Smith's music relies heavily on digital sampling and crosses many genres, forming a combination of "glitchy hip-hop beats, buzzing synth lines, and vintage funk and soul samples.". Pretty Lights' sound is generated by manipulating samples and organic beats using the Novation X-Station, monome and the Akai MPD32. Smith uses these digital controllers to program the music production software Ableton Live 8. When performing live, Smith uses two Macbook Pros running Ableton Live 8 and two Akai MPD32s. Smith usually considers his music as "Electro Hip-Hop Soul", a mix between elements of electronic based music, and beats from hip-hop and soul music.
Pretty Lights released A Color Map of the Sun on July 2, which is Grammy nominated for the Best Dance/Electronic Album . The two-CD collection contain the 13-song album A Color Map of the Sun plus a second album, Live Studio Sessions From A Color Map of the Sun.
A Color Map of the Sun builds on the original Pretty Lights sound and style that Smith pioneered. He spent a year composing and recording music and vocals that emulated genres and time periods that spanned the last century, then pressed it to vinyl. He used that vinyl along with a custom built analog modular synth to create A Color Map of the Sun. The resulting album is analog electronica – soulful, electro hip-hop that pays respect to music’s immense power to touch listeners emotionally, kinetically and inspirationally.
For more information and to download all Pretty Lights albums at no cost, visit http://www.prettylightsmusic.com.
Flitting between moody downtempo and upbeat, densely layered material geared for club play, Colorado's Pretty Lights was the project of Derek Vincent Smith. Smith spent his high school years making hip-hop and ultimately dropped out of his freshman year at the University of Colorado at Boulder to focus on his music. He made his recorded debut as Pretty Lights in 2006 with the full-length Taking Up Your Precious Time, which he supported with gigs for acts including STS9, the Disco Biscuits, and Widespread Panic. From there, he kept up a busy release schedule for the rest of the 2000s, issuing the double album Filling Up the City Skies in 2008 and another full-length, Passing by Behind Your Eyes, the following year. In 2010, Pretty Lights went on an extensive North American tour, playing that year's Coachella, Ultra, Movement, and Electric Zoo festivals, among other stops. Smith continued touring into 2011 and also developed his Pretty Lights Music imprint, releasing albums by Michal Menert, Gramatik, and Eliot Lipp. In 2012, Smith appeared in the music documentary Re:GENERATION Music Project and began work on Pretty Lights' fourth album. Instead of sampling existing recordings, Smith worked with longtime drummer Adam Deitch, Soulive's Eric Krasno, the Harlem Gospel Choir, and members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Treme Brass Band to create vintage-sounding original music that he then refashioned into the Pretty Lights sound. The results were 2013's A Color Map of the Sun, which became the first Pretty Lights album to be released physically and digitally at the same time. ~ Heather Phares & Andy Kellman, Rovi
I Know The Truth
Pretty Lights Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have mercy, on me now
Have mercy
Me on me now
No mercy!
But deep down within my heart, I know the truth
I'm trying to find some kind of excuse
But deep down within my heart, I know the truth
I'm too blind, to see the light
Have mercy, on me now
Have mercy, on me now
No mercy
The lyrics to Pretty Lights's song I Know The Truth speak to the internal struggle of trying to find excuses for one's actions or behavior when, in reality, they know the truth deep down in their heart. The repeated plea for mercy reflects a desperation to be forgiven for the wrongs they have committed. "Me on me now" serves as a reminder that the only person responsible for their actions and the consequences they bring is themselves.
The line "I'm too blind, to see the light" suggests a sense of being lost or confused, unable to find the right path or make the right choices. It's a common feeling for anyone grappling with difficult decisions or facing the consequences of their actions. The repetition of "No mercy" at the end of the song takes on a different tone than at the beginning, perhaps reflecting a resignation to face the consequences of their actions without seeking mercy or forgiveness.
Overall, the lyrics of I Know The Truth convey a sense of inner turmoil, regret, and a desire for redemption. It's a theme that resonates with many people, making it a powerful song that leaves a lasting impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Have mercy, on me now
I am pleading for compassion or forgiveness at this moment
Have mercy, on me now
I am pleading for compassion or forgiveness at this moment
Have mercy
I need compassion or forgiveness
Me on me now
I am responsible for my own actions
No mercy!
I will not forgive myself for what I have done
I'm trying to find some kind of excuse
I am attempting to justify my actions
But deep down within my heart, I know the truth
I am aware of the reality of the situation, despite my attempts to rationalize it
I'm trying to find some kind of excuse
I am attempting to justify my actions
But deep down within my heart, I know the truth
I am aware of the reality of the situation, despite my attempts to rationalize it
I'm too blind, to see the light
I am ignorant of the truth that is right in front of me
Have mercy, on me now
I am pleading for compassion or forgiveness at this moment
Have mercy, on me now
I am pleading for compassion or forgiveness at this moment
No mercy
I will not forgive myself for what I have done
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Derek Vincent Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LANBobYonson
Pretty Lights made the best dubstep song ever then never made another one. This song is one of a kind.
@tomnewton6231
Mhhh not at all, i mean they'r not even close to the depth of Noisia sound design
@desireeholloway3353
What!?! I didn’t know that. How sad. Just think what could’ve been...
@LANBobYonson
@@desireeholloway3353 Well the rest of his music is incredible. Timeless, unlike dubstep. So it’s not so sad really.
@desireeholloway3353
Good to know. Thanks!
@Aaronfurious
Saw this dude live at Red Rocks on molly back in 2010. It hit hard. Still does. (Meaningless nostalgic reference)
@Omgacow1000
Pretty Lights graced us with one dubstep song, and it was the best dubstep song. Still so good all these years later
@tulsa4290
used to drop this track and melt faces at house parties back in the day. great times
@austinshoemaker1553
You from Tulsa?
@nicospazable
Geezus this song almost made me roll again. So well produced, so well.