Motherboard

Album: Random Access Memories (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Daft Punk described this spacey instrumental filled with sci-fi effects to French publication Le Nouvel Observateur as, "A futuristic piece, which could be the year 4000..."
  • "Motherboard" is a piece that lends itself far more to a trip-hop/downtempo track, such as that of Bonobo, Morcheeba, Zero 7, Air, and Emancipator, etc. and moves away from a heavy focus on electronic instruments. The percussion is particularly atypical of Daft Punk, which is entirely acoustic with less emphasis on the kick drum, lacking the same driving force of EDM percussion and adding to Daft Punk's new relaxed direction. The focus on live conventional classical instruments is also unusual for them, though the increasing use of heavy synthesizers over the course of the track (only heard prominently from the breakdown onwards) take it firmly back to Daft Punk's roots by the end of the piece.

Comments: 1

  • Finn2_thersq from South AfricaVery nice. I really enjoyed the percussion and especially the guitar rifs and the string oh wow. Nice guys!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.