Written by: Beck Hansen
Versions:
- Midnite Vultures (7:18)
Available on Beck and 1 other release.
CreditsJustin Meldal-Johnsen: Bass
James Gadson: Drums
Tony Hoffer: Engineer
Beck Hansen: Guitar (Electric), Organ, Piano, Vocals
Roger Joseph Manning Jr.: Keyboard / Synthesizer, Piano (Fender Rhodes)
David Brown: Saxophone
Lyrics:
Midnite Vultures [Version (a)]:
Yeah, botox injections
Chemical solvents
Making midnite movies
Contaminated actors living on a farm
Harnessed to a life of protein and equipment
Gristle and grain, soft nights
Every day a reaction to infection
Manholes and enlightened towers
Walking down imitation streets
Little girls with plastic cameras
And shops full of cold cuts and candy
Hear the trains bisecting the night
Hand grenades in the trash
Medics running from the sun
She borrowed cartilage and wire
Tracing my face with broken hands
Yeah
Ahhh... sha-la-la-la, sha-la-la-la
Yeah, botox injections
Chemical solvents
Making midnite movies
Contaminated actors living on a farm
Harnessed to a life of protein and equipment
Gristle and grain, soft nights
Every day a reaction to infection
Manholes and enlightened towers
Walking down imitation streets
Little girls with plastic cameras
And shops full of cold cuts and candy
Hear the trains bisecting the night
Hand grenades in the trash
Medics running from the sun
She borrowed cartilage and wire
Tracing my face with broken hands
Yeah
Ahhh... sha-la-la-la, sha-la-la-la
The Song:
"Midnite Vultures" is a cool jazzy lounge b-side from the "Nicotine & Gravy" single.
Using a breathy, Barry White whisper, Beck sings of bizarre images like "Little girls with plastic cameras / And shops full of cold cuts and candy" or "Chemical solvents / Making midnite movies / Contaminated actors living on a farm."
The highlight though is the smooth music, full of sexy guitar licks, organ and piano riffs, funky bass, and a terrific saxophone solo. It sounds to me that most of "Midnite Vultures" was recorded live, and because of that, I think it could have been a most welcome addition on the sometimes uber-produced album of the same name.
The song was not left off the album however. In fact, it was recorded a year and a half after Midnite Vultures had been finished. Beck spent two days in the studio to make some b-sides, wrote this song, needed a title, and voila. The name certainly fits though! Many of the lyrics easily come from a similar inspiration.
"Midnite Vultures" is a cool jazzy lounge b-side from the "Nicotine & Gravy" single.
Using a breathy, Barry White whisper, Beck sings of bizarre images like "Little girls with plastic cameras / And shops full of cold cuts and candy" or "Chemical solvents / Making midnite movies / Contaminated actors living on a farm."
The highlight though is the smooth music, full of sexy guitar licks, organ and piano riffs, funky bass, and a terrific saxophone solo. It sounds to me that most of "Midnite Vultures" was recorded live, and because of that, I think it could have been a most welcome addition on the sometimes uber-produced album of the same name.
The song was not left off the album however. In fact, it was recorded a year and a half after Midnite Vultures had been finished. Beck spent two days in the studio to make some b-sides, wrote this song, needed a title, and voila. The name certainly fits though! Many of the lyrics easily come from a similar inspiration.
Notes:
- James Gadson, the drummer, has been a session drummer for many artists - including Smokey Robinson, BB King, and Marvin Gaye. Interestingly, he also drummed with Ramsey Lewis, who is notable here for having performed "My Love For You"—the song which gives "Debra" its bassline! This is the only song of Beck's Gadson appears on (so far, anyway).
Update: Gadson drummed on a few songs on Sea Change too!