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

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

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?

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."