By Lyla Shroff
In the world of music, innovation and inspiration often go hand in hand. In this musical galaxy, sampling has emerged as a powerful tool, allowing artists to breathe new life into old tunes and craft chart-topping hits. From Bollywood to Hollywood and beyond, these songs have not only paid homage to their musical ancestors but have also built a bridge to mend gaps between eras and genres. So, you might be wondering—what is ‘sampling’?
What Does ‘Sampling’ Mean?
Sampling in music refers to the practice of taking a portion or snippet of a pre-existing sound recording, often from another song, and incorporating it into a new composition. This can involve borrowing elements like drum beats, melodies, vocals, or any other sound from an existing recording to use as building blocks for a new piece of music. Think of it as musical recycling; musicians and producers use sampling to create unique and innovative sounds by blending these borrowed elements with their original music.
1. “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande Samples “My Favourite Things” by Patrica Neway
“7 Rings” by Ariana Grande is a chart-topping hit that quite obviously sampled the classic song “My Favourite Things” by Patrica Neway from “The Sound of Music.” In “7 Rings”, the instantly recognisable melody of “My Favourite Things” forms the basis for the chorus with the lyrics also resembling the original with a sassy and modern twist to it.
2. “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé & Jay-Z Samples “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)” by The Chi-Lites
“Crazy in Love” is undeniably one of Beyoncé’s most iconic songs, and it marked a pivotal moment in her solo career. At the heart of “Crazy in Love” lies an instantly recognisable sample from The Chi-Lites’ 1970 classic, “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So).” Beyoncé and Jay-Z borrowed the catchy intro from this old but golden track, which gets stuck in your head every time you hear it.
3. “Dildaara” by Vishal-Shekhar Samples “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“Dildaara” by Vishal-Shekhar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, and Clinton Cerejo’s Choir (from the film Ra.One) is a song that beautifully weaves together the classic melody of “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King with a contemporary Bollywood twist. “Dildaara” takes the iconic chorus of the timeless track and transforms it into a mesmerising Indian musical experience.
4. “Feel This Moment” by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera And “In Bloom” by ZEROBASEONE Sample “Take On Me” by A-Ha
“Take On Me” by A-Ha is popular for its catchy synth-pop melody and memorable music video. It’s one of those timeless ’80s tunes that instantly transport you back to that era. In “Feel This Moment,” the unmistakable hook from “Take On Me” forms the foundation of the song, serving as both a nostalgic nod to the past and a fresh, energetic element for the present.
The Kpop rookies ZEROBASEONE or ZB1 have cleverly used the iconic “Take On Me” melody in the pre-chorus and chorus of their debut track “In Bloom”, which represents the journey of a blooming flower that undergoes several struggles to reach its peak. This distinct tune of the 80’s track provides a familiar yet fresh vibe to the song that captivated the public, resulting in the album surpassing 2 million sales worldwide.
5. “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat (ft. SZA) Samples “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John
“Physical” by Olivia Newton-John, released in 1981, is a quintessential ’80s anthem known for its catchy melody and energetic vibe. Fast forward to 2021, when Doja Cat and SZA took inspiration from this iconic ’80s hit to create “Kiss Me More.” The song brilliantly samples the unmistakable bassline and melody of “Physical,” giving it a fresh and modern twist.
6. “Toxic” by Britney Spears Samples “Tere Mere Beech Mein” by Lata Mangeshkar and S.P. Balasubrahmaniam
“Toxic” is a standout track in Britney Spears’ discography, known for its sultry vocals and infectious beats. The song features a distinctive instrumental hook that forms the backbone of the track, this hook is none other than a sample from “Tere Mere Beech Mein,” a song from the Bollywood movie “Ek Duuje Ke Liye”, which was released in 1981. Britney Spears’ team took two short sections of the original song and merged them together to produce the iconic high pitched and addictive melody that we all know and love.
7. “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira & Wyclef Jean Samples “Amores Como El Neutrón” by Jerry Rivera
“Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira and Wyclef Jean is a chart-topping hit that brilliantly samples “Amores Como El Nuestro” by Jerry Rivera, infusing Latin upbeat flair into a global sensation. “Amores Como El Nuestro” is a beloved salsa classic known for its romantic lyrics and infectious rhythm. On hearing both songs, the use of sampling is extremely apparent, as they both include the same irresistible melody and rhythm. So, the next time you find your hips swaying to the infectious rhythm of “Hips Don’t Lie,” you can appreciate the clever sampling that brought the magic of “Amores Como El Nuestro” to a whole new audience.
