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The first song I liked
When I was five or six, my mom got me a VHS of The Little Mermaid, and I watched it over and over again. I was very impressed when Ariel sang Part of Your World. There was something about wanting more, wanting a different life – even as a child, I felt that.
The first single I bought
I remember going to a record store in Times Square, New York and my aunt bought me What A Girl Wants by Christina Aguilera on cassette tape and it was really fun. So the first CD I bought for myself was Just Dance by Lady Gaga which seemed like a real moment of freedom.
I know every word of this song
Ready or Not with the Fugees. I love doing all of Lauryn’s parts, even though I don’t remember learning them, I just know.
The song I make at karaoke
Finally it’s Etta James, because it’s so beautiful, you can follow it. Or, depending on how I’m feeling, No Scrubs by TLC, because everyone starts singing and singing.
A very good song playing at a party
The New Religion is me. I mean, I have to say! He was made for that power.
The song that wakes me up in the morning
Honestly? It’s the sound of my dog, Bear, barking. He stays in the studio for hours, he comes to hang out with me, and even when everything is really loud, he just falls asleep. But in the morning? No luck.
The song that changed my life
As a songwriter, I’m skeptical of sample-based music. When Faithless Insomnia was allowed into the New Religion, I was shocked. I even had dinner with Sister Bliss and asked her if she could send the files, and she said, “Honey, it’s on tape.” There’s something about the way music is written in the past that gives it a thrill you can’t fake.
I couldn’t listen to the song anymore
Trampoline and Shaed because it was one of “our” songs with my ex. Even though I love it to death, I can’t go back there.
A song I secretly love but tell everyone I hate it
Growing up, you couldn’t sing songs like Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi – that’s what our parents listened to. But now I think that’s silly – it’s a good song to play out loud.
A song that makes me cry
Music affects you in different ways depending on where you are in your life. Right now, Easy on Me and Adele really get me. There is something very sinister about this – it just opens you up.
Bebe Rexha’s album Dirty Blonde is out on June 12th.
