Music is a time machine, and samples are the hidden Easter eggs that connect generations of songs in ways we never imagined. Some of the biggest hits in pop, hip-hop, and rock secretly borrow from deep cuts, obscure soundtracks, and forgotten classics. You might think you know your favorite songs inside and out, but listen closely—there’s a whole world of sonic history hiding in the background. Here are 10 surprising samples that have been living rent-free in your playlist all along!
1. Rihanna – “SOS” (2006) // Soft Cell – “Tainted Love” (1981)
That infectious hook in Rihanna’s “SOS” isn’t just inspired by ’80s synth-pop—it is ’80s synth-pop! The track heavily samples Soft Cell’s version of “Tainted Love,” which itself was a cover of a 1965 soul song by Gloria Jones. Rihanna’s club-ready anthem brought the classic melody to a new generation, proving that some songs never go out of style.
2. Mariah Carey – “Fantasy” (1995) // Tom Tom Club – “Genius of Love” (1981)
Mariah didn’t just sing over a beat—she turned an underground new-wave groove into a chart-topping pop masterpiece. The funky bassline and dreamy synths of “Fantasy” come straight from Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love.” The original is a staple of early hip-hop, but Mariah made it her own, adding that signature whistle register and one of the most iconic choruses of the ’90s.
3. Eminem – “My Name Is” (1999) // Labi Siffre – “I Got The…” (1975)
That wobbly, hypnotic guitar line that kicks off Eminem’s breakout single? It comes from British folk-funk artist Labi Siffre’s “I Got The…,” a song that’s way smoother than you’d expect for something tied to Slim Shady’s chaotic debut. Fun fact: Siffre only allowed the sample to be used if Eminem removed some homophobic lyrics from the original track.
4. Daft Punk – “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” (2001) // Edwin Birdsong – “Cola Bottle Baby” (1979)
Before Kanye flipped Daft Punk for “Stronger,” the French duo was already sampling deep disco cuts. The robotic funk of “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” is built around Edwin Birdsong’s “Cola Bottle Baby,” a jazzy, synth-driven groove from the late ’70s. Birdsong later said he was thrilled to see his music come back in such a fresh way.
5. Beyoncé – “Crazy in Love” (2003) // The Chi-Lites – “Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)” (1970)
That ba-ba-ba-BAAAH! horn riff that kicks off “Crazy in Love” didn’t come from a modern studio session—it’s lifted straight from The Chi-Lites’ 1970 track. Jay-Z and producer Rich Harrison knew it was gold, speeding it up and turning it into one of the most recognizable openings in pop history.
6. The Weeknd – “Out of Time” (2022) // Tomoko Aran – “Midnight Pretenders” (1983)
The Weeknd’s signature retro sound reached all the way to Japan for this one. “Out of Time” borrows heavily from Tomoko Aran’s dreamy city pop classic “Midnight Pretenders,” keeping the silky vocals and smooth production almost untouched. It’s a perfect example of how 80s city pop has found a new audience decades later.
#7. Janet Jackson – “Got ‘Til It’s Gone” (1997) // Joni Mitchell – “Big Yellow Taxi” (1970)
Janet Jackson’s laid-back, neo-soul groove in “Got ‘Til It’s Gone” features a familiar voice in the background—Joni Mitchell’s iconic line “Don’t it always seem to go” from “Big Yellow Taxi.” The sample, woven seamlessly into the track, gave Mitchell her first-ever appearance on an R&B hit, proving that great songwriting transcends genres.
8. Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg – “The Next Episode” (1999) // David Axelrod – “The Edge” (1970)
That ominous, cinematic melody in “The Next Episode” isn’t from a modern movie score—it’s pulled from a jazz-funk instrumental by David Axelrod. The eerie strings and horns made for a perfect West Coast G-funk anthem, proving once again that Dre knows how to dig deep for gold.
9. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” (2014) // The Gap Band – “Oops Up Side Your Head” (1979)
You can’t hear “Uptown Funk” without moving—but part of that irresistible groove comes from The Gap Band’s “Oops Up Side Your Head.” The similarities were so strong that The Gap Band ended up getting a songwriting credit after the song was released. Funk never goes out of style—it just keeps getting repackaged.
10. Lorde – “Royals” (2013) // Paul Simon – “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” (1973)
That crisp, clicking beat in “Royals” is actually a classic hip-hop sample. The drum break comes from Paul Simon’s “Take Me to the Mardi Gras,” which has been used by everyone from Run-D.M.C. to Missy Elliott. Lorde’s minimalist take made it feel brand new, but its roots go way back.
Every song is a story, and sampling adds unexpected plot twists along the way. Whether it’s a vintage soul record, a forgotten disco groove, or a jazz-funk deep cut, the music of the past is always shaping the hits of today. Next time you hear a song you love, listen closer—you might just hear history hiding in plain sight.
