Saw Lightning
by Beck

Album: Hyperspace (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This four-minute acoustic funk banger finds Beck singing about being struck down by an unspecified peril. Like many of Beck's lyrics, it probably doesn't mean anything.
  • A collaboration with Pharrell Williams, the song was the first single to be released from Hyperspace. Seven of the album's 11 tracks were co-written and co-produced by the Neptunes producer.
  • "Saw Lightning" features an ad-lib section of "mumbles" credited to Pharrell. He also plays drums and keyboards on the track.
  • This soundtracked a commercial for the Powerbeats Pro from Beats. The ad features assorted sports stars, including LeBron James, Serena Williams and Anthony Joshua, in their individual training, each using the totally wireless Powerbeats Pro.
  • Beck explained the Hyperspace record's title to Mojo magazine. "It has to do with thinking about music as a form of escapism," he said. "It's transportive. Something that can somehow pull you out of the state of mind you're in and take you to another place. It's magical thinking/time travel."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

dUg Pinnick of King's X

dUg Pinnick of King's XSongwriter Interviews

dUg dIgs into his King's X metal classics and his many side projects, including the one with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.