Lyrics:

The Song:

"Tarantula" was originally a song by the band Colourbox, a single they released in 1982. It was also covered by This Mortal Coil in 1986, who were labelmates and close to Colourbox.

Beck's cover was released in January 2019, as a single inspired by the movie Roma. It will also be released on a fuller soundtrack of songs that were inspired by the movie.

Beck uses a big orchestra, mixed with a light band backing. The song builds to a cool mix of vocals - not just Beck, but also Leslie Feist and his Colors tour bandmate, Alex Lilly. His version is much closer to This Mortal Coil's than the original by Colourbox.

Also to note, Beck had posted an instagram clip (and a photo) in November 2018 of him working on a song and "orchestrations" for Roma. The song was not "Tarantula," and it's still unclear what it was or if we'll get it (lyrics/melody were different, though it was similarly orchestrated). Info on that song and the orchestrations are over on the "Roma song page.

Live:

Played live once:
February 4, 2019

Beck played this live the week it came out on James Corden's late night show. He was with an orchestra conducted, not by his dad, but the LA Philharmonic's Gustavo Dudamel. He had 4 singers with him to harmonize: Leslie Feist, Bat For Lashes' Natasha Khan, The Bird & The Bee's Inara George, and Alex Lilly from his own band. Jason Falkner played piano, and it looks like Jake Sinclair was there adding some keys or synth. (Where's Roger?!) Nine Inch Nails' drummer, as on record, drums.

Here it is: