Over the past week, people in San Francisco have been searching for one song far more than anyone else in the country. The track is the dreamy electronic song “Inner Light” by Elderbrook and Bob Moses, and its sudden popularity left many wondering — why only San Francisco?
San Francisco Shazams One Song More Than Anywhere Else
According to data from Shazam, a music discovery app owned by Apple, San Franciscans were identifying “Inner Light” at a much higher rate than listeners in any other U.S. city.
The song appeared in the top 20 most Shazammed tracks in San Francisco, yet it did not appear in the top 200 nationwide list. It wasn’t even ranked in the top 50 in any other major city.
This unusual trend sparked curiosity among music fans and editors alike.
Where Had Everyone Heard the Song?
Many locals felt the song sounded familiar but couldn’t quite remember where they had heard it. Possibilities ranged from social media videos to shopping malls or radio ads, but none of these explanations explained why the trend was limited only to San Francisco.
With no clear answer, the mystery deepened.
AI Helps Crack the Mystery
After traditional methods failed, the question was handed to an advanced AI system. Surprisingly, it quickly found the answer.
Lightscape at S.F. Botanical Garden Is the Key
The AI discovered that “Inner Light” is featured in Lightscape, the popular winter light show at the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Lightscape is a mile-long nighttime experience where visitors walk through glowing installations synced with music. The soundtrack includes holiday tunes and electronic music — including “Inner Light.”
The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors, effectively turning the garden into a massive shared listening experience.
Why Visitors Keep Shazamming the Song
The song plays during the “Cloud Forest” installation, which uses fog, lasers, and colorful lights to create a dramatic atmosphere.
Because visitors tend to stop and watch this display for several minutes, many have enough time to pull out their phones and use Shazam to identify the music.
According to Brendan Lange, director of advancement for the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, the song has become a favorite among attendees.
Visitors Confirm the Shazam Trend
One Yelp reviewer specifically mentioned using Shazam to identify “Inner Light” while attending Lightscape. Even though he rated the event three stars overall, the song clearly made an impression.
Many attendees report using Shazam multiple times throughout the event to discover different tracks from the soundtrack.
Can You Still Listen to the Music?
For those who missed the chance to identify songs during the event, the full Lightscape playlist is available on Spotify, allowing listeners to enjoy the same music at home.
Apple did not share exact numbers on how many users searched for “Inner Light,” but Shazam’s city-specific charts clearly show the song’s unique popularity in San Francisco.
Conclusion
The mystery behind San Francisco’s sudden obsession with “Inner Light” is now solved. The song’s rise wasn’t driven by social media or radio airplay, but by a popular local event that combined stunning visuals with immersive music. Lightscape turned one track into a citywide discovery, proving that sometimes, a song becomes popular simply because people experience it together.
