Huarache Lights

Album: Why Make Sense? (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A huarache is a type of leather sandal, originally worn by Mexican Indians, which were popular among '60s hippies. The name was adopted by Nike for their Air Flight Huarache sneakers. So why have Hot Chip attached the word 'huarache' to the titular lights that they sing of here? Co-vocalist Alexis Taylor explained: "I was trying to capture the feeling of excitement I get when hearing Joe (Goddard)'s new music for the first time, and collaborating with him on it."

    "Huarache Lights are some trainers I love - but in the song they're a shorthand for something modern, something very London, and for the kind of escapism and fun of a Friday night at Plastic People - which is where we were heading to DJ when we were making that track."
  • The "I got something for your mind your body and your soul" lyric is sampled from "Let No Man Put Asunder," a 1983 track by First Choice.

    Some of the drums come from Lyn Collins' much sampled 1972 James Brown-produced track "Think (About It)." The best known uses of the song were when it was utilized as the main vocal hook on Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock's 1988 hit tune "It Takes Two" and were used for Janet Jackson's 1990 single "Alright."
  • The accompanying video is based around a light installation by artist Robert Bell and filmed in one take by Andy Knowles. The director said: "The challenge was to bring something new to an existing sculpture, respecting Robert Bell's work whilst adding a Hot Chip influence."

    "I wanted to do the whole thing live, so even though it may not look it, everything was shot in camera using video projection mapping. For such a brilliant song, I wanted to keep it stripped back and let the song speak for itself."
  • Co-vocalist Alexis Taylor explained the song's meaning to Q magazine. "It's about the joy of playing a show," he said. "The image of Huarache trainers seemed to sum up how something meaningless can encapsulate the happiness of a moment."

Comments: 1

  • Mitch from Los AngelesHuarache sandals were not just worn by hippies. Here in Los Angeles they were popular with everyone.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Daniel Lanois

Daniel LanoisSongwriter Interviews

Daniel Lanois on his album Heavy Sun, and the inside stories of songs he produced for U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.