"Let It Happen" is the acclaimed opening track and lead single from Tame Impala’s third studio album, Currents (2015). Written and produced solely by Kevin Parker, the song is celebrated for its psychedelic pop and disco influences, innovative production, and introspective lyrics about embracing change and personal transformation.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Tame Impala |
| Album | Currents |
| Release Date | March 10, 2015 (single), July 17, 2015 (album) |
| Genre | Psychedelic pop, disco, synth-pop, psych rock |
| Length | 7:46 |
| Writer/Producer | Kevin Parker |
Musical Style and Composition
- Sound: The track blends lush synths, driving beats, and swirling effects, moving through multiple musical sections over nearly eight minutes.
- Signature Elements:
- Features a unique "skipping CD" effect in the second half, where the music loops and stutters intentionally, reflecting Parker’s fascination with playback glitches.
- Vocals in the latter part are processed through a keyboard sampler, resulting in a "speaking in tongues" effect with wordless melodies.
- Instrumentation: All instruments and vocals were performed by Kevin Parker.
Lyrical Themes and Meaning
- Embracing Change: The lyrics center on letting go of resistance and allowing life’s changes to unfold. The repeated refrain, “Let it happen, let it happen,” captures the song’s core message of acceptance.
- Personal Transition: Parker has described the song as being about “finding yourself always in this world of chaos and all this stuff going on around you and always shutting it out because you don't want to be part of it. But at some point, you realize it takes more energy to shut it out than it does to let it happen and be a part of ‘it’”1.
- Notable Lyrics: "All this running around
Trying to cover my shadow
A notion growing inside
Now all the others seem shallow..." "I can't fight it much longer
Something's trying to get out
And it's never been closer..."
Reception and Legacy
- Critical Acclaim: "Let It Happen" was widely praised for its bold production, catchiness, and emotional depth. It appeared on numerous year-end and decade-end best song lists, including those by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and NME1.
- Awards: The song won Song of the Year at the 2016 APRA Music Awards1.
- Chart Performance: Charted in Australia, Belgium, France, and the US, and reached #5 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 20151.
- Cultural Impact: The song has been featured in commercials, documentaries, and is a staple of Tame Impala’s live performances.
Music Video
- Released on August 17, 2015, the official video visually explores themes of chaos, anxiety, and surrender, mirroring the song’s narrative.
In Summary
"Let It Happen" stands as a modern psychedelic classic, blending genre-defying production with a universal message about accepting change. Its innovative structure and emotional resonance have made it a defining track of Tame Impala’s career and a touchstone of 2010s alternative music1.
