No Surprises (Cover by Iron & Wine)

[ram0000100]

-Siiileeeennceee

-WOO!

[rotveldt]

just not making the effort here whats the hook? pretty dry but not anything very good about it.

[Gandeladri]

I love how they shout at the part he sings: "Siiileenceee..."

[alphacloudmusic]

Another cover but from Berlin this time.  /watch?v=4hA7HZe1nMw&sns=em

[MinorHeinrich686]

Dnload the audio from this clip at searchripgrab doht cohm.

[bengold0]

Most Radiohead covers bother me because they pale in comparison to the originals, but this is excellent.

[KingofFunk412]

Youtube commenters are so confusing when it comes to crowds. When they don't make any noise, they go "This crowd sucks!", and when they make noise, they go "This crowd is so noisy and annoying!" and stupid shit like that. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS

[brigeeey]

jesus plays sweet guitar.

[Mylittlemonchichi]

Totally awesome combination! Both amazing bands. Now for radio head to play a cover of freedom hangs like heaven would be infinite!

[caleron0]

@Mylittlemonchichi you're talking the thruth and nothing but it!

[goldenarm20]

@Mylittlemonchichi Radiohead doesn't cover other people, other people cover Radiohead. And that's that.

[AL88PRONGS]

@goldenarm20 Screw you bro. And, just for the record, Radiohead HAS covered songs i.e Unravel by Bjork.

[goldenarm20]

@AL88PRONGS A little angry, aren't we "bro"? I was simply using a hyperbole for a little comedy, I didn't realize an esteemed member of he YouTube community would take it so personally.

[joyce1175]

I find it funny that Sam Beam's song 'Love Vigilantes' and this song were used in the season 6 premiere of House. :D

[R1HighSpeed]

Ca c'est un artiste!

[kevin881203]

does anyone have a studio version of this...? its amazing.

[smiles4keane]

OMG - this is brilliant!

[williammelvin]

sounds like a beautiful, just wish i could hear it in better quality tho

[LikeBearWithCar]

cover of all covers

[toddums]

One of the best covers I have heard

[dejaentendu247]

Yes it is a cover. And yes it sucks. Don't try and redo a Radiohead song because you will not do it as good. That's why they are the greatest. I'll be honest and say he has a NICE voice but he does this song no justice whatsoever. Get over his cool beard and listen with your ears and not your eyes. Sorry but I'm being honest...like it or not.

[Zsoltfy]

listen more iron and wine bro, the music is not just radiohead's pain

[sceth86]

beard of epic proportion

[jnburch]

sick i wish i was there

[meetmur]

is there anywhere to download this on an mp3?

[hodgins]

damn didnt know this existed

[brigeeey]

oh my god i know i know right i love the beaarrrrd!

[imitebwrong]

that is an epic beard

[coastermill]

thats pretty much the only way to describe it...

[rodekill27]

anyone know what guitar hes playing?

[coastermill]

all i know is that it is a gibson, beyond that you are on your own.

[siroliver1]

It's actually a Gretsch

[wezman2k]

looks like an es-335 to me but it's hard to tell.

[johngeetar]

yeah I think so too. Although it could be an es135 but you dont see those too often.

[ulisesfoundation]

@rodekill27

gibson c 300

[gmonsterlovesoats]

@rodekill27 I might be wrong, but it looks like a harmony rocket to me

[Scamilton89]

You know, I hadn't listened to this in ages, and I'd forgotten how good it was.

In terms of Radiohead covers, I like this, I like Korn doing Creep, and I like Jamie Cullum doing High and Dry. I also heard a beautiful orchestric rendition of How to Disappear Completely.

Not really keen on anything else. What do you guys think?

[rodekill27]

the children s choir doing no surprises is amazing look it up on youtube

[texashigh10]

I'm really happy to find this. Radiohead is without a doubt my favorite artist but I LOVE Sam Beam's vocals, this song was a perfect fir for him.

[tonatiuhnitor]

I wouldn't say amazing but Logical. : )

[dollsong1]

iron and wine- the best... i <3 him verrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy much !!!!

[Yoga1978]

great!

however when he was in the E key, one string sounded off-tune.

[jamesinho]

fuckin dickheads shouting 'yeah' really takes something away from the performance

[lucky1898]

this song suits him

[davemorphine]

so fucking sweet cover!

[meegaanx12]

radiohead is better.

[Iwanete]

:| oh wow you are a light!!

[plaguelandscapes]

of course its better, its their song

[SunsetRubdownz]

this makes me think how awesome it would be to see radiohead cover something off "shepherd's dog"... :p... two of my favorite artists. thanks for posting this!

[matrixman609]

cool

[JAJ4000]

I dug the hell out of this.

Coming From a fan of both Iron & Wine and Radiohead.

JAJ.

[hach30]

YOTUBE: space bee - no surprises (the best radiohead cover)...

[ronniekray1984]

radiohead would be cringing

[AndTheRestWillFollow]

Thom Yorke is a big fan of Sam Beam. :D

[yougotcrad1]

AH THE QUALITY OW.

[ccr152]

its still awesome.

[googenshlagen]

THis is pretty cool.

[moosetimes1000]

And just to make it absolutely and categorically clear, "Such Great Heights" is on that album.

[moosetimes1000]

I have the Postal Service album "Give Up" here in front of me. Looking at the sleeve, all songs are credited to The Postal Service. Iron & Wine are not mentioned. Iron & Wine did not write "Such Great Heights", The Postal Service did.

[johngeetar]

I'm with you man, im really tired of hearing people say beam wrote it.

[blur0224]

@johngeetar

If Beam wrote it, the lyrics would make less senese. haha

[EgoTrippin311]

what are some great songs to check out by these guys? I saw a bit of their show when they came here to ACL, but that's bout it.

[whoaGirl12]

obv. i didn't. i like this version way better.

[CVsnaredevil]

I don't see how people can expect covers to sound like the band that makes it. I mean where are you gonna find a group that sounds like them? Radiohead is one of a kind. Great cover.

[NotOrdinaryInGames]

A good cover.

[GunslingerXYZ]

Good cover.

It doesn't need to be as great as (or siilar to) the original. The original is the original. This cover is a cover, thankfully a good one.

[twoQtease]

I love this version of the song,

But agree that it isn't close to the Radiohead version...

So What? Anyone who says that is clearly against individuality. The whole point of a cover is to make it your own, not to play it exactly like the album.

[JosephGallagher]

I wish there was a studio version of this, it sounds really good!!

[GoBucks2828]

not bad...just not Radiohead, or even close to Radiohead. Stick to Postal Service covers lol.

[whoaGirl12]

Actually, IRON & WINE made the Postal Service song.

[GoBucks2828]

I've researched it, and a lot of people claim both bands made it...but for the most part it seems to me Postal Service wrote it.

And why is everyone hating on my original statement? If you think this version is as good as Radiohead's...you're nuts. I didn't bash I & W.

[whoaGirl12]

Well I think I & W def. made it. Second of all, NO I WOULD NEVER. Radiohead is my favorite band of all time. None can compare.

[seanyo9]

But the bottom line is Iron and Wine didn't write Such Great Heights. who cares, its not close to sam's best song, so what difference does it make?

[whoaGirl12]

No one asked.

[Thundermonk99]

i really hope you are joking...

[shazbot126]

amazing song, amazing lyrics, amazing cover.

[BrandenVickery]

I agree with athievingbird.

[ricardoermm]

fuck u

[phill90212]

Spoiled by tossers shouting Wooooo and Hoooo...

[CelebritySuicide]

Absolutely sensational cover. Brilliant.

[microwaveparty]

Damn good cover...

[Scamilton89]

I actually thought it was pretty good. When you compare it to how Mark Ronson murdered "Just" it's positively amazing.

What I would say to all the people who don't rate this, that's fine, we'll await your cover versions on YouTube shortly, seeing as you're all in a position to comment..

[IMAmoose24]

I really enjoyed Ronson's take on Just. Loved the trumpets!

[Jerith03]

you know what i think every time someone says something along the lines of "if you think this is bad, then you cover it"? i think that just because they may or may not be able to do it better, they still know whats good and what isn't. maybe they know their limits as singers, and know they can't sing. that doesn't mean they don't recognize good and bad music.

that being said, i think this is a good cover.

[Scamilton89]

Fair point, well presented. I don't mind people that come on and say "I don't think this song is suited for Iron & Wine" or "It's not bad, but I think blah etc."

It's just the people that come on and are like "tis is teh suckage, he has killed teh song lolzorz" that I take issue with.

As you say, I think he's done well.

[Jerith03]

touche. and let me say that i really appreciate the fact that we just had an intelligent and respectful conversation, because a lot of people on here get nutty.

[Detour0311]

Let me say that I also appericiate that you were able to have a mature discussion. Thank you.

[johngeetar]

hahahah! "tis es teh suckage, he has killed teh song lolzorz" HAHAHHAHA thanks dude I was having a bad night. You made me laugh.

[geddstock]

no surprises here...was expecting a murder and got a murder

[athievingbird]

All of you naysayers, just STFU. He obviously loves this song as much as you or I, so he's sharing that with us, you fucking idiots. He's not trying to outdo Radiohead, you thickheads. He loves this song just so fucking much, he wants to sing it & share it with all of you.

Obviously, "it's no Radiohead", but it's his own.

[veven1290]

this is one of the better Radiohead covers i've heard. I think sam does a great job with it...the hum is annoying for sure, but oh well.

[reieto]

genius. sam is perfect here. either you get him or you don't

[EnriqueChavezValdes]

my god... so many radiohead fanboys professing their hate towards a man who quite obviously shares your love of radiohead and this song.

However, instead of letting the world know via abusive and nonsensical rubbish on youtube, he is actually out there performing the song to his fans.

So please, please all of you: Retire back to your darkened rooms and continue to suck your cocks to the tune of treefingers (extended version).

[johngeetar]

Dude I accidentally gave you the thumbs down, but I actually was laughing my ass off at your comment and wanted to give the thumbs up! That's what happens when you drink and youtube I guess.

[manlardjr]

i love this song.

and i love iron and wine.

but not together.

no. just...no.

[Stratocaster821990]

GODDAMMIT! THEY FUCKING SUCK!

[trwwer]

covers can be interesting. This one wasn't

[WhySoGr33n]

wow, never fock with a radiohead classic. BOOOO

[adolfolicious]

I don't care if a cover is supposed to sound different. DIFFERENT DOESNT EQUAL GOOD this song just can't be fooled with. It's too meaningful to be twisted THIS SHOUDNT HAVE HAPPENED

[robrippen]

So what if his audio was bad. This guy has a good voice. I enjoyed it. He didnt quit in the middle of the song to fix the audio, instead he went with it. The crowd seemed to be entertained by him. I guess really, thats all that matters.

[tgeer123]

how dare he... i hate him

[denndoudenndou]

boring

[fathousecat]

Mr. Beam, it might be time to invest in some hum-buckers. He should have picked up the acoustic for this one...

[sengreenwood]

bad bad bad cover...

[rowenika]

yes, I agree, he's not Thom Yorke, no one is, I knew only few good radiohead covers ...

[bblueshoe]

incorrect

[SaileAway]

ugh. I hate i when people squeel and hoot and yell.

[terriblezodin]

i'm continually amazed at the impact that radiohead have had on america (with covers by John Frusciante and now i see Mr. Beam himself)

they have a very british feel.

Iron & Wine are radiohead are 2 of my very favourite artists and it's awesome to hear the 2 combined.

[kennyf93]

the best cover is when you can listen to both songs next to each other and not realize they are the same words

[kennyf93]

you also know you are a great commenter when you can stare at a video for 3 minutes and not read the first comment on the page

[murielglass]

how does not reading the first comment while watching the video relate to being a good commenter?

[donteatpoop]

I disagree wholly. A cover of a song should sound different, it should have a different twist to it, a new take on the same old thing. This one has that, albiet with piss por audio, but there was a different vibe to the song.

If you can listen to the cover and the original side by side then you might as well just listen to the original.

I enjoy hearing alternate interpretations of music far more than the standard "keep it identicle" cover.

[lovesGenet]

Wow. So different .Thanks for your own unique addition .Closer to Kirk's voice.

[piepartyzena]

it sounds so different but amazing still. their version almost gives the song another meaning

[TuffEnuffIII]

Pitchfork fest was the GAYEST thing i have ever seen and the BIGGEST waste of money. DO NOT GO unless you like long lines for everything, guys who look like coplete tools and REALLY rotten food. The promoters should be shot.

[Josh0889]

Amazing cover. i saw him live last month and it was the best concert ive ever been to. Every song he touches turns to gold.

[Sorrento04]

If you are so bloody technically rich, why isn't it you up there?

[brightbluesparkle]

I remember this! It was at the Pitchfork Festival this past summer. He did it as an encore. The performance was even more beautiful live.

[lazah67]

like wise

[t4nith]

clearly this isn't meant to be up to a high professional standard and is just a little something he brought up maybe at the end of the gig so i wont critisize too much - however he does oversimplify an already very simple guitar part.

[bigbabyjesusicantwai]

gotta give him credit tho, he picked an amazing song to cover. i thought he did a good job with it too, oversimplified or not.

[t4nith]

i never said i disliked it, i think it's quite good but it's stupid how much negative feedback i'm getting for not thinking a solo acoustic cover song recorded on an amateur video camera is amazing.

[kcirtap6075]

t4nith, you are an idiot.. have you ever heard another iron and wine song? his style is simply fingerpicked songs. he did a cover of the postal service's such great heights and he did a similar guitar track for it but it sounds amazing, as does this. The point isn't to stun people with your guitar abilities, it is to make music that matters to people... obviously you either don't know shit about music or you have your priorities about music wayyyy out of order..

[t4nith]

Clearly i stated that this is obviously a little something he just brought up at the end of a gig and at no point did i suggest that the guitar track was meant to showcase any stunning ability, and if that were the case, he wouldn't have picked a simple song like no surprises to cover - i just said he oversimplified something that was already simple. i've got nothing against the performance and would probably cheer along if i were there but there's nothing wrong with a little creative criticism.

[DnMZen]

dude, you can't go and criticize every artist who doesn't have proffesional vocal talent. probably about 80 percent of singers/bands who landed a record deal don't have "good" singing voices! look at bob dylan; he wasn't really skilled in singing or guitar playing, and yet he changed the face of modern music and inspired so many people. i'm not saying sam beam is a great singer, but he definately isn't terrible when compared to the majority of music out there.

[JSstrat]

who cares, he's an amazing artist and you are nobody

[SurfaceToday]

Lots of technique doesn't necessarily make a great singer.

[Fammy]

every song i have heard sam cover has been amazing, and this is no exception.

[johngalantini]

thats a rather iffy jack plug he's going thru there.

[weeweegordy]

wasnt that bad anyways lol :P

[weeweegordy]

Haha i think hes knows hes a bit off maybe cause its outside its harder for him to hear himself i dunno i think he laughs at some point watever i still love him haha

[ibeleaf]

i like his such great heights cover, but i'm going to have to say he was off a bit on this one, it's decent at best. no surprises there...

[toddums]

awesome cover, hope he plays it when I see him soon in seattle!

[goodmango]

Sam Beam rocks every cover he does.

[FenderMan88888888]

u obviously lack the capability to interprate beauty

[MrColtin]

unbelievable. shut the fuck up.

[TonnieMoon]

I normally try to find something good to say about serious musicians...

I don't know much about this guy, but he chose an awesome song, if a bit at the wrong place and time. Radiohead ROCKS.

[zoomzipboom]

i like it it better than the original, though i really liked the original.

[withtheirmachines]

fucking bastard...he could probably take any song and make it his own...i mean..what..the fuck

[bdubyaman]

Thats why they call it a cover you fucking idiot.

[xbxbear]

Great stuff. Raw, emotive, pristine and mostly beautiful.

[ultimaterul]

you suck

[seasickfish9]

The emotion in his voice when he repeats the final line after "such a pretty garden" just kills me. Thanks for the video.

[Questpeace]

90%?! You angel!

[youknowit209]

sam beam is like. jesus now. but with a guitar. and a heavenly voice.

[sprunkner]

Thanks for posting. It's a shame there isn't a better quality sound mp3.

Chords are fairly simple: B major and E major7 (I think) for the riff, and then B major, G sharp minor, C sharp minor, and then F sharp major for the verse and chorus, in more or less that order.

[gratefuldead76]

anyone know the chords?

[gratefuldead76]

nevermind

[swiftiey]

IMO Iron and wine are meant for a quiet acoustic setting anyway, not a crowd festival.

It's a simple fact.

[ElaineSamuela]

that wasn't serious! i sent it as a joke to my friends.but pot induces monotonous senseless repetitive strumming and paining.winnietoo

[debaser247]

this really isnt his venue

in a more intimate setting or a recorded version would probably sound much better

[kyledoherty]

That SUCKED!!!

[joeburton77]

great to see Sam's a radiohead fan... one of my favourite singers covering one of my favourite bands... awesome!

[LfunkeyA]

this cover is pretty good.

[Collins1990]

monotone toss.

[madjackkash]

wellll... im frustrating that he didn't take it up a notch towards the end... after silent... the song remains in doldrums and he missed the opportunity to draw on what really makes the song amazing...the proclaimation point when yorke writes " This IS my final......" no joy.... mo exclaimation... a song about escape that had so much power in it...he sucked it out. Pretty voice though. He just should have banged it out more if he really respected the song. You cant cover a song half assed.

[coastermill]

in sam's defense: it was an encore and before he started he said that he had just worked on it the night before. granted, very few people can play a song as well as the person who wrote it. all in all, i am glad that you guys like it. thanks for the views and comments.

[kingbonk]

im sorry, this comment really irks me. knowing sam's work, and loving this song in the original form, to me sams stripped down version lays the song bare and displays its full power. "half-assed"? "doesnt respect the song"?? As if you had to scream or something to sing powerfully. Totally off base, totally misses the point of the song. BTW - coastermill, there's no need to defend Sam here. He did the song justice in my opinion, and it was cool to see. Thanks for posting.

[stockman214]

well-said, Kingbonk. I agree whole-heartedly with you.

[l1392503]

Happy now.

[mootsy]

shit, i was so surprised (get it???) when he started singing that. it totally made my day. you had a much better view than i! thanks so much for sharing!

[slstratocaster]

radiohead is the most covered band in history, haha. well, at least recent history. i liked this cover. even though the buzzing was annoying and it wasn't really the most serious version in the world. his voice [especially at the end singing "no alarms"] is very pretty.

[Howtobefreaky]

I find it to be pretty boring, like most of Iron and Wine's stuff, which is a shame because it's such a great song.

[calvinmontgomery]

i have to agree.

i was hoping it would pick up with drums or something, alas it did not.

[opaquiosq]

Eh...not bad, but it just loses so much without Yorke's beautiful voice.

[savewayzata]

awesome song & video!!

[faraways0close]

Great video. I think I was standing pretty close behind you. Red cap?

[coastermill]

haha, yeah