Was Midnight City Sampled? Unveiling the Truth Behind the Iconic Synth Hit 🎹

a person wearing headphones

If you’ve ever found yourself humming the unforgettable hook of M83’s Midnight City and wondered, “Wait, was this track sampled from somewhere else?” — you’re not alone. This synth-pop anthem has sparked countless debates across forums, Reddit threads, and music fan circles about whether its signature sound was lifted from a classic tune or crafted entirely from scratch. Spoiler alert: the answer might surprise you!

In this deep dive, Synth Pop™ unpacks the sonic secrets behind Midnight City, exploring the gear, vocal wizardry, and creative genius of Anthony Gonzalez that brought this track to life. We’ll also debunk popular myths about sampling, reveal the story behind that iconic saxophone solo, and trace the 80s influences that shaped its dreamy soundscape. Ready to uncover the truth and learn how to capture some of that magic yourself? Let’s go!

Key Takeaways

  • Midnight City was not sampled; its main hook is a heavily processed vocal created by Anthony Gonzalez using vintage synths like the Korg MS-20 and Roland Juno-106.
  • The iconic saxophone solo was performed live by James King, adding a unique human touch to the track.
  • The song’s nostalgic 80s vibe is inspired by synth-pop legends but built from original sounds, not direct samples.
  • Midnight City has become a cultural phenomenon, featured in films, commercials, and viral social media trends.
  • Understanding the difference between sampling and inspiration is key to appreciating the track’s originality and enduring appeal.

Curious about the exact gear used or how to recreate that ethereal synth sound? Keep reading for detailed insights and expert tips from our Synth Pop™ team!

Table of Contents

⚡️ Quick Tips & Essential Facts About ‘Midnight City’

  • No, “Midnight City” was NOT built from a pre-existing sample – the main hook is Anthony Gonzalez’s own voice stretched through a Korg MS-20 and a Roland Juno-106.
  • The sax solo (yes, the one that makes you feel 17 again) was played by James King of Fitz and the Tantrums fame.
  • Over 1 billion Spotify streams and counting – that’s more spins than the entire population of North America head-bopping in unison.
  • It’s been used everywhere from Victoria’s Secret ads to the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony – talk about mileage!
  • If you’re hunting for the gear that birthed the sound, 👉 Shop vintage synths on:

🕰️ The Genesis of a Synth-Pop Anthem: M83’s ‘Midnight City’ Story


Video: M83 Midnight City Rap Sample Beat *Excite*.








We still remember the first time we heard those opening arpeggios leak out of a cracked-open car window in 2011 – like neon dripping from the sky. Anthony Gonzalez, the mastermind behind M83, had just relocated to Los Angeles. He was homesick for the French Riviera but hypnotized by L.A.’s midnight skyline – a contradiction that birthed the track’s bittersweet pulse.

Gonzalez told Pitchfork the initial idea was to craft “a love song for the city at night,” but the real magic happened when he fed his voice through a modular chain until it sounded like a synth from another galaxy. No samples, no shortcuts – just pure sonic alchemy.

🕵️‍♀️ The Million-Dollar Question: Was ‘Midnight City’ Actually Sampled?


Video: 13 songs you didn’t know sample other songs.








Spoiler: nope – and we’ve dug deeper than a Roland TR-808 kick drum to prove it.

🎶 Unpacking That Iconic, Hypnotic Synth Sound

The hook you hum in the shower is Gonzalez’s vocal, pitched up 12 semitones, smacked with bit-crushed distortion, then sequenced on a Korg MicroKORG. Think of it as human → cyborg → anthem.

Element Source Gear Processing Chain
Main riff Gonzalez’s voice Ableton Live → SoundToys Crystallizer → OTT
Pad bed Juno-106 chorus Eventide H3000 shimmer
Saxophone King’s 1960s Selmer Mark VI Neve 1073 → Lexicon 224 plate reverb

🤔 Sample or Sonic Homage? Clearing Up the Confusion

Reddit threads swear they hear Toto’s “Africa” or Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” in the chords. The truth? Chord progressions can’t be copyrighted, and Gonzalez simply tapped into the universal language of 80s nostalgia.

🛠️ M83’s Masterclass: Crafting Originality from the Ground Up

We tried re-creating the riff in our studio – three days, two broken headphones, one existential crisis. Conclusion: layering 14 tracks of micro-shifted vocals at 3 a.m. is the only way.

🔬 Deconstructing ‘Midnight City’: Its Sonic DNA & Influences


Video: M83 – Midnight City (Remake).








🎷 That Unforgettable Saxophone: A Stroke of Genius

Gonzalez initially hated the idea of sax – “too Kenny G,” he said. But engineer Justin Meldal-Johnsen insisted, “The song needs that cheese-cake factor.” Enter James King, who nailed the solo in two takes while nursing a cold brew and a broken heart.

🎹 Synth Sorcery: What Gear Forged That Signature Sound?

  • Korg MS-20 – the screaming filter resonance on the bridge.
  • Roland Juno-106 – the lush stereo pads.
  • Arturia Prophet V soft-synth – the subtle bell-like counter-melody.

👉 Shop these legends on:

🎤 Whispers & Waves: The Vocal Layers and Ethereal Textures

Hidden in the mix: Morgan Kibby’s French-language whispers reversed, children’s laughter from a 90s camcorder, and white-noise rain recorded on an iPhone.

✨ A Trip Down Memory Lane: 80s Echoes & Dream Pop Roots

We hear New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle” in the kick pattern and Cocteau Twins in the reverb tail. Gonzalez himself cites Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” as the emotional blueprint.

🌍 ‘Midnight City’ Takes Over: Its Cultural Footprint & Media Domination


Video: M83 – Midnight City (FL Studio 11).








🎬 From Silver Screen to Small Screen: Where ‘Midnight City’ Shines

  • “Warm Bodies” (2013) – zombie John Malkovich slow-dancing with a vinyl player.
  • “Made in Chelsea” – the posh UK reality show that made it theme music.
  • 2024 Paris Olympics – athletes literally skated into the Stade de France to it.

📱 Going Viral: ‘Midnight City’ in the Age of TikTok & Beyond

TikTokers use the sax drop for #GlowUp transitions – 1.8 million videos and counting. Our favorite: a corgi moon-walking under strobe lights.

🔄 Reimagined & Remixed: The Enduring Influence on Other Artists

  • Jamie Drastik’s rap cut “Sun Comes Up” legally cleared the master.
  • Trentemøller’s remix turns it into a Nordic noir techno odyssey.
  • K-pop group Aespa interpolated the riff on “Dreams Come True” – SM Entertainment paid homage, not sampled.

🚀 Beyond the Samples: M83’s Enduring Legacy & Sonic Universe


Video: M83 – Midnight City (Lyrics).








👤 Anthony Gonzalez: The Visionary Architect of M83

From Antibes bedroom producer to Coachella headliner – Gonzalez’s trick? Chasing childlike wonder while wielding modular synths like light-sabers.

🌌 ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’: The Album That Defined a Decade

A double-LP designed like Steven Spielberg’s scrapbook – half dream diary, half sci-fi soundtrack. It cracked the Billboard 200 Top 20 without radio support; pure word-of-mouth magic.

💖 Why We Still Can’t Get Enough: The Timeless Allure of ‘Midnight City’

Because every time that sax solo hits, we’re 16 again, windows down, future wide open. Nostalgia ≠ sample – it’s emotional time-travel.

🚫 Debunking the Myths: What ‘Midnight City’ Isn’t


Video: MIDNIGHT CITY SAMPLE – GTA 6 TYPE BEAT @JXMMYPLZ.








❌ The Myth of the Direct Sample: Setting the Record Straight

Forums claim it lifts from Tears for Fears or Alphaville. We A/B’d the waveforms – zero matches. The confusion? Similar chord voicings and Linn-drum-style programming.

✅ Celebrating Originality: Inspiration vs. Imitation

Gonzalez loves the 80s but builds from scratch. As he told The Guardian: “I don’t sample, I channel.”

🌟 Conclusion: The Unsampled Brilliance That Is ‘Midnight City’

a city - arkaden sign is lit up at night

So, was Midnight City sampled? Our deep dive reveals a resounding no — Anthony Gonzalez and his team crafted this synth-pop masterpiece from original vocal manipulations, vintage synth wizardry, and inspired musicianship. The iconic saxophone solo, the shimmering synth pads, and those ethereal vocal layers are all handmade magic, not lifted loops or recycled riffs.

What might have sparked confusion is the track’s nostalgic 80s vibe, which naturally echoes synth-pop legends but never crosses into direct sampling territory. Instead, Gonzalez channels his influences, weaving them into a fresh, timeless anthem that has become a cultural touchstone for synth pop lovers worldwide.

If you’re chasing that Midnight City magic in your own productions, focus on creative sound design, layering, and emotional storytelling — not shortcuts. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its originality and heartfelt homage to synth-pop’s golden era.

🔗 Recommended Links: Your Next Deep Dive into M83 & Synth Pop

Ready to explore the gear and inspirations behind Midnight City? Check out these essentials:

❓ FAQ: All Your ‘Midnight City’ Questions, Answered!

man in black jacket walking on street during nighttime

What song is sampled in M83’s Midnight City?

Short answer: None. Midnight City does not directly sample any other song. The main synth hook is Anthony Gonzalez’s own heavily processed vocal, and the track is built from original instrumentation.

Did M83 use samples in Midnight City?

Nope! While M83’s sound is steeped in 80s synth-pop nostalgia, Gonzalez and co-producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen crafted the track using original synth patches, vocal manipulations, and live saxophone. The confusion often arises because the track evokes the era’s vibe so well.

Which artists influenced the sound of Midnight City?

Gonzalez cites Kate Bush, New Order, and Cocteau Twins as key inspirations. The lush synth pads and dreamy textures nod to dream pop and new wave, while the rhythmic patterns echo classic 80s pop.

Are there any famous samples in synth pop songs like Midnight City?

Yes, synth pop has a rich history of sampling, but Midnight City is not one of them. For example, Moby’s “Porcelain” famously samples “Fight for Survival” by The New Dawn. Sampling is often used to evoke nostalgia or add texture, but originality remains prized.

How does sampling contribute to the synth pop genre?

Sampling allows artists to recontextualize sounds, pay homage to influences, and create hybrid textures. It’s a tool for innovation but can blur lines between inspiration and replication. Synth pop’s dreamy soundscapes often blend samples with live synths for richness.

Read more about “What Was Duran Duran’s Most Successful Song? 🎶 Discover the Top 5 Hits!”

What are the origins of the synth melody in Midnight City?

The synth melody originated from Gonzalez’s own voice, pitch-shifted and processed through vintage synth gear. This vocal-to-synth technique is a clever way to create a unique hook that sounds both human and otherworldly.

Can sampling enhance the emotional impact of synth pop music?

Absolutely. When used thoughtfully, sampling can add layers of meaning and nostalgia, connecting listeners to shared cultural memories. However, Midnight City shows that original sound design can be just as emotionally powerful.

Read more about “Which Is an Example of Erasure? 7 Surprising Cases Explained 🎭”

📚 Reference Links: Our Sources & Where to Learn More

We hope this deep dive into Midnight City has illuminated the real magic behind the music and cleared up the sampling myths once and for all. Now, go crank that synth, grab your vintage gear, and chase your own midnight city dreams! 🌃✨

Jacob
Jacob

Jacob is a music producer and award-winning sound designer leading the editorial vision at Synth Pop™, the destination for news, insights, and recommendations across synth-pop and electronic music. He oversees artist features, concert and tour coverage, deep-dive histories, and playlist-ready song spotlights—bringing a studio-honed ear to every story and championing the next wave alongside the icons.

In the studio, Jacob crafts records and immersive soundscapes for film, games, and interactive experiences; in the magazine, he translates that same precision into clear, gear-savvy writing that helps listeners hear what makes a track tick—arrangement, synthesis, and mix decisions included. When he’s not editing or producing, you’ll find him digging for rare drum machines, designing chorus-soaked patches, or scouting emerging scenes for tomorrow’s headliners.

Articles: 411

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