Five songs that were given new life by samples
Sampling gives older recordings new audiences by reworking recognisable fragments into fresh compositions. The article describes how the technique grew from musique concrète in the 1940s and became especially prominent in hip hop, while arguing that successful sampling needs more than nostalgia.
Basement Jaxx’s 2001 hit ‘Where’s Your Head At’ reused synth riffs from Gary Numan’s ‘ME’ and ‘This Wreckage’, bringing attention to a lesser-known track from Numan’s 1979 album. M.I.A.’s ‘Paper Planes’ sampled The Clash’s 1982 B-side ‘Straight to Hell’, connecting their shared themes of immigration; Jay-Z and T.I. later sampled ‘Paper Planes’ for ‘Swagga Like Us’ in 2008. The supplied article text ends partway through its list of five songs.
In short
- Sampling can give older songs a new audience.
- Basement Jaxx revived a Gary Numan riff.
- ‘Paper Planes’ drew on The Clash and was sampled again.
Explained simply
Sampling is the reuse of part of an existing recording in a new piece of music. The practice has roots in musique concrète, a style developed in the 1940s using recorded sounds, and later became especially prominent in hip hop.
A sample can bring an older song to listeners who might not otherwise hear it, while giving the reused sound a new musical setting. The songs discussed include work by Basement Jaxx, Gary Numan, M.I.A. and The Clash, showing how a fragment can connect different artists and audiences.
Sampling can also carry meaning as well as a memorable sound. For example, M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” drew on The Clash’s “Straight to Hell”, whose themes of immigration resonated with those in her song.