Somebody
by Natalie La Rose (featuring Jeremih)

Album: released as a single (2015)
Charted: 2 10
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Born and raised in Amsterdam, Holland, Natalie La Rose moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of becoming a singer and dancer at the age of 20. In 2013 she inked a deal with Flo Rida's International Music Group (I.M.G.) label, two years after she'd told the rapper at an ESPY Awards after-party that she was going to work with him one day.
  • This is La Rose's debut single. The song is a reworking of Whitney Houston's 1987 chart topper "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" with updated lyrics that celebrate a club-inspired romance. "It's a fun and funky song," remarked La Rose. "It's feel-good, and it reminds me of summertime. I love to be around people, have a great time, and dance. That's what it stands for."
  • The song features Jeremih who croons the hook. La Rose explained: "While we were recording Jeremih happened to be in Miami for a Big Dreams for Kids Back to School Event and Flo invited him to the studio to sing on it. He nailed it on the first take!"
  • Jeremih recorded his vocals around the time he was in the Hot 100 with his own retooling of a classic late 20th century tune. The R&B vocalist's "Don't Tell 'Em" was a reworking of Snap!'s "Rhythm Is A Dancer."
  • Asked by Billboard magazine what attracted her to Whitney Houston's hit tune, La Rose replied: "I'm a huge fan of '80s music and grew up listening to that. I heard this beat and told Flo Rida we should write to it. He came up with 'I wanna dance with somebody,' and we switched up the lyrics a little to make it more nowadays. But eventually we found out the beat wasn't available, so we had to create a new one."

    "It took nine different versions - we were so married to the other beat, so it was hard to get used to. Flo Rida has a great ear. I wouldn't say I take my sound from him, but definitely the work ethic."
  • The background vocals that go "shots, shots, shots, shots..." is copped from the song "Shots" by LMFAO featuring Lil Jon.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.