What the hell is the time signature of Radiohead's "Pyramid Song"? If you Google it, there are lots of different suggestions for how to count the dizzying rhythms of this Amnesiac standout, and now drummer Philip Selway has confirmed it: it's just regular old 4/4.
Speaking with Spin about the famous drum part, Selway confessed, "It is just a 4/4. I hate to admit."
As for how to count where the beats fall, Selway has this suggestion: don't. Explaining that the drums swing within the 4/4 rhythm, he said, "I don't count, though. I felt my way through that drum part more than counting it. I remember the day we were recording it, part of me was lost with what to do, and it didn't feel like it was turning into a very successful session. But once I actually stopped trying to analyze the song rhythmically, I just allowed the playing to happen and responded to the inflections in Thom's piano and vocal. The part fell into place. I was quite surprised by how it turned out, because at the start of the session, it did not sound good."
Well, there you have it! Take a listen to the song below, and good luck trying to tap your foot to the beat.
Speaking with Spin about the famous drum part, Selway confessed, "It is just a 4/4. I hate to admit."
As for how to count where the beats fall, Selway has this suggestion: don't. Explaining that the drums swing within the 4/4 rhythm, he said, "I don't count, though. I felt my way through that drum part more than counting it. I remember the day we were recording it, part of me was lost with what to do, and it didn't feel like it was turning into a very successful session. But once I actually stopped trying to analyze the song rhythmically, I just allowed the playing to happen and responded to the inflections in Thom's piano and vocal. The part fell into place. I was quite surprised by how it turned out, because at the start of the session, it did not sound good."
Well, there you have it! Take a listen to the song below, and good luck trying to tap your foot to the beat.
