Recording and release
Gonzalez's observations of Downtown Los Angeles at night helped inspire "Midnight City"'s lyrics. Gonzalez created the song's opening riffs by heavily distorting his own voice. The song ends on a saxophone solo played by Fitz and the Tantrums' James King. Regarding the solo, Gonzalez said: "Sometimes a song needs an element to be finished. You know that this element has been overused in the past and is considered clichéd or cheesy, but the song needs it."
Going with Hurry Up, We're Dreaming's theme of childhood, the artwork for the "Midnight City" single was meant to reflect the fascination a kid experiences while watching a fantasy, mystery, or science fiction film. Gonzalez described the single's cover as "a crazy looking alien, a sort of mix of owls and E.T. and science fiction and fantasy movies like The Neverending Story."
The song premiered online on 19 July 2011 as a MP3 download, and was officially released on 16 August 2011.
Critical reception
"Midnight City" received universal acclaim, and was hailed as one of the best songs of 2011. Pitchfork Media's Brandon Stosuy wrote: "'Midnight City' comes off like Gonzalez's '1979.' The parallels are there, from the instantly memorable riff to the gentle sense of longing". Ryan Reed of PopMatters also praised the song, writing: "On this transcendent standout [...] Anthony Gonzalez and co-synth-scientist Justin Meldal-Johnsen build layer upon layer of keys, arena-sized drums, and vocal atmospherics (not mentioning one of the tastiest sax solos this side of a Springsteen record). The result? The synth Sistine Chapel." Josh Jackson of Paste wrote that the song "[...] sees Anthony Gonzalez at his spacey, dramatic best," while Spin's Charles Aaron described the song as "[...] Korg synths set to 'stunned.'"
The track was ranked fifth on Triple J's Hottest 100 listing for 2011.
Music video
A music video for "Midnight City", directed by Fleur & Manu, was released on 17 October 2011. The video features telekinetic children who escape a federal facility and test their powers in an abandoned factory. The video is the first part of a trilogy which continues in the video for "Reunion" and is concluded in the video for "Wait".
According to M83, the video is a tribute to Akira, Village of the Damned, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
The orphanage from which the children escape was filmed at the Orphelinat Saint-Philippe in Meudon.
The warehouse where they try their power is the Hangar Y, also in Meudon.
The final scene where the children combine their powers to make the sun set was shot on a rooftop of the "Indy bowling Paris La chapelle" in Porte de la Chapelle, in Paris.
Performance and usage in media
M83 performed the song live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on 21 November 2011. In December 2011, the song was performed live on Last Call with Carson Daly.
"Midnight City" has appeared in several commercials, TV shows, games and movies after its release. The song was featured in a Victoria's Secret commercial, an advert for Renault Captur, a Gucci perfume commercial featuring Blake Lively, an advert for Ariel 3-in-1 Pods and a video commercial for Polish beer Lech. It served as the theme song to Made in Chelsea, something Gonzalez said was "an opportunity for people to hear my music who'd never listen to it otherwise." It was also featured in the final scene and closing credits of the HBO television series How to Make It in America. In 2020, the song was used in the beginning of the first episode of the Danish-Norwegian television show Ragnarok. The song was used in the feature films Young & Beautiful (2013), Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012) and Warm Bodies (2013). In 2013 the song was used in the first-season finale of The Mindy Project. The song is featured in the pilot of Beauty & the Beast. The song was also used in the soundtrack of Dutch TV movie 'Boys' (2014) and came out briefly in the movie 22 Jump Street. In late 2012, the song was used in the seventh generation Nissan Sentra and the popular Disney Channel sitcom Liv and Maddie premiered on September 15, 2013. In 2014, the song was used on Non Stop Pop FM in the Sony PlayStation 4, Microsoft Xbox One and PC update of Grand Theft Auto V, as well as featured on the soundtrack of the film Beyond the Lights and the game GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience.
The song was also used in several sports broadcasts. On 21 December 2011, "Midnight City" was used in the final moments of the second episode of HBO's television series, 24/7 Flyers-Rangers: The Road to the Winter Classic. The BBC used "Midnight City" as the theme music to their trail for the BBC coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The trail was first broadcast just after midnight on the morning of 1 January 2012. ESPN used the song in its trailer for the second season of 30 for 30. In its home country, the song was used by French network TF1 as the closing theme following the UEFA Euro 2012 football matches, which helped the song to top the digital chart.
The song was used in 2016 in the Emmy-winning episode of Black Mirror, "San Junipero".
In 2012, the song was used as the soundtrack for a campaign video of Julien Rochedy, the President of the youth electoral support committee of Front National. Gonzalez objected to the song's usage in the video, writing in a Facebook post that the Front National did not ask permission from him for use, and that M83 did not associate with any political parties.
Midnight City
M83 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for the ride in the dark
At night the city grows
Look at the horizon glow
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Drinking in the lounge
Following the neon signs
Waiting for a word
Looking at the milky skyline
The city is my church
It wraps me in its blinding twilight
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
The lyrics of M83’s song “Midnight City” convey a sense of anticipation, mystery and a longing for something. The singer speaks about waiting in the car, in the dark, for a ride. As they wait, they observe the city and its nightlife. The neon signs and the glowing horizon provide a contrast to the darkness they are embraced in. As they sit and wait, they feel as though the city is their church, comforting them in its own unique way.
The chorus of the song repeats the same lines over and over. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and restlessness, as though the singer is constantly waiting for something to happen. The ambiguity of what they are waiting for adds to the sense of mystery and anticipation. The line “the city is my church” is especially interesting as it suggests that for the singer, the city represents a form of worship, a way of seeking meaning and connection to something greater than themselves.
Overall, the lyrics of “Midnight City” capture the feelings of the night, the city, and the unknown. They convey a sense of longing and restlessness, as well as the beauty and mystery of the urban landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiting in the car
Sitting in the vehicle anticipating the next move
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Anxious for something to happen in the obscurity
At night the city grows
The metropolis comes to life at night
Look at the horizon glow
Observe the radiance in the distance
Drinking in the lounge
Consuming beverages in a spacious room
Following the neon signs
Pursuing the illuminated symbols
Waiting for a word
Expecting to hear something specific
Looking at the milky skyline
Observing the skyline that appears hazy
The city is my church
The urban environment is my place of worship
It wraps me in its blinding twilight
It encloses me in its brilliant, dreamlike illumination
Waiting in the car
Sitting in the vehicle anticipating the next move
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Anxious for something to happen in the obscurity
Waiting in the car
Sitting in the vehicle anticipating the next move
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Anxious for something to happen in the obscurity
Waiting in the car
Sitting in the vehicle anticipating the next move
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Anxious for something to happen in the obscurity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anthony Gerard Gonzalez, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Morgan Grace Kibby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Jacklanton
i copy paste this from someone interpretation on songmeaning.
It is an utterly wonderful piece of music which can be interpreted and resonate with your personal way and that is the reason why it is so beautiful. But if you really care what the creator wants to express, pls remember Anthony G. particularly stressed this album as a record and reflection of himself and his course of making music.
As to Midnight City. I think it is rather a reflection on the road of making music. It is not an easy dream to pursuit obviously. So many hardship , frustration but the at same time too much anticipation motivation, and hope from the orgastic future. Give the background at that time he came to LA pursuing his dream The city is the place where he paid too much for this dream to come true. This intimacy with the city he thrives is too strong to him it is too special place to him.
Wait is also my favorite. this music lifts my emotion to the highest level of intensity i have ever experienced. Thank you M83. to let that happen
well...agree..fully agree..
and..thanks M83 to make such a track!
@natalieschopen6158
This song is from a memory that all of us can't quite remember.
@realzachfluke1
Natalie Schopen that’s deep, and it’s true at the same. I just can’t place it.
@grace764
Natalie Schopen made in Chelsea if your British or Gta
@miksuko
Don't be cringe
@ezra5788
Natalie Schopen.. I remember the memory very well, it's me Cruising down Los Santos starering at the sunset with this song playing on the radio.
@spinos4ru553
Captain Vietnam THATS IT! Sorry, I have always wondered where I’ve heard it from
@Lucillethebloodybat
I feel like this is a song that literally everybody has heard but most people don't know the name
@Lucillethebloodybat
@bean dingus 🤣
@Pxlstyle69
Haha thats right
@qadd11
Welp I heard it on gta