Hotwax
by Beck

Album: Odelay (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The chorus of this song is sung in Spanish. Beck has used Spanish a few times in his work. The literal translation of the chorus is, "I am a broken disk. I have chewing gum in my brain."
  • The part of the second verse where Beck sings, "I get down. I get down. I get down all the way" is sung to the tune of the Christmas song "Jingle Bells." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM, for above 2
  • Producer Mike Simpson called the track a "labor of love" that took nearly six months to perfect. Simpson, who co-produced the album with fellow Dust Brother John King, explained how the song came together. "It was all Beck," he told MusicRadar. "He came up with that main riff and that became the foundation for that song. As with many of the songs it just started out with a nice solid guitar riff and we'd just build and start layering on the collage-style of recording the way we did. We'd get the samples and Beck would bring in walkie-talkies and all kinds of weird instruments that he found at thrift stores and play them on top."

Comments: 1

  • Cornflakes from Bfe, TnSamples both "Song for Aretha" by Pretty Purdie, and "Up on the Hill" by Monk Higgins & the Specialties.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

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.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.