"Hit Save" is a fan-favorite unreleased track by (Joel Zimmerman) that has achieved legendary status within the electronic music community, despite never receiving an official studio release in its original form. Overview and Evolution The Original (V1): Most fans recognize the 16-minute version
, which is essentially a high-quality stream rip from Zimmerman’s Twitch sessions. It is characterized by its "cosmically eerie" underlying loop and atmospheric, dark progressive house sound. Successors and Revisions:
The track has evolved through various iterations, including: "Resaved" / "Unlucky":
A more polished version with vocals by WAX/WANE (also known as the "I See Fire" vocals).
An officially released track (2022) that uses the same main arpeggiated melody as "Hit Save," though many fans feel it is a more "minimal" or "tame" version compared to the raw energy of the original ID. Key Distinction: It is often confused with an officially released track from the We Are Friends, Vol. 5
compilation (2016), which is a separate 10-minute progressive house piece. Critical and Fan Reception Fans frequently describe "Hit Save" as Zimmerman’s magnum opus , with some even claiming it surpasses his iconic 2009 hit in terms of emotional depth and technical mastery. Deadmau5: Inside the Signature Sound That Redefined a Genre
The clip in question takes place during a casual production session. Zimmerman is seen sitting before his computer, wearing his signature mau5head (or sometimes just headphones, depending on the specific clip recalled), tinkering with a new project.
In the footage, he noodles with a synthesizer, adjusts a few parameters, and creates a catchy, high-pitched synth melody. Satisfied with the loop, he casually reaches for the keyboard. In a matter-of-fact tone, he says: deadmau5 hit save
"I think that’s... yeah. Hit save."
He enters the file name "Deadmau5 Hit Save" (or a variation thereof) and clicks enter. In that instant, a throwaway idea became a viral sensation.
If you’d like, I can:
"Hit Save" is one of deadmau5’s (Joel Zimmerman) most famous unreleased tracks, often cited by fans as a "masterpiece" that rivals his legendary track "Strobe".
The track began as a Work-In-Progress (WIP) shared during his music production livestreams. Over the years, it has undergone several transformations and name changes, though a "final" official version under the name "Hit Save" has never been commercially released. Evolution of the Track
The history of "Hit Save" is a complex web of different versions and iterations: The 16-Minute Stream Version
: This is the most iconic version among fans, consisting of a long, evolving progressive house arrangement recorded directly from a stream. "Hit Save" is a fan-favorite unreleased track by
: Released in 2022, this track is widely considered the official "evolution" of "Hit Save." While it shares similar synth textures and note patterns, it is a distinct, more polished song.
: A version of the track that was uploaded to the blockchain-based music platform
: A reworked, more minimal electro house version often played in live sets, sometimes featuring vocals from Ed Sheeran's "I See Fire". "What A Save"
: A more recent iteration (2025) that has appeared in visualizers and live contexts. Fan Reception
Despite never having a traditional label release, "Hit Save" remains a staple in the deadmau5 community. Fans frequently discuss it on
The Enigma of "Hit Save": Deadmau5’s Unfinished Masterpiece
In the world of electronic music, few tracks carry as much mythical weight as deadmau5’s "Hit Save." To the casual listener, it might seem like just another deep cut, but to the dedicated "horde" of fans, it represents one of the most beloved and elusive pieces of music in Joel Zimmerman’s vast catalogue. The Origins: From Livestream to Legend "I think that’s
The story of "Hit Save" begins where much of deadmau5's magic happens: his Twitch livestreams. Known for broadcasting his production sessions for hours, Zimmerman allowed fans to witness the track's evolution in real-time.
The "Saved" Connection: The track is famously linked to the officially released song "Saved," which appeared on the mau5trap compilation We Are Friends, Vol. 5 in 2016.
The "Hit Save" Name: Legend has it that "Saved" was named after a technical mishap where Joel lost progress on a project and had to rebuild it—hence the reminder to "hit save".
The Unofficial Versions: While "Saved" is a polished 9-minute progressive house journey, "Hit Save" often refers to a much longer, unreleased 16-minute Work-In-Progress (WIP) that features more atmospheric elements and distinct synth explorations. Production & Sound Design
"Hit Save" is a masterclass in the deadmau5 production style, blending technical precision with emotional depth.
Don't just save over the same file. Use "Save As" with a version number (e.g., Track_Name_v23.als). This protects you not only from crashes but from bad edits. If you ruin a mix, you can roll back to v22. deadmau5 lost his automation because he had no previous version to revert to.
Beyond the jokes and the memes, "deadmau5 hit save" touches on a profound truth about 21st-century art. Unlike a painter with a canvas or a sculptor with clay, the digital musician’s work exists only as a string of code in volatile RAM. The moment power is lost or a plugin crashes, that art can vanish into entropy.
We laugh at deadmau5 because we see ourselves in him. We have all felt that cold wave of panic when an unsaved project vanishes. His public meltdown destroyed the illusion that famous producers operate on some higher plane of technical infallibility. They don't. They are just as likely to forget the basics as a bedroom producer on a laptop.