Radiohead's 'No Surprises' retuned to 440hz

DISCLAIMER: THIS VIDEO IS NOT MINE

Excerpt:
If you've ever tried to play along to Radiohead's "No surprises", you will likely have noticed something odd about it. Turns out the song is in between keys E and F. The reason for this is a fascinating one; producer Nigel Godrich alegedly had the band play the song at a faster tempo.

"For the song No Surprises, about the malaise of modern life, Radiohead wanted a tempo that was too slow to be played well on their instruments. Godrich solved the problem by borrowing a trick from George Martin's beloved production of the Beatles' Strawberry Fields Forever. He had the band play the song at a faster, more feasible pace, and then — odd pitch be damned — slowed playback to a crawl for Yorke to sing his vocals overtop. The sum is ethereal and haunting: the guitars sound like harps; each pound of Phil Selway's drums sticks in the ear a micro-second longer than expected." - Matthew McKinnon, CBC

Back in the day, slowing things down was quite easy. Just play the tape back more slowly. Doing this however lowers pitch, which at the time was a hassle to compensate for. Therefore, the song which was most likely played and recorded in the key of F, came out about maybe 12 Hz lower. This becomes extremely apparent when one tries to play along with the song on instruments which are tuned to A440 standard tuning.

This is my attempt at adjusting the pitch to more closely resemble the original key of F recording. Tempo has not been altered. Audacity was used in order to raise the pitch about 1.85%, taking the flat first note (which according to my estimations is ~864 Hz) and the whole song in turn to a proper A5 (880 Hz). Hope you enjoy!

[lucasarmstead]

It’s funny how many people don’t understand what’s happening here. I’m sure the guitarists who just want to play along to this song are really happy you did this though.

[tachysphex]

I don't know shit about music theory or audio engineering but this is a nice version. The instruments sound smoother and Thom's vocals make it feel like he's actually relieved. As if he had achieved the "No Surprises" life.

[hey]

sounds happier. fitter, one might even sa--- (ok sorry)

[connerbailey]

Bruh finally this is explained to me, i try to cover this song but even on the right frets it sounded. tad bit too high, just like this. Wow

[observer]

this sounds wrong and right at the same time

[fullmetalpsyche]

Conclusion: You sing better when you're not drowning.

[jamesodgers]

I'm so happy I can actually play along to it now. The original has a nice mystery to it because it's in a key that doesn't exist, but I prefer not having to tune my upright piano every time I want to play this song.

[baileywhite]

It sounds almost more human, if that makes sense, not exactly happier or sadder, just less artificial if that makes sense

[archivalsoulglitches]

This sounds more peaceful than the original, frequency really does wonders for music.

[blipbobeep]

Comparing this to the released version, I can see what they were going for. With the album version slightly slower and pitched down, the song gets a more sombre feel which suits the theme of the song better.

[chippedpaintrecords]

I think we crossed over into an alternate dimension where the original isn't in 440. I swear it always sounded like it's in perfect f major but now when I listen to the original it sounds like it's almost a half step too low. Even on my cds and vinyl. What the fuck happened?

[hertzzwhale]

Thats why i always get a unfullfilled sense while trying to play it on a guitar

[ishayfriedman]

I noticed that little difference while playing the piano...
glad that somebody noticed that

[Maypo]

A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal

You look so tired, unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us

I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent
Silent

This is my final fit
My final bellyache with
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises, please

Such a pretty house
And such a pretty garden
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises, please

[Mild_enthusiasm]

open this and the original and play them both at the same time

[runningcoyote]

I've decided to break the ice and talk to my dad to borrow his headphone on the next house,
after weeks of no talk and interaction

[hetfillizer]

this sounds clean and clear like a crystal heaven water sea

[galihprasetyo]

Trying to cover this song and always failed

God give me a sign

God : show this video


Thanks!!!

[nemesiszer]

Listening to this makes me feel like a pig in a cage on antibiotics

[taysem]

I'd never think it was a little out of tune but now i think that this was more of a feature to the song