The New Pollution
by Beck

Album: Odelay (1996)
Charted: 14 78
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Even by Beck's standards, this song has some pretty odd lyrics ("She's got the lily-white cavity crazes, she's got a carburetor tied to the moon"). Beck explained to Rolling Stone magazine (February 21, 2008): "Most of the vocals on the record were scratch vocals. We just grew attached to them."
  • Critics have drawn comparisons between this track and The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows," particularly the shared use of sampled tape loops and the repeating drum track. Also the instrumental solos on the two songs are very similar.
  • This samples the drumbeat from Gus Poole's "Hallelujah, Alright, Amen," a funky disco soul track from 1970, and the bluesy sax riff from Joe Thomas' "Venus" (1976). But perhaps the most obscure bit of sampling is the trippy opener with mystery singers rescued from a stack of dusty vinyls. Odelay co-producer Mike Simpson explained in a MusicRadar interview: "I was 'crate digging' in Florida and came up with this super rare record. This family of religious singers had pressed their own record and one of the songs started with that sound. I just thought, 'wow, this is an awesome sample to start with'. It had nothing to do with the musical notes of 'New Pollution,' but it just seemed like a crazy way to start a song.

    So I programmed an 808 beat and ran it through a SansAmp guitar distortion box and just tweaked out the 808 drum machine beat and started out with that loop. I don't know how we got from that loop into the groove."
  • Beck directed the '60s-themed music video, which features a cameo by actress Mary Lynn Rajskub, who would go on to star as Chloe O'Brian on the action TV series 24. Beck took home the prizes for Best Direction In A Video, Best Choreography In A Video, and Best Art Direction In A Video at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards.

Comments: 2

  • Caroline from Cincinnati, OhI heard this song for the first time today and immediately thought of the movie Elf when I heard the beginning. Does anyone know if this song's intro is in Elf??? It kinda sounds like it would be, but I can't find it anywhere on the internet.
    I'll comment again if i watch Elf and remember to listen for this song :) it's a good song
  • Cornflakes from Bfe, TnHe sampled the great Joe Thomas for this one; "Venus" is a jazzy seventies track worth checking out.
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.