Exploring the Psychedelic Soundscapes and Meaning Behind Tame Impala’s “Let It Happen”
When it comes to psychedelic-pop, Kevin Parker’s project Tame Impala is a name that has become synonymous with the genre. One of the standout tracks from their critically acclaimed third album “Currents” is the captivating eight-minute-long masterpiece – “Let It Happen”. From its entrancing synth intro to its infectious groove, the song has been lauded as one of the best songs of the past decade. But beyond its sonic appeal, what is the deeper meaning behind “Let It Happen”? In this article, we’ll delve into the mind-bending soundscape of the song, and try to shed some light on its existential message.
A New Sonic Direction for Tame Impala
Before we get into the meaning of the song, it’s important to understand how “Let It Happen” came to be. Tame Impala’s debut album “Innerspeaker” and its follow-up “Lonerism” were both critically acclaimed, and helped establish the band as one of the leaders of the psychedelic revival of the 2010s. However, for Kevin Parker, the band’s mastermind, the success of those albums came with a cost. In interviews, he talked about feeling creatively stifled, and how he wanted to break away from the expectations of the genre.
With that in mind, Parker began working on the follow-up to “Lonerism” with a newfound sense of sonic exploration. He experimented with different production techniques, and incorporated sounds from genres like disco and house music. The result was “Currents”, an album that marked a significant departure from Tame Impala’s previous works, and that included some of Parker’s most personal lyrics yet.
“Happenstance” to “Let It Happen”
One of the songs in the album is “Happenstance,” a mysterious instrumental track that seeps into the listener’s subconscious. Originally, the song was recorded as a jam session between Parker and Jay Watson (Tame Impala’s drummer and keyboardist). The duo recorded an improvised session that lasted over six minutes, and included Parker playing a looped guitar riff over Watson’s hypnotic drumming.
While listening to the session back, Parker realized that he wanted to use it as the foundation for a full-fledged song. He spent hours working on the track, adding layers of synths, percussion, and vocals. He also wrote lyrics that would fit the cosmic vibe of the music. Thus, “Let It Happen” was born.
The Cosmic Meaning Behind the Song
At its core, “Let It Happen” is a song about facing the uncertainty of life, and coming to terms with its impermanence. The song’s lyrics are filled with existential questions, such as “All this running around, trying to cover my shadow/An ocean growing inside, all the others seem shallow”. Parker has spoken about how the song was written during a period of personal introspection, and how it reflects his own struggles with anxiety and fear of change.
Throughout the song, Parker urges the listener to let go of control, and embrace the unpredictability of existence. This message is echoed in the song’s title itself, which can be interpreted as a call to surrender to the natural flow of life. This theme is reinforced by the song’s musical structure, which builds from a slow synth intro, to a fast-paced groove, and finally to a blissful outro.
Through its sonic journey, “Let It Happen” mirrors the emotional journey that Parker is trying to convey – that of facing fear, and coming out the other side. As the song builds in intensity, it becomes a meditation on acceptance, and a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is to simply let go.
The Song as a Critical and Commercial Success
“Let It Happen” was a groundbreaking song for Tame Impala, and a sign of the band’s newfound sonic freedom. The song was released as the lead single for “Currents”, and quickly became a critical and commercial success. It has been hailed as one of the best songs of the decade by publications such as Pitchfork, and has amassed over 160 million streams on Spotify alone.
The success of the song has also opened up new opportunities for the band. They have been invited to play at some of the biggest festivals in the world, and have collaborated with artists such as Mark Ronson and Travis Scott. In interviews, Parker has talked about how “Let It Happen” was a turning point for him, and a symbol of the creative liberation that he had been searching for.
Conclusion
Tame Impala’s “Let It Happen” is a song that continues to captivate listeners with its spellbinding soundscapes and introspective lyrics. It’s a testament to Kevin Parker’s growth as a musician, and a reminder that the best art often comes from pushing beyond boundaries. The meaning behind the song is a reminder to us all to let go of control, and embrace the ebb and flow of life. In this sense, “Let It Happen” is more than just a song – it’s a reflection of the human experience itself.
