Think you know popular music? Fine, quick Top 40 quiz for you. Rihanna had four number-one singles in 2010. What were they?
Did you get ‘em? If you did, you win! Or, actually, maybe you lose. Whether you’re proud of that knowledge depends on your perspective on the Top 40 I suppose. Anyway, the final #1, the Drake-featuring “What’s My Name,” dropped in October. Somewhat surprising it’s taken this long for covers to pop up, but as if to make up for lost time, two just dropped in our laps. By what appears to be total coincidence, they come from back-to-back sessions at BBC’s Radio 1.
British quintet Fixers keep the all-hands-on-deck sound, mixing in tribal drumming samples and funky piano. They tell host Jo Whiley that they were going to cover Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair,” but Pulled Apart by Horses beat them to it. Ironic, then, that the band following them chose the same song they did. Difference is, Manchester art-rock quartet Everything Everything didn’t pull a last-minute switch. Their warm-falsetto “What’s My Name?” proves different enough to justify the repetition.
Listen to both below, and tell us which you prefer in the comments. Oh, and the quiz answer: “Rude Boy,” Eminem collab “Love the Way You Lie,” “Only Girl (In the World),” and, obviously, “What’s My Name?”
MP3: Fixers – What’s My Name? (Rihanna cover)
[audio: News0111/20FixersWhatsMyName.mp3]
MP3: Everything Everything – What’s My Name? (Rihanna cover)
[audio: News0111/20EverythingEverythingWhatsMyName.mp3]
Check out more at the Live Lounge.
Much prefer Everything Everything’s version – great energy and unique voice – prefer it to the original actually!
Fixers is much better – really original, excellent musicianship & love the tribal drums. This is a band to look out for in the future.
Fixers all the way for me!!
I think everything everythings version is great and very enjoyable but not as original as fixers… love both bands but fixers win :)
Fixers nailed the song brilliantly and are clear winners.
Fixers are the UK’s best kept secret right now; they have the genuine ability to come up with original new material. Expect everyone to be talking about them as the year comes to a close.