Jean-michel Jarre - Oxygene, Pt. 4 Apr 2026
, often using a slightly drained 9V battery to soften the sound. A Lasting Environmental Message
: The iconic whooshing opening was generated by an Go to product viewer dialog for this item. , the very first synthesizer Jarre ever owned. The Rhythm : The "bossa nova" style beat came from a Korg Mini-Pops 7 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
Whether you’re a synth enthusiast or a casual listener, the track stands as a testament to the power of imagination and the idea that you don't need a massive studio to create a timeless classic. Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygene, Pt. 4
Beyond its technical innovation, Oxygène carried a surprisingly early ecological theme. The cover art, based on a painting by depicting Earth peeling away to reveal a skull, was chosen by Jarre to highlight the damage being done to the planet—a poetic, surrealist warning that remains relevant today. Legacy and Pop Culture
Decades later, "Oxygène, Pt. 4" continues to influence artists ranging from to Air . It has even found a home in modern pop culture, appearing on the The Journey radio station in Grand Theft Auto IV . , often using a slightly drained 9V battery
drum machine. Jarre famously used adhesive tape to hold down multiple preset buttons simultaneously to create the track's signature hybrid pattern.
While record labels originally rejected the album for having no singers or conventional song structures, Jarre’s persistence paid off when a small French label, Disques Dreyfus , took a chance. Recorded on a modest 8-track recorder, "Oxygène, Pt. 4" became a massive international hit, even reaching #4 on the UK Singles Chart in 1977. The Gear Behind the Magic The Rhythm : The "bossa nova" style beat
The Sound of the Future: Revisiting Jean-Michel Jarre’s "Oxygène, Pt. 4"