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" Midnight City" is a song by French electronic music band M83. It was first released in France on 16 August 2011, as the lead single from the group's sixth studio album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (2011). The song was written by Anthony Gonzalez, Yann Gonzalez, Morgan Kibby and Justin Meldal-Johnsen.
The track saw international success, peaking at number eight in France and charting on Billboard Alternative Songs and Rock Songs charts. Due to French network TF1's use of the song as the closing theme after the UEFA Euro 2012 football matches, the song topped the digital French chart. Elsewhere, "Midnight City" rose to acclaim in the United Kingdom in 2012, following its selection as the theme to reality TV show Made in Chelsea and prominent usage for the BBC's London 2012 Olympic Games coverage; it peaked at number thirty-four on the UK Singles Chart.
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." Features – M83's – Anthony Gonzalez . Urban Outfitters. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
The song premiered online on 19 July 2011 as an MP3 download, and was officially released on 16 August 2011.
The track was ranked fifth on Triple J's Hottest 100 listing for 2011.
| Pitchfork Media | US | Top 100 Tracks of 2011 | 2011 | 1 |
| Paste | US | 50 Best Songs of 2011 | 2011 | 9 |
| PopMatters | US | 75 Best Songs of 2011 | 2011 | 1 |
| Spin | US | 20 Best Songs of 2011 | 2011 | 12 |
| Triple J | Australia | Triple J Hottest 100, 2011 | 2011 | 5 |
| The Village Voice | US | Pazz & Jop's critics' poll of 2011 | 2011 | 4 |
According to M83, the video is a tribute to Akira, Village of the Damned, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Midnight City. ilovem83.com. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
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 hold hands together as they watch the sun sets was shot on a rooftop of the "Indy bowling Paris La chapelle" in Porte de la Chapelle, in Paris.
The video has over 490 million views on YouTube as of January 27, 2025.
"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 advertisement for Renault Captur, a Gucci perfume commercial featuring Blake Lively, an advertisement for Ariel 3-in-1 Pods and a video commercial for Polish beer Lech.Jagernauth, Kevin. Watch: Nicolas Winding Refn Directed Gucci Premiere Ad Starring Blake Lively. Indiewire.com. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.New campaign for Polish brewery LECH Licensing. Schubert Music Publishing. Retrieved 8 March 2013. 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."Richards, Sam. M83's Anthony Gonzalez is ready for the fast lane. The Guardian. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011. 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), (2012) and Warm Bodies (2013). In 2013 the song was used in the first-season finale of The Mindy Project.
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 Music. HBO. Retrieved 27 December 2011. 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.Mosey, Roger. "Anticipating the BBC's 2012 coverage" [15]. BBC Sport. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012. ESPN used the song in its trailer for the second season of 30 for 30. 30 For 30 Volume 2 Trailer. ESPN. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012. 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.
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.Snapes, Laura. Outraged Over "Midnight City" Association With French Right Wing Political Party Le Front National. Pitchfork Media. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.Valerio, Ivan. Le FN a-t-il pillé les droits du groupe électro M83?. Europe 1. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
On May 10, 2012, Pitbull's artist Jamie Drastik released the official video for his song titled "Sun Comes Up" which heavily samples M83's "Midnight City". The song serves as the second track to Jamie's mixtape September.
In 2013, the song was featured in GT Racing 2.
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, commonly associated with the ending scene of GTA V in popular media.
The song has been streamed over 1 billion times on Spotify as of January 2024.
In 2024, the song was used during the final scene and credits of the For All Mankind season 4 finale.
In 2024 the song was used in Illumination's animated short film "Despicable Me".
In 2024 the beginning of the song was used during the opening of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and was used in its entirety as the athletes walked into the Stade de France for the closing ceremgame.
The song was found in the files of the beta build of the 2012 video game Forza Horizon, but it was removed from the final version of the game.
Track listing
Remix EP
On 27 September 2011, M83 released a remix Extended play in advance of the album. The following tracks were on the EP: Midnight City (Remixes) – EP. iTunes Store. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
External links
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