Karma Police
Radiohead
OK Computer (1997)
Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien +2
Listen to the Song
At a glance
- Key
- A Minor
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Main progression
- i–IV6–v–bVII–i–VI–v–bVII
- Chords used
- C · D · Em · G · Am · D/F# · F
- Form
- Intro-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Outro
- Difficulty
- 5/10
Summary
As a standout single from the landmark 1997 album OK Computer, 'Karma Police' solidified Radiohead's transition from alt-rockers to avant-garde icons. The track masterfully blends Beatles-esque melodic structures with a dark, experimental coda that captures the era's collective technological anxiety.
Chord Sheet
Song Structure
Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Outro
Chords Used
Chord Diagrams
N/A
Sections
Musical Analysis
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 majo…
History
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.
“The song's unusual structure and sudden shift in dynamics were deliberate choices to reflect the song's themes.”
📝 Lyrics
paranoid · melancholic · cynicalTheme
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
Full musical 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.
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.
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.
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.
As a standout single from the landmark 1997 album OK Computer, 'Karma Police' solidified Radiohead's transition from alt-rockers to avant-garde icons. The track masterfully blends Beatles-esque melodic structures with a dark, experimental coda that captures the era's collective technological anxiety.
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Song DNA
Genre
Alternative Rock
Era
90s
Mood
Melancholic
Tempo
Mid-tempo
Key
Minor
Texture
Layered
Sound
Piano-led
Feel
Straight
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Listen & Learn
Statistics
40.7M
Plays
3.2M
Listeners
100%
Popularity
4:23
Duration
4/4
Time
Credits
Written by
Produced by
From the album OK Computer
Live albums
- Kid Eh?2001
- 2001-08-07: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA