Hello! Below you'll find my "Let Down" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This gorgeous Radiohead song features layers of instruments, including multiple time signatures overlapping. Still, the chords are relatively easy. The version I teach in the video is my interpretation of the music, and it's a lot of fun to play and sing.
Enjoy!
Let Down Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Let Down:
Let Down Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
Riff X2 (see below), then continue over:
Riff X2 (see below), then continue over:
| A | A | A | A |
[Verse 1]
Asus4 A E6
Transport motorways and tramlines
F#mb6
Starting and then stopping
E6
Takin' off and landing
Asus4
The emptiest of feelings
A E6
Disappointed people
F#mb6
Clingin' on to bottles
E6
And when it comes it's so so disappointing
[Chorus]
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6
Let down and hangin' around
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6
Crushed like a bug in the ground
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6 E*
Let down and hangin' around
[Instrumental]
With Riff (see below)
With Riff (see below)
| A | A | A | A |
[Verse 2]
Asus4 A
Shell smashed, juices flowin'
E6
Wings twitch, legs are goin'
F#mb6
Don't get sentimental
E6
It always ends up drivel
Asus4 A E6
One day I am gonna grow wings
F#mb6
A chemical reaction
E6
Hysterical and useless, hysterical and
[Chorus]
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6
Let down and hangin' around
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6
Crushed like a bug in the ground
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6 E*
Let down and hangin' around
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6
Let down and hangin' around
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6
Crushed like a bug in the ground
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6 E*
Let down and hangin' around
[Bridge]
| A | X8 Riff 2 only (see below)
| A | X8 Riff 2 with LH bass
| A | A | A | A |
Let down and hang...
| A | A | A | A |
Let down and hang...
| D - Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# |
Let down and...
| A | A | A | A |
Let down and hang...
| D - Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# |
Let down and...
| A | X6
hang...
[Verse 3]
Asus4 A E6
You know, you know where you are with
F#mb6
You know where you are with
E6
Floor collapsin', floatin'
Asus4 A E6
Bouncing back and one day...
(One day I am gonna grow wings)
F#mb6
You know where you are...
(A chemical——————— reaction)
E6
You know where you are...
(Hysterical and —————-useless)
(E6)
You know where you are
(Hysterical and)
Asus4 A E6
You know, you know where you are with
F#mb6
You know where you are with
E6
Floor collapsin', floatin'
Asus4 A E6
Bouncing back and one day...
(One day I am gonna grow wings)
F#mb6
You know where you are...
(A chemical——————— reaction)
E6
You know where you are...
(Hysterical and —————-useless)
(E6)
You know where you are
(Hysterical and)
[Chorus]
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6
Let down and hangin' around
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6
Crushed like a bug in the ground
D Dsus2/E Dsus2/F# A F#mb6 E*
Let down and hangin' around
[Outro]
| Asus4 | Asus4 A | X3
| A |
| Asus4 | Asus4 A | X3
| A |
[Intro Riff]
C# D C# D A
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D G#
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D A
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D G#
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D A
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D G#
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D A
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D G#
C# D C#
[Instrumental Riff]
C# D C# D A
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D G#
C# D C# D E
C# D C# D A
C# D C# D E
C# D
[Riff 2 (Bridge)]
E F# G# A G# A G# A G#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
A A A
E F# G# A G# A G# G#C#G#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
A A A A A A
E F# G# A G# A G# G#E F#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
A A A A A A
E F# G# A G# A G# G#C#G#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
A A A A A A
E F# G# A G# A G# A G#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
A A A
E F# G# A G# A G# G#C#G#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
A A A A A A
E F# G# A G# A G# G#E F#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
A A A A A A
E F# G# A G# A G# G#C#G#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
A A A A A A
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Let Down Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Let Down" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Let Down" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
