Deep Blue

Album: The Suburbs (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title of this song refers to the chess-playing super computer developed by IBM that defeated grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1996. The song treats the triumph of technology over human as a generational loss of innocence.
  • Frontman Win Butler told the NME: "'Deep Blue' to me sounds like Neil Young with Depeche Mode at the end - which shouldn't work, but I think it does."
  • Clash magazine asked Win Butler which tracks were the hardest for The Suburbs. He replied: "A song like 'Deep Blue' we tried many different ways. We finished it as this total synth song and it kind of left us cold. Me and my brother were playing around with some stuff at home and we found this balance between this almost demo quality and the synth stuff. While making this record I re-read [Radiohead guitarist] Ed O'Brien's diary about making 'Kid A.' There were a couple of songs where he says, 'We started this a year-and-a-half ago and it's the simplest song on the album. We've just mixed it and it sounds like how it did on day one. It took us a year to finish.' I think sometimes the simplest stuff takes the longest." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • This was used in the 2014 movie Boyhood, starring Ellar Coltrane and Patricia Arquette.

Comments: 1

  • Caitlyn from Royersford, Palove it, especially at the "put the cell phone down for awhile...put the laptop down" part at the end. Technology blows!..although i am using it to post this:)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

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.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?