Something borrowed

Popular songs are enhanced with samples from other artists

Olivia Mooney, Features Editor

TV has revivals, movies have remakes and the music industry has sampling. Artists often put their own spin on old tunes to create new hits, bringing back familiar melodies to listeners’ ears in a different context. Check out these popular songs that have sampled older tunes—and even a classic video game.

“Mama Said” by Lukas Graham, sampling Andrea McArdle’s “It’s the Hard Knock Life”
Copenhagen Records
Andrea McArdle’s “It’s the Hard Knock Life”
Sony

“Mama Said” by Lukas Graham, sampling Andrea McArdle’s “It’s the Hard Knock Life”

The upbeat tune of Andrea McArdle’s “It’s the Hard Knock Life” from Annie hides a tale of a troubled childhood. The tune will seem familiar not only because of the musical, but because of Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life,” which samples the same song. Lukas Graham’s narrative in “Mama Said” focuses on being misunderstood by those around him, but he uses the comforting words from childhood to make sense of the world.

“Sorry Not Sorry” by Bryson Tiller, sampling Yoko Shimomura & Isao Abe’s Street Fighter II Sound Effects
RCA Records
Yoko Shimomura & Isao Abe’s Street Fighter II Sound Effects(Capcom)
Capcom

“Sorry Not Sorry” by Bryson Tiller, sampling Yoko Shimomura & Isao Abe’s Street Fighter II Sound Effects

A much less emotional story than “Don’t” and “Exchange” by Bryson Tiller, “Sorry Not Sorry” has the playful vibe of the colorful video game it borrows from. Tiller loses some of the authenticity of his other songs with boastful lyrics. This is a quick song in which the protagonist plays the role of rejector rather than a forlorn lover. Fans tired of feeling sad will appreciate this song.

drake-1
Cash Money Records
Popcaan’s “Love Yuh Bad"
Mixpak Records

“Too Good” by Drake ft. Rihanna, sampling Popcaan’s “Love Yuh Bad”

The moody song “Too Good” is classic Drake. The beat from Popcaan’s “Love Yuh Bad” makes the song more danceable and upbeat with its reggae roots while maintaining its reflective lyrics. The addition of Rihanna gives multiple perspectives and inspires more ways to yell at an ex. The song picks up at times before settling into a melody for the chorus with help from Rihanna’s smooth voice.

“How Great” by Chance the Rapper ft. JayElectronica & My Cousin Nicole, sampling Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God”
Chance the Rapper
Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God"
Sparrow/sixsteps

“How Great” by Chance the Rapper ft. JayElectronica & My Cousin Nicole, sampling Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God”

The church tune “How Great is Our God” at first seems like an odd choice for a sample, but the eclectic Chance the Rapper manages to make it work well in “How Great.” However, after almost three minutes of Tomlin’s song, it’s difficult to wait patiently for Chance’s verse. The original does work with Chance’s familial references, and the electronic tweaks to the traditional song help listeners make it through.