20 songs that sample classical music

In 2003, Nas worked with producer Salaam Remi on his hit single “I Can.” With a sample of one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most famous works, “Für Elise,” Nas uses the track to encourage younger generations to have faith in going after their dreams. 

Maroon 5 sampled German composer Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major” on their 2019 single “Memories.” On the track, the band describes the phases of dealing with grief and how certain moments remind them of people who have passed away. As they sing on the hook, “Here's to the ones that we got / Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not / 'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories / Of everything we've been through.”

David Guetta teamed up with Sam Martin on his 2014 single “Dangerous.” With a sample of Niccolò Paganini’s "Capriccio in Si,” Martin sings of not knowing where his relationship is headed, but being curious about continuing the journey. Martin is heard on the hook singing, “I don't know where the lights are taking us / But something in the night is dangerous / And nothing's holding back the two of us / Baby, this is getting serious.”

In 1998, Busta Rhymes released his hit single “Gimme Some More.” Sampling the opening theme of the 1960 film Psycho, composed by Bernard Herrmann, Busta uses the track to describe how you can always go after more than what you want. As he says on the hook, “Even though we getting money, you can (Gimme some more) / With the cars and the big cribs (Gimme some more) / Everybody spread love (Gimme some more) / If you want it, let me hear you say it (Gimme some more).”

Kelis is ready to let a potential partner know just how she feels on her 2006 track “Like You.” Using a sample of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Magic Flute (Queen of the Night Aria),” Kelis is letting a lover know that she doesn't simply just like him, but she’s “in like” with him. 

In 2016, Zayn released his debut solo album Mind of Mine, which featured the deep cut “Blue.” Using an interpolation of Bach’s “Prelude in C Major,” Zayn is heard describing his yearning for affection. 

In 2022, K-pop girl group Blackpink released their sophomore album Born Pink, which featured the single “Shut Down.” Sampling the violin melody from Paganini’s “La Campanella,” the track finds the group members calling out their haters. 

Missy Elliott’s 1999 single “All n My Grill” has always had a theatrical type of sound. Not only is that a testament to Timbaland’s talent as a producer, but also using a sample of François de Roubaix’s “Dernier Domicile Connu.” It also showcases that hip-hop always sounds better whenever classical sounds are behind the music. 

In 1974, Eric Carmen released his self-titled album, which featured his hit single “All By Myself.” With a composition of Sergei Rachmaninoff's “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor,” Carmen reflects on his loneliness and how he longs for company. 

Robin Thicke came onto the scene in 2002 with his debut single “When I Get You Alone.” The song sampled Walter Murphy’s “A Fifth of Beethoven,” which was a disco adaptation of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Thicke uses the track to describe all things he would do with his partner during a night rendezvous. 

In 2001, Ludacris released his third album Word of Mouf, which featured the deep cut “Coming 2 America.” With the play on the title from the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy and using a sample of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Dies Irae,” Ludacris introduces listeners to the thought of being treated like royalty. 

In 1973, smooth crooner Barry Manilow released his song “Could It Be Magic.” With a sample of Frédéric Chopin’s Prelude Op. 28, No. 20, Manilow uses the track to describe the love he feels for his partner. 

Janet Jackson is ready to find “the one” on her hit single “Someone to Call My Lover.” Using a sample of French composer Erik Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1,” Jackson believes it’s possible to find her perfect match in any setting, and when she does, they’ll fall madly in love.

Pop group S Club knows how loving a partner comes with ease on their track “Natural.” Using a sample of French composer Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavane,” the song finds the group describing how a love can feel so symmetrical between two people. As they sing on the hook, “Baby, loving you comes easily to me / It's what I'm living for, it's all in the chemistry.”

In 2009, pop star Lady Gaga released her third EP The Fame Monster, which featured the single “Alejandro.” The track samples Italian composer Vittorio Monti's "Csárdás,” and finds Gaga questioning if she wants to continue relationships with her various lovers — one named, of course, Alejandro. As she sings on the track, “You know that I love you, boy / Hot, like Mexico, rejoice / At this point, I've gotta choose / Nothing to lose.”

Nas doesn’t shy away from rapping about his success on his 1999 track “Hate Me Now.” Taking a sample from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana,” Nas teams up with Diddy to highlight how people can be jealous of his success, but he’s going to continue doing him. 

In 2013, girl group Little Mix released their sophomore album Salute, which featured the single “Little Me.” With a sample of Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavane,” the group uses the track as a letter to their younger selves with advice for them. As they sing on the hook, “I'd tell her to speak up, tell her to shout out / Talk a bit louder, be a bit prouder / Tell her she's beautiful, wonderful.”

In 1992, Madonna released her fifth album Erotica, which featured the deep cut “In This Life.” Using an interpolation of George Gershwin’s “Prelude No. 2,” Madonna reflects on loving people who are no longer in her life. 

DJ and producer Carnage teamed up with rapper G-Eazy on their 2017 joint EP Step Brothers. On the track “Guala,” they sampled Erik Satie’s “Gnossienne No. 1” to help detail how they’re all about their money. 

In 2000, R&B girl group En Vogue released their fourth studio album Masterpiece Theatre, which included multiple classical music meshed into their R&B and pop sound. On their track “Those Dogs,” they sampled Georges Bizet’s “Habanera” to describe how men tend to have similar tendencies to dogs.