Distorted Light Beam

Album: Give Me The Future (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 21st Century technology is allowing us to escape real life by creating virtual or online fantasies. Here, Bastille explore the limitless possibilities that this alternative world offers us, whether it be gaming in another universe or flattering filters on social media.

    When I'm dreaming tonight, I can do anything
    When I'm dreaming tonight, I can go anywhere
    When I'm dreaming tonight, I can be anyone
    So don't wake me up, don't wake me up


    Bastille debuted the euphoric song on the June 23, 2021 episode of Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show. Frontman Dan Smith told the presenter: "We just wanted to explore the idea of like the fact that online or virtually you can kind of choose who you want to be, you can distort this version of yourself. But that escapism, obviously, is amazing in some senses but can be really unhealthy."
  • Dan Smith co-wrote and co-produced the song alongside:

    Bastille's longtime collaborator Mark Crew.

    OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, who has also written hit songs for the likes of Beyoncé ("Halo"), Adele ("Rumour Has It"), Leona Lewis ("Bleeding Love") and Ellie Goulding ("Burn"). Tedder helped as a sounding board and executive producer for the Give Me The Future album.

    Marty Maro (Selena Gomez's "Selfish Love," Jessie J's "I Want Love").
  • Jak Payne directed the video, which features a newly developed immersive technology, Futurescape, created by the pioneering global tech entity Future Inc. The clip stars Remmie Milner from the Sky Atlantic TV drama series Save Me.
  • This is the opening track of Give Me The Future, an album the band describes as "a tribute to humanity in a tech age." Smith told Apple Music his lyrics for "Distorted Light Beam" are "the plugging-in moment at the beginning; it sets the scene of this dreaming space where literally anything is possible."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

John Parr

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.