Today, "XYZ" is available on all major streaming platforms as part of We Are Friends Vol. 11 . Meanwhile, "Saved" remains a beloved gem from We Are Friends Vol. 5 , a reminder of a different creative chapter. For new listeners, the path is clear: start with "Saved" for a taste of 2016-era deadmau5, then move to "XYZ" to hear how an old idea can be reborn. For longtime fans, the story of "Hit Save" is already written—not in liner notes or press releases, but in the countless forum threads, YouTube comments, and live set recordings where the legend was first forged.
While parts of its core identity were eventually re-worked into later tracks, the raw, extended versions of remain highly revered as the pinnacle of the signature deadmau5 sound. The Evolution of the Track
For those wanting to experience it, start with the 2016 official release to hear his return to form. Then, listen to "XYZ" to hear how a whispered melody from the internet was built into a towering, finished anthem—a true piece of deadmau5 history brought to life.
Lights had recorded a haunting vocal topline featuring the lyrics:
The tweet went viral. It wasn't the profanity that caught people's attention; it was the raw, universal truth behind it. "Deadmau5 hit save" wasn't just a command—it was a confession. It was a multi-platinum artist admitting that even he forgets to protect his work from his own indecision.
During one of these sessions, Zimmerman began sketching out a progressive house arrangement that immediately caught the attention of viewers. Driven by a lush, melancholic chord progression and layered with intricate pluck melodies, the instrumental exuded the same cinematic nostalgia as his timeless classics, "Strobe" and "The Veldt."
Upon its official release in August 2016, "Saved" was praised as a triumphant return to his progressive house roots. Clocking in at nearly ten minutes, the track was described as an emotional journey: "From beginning to end, Saved is full of emotional highs and lows, hitting just about every 'feel' from sadness to absolute joy".
In various interviews, Zimmerman has spoken about his admiration for artists who push technology forward, such as Richie Hawtin and Richard Devine. He has also discussed his deep knowledge of stage production, lighting systems, and video delivery, noting, "I know more about stage production, from engineering to hardware to the lighting systems to the desks and video delivery systems, than any artist should know". This technical prowess is equally evident in his studio work. "XYZ" is not just a melody; it is a demonstration of precise engineering—clean sidechaining, spatial effects, and dynamic range that reward high-quality listening environments.
To understand "Hit Save," one must understand the unique relationship deadmau5 has with his audience. Long before it became industry standard, Zimmerman was livestreaming his entire music production process on platforms like Twitch and his own defunct live site.
When songs are modified or split into completely different pieces (such as transforming into “XYZ” ), the original, raw stream rips become highly sought-after digital artifacts on platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud .
Today, "XYZ" is available on all major streaming platforms as part of We Are Friends Vol. 11 . Meanwhile, "Saved" remains a beloved gem from We Are Friends Vol. 5 , a reminder of a different creative chapter. For new listeners, the path is clear: start with "Saved" for a taste of 2016-era deadmau5, then move to "XYZ" to hear how an old idea can be reborn. For longtime fans, the story of "Hit Save" is already written—not in liner notes or press releases, but in the countless forum threads, YouTube comments, and live set recordings where the legend was first forged.
While parts of its core identity were eventually re-worked into later tracks, the raw, extended versions of remain highly revered as the pinnacle of the signature deadmau5 sound. The Evolution of the Track
For those wanting to experience it, start with the 2016 official release to hear his return to form. Then, listen to "XYZ" to hear how a whispered melody from the internet was built into a towering, finished anthem—a true piece of deadmau5 history brought to life.
Lights had recorded a haunting vocal topline featuring the lyrics:
The tweet went viral. It wasn't the profanity that caught people's attention; it was the raw, universal truth behind it. "Deadmau5 hit save" wasn't just a command—it was a confession. It was a multi-platinum artist admitting that even he forgets to protect his work from his own indecision.
During one of these sessions, Zimmerman began sketching out a progressive house arrangement that immediately caught the attention of viewers. Driven by a lush, melancholic chord progression and layered with intricate pluck melodies, the instrumental exuded the same cinematic nostalgia as his timeless classics, "Strobe" and "The Veldt."
Upon its official release in August 2016, "Saved" was praised as a triumphant return to his progressive house roots. Clocking in at nearly ten minutes, the track was described as an emotional journey: "From beginning to end, Saved is full of emotional highs and lows, hitting just about every 'feel' from sadness to absolute joy".
In various interviews, Zimmerman has spoken about his admiration for artists who push technology forward, such as Richie Hawtin and Richard Devine. He has also discussed his deep knowledge of stage production, lighting systems, and video delivery, noting, "I know more about stage production, from engineering to hardware to the lighting systems to the desks and video delivery systems, than any artist should know". This technical prowess is equally evident in his studio work. "XYZ" is not just a melody; it is a demonstration of precise engineering—clean sidechaining, spatial effects, and dynamic range that reward high-quality listening environments.
To understand "Hit Save," one must understand the unique relationship deadmau5 has with his audience. Long before it became industry standard, Zimmerman was livestreaming his entire music production process on platforms like Twitch and his own defunct live site.
When songs are modified or split into completely different pieces (such as transforming into “XYZ” ), the original, raw stream rips become highly sought-after digital artifacts on platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud .
