Otis Singleton
The electro swing sub-genre of electronic music has become a phenomenon in recent years, with its catchy piano loops, playful sampling, and booming beats. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment the genre first began, Lucas with the Lid Off by Danish rapper Lucas, which samples Benny Goodman's When Buddha Smiles, is considered by many to be the first electro swing song. It won a Grammy for its music video. The genre's roots stretch far back, with various movements in the 1980s and 1990s signalling the introduction of a style like electro swing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electro swing song | "Lucas with the Lid Off" by Danish rapper Lucas |
| Year of release | 1988 |
| Samples | Benny Goodman's "When Buddha Smiles" |
| Other notable early electro swing songs | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers' "Swing the Mood", Parov Stelar's "Booty Swing", "Doop" by Doop |
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What You'll Learn
'Lucas With the Lid Off' by Lucas
"Lucas with a Lid Off" by Lucas is considered by many to be the first-ever electro-swing song. The song is based on a sample from Benny Goodman and won a Grammy for its music video. Electro swing is a sub-genre of electronic music that combines the electro and electro-house genres with catchy piano loops, playful sampling, and booming beats. The genre first emerged in the 1990s, sampling old records from the swing era and revitalizing them with hip-hop beat structures.
The electro swing genre has seen widespread popularity in Europe, with its roots in the Euro-dance movement of the 1990s, as well as house, techno, and EDM-style big-room sounds. The genre also draws influences from breakbeats, jungle, drum n' bass, and mid-tempo styles. The "Swing n' Bass" movement, for example, blends the up-tempo nature of drum n' bass with faster swing styles like The Charleston and St. Louis Shag.
"Lucas with a Lid Off" is a groovy and upbeat song with catchy vocals and mixing. It reached number 29 in the US charts and is considered a forgotten gem. Lucas himself was not a great rapper but worked with many big-name pop artists. "Lucas with a Lid Off" is a hip-hop/reggae crossover tune that remains a staple in many DJs' sets even a decade later.
The music video for "Lucas with a Lid Off" is impressive and unique, with 17 cuts that top other well-known one-take videos such as OK GO's "This Too Shall Pass". The song's Diamond D remix is also worth noting, described as a "neck-snapping banger".
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'Swing the Mood' by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
"Swing the Mood" by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers is often regarded as one of the first electro-swing songs. The song, which samples Glenn Miller's "In the Mood", "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Little Brown Jug", and "American Patrol", was released in the late 1980s. It is a medley of swing and rock 'n' roll songs from the 1940s and 1950s. The song was a commercial success, reaching number one in several countries, including the UK, where it became the best-selling single of 1989.
The electro-swing genre, a fusion of electronic music and vintage swing samples, originated in the early 1990s. It combines the steady beats of electronic styles like Euro-dance, House, Techno, and EDM with the sounds of classic big bands and swing-era records. The genre gained popularity in Europe, with artists like Parov Stellar, and later saw mainstream success with tracks like "Robot Face" by Caravan Palace and "We No Speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool.
"Swing the Mood" by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers is significant in the context of electro-swing as it was one of the earliest examples of blending vintage swing samples with modern electronic music. The song's use of sampling and mixing of classic swing songs helped to lay the foundations for the emerging electro-swing genre. The song's commercial success also drew attention to the unique blend of swing and electronic elements, inspiring other artists to experiment with similar sounds.
The song's creation was influenced by the DJ-only Mastermix DJ service, which was owned and managed by John Pickles. "Swing the Mood" first appeared on Issue 22 of Mastermix's monthly album release, and its success helped to establish Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers as a notable act in the emerging genre.
While "Swing the Mood" is often regarded as one of the first electro-swing songs, some sources cite "Lucas with the Lid Off" as another contender for the title. "Lucas with the Lid Off" is a Grammy Award-winning song that samples Benny Goodman and is known for its groovy and funky sound.
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'We No Speak Americano' by Yolanda Be Cool
"We No Speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool and producer DCUP is considered the biggest hit of the electro-swing genre. The song was released on 27 February 2010 on the independent Australian label Sweat It Out. It samples the 1956 Italian song "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano" by Renato Carosone, which was written by Carosone and Nicola Salerno. The song became a hit in Europe, Australia, and South America, and also charted in the top 40 in the US and Canada.
Electro Swing, a sub-genre of electronic music, combines the steady four-on-the-floor beats of swing house with the electronic sounds of electro and electro house. The genre first emerged in the early 1990s with the sampling of old records from the swing era and the application of hip-hop beat structures. It gained popularity through the sampling of classic big band samples, popular moves and quotes, and instrumental loops. The electro-swing musical genre saw mainstream success with commercially acclaimed tracks like "We No Speak Americano".
The song "We No Speak Americano" has been featured in various films, television shows, and video games. It was included in the soundtracks of "The Inbetweeners Movie", "Hop", "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted", "The Great Beauty", and "Peter Rabbit". The song was also featured in Episode 2 of the 2011 Korean drama "City Hunter". In video games, a cover of the song was featured in "Just Dance 4", performed by in-house artists credited as "Hit the Electro Beat".
The music video for "We No Speak Americano", directed by Andy Hylton, pays homage to classic silent film comedies. It features a Chaplinesque Italian protagonist in 1910s New York City, trying to raise money to propose to a young woman. The video appeared in the episode "Bounty Hunters" of "Beavis and Butthead". The song has also been sampled and covered by various artists, including Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, who sampled it for his Spanish-language song "Bon, Bon", and The Chipettes, who covered it for the "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" movie and album.
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'Robot Face' by Caravan Palace
"Robot Face" by Caravan Palace is considered a significant milestone in the electro-swing genre. The song, released in 2015 as part of the album of the same name, marked a pivotal moment for the French electro-swing group. It propelled them into the mainstream and introduced electro-swing to a broader audience.
Electro-swing, a fusion of vintage swing samples and electronic music, took off in the early 1990s. The genre combines the steady beats of electronic styles like Euro-dance, House, Techno, and EDM with the classic sounds of swing. This blend of old and new creates a unique, party-friendly vibe.
Caravan Palace, formed in Paris, France, in 2008, was at the forefront of this movement. Their distinct style blends gypsy jazz, French house/techno, and electro influences. With "Robot Face," they shifted towards a more electronic pop sound while retaining their swing roots. This evolution proved controversial among their original fanbase but attracted a wider audience.
The success of "Robot Face" is indicative of the growing popularity of electro-swing. The song's blend of catchy piano loops, playful sampling, and booming beats captivated listeners and showcased the genre's potential. It charted on the Billboard, further cementing its mainstream appeal and influencing other artists to explore the electro-swing sound.
While "Robot Face" is not the first electro-swing song, it is undoubtedly a landmark release that helped shape the genre's trajectory and brought it into the mainstream consciousness. It demonstrated that electro-swing could appeal to a diverse audience and inspired further exploration and innovation within the genre.
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'Swing House' as a subgenre
Electro Swing, also referred to as Swing House, is a sub-genre of electronic music that has become a phenomenon in recent years. It is characterised by catchy piano loops, playful sampling, and booming beats in the realm of electro and electro house. While it is challenging to pinpoint the exact origins of Electro Swing, its roots can be traced back to the early 1990s when producers began sampling old records from the swing era and combining them with hip-hop beat structures.
One of the earliest examples of a song that incorporated elements of swing and electronic music is "Doop" by Doop, released in 1994. However, it wasn't until the 2000s that Electro Swing began to gain traction and establish itself as a distinct genre. In 2004, Parov Stelar's "Rough Cuts" and Nicolas Repac's "Swing-Swing" were released, marking a significant turning point for the genre.
"Lucas with the Lid Off" by Danish rapper Lucas, released in the same year, is considered by many to be the first official Electro Swing song. The song features Lucas rapping over a sample of Benny Goodman's "When Buddha Smiles," seamlessly blending hip-hop and swing elements. Following the release of "Lucas with the Lid Off," a slew of similar tracks emerged, and the genre began to take shape.
The popularity of Electro Swing continued to grow, with artists like Parov Stelar, Caravan Palace, Yolanda Be Cool, and Mr. Scruff attracting a dedicated fan base. By the late 2010s, the genre had exploded onto the mainstream, with songs like "Robot Face" by Caravan Palace and "We No Speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool achieving commercial success and topping Billboard charts.
Electro Swing has since evolved and branched out into various sub-genres, including Swing n' Bass, which combines the uptempo nature of drum n' bass with fast swing styles like The Charleston and St. Louis Shag. The genre has a strong presence in Europe, with vibrant swing dance cultures in cities like Berlin, Prague, and London.
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Frequently asked questions
"Lucas with the Lid Off" by Danish rapper Lucas is considered by many to be the first electro swing song. The song samples Benny Goodman's "When Buddha Smiles".
"Swing the Mood" by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers, "Jazz Rap" by Cargo, and "Swing-Swing" by Nicolas Repac are some other early electro swing songs.
Some popular electro swing songs include "Robot Face" by Caravan Palace, "We No Speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP, and "Lone Digger" by Caravan Palace.
Electro swing has evolved since its early beginnings, with artists experimenting with different sounds and styles. The genre has gained popularity in Europe, with artists like Parov Stelar and Caravan Palace, and the rise of streaming platforms has also contributed to its growth.
