Weekend Playlist: What Goes Around Comes Around
By Sophie Day in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 23, 2014 6:00PM
Photo by Vassilis Galopoulos
If you're a regular Chicagoist visitor, you've seen that, earlier this week, we ran a story about repurposed newspaper stands in downtown Chicago. Also, this week, we saw the release of a much-anticipated video for Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda".
Two events that have nothing in common, right? Wrong.
All of the songs that we bring you this weekend, of which "Anaconda" is only one, demonstrate the beautiful practice within culture of old things coming back and being reshaped, remade, and redefined. Here, for your consideration, a study of old and new.
We open with what is, if we're being honest, just a cover of Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around Comes Around", but one that was simply too good to pass up.
Next, we turn things over to British music-maker Bastille for his version of "We Can't Stop". Upon first listen this may sound like just another cover, but it is so much more than that. Bastille has a clear message, and, along with samples of "Lose Yourself" by Eminem and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from Disney's Lion King, he even brings in a sample of "Achy Breaky Heart" to hammer home his point.
Third, we go to an original, by Gil Scott-Heron. Here is the song that inspired and shaped Drake's 2012 hit "Take Care". This version of the track morphs flawlessly from one to another for a really neat effect.
Sometimes, samples are good for introducing us to the original, and this is an example of that. G-Eazy's sample of the Dion song by the same name gives the song a fun, retro feel. Plus, he shouts out Chicago! It's impossible not to dance with, just ask this woman.
When Toto released "Africa" back in 1982, they probably never imagined that it would be sampled, particularly not like this. Karl Wolf gained prominence as a Canadian songwriter before coming into his own with single in 2009.
Halfway there, and it's time to bump to Nicki's new single. "Anaconda" samples Sir-Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back" and she flips it to create a club-ready anthem for women with curves.
This summer in Chicago has been fairly mild, but that doesn't mean we haven't had our share of heat. Though Chiddy Bang is no more, this summery sample featuring Mac Miller doesn't get old.
Last month, Chicago native and favorite on the weekend playlists, Chance the Rapper, released a soulful cover of the beloved theme song to Arthur. This song is one that absolutely applies much more broadly than just to the children's show, and Chance's soulful voice along with the accompaniment give this song a whole new meaning.
Back in 2006, Pretty Lights released "Finally Moving", a trancey piece that samples Etta James' "Something's Gotta Hold on Me". In 2011, Flo-Rida sampled "Pretty Lights", thereby creating a sampling wormhole. Here is the song that started it all.
Sampling is a time-honored tradition, particularly in rap and hip-hop. In recent years, some young rappers have taken to sampling newer indie songs which give their rhymes a whole new flavor. For example, this upbeat sample of Death Cab for Cutie, who will be headlining The Hideout Block Party in just a few weeks!
We end this week's list with an original that surely needs no introduction. Sung by Ray Charles, brought back into the spotlight by Kanye West—it's "I Got A Woman"