Pay No Mind (Snoozer)
by Beck

Album: Mellow Gold (1994)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song is about Beck's frustration with the record industry, which focuses on money and sales rather than creativity and talent.
  • According to Beck, this was originally a 10-verse song, that he cut down to three when he recorded it. He wrote the song in 1989 when he was still a teenager, and he spent years developing it live, often changing the lyrics. It was finally released on Mellow Gold, his first for Geffen Records.

    Is Beck a hypocrite for releasing a song decrying the music industry and then signing to a major label? Not at all: As part of his deal, he was allowed to release songs on indie labels as well, which he did.
  • Beck almost always plays this at live shows, but always improvises the lyrics, so the song is never the same twice. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM, for all above
  • This was released as the follow-up single to Beck's hit "Loser." Unsurprisingly, it didn't chart, but Beck wasn't exactly striving for a hit. Throughout his career, Beck stayed in a sweet spot where he made wildly eclectic music, some of which was just popular enough to garner him a substantial audience.

Comments: 1

  • Cornflakes from Bfe, TnThis is one of my favorites from 'Mellow Gold' because of how deeply he sings it.
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