Space Song Explained

Space Song
Cover:Space Song cover.jpg
Type:promo
Artist:Beach House
Album:Depression Cherry
Released:August 28, 2015
Studio:Studio in the Country
(Bogalusa, Louisiana)
Genre:Dream pop
Length:5:20
Label:Sub Pop

"Space Song" is a song by American dream pop duo Beach House, released in 2015 as a promotional single from their fifth studio album, Depression Cherry.[1] In 2024, the song was certified platinum in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Critical reception

Pitchfork labeled "Space Song" a "sweeping mid-album highlight".[2] Heather Phares of AllMusic described "Space Song" as a moment where Beach House "conjures a feeling of intimacy surrounded by vastness", with "arpeggiated keyboards suggesting stars shooting through an endless sky".

In popular culture

"Space Song" became a sleeper hit after going viral on TikTok in early 2021.[3] [4] According to Spotify for Artists, it is used "as a way to show dramatic irony – emphasis on the dramatic."

In early 2021, the song began to be paired with an internet meme of Pedro Pascal laughing then crying. As of September 2022, the song has been used in over 200,000 videos on the platform.[5] [6] In an interview with Pitchfork, Beach House member Victoria Legrand said of the success of "Space Song" on TikTok:[7]

I don't need to analyze it because I'm grateful for it. I don’t think it's just that song, but if that is the gateway, then I'm happy about it. We both feel lucky that younger people keep discovering us and we're able to keep making records.
In December 2022, the song saw a 41% increase in streams after being featured in the third episode of the Netflix original series Wednesday.[8] The song is featured in the movie Nadia, Butterfly as part of its soundtrack.[9]

Charts

Chart (2022–2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Lithuania (AGATA)[10] 72
UK Indie (OCC)[11] 32

Notes and References

  1. Space Song . CD liner notes . Beach House . . Sub Pop . 2015 . PROCD233.
  2. Web site: Beach House: Depression Cherry . 2022-09-23 . . en-US.
  3. Web site: How Beach House Used a Viral Hit to Drive Momentum for Their New Release – Spotify for Artists . 2022-09-23 . artists.spotify.com . en.
  4. News: Jackson . Adlan . 2022-03-11 . Beach House on Making Music People Love to Cry To . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-09-23 . 0362-4331.
  5. Web site: Pedro Pascal Crying Meme . 2024-03-26 . TikTok . en.
  6. Web site: 2023-03-31 . Why the Internet is Still Obsessed With Pedro Pascal Memes . 2024-03-26 . What's Trending . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2022-02-16 . Beach House Are Still Surprising Each Other . 2022-09-23 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  8. Web site: Rutherford . Kevin . 2022-12-07 . ‘Wednesday’ Synchs Drive Streams & Sales for The Cramps, Beach House & More . 2022-12-24 . Billboard . en-US.
  9. Web site: Béliveau . Jason . September 17, 2020 . Nadia, Butterfly . July 27, 2024 . Séquences – La revue de cinéma.
  10. Web site: 2023 3-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. January 20, 2023. January 20, 2023.
  11. Web site: Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50. Official Charts. December 9, 2022.