Top 10 Songs That Used Samples

Ever hear a song for the first time and think, “Hey, I know that part!”? That’s called a sample, a snippet of an older melody, beat, or vocal reused in a new track. Let’s check out 10 songs that borrowed from classics and see how they compare to the originals.

#1 Dua Lipa's "Love Again" (album Future Nostalgia 2020) samples the iconic muted trumpet line from the 1932 song "My Woman" by Lew Stone and his Monseigneur Band , which itself became famous through its prominent use in White Town's 1997 hit, "Your Woman". So, while Dua Lipa directly samples the 1930s track, many listeners recognize the sound from the popular 90s song that also used it. The sound has a lineage, with Dua Lipa sampling the original, following White Town's popularization of it.

Love Again

My Woman

Your Woman

#2 Will.i.am's "I Got It from My Mama" (album Songs About Girls 2007) samples two main tracks: "Don Quichotte" 1984 by Magazine 60 and "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" 1975 by Bob James, with credited writers from Magazine 60. There's also a remix that attempted to use a Daft Punk sample, but Daft Punk denied permission for its use.

I Got It From My Mama

Don Quichotte

Take Me To The Mardi Gras

#3 Doechii's song "Anxiety" 2019 samples the iconic  hit "Somebody That I Used to Know" 2011 by Gotye featuring Kimbra, using its distinctive guitar riff as the foundation for her track.Interestingly, Gotye's original also samples Luiz Bonfá's 1967 instrumental "Seville," creating a layered sampling history. So, Doechii's track is built on a beat that itself comes from another sampled song, making it a popular topic on social media and a hit after Sleepy Hallow sampled her version.

Anxiety

Somebody That I Used To Know

Seville

#4 Eminem's song "Houdini" (album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) 2024 )  heavily samples the iconic hook and melody from The Steve Miller Band's 1982 hit "Abracadabra", creating a modern hip-hop banger that brings back his Slim Shady persona. Original Sample: "Abracadabra" by The Steve Miller Band (1982). Steve Miller's Reaction: Steve Miller publicly thanked Eminem, calling him a "timeless originator".

Houdini

Abracadabra

#5 Jennifer Lopez's "Can't Get Enough" samples Alton Ellis's 1967 reggae classic "I'm Still In Love With You," famously recorded with Phyllis Dillon, with elements of Dennis Coffey's "Son of a Scorpio" also incorporated, creating a tropical, wedding-inspired vibe for her album This Is Me... Now.

Can't Get Enough

I'm Still In Love

#6 Destiny's Child's hit "Bootylicious" (album Survivor 2001 ) samples the iconic guitar riff from Stevie Nicks' 1981 song "Edge of Seventeen", creating a famous pop-R&B anthem that blended rock and Y2K sounds, with Nicks even making an appearance in the "Bootylicious" music video. The riff was incorporated into "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child, produced by Rob Fusari, and even featured Stevie Nicks in the video.

Survivor

Edge of Seventeen

#7 Mariah Carey's hit "Fantasy" (album Daydream 1995 ) famously samples the iconic bassline and beat from Tom Tom Club's 1981 song "Genius of Love," creating its distinctive, upbeat urban R&B/hip-hop feel, a decision that introduced the classic track to a new generation and influenced subsequent sampling by artists like Latto with "Big Energy". The sample became central to "Fantasy's" sound, and the track itself introduced the original Tom Tom Club song to a wider audience, with Latto later sampling "Fantasy" for her hit "Big Energy".

Fantasy

Genius Of Love

#8 Jade Thirlwall's solo song "Before You Break My Heart" (album That's Showbiz Baby 2025 ) samples The Supremes' iconic hit "Stop! In the Name of Love," 1965 paying homage to Diana Ross, her favorite artist, with Jade even giving up royalties to clear the sample for her debut album, That's Showbiz Baby!. The track heavily features the recognizable melody from the Motown classic as an homage, making the connection clear and intentional. A direct tribute to Diana Ross, whom Jade admires greatly. Jade reportedly gave up her share of royalties to get the sample approved, a significant move for the track.

Angel Of My Dreams

Stop! In The Name Of Love

#9 Doja Cat's song "Freak" (2020) samples the classic 1959 hit "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" by Paul Anka. The slowed-down tempo and iconic melody from the 1950s love song provide the foundation for Doja Cat's modern rap lyrics, creating a unique blend that became popular on social media, particularly for the Silhouette Challenge.

Freak

Put Your Head On My Shoulder

#10 Ice Cube's iconic song "It Was a Good Day" (album The Predator 1993 ) samples "Footsteps in the Dark, Pts. 1 & 2" 1977 by The Isley Brothers, specifically the groove from Ernie Isley's guitar and bass, with DJ Pooh enhancing the production for the track. The song also subtly incorporates elements from The Moments' "Sexy Mama". Other Samples: Elements from The Moments' "Sexy Mama" are also present

It Was A Good Day

Footsteps in the Dark, Pts. 1 & 2

Sexy Mama

Do you know any other songs in which samples were used? Comment below