25 Songs You Never Knew Were Covers Or Samples

16 May 2013, 09:08 | Updated: 4 December 2017, 11:10

Join Capital as we take a look at some of the biggest hits and discover where they were originally from.

Ever sat and thought to yourself, "this sounds familiar". Well, Capital has gone through the history books and picked out 25 songs that you may never have even known were covers or featured samples from other artists.

There's tracks from the likes of Rihanna, Robbie Williams and The Saturdays and some samples that go back as far as 1954!

Check out 25 of the best samples and covers from some of the biggest songs in pop below:

1. Robbie Williams - 'Rock DJ' (2000)

SAMPLE: Barry White - 'It's Ecstasy When You Lay Next To Me' (1977)

2. Madonna - 'Hung Up' (2005)

SAMPLE: Abba - 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)' (1979)


3. Flo Rida - 'Good Feeling' (2011)

SAMPLE: Etta James - 'Something's Got A Hold On Me' (1962)

4. David Guetta Feat. Ne-Yo & Akon - 'Play Hard' (2013)

SAMPLE: Alice Deejay - 'Better Off Alone' (1998)

5. Rihanna - 'SOS' (2006)

SAMPLE: Soft Cell - 'Tainted Love' (1981) [Original song recorded by Gloria Jones in 1965]

6. Professor Green Feat. Ed Drewett 'I Need You Tonight' (2010)

SAMPLE: INXS - 'Need You Tonight' (1987)

7. Eminem - 'Sing For The Moment' (2003)

SAMPLE: Aerosmith - 'Dream On' (1973)

8. Beyonce - 'Naughty Girl' (2004)

SAMPLE: Donna Summer - 'Love To Love You Baby' (1975)

9. Tinchy Stryder - 'You're Not Alone' (2009)

SAMPLE: Olive - 'You're Not Alone' (1996)

10. Black Eyed Peas - 'The Time (Dirty Bit)' (2010)

SAMPLE: Bill Medly & Jennifer Warnes - '(I've Had) The Time Of My Life' (1987)

11. Justin Bieber - 'Die In Your Arms' (2012)

SAMPLE: Michael Jackson - 'We've Got A Good Thing Going' (1971)

12. One Direction - 'One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)' (2013)

COVER: Blondie 'One Way Or Another' (1979)

SAMPLE: The Undertones - 'Teenage Kicks' (1978)

13. Jay-Z - 'Young Forever' (2010)

SAMPLE: Alphaville - 'Forever Young' (1984)

14. Kanye West Feat. Jamie Foxx - 'Gold Digger' (2005)

SAMPLE: Ray Charles - 'I Got A Woman' (1954)

15. The Saturdays - 'If This Is Love' (2008)

SAMPLE: Yazoo - 'Situation' (1982)

16. Pitbull Feat. Christina Aguilera - 'Feel This Moment' (2013)

SAMPLE: A-Ha - 'Take On Me' (1985)

17. No Doubt - 'It's My Life' (2003)

COVER: Talk Talk - 'It's My Life' (1984)

18. Mark Ronson Feat. Amy Winehouse - 'Valerie' (2007)

COVER: The Zutons - 'Valerie' (2006)

19. 2Pac Feat. Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman - 'California Love'

SAMPLE: Joe Cocker - 'Woman To Woman' (1972)

20. Destiny's Child - 'Emotion' (2001)

COVER: Samantha Sang & The Bee Gees - 'Emotion' (1977)

21. Pink Feat. William Orbit - 'Feel Good Time' (2003)

SAMPLE: Spirit - 'Fresh Garbage' (1969)

22. Rihanna - 'Don't Stop The Music' (2007)

SAMPLE: Michael Jackson - 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' (1983)

23. Girls Aloud - 'Jump' (2003)

COVER: Pointer Sisters - 'Jump (For My Love)' (1984)

24. James Arthur - 'Impossible' (2012)

COVER: Shontelle - 'Impossible' (2010)

25. Kanye West - 'Stronger' (2007)

SAMPLE: Daft Punk - 'Harder, Better, Faster Stronger' (2001)