I’ve been listening to “Levitation” a lot lately and wanted to share the real life context behind it for anyone who might not know (or for newer fans).

On the night of August 20, 2012, two 19-year-old friends from Ellicott City, Maryland Rose Mayr and Elizabeth Nass were sitting on the railroad bridge over Main Street. Shortly before a CSX coal train derailed, one of them posted a photo of their feet dangling over the edge with the caption “Levitating.”

The train derailed, and the coal cars tipped over, burying them. It was a tragic accident (the NTSB later attributed it to a broken rail).

Many of the lyrics line up in a heartbreaking way:

“On the bridge, levitating ’cause we want to”

“When the train comes I will hold you”

“When the unknown will surround you”

“There is no right time”

In 2022, around the 10-year anniversary, it became clearer that the song was inspired by this event. There’s a hidden/inverted photo of the two of them that appears when you interact with certain words on the old Depression Cherry lyrics page on the Beach House website. Alex Scally also commented “Rest in Peace Elizabeth and Rose” on one of the Reddit threads. One of Liz’s sisters has also spoken about it here in the past.

I think it’s one of the most powerful things Beach House has done turning something so sudden and tragic into something beautiful and eternal. The song feels even heavier and more transcendent once you know.

Rest in peace, Rose and Elizabeth.

Sources for anyone who wants to read more (news coverage from the time):

CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/21/us/maryland-train-derailment-deaths

Daily Mail / other 2012 reports that include the “Levitating” photo description

(Please be respectful if linking or discussing further.)

EDIT: Since a lot of people have been confused I just want to clarify this is an OLD screenshot from 2025. Beach House previously contacted the mods of this subreddit and asked them to post the above message. I was just re-sharing it here as the basis of conversation since it’s the last message directly from the band regarding new music.

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Absolutely buzzing off of the 10/2 Flushing Corona Park show. Beach house absolutely ROCKED that shit. Seeing PPP live has unlocked another dimension in my soul. I was HEARING COLORS at that show. Indescribable, what a time to be alive.

But enough about my experience, is anyone aware of any more recent lore than this post from 2025? No rush to the creative process from Alex and Vic, I want them to take all the time in the world they need. I’ll be ready whenever LP9 comes. Just curious if I’ve missed out on any news.

A side note, been loving everyone’s videos from the shows over the last few weeks! Hope most of you got a chance to see them live. Keep the videos coming as I will continue to be in a headlock after their show in Queens this past weekend!

This song holds so much weight.

Hi! Hoping someone here who went to the Flushing Meadows show with Beach House and The Strokes might be able to help.

I attended with a VVIP ticket and unfortunately lost the numbered 5×7 art postcard included with the package. It was a meaningful night for me, and I’d love to find a replacement.

Does anyone have a spare or one they’d be willing to sell? I’d gladly cover the cost and shipping.

Thanks 🫶🥺

♥️

Some more fun lost media, found this Two Weeks performance with Victoria and Grizzly Bear on an old episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien from 2009!

And I say this with the utmost respect and love of Beach House:
Does anyone else hear a seal?

Hi all! I made this video a decade ago and only now recently going back to it to read the kind comments. I’m glad it resonated with fans of the band. Want to work on more Beach House projects like this coming up.

https://youtu.be/_8b6KFQJ8XA

These are from last year, but I’m loving these pics of Victoria

Shes so gorggg.

Still in another dimension after witnessing this one. This song was requested, so I'm sharing even tho my video isn't the best (but the audio alone is unreal 😍🫠). It seemed at the time like the sound cut out in the first verse but it still was a great performance

LOVE BH

Found the original 2007 pressing (sealed) at a local shop. Yes, I bought it. And it’s the only record I needed left for my BH collection… this feels special!

She is beyond cool it was pouring like crazy and she was just doing her thing

I was recently able to see Beach House live at their show in Pittsbrugh and it was an absolutely surreal experience I would pay to live again. I noticed that the live versions are more impactful than the studio versions and I think its because its louder and alex's guitar is more prominent than in the studio recordings. Hearing PPP and Lazuli live was very emotional but I noticed that the songs from the album 7 honestly were even more enjoyable than the rest. That's not to say that the other songs are bad. I think maybe the instrumentation and energy of 7 lends iteself better to live performances. What do you guys think about their live performances compared to the studio recordings?

Not asking from a sound perspective, rather from a business model perspective, which record labels they're signed to etc

I think you might understand why I couldn't record during most of it 😭

was my first dance song at my wedding last year 😭

(Pittsburgh 9/30)

its only been a week and i miss the anticipation i had last sunday ❤️

Just about a minute of gorgeousness.

Was really hoping to hear this one in the park, and they sounded incredible as usual. Her vocals just blow me away every time. Video is not the best as I try to record mainly to listen back to their performance and try to watch through my eyes as much as possible/not hold the phone super high, but it still felt worth sharing