systems they despise, leading to a total loss of self.
Symbols
Karma Police
Hitler hairdo
The buzzing fridge
Maths
Overall Difficulty
5/10
Guitar
Difficulty: 5/10
The acoustic guitar should drive the rhythm alongside the piano, especially in the verses.For the famous 'melting' outro sound, Ed O'Brien uses a digital delay pedal (historically an AMS or Space Echo) and turns the feedback up to the point of self-oscillation while slowing down the delay time.
Strumming
Arpeggiated picking
Feedback manipulation
EBow usage
Delay oscillation
Gear: Acoustic guitar (Martin/Guild style), Fender Telecaster Plus, EBow, and a high-quality delay pedal with a 'Time' knob for the outro.
Bass
Difficulty: 4/10
The bass line is very melodic; focus on the transition notes between the chords.During the bridge ('For a minute there'), play with a more sustained, legato feel.
Fingerstyle
Walking bass lines
Slides
Drums
Difficulty: 4/10
Keep the tempo very steady (approx. 75 BPM); any rushing will ruin the 'heavy' feel of the song.The snare should be punchy but dry to match the OK Computer aesthetic.
Cross-sticking
Dynamic building
Controlled ghost notes
Vocals
Difficulty: 6/10
The phrase 'I lost myself' uses a delicate head voice/falsetto—don't push too hard.The verses require a conversational, almost bored delivery, building into the emotional release of the outro.
Falsetto
Chest voice
Dynamic phrasing
Keys
Difficulty: 5/10
The iconic intro riff relies on the descending C-B-A bass movement while holding the upper notes of the chord.Maintain a consistent, heavy touch on the keys during the outro to ground the swirling guitar effects.
Block chords
Descending bass lines
Sustained voicing
Composition
The song reportedly originated from a band in-joke. The phrase "Karma Police" was used as a joking threat within the band when a member was being particularly difficult or behaving poorly.
Inspiration: The song reflects anxieties about technology, surveillance, and the pressures of modern life.
Recording
Producer: Nigel Godrich
The song's unusual structure and sudden shift in dynamics were deliberate choices to reflect the song's themes.
The final section features a distorted, almost chaotic soundscape created by multiple instruments played simultaneously.
Cultural Context
The song emerged during the Britpop era but stands apart due to its more experimental and melancholic sound. It reflects the anxieties of the late 1990s, a period of rapid technological advancement and social change.
Impact
The song became a defining anthem of its time, capturing the anxieties and disillusionment of a generation. It helped solidify Radiohead's status as one of the most innovative and influential bands of the 1990s.
Legacy
"Karma Police" continues to be a popular and critically acclaimed song, frequently cited as one of Radiohead's best works. Its themes of paranoia, justice, and social control remain relevant today.
The Beatles
Pink Floyd
R.E.M.
Chord Sheet
Song Structure
Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Outro
Chords Used
Hide functions
Am
i
T
D/F#
IV6
P
Em
v
D
G
bVII
D
Am
i
T
F
VI
T
Em
v
D
G
bVII
D
Progression by Section
Bridge
C
IV
P
D
V
D
Em
vi
T
Chorus
G
I
T
D
V
D
Em
vi
T
C
IV
P
Verse
Em
vi
T
C
IV
P
G
I
T
D
V
D
Chord Fingerings
Am
Standard
D/F#
Standard
Em
Standard
G
Standard
Am
Standard
F
Standard
Em
Standard
G
Standard
Sections
Intro
Verse 1
Chorus
Verse 2
Chorus
Bridge
Outro
Harmony Analysis
The song begins with a simple and melancholic chord progression in the key of G major. The harmony becomes more complex and dissonant in the bridge section.
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Lyrics
View Lyrics on Genius
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