Beacon Light
"Beacon Light" is a song by Ween, released in 1998 as part of The X-Files: The Album.
Song Details[edit | edit source]
Recording and Composition[edit | edit source]
"Beacon Light" was recorded probably around March or April of 1998[1][2], during the creative process that would eventually become White Pepper; the style of the song seems to prefigure that album. The song was written and recorded specifically for The X-Files movie.[3] The entire song was recorded in only one evening; they brought the song more or less complete into the studio, and "just arranged/tightened [it] up" in the studio, according to Pat Frey.[4] Gene Ween sings the lead vocals, and the guitar solo is played by Dean Ween.
Submission to The X-Files Soundtrack[edit | edit source]
Ween's initial submission to the X-Files soundtrack was "The Rift", which was rejected. They then quickly recorded "Beacon Light" "in a last-minute attempt to satisfy the powers-that-be," according to Pat Frey. "So, once again, Ween saved the day (and made some money?)."[5]
X-Files lead actor David Duchovny had said at the time that he was a Ween fan, which may have influenced the decision to include Ween on the soundtrack.[6] In fact, Duchovny was introduced to Ween by his then-girlfriend Téa Leoni, and credits Ween as one reason why they initially bonded and, eventually, became married:
When we first started dating, she sent me a song by Ween called "Piss Up a Rope". She sang it to me over the phone. It's really a funny song and the lyrics are really beautiful. . . . She was, I guess, explaining her worldview, or her sense of humor. She thought if I didn't laugh, I was probably a loser."[7]
Live Performances[edit | edit source]
Ween first played "Beacon Light" live in the summer of 1998, following the release of the song on The X-Files movie soundtrack. It has been played moderately often throughout the years since then.[8] Gene Ween has also played the song individually numerous times, both at solo acoustic shows, and with the Gene Ween Band.[9]
Lyrics[edit | edit source]
Looking up to the sky
Made me realize, made me want to fly
To a place far away
Where they're singing songs and making love all day
Somewhere beyond the sun
Where an atom splits and an ounce is a ton
So don't you be late
I see the beacon light, and it's on
So strap on that jammy pac
Fuel it up, 'cause I'm gone
The people all dance
With their big long arms and a peach in their pants
Picking fruit from the sky
As the demon ship goes passing them by
I'm not sure if it's love
But it's coming down from the heavens above
So don't you be late
I see the beacon light, and it's on
So strap on that jammy pac
Fuel it up, 'cause I'm gone[10]
Song Themes[edit | edit source]
Jammy Pac, Love, Sex, Sung by Gene Ween
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Apparently there is a lost blog post by Claude from March 30th about this.
- ↑ https://media.pushing9.com/ween.htm
- ↑ https://media.pushing9.com/ween.htm
- ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/alt.music.ween/c/_PpEQNJ_ruk/m/A-gr0iXawZsJ
- ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/alt.music.ween/c/_PpEQNJ_ruk/m/A-gr0iXawZsJ
- ↑ https://media.pushing9.com/ween.htm
- ↑ Us Weekly, February 1998
- ↑ https://brownbase.org/every_time_played.php?band=all%20bands&song_id=16
- ↑ https://brownbase.org/every_time_played.php?band=all%20bands&song_id=16
- ↑ No official lyrics available; transcribed from the audio