Creep | TAB
The intro has more chords than the verse and is picked differently. Here are the chords with TAB as this is the best way to explain what’s happening.
Notice the inconsistency in the pattern, this makes the part more interesting and floaty sounding. The Bsus4 to B stands out, especially as we don’t do this during the upcoming verse.
The sus4 to major idea is then repeated over the C, the Cm chord is the last and most stand-out chord of the progression.
The chord progression for the intro is the same as what will be the verse and chorus. Using Roman Numerals it spells I – IIIx – IV – IVm. These two chords stand out the most:
- The IIIx is what classical musicians call the mediant major, it’s very common, usually followed by chord VI, but not so in Creep’s chords, here we go to IV instead.
- The IVm is another common movement, usually following the IV chord, just like we do in Creep.
The verse chords are (as mentioned) the same progression, although the extensions are different, here’s the TAB of Creep’s verse chords.
What’s so interesting here is how the chords build, study the TAB carefully, and play with the original recording. What they’re doing is supporting the vocal, adding more and more of the chord as the verse builds.
The chorus chords are (again) the same, although new extensions appear, like this:
| G (Gsus4) | G | B (Bsus4) | B |
| C (Csus4) | C | Cm | Csus4 |
Those sus4 chords are very subtle and quick, apart from the last one, Csus4 which is for the full bar.
Finally, the end has a nice little run-down played on the piano, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t include it when you play Creep’s chords live with your band, it goes like this:
| Cm | Cm Bm Am | G |
Creep TAB | Related Pages
Creep | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Creep by Radiohead using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G5 | G | B5 | B |
When you were here before, couldn’t look you in the eye…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
- High and Dry chords by Radiohead
- Seven Nation Army chords by the White Stripes
- Song 2 chords by Blur
- Steady, As She Goes chords by The Raconteurs
- The One I Love chords by R.E.M.
Radiohead
Formed in the mid-80s as the members met in a boarding school, Radiohead went on to become the most credible band from the U.K. in the 90s.
Their best tunes include Creep, Fake Plastic Trees, High and Dry, No Surprises, Karma Police, Paranoid Android, and Everything In Its Right Place.
Radiohead on the web
About me
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm featuring TAB covers Creep. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.