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What's the best version of "R.E.M"?

October 29, 2021

Today, Daysia talks about the best demos and alternate versions of popular songs. Meanwhile, Hannah talks about Dancing with the Stars (yes, really) and why JoJo Siwa deserves to win it all. Plus, a word from our Lorde about social media. Have a great weekend!

<3

Daysia and Hannah

This Week's Fixations

Daysia: T-Pain posted a TikTok showing a demo he made of what is now “R.E.M” by Ariana Grande. Many people have heard Beyoncé’s demo of the song, called “Wake Up” and recorded in 2013, but T-Pain revealed that he made one too, called “Dream”, in 2011. Crazy how songs trade hands in the music industry! This video sent me into a hole of song demos and covers performed by different artists. I think it’s really interesting to see what artists pass on and who popularizes a song. Here are my favorite demos (with bolded preferences, would love to hear your thoughts!):

Here are my favorite remixes and covers:

  • Original: “In Da Club” by 50 Cent / Remix: “Sexy Lil Thug” by Beyoncé (Both too iconic to choose!)

  • Original: “About You Now” by Sugababes / Cover by Miranda Cosgrove (I don’t know what Ms. Cosgrove put in this cover but it’s so GOOD)

There are so many more. You can find more on pop culture TikToker Adam the Flop’s page or this thread from r/PopHeads.

Hannah: It’s spooky season! And while recently my favorite part of Halloween is the discount candy starting on November 1st, I recently discovered that my favorite thing this year was JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson’s jazz routine this week on Dancing with the Stars. A creepy routine where JoJo is Pennywise from It set to a chilling version of “Anything Goes” (complete with screams). 

Historically, in terms of dance TV shows that become acronyms I am more SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance) over DWTS. The styles of dance of SYTYCD were more familiar to me (contemporary, modern, hip-hop) and I loved watching the auditions. As a dancer, I thought maybe it would be me up there auditioning. 

But similarly to my approach to Love Island, I might just become obsessed with this season and that’s all because of JoJo Siwa. It was big news when JoJo made history for being the first celebrity to be part of a same-sex duo. 

I feel like a lot of people feel like JoJo has an unfair advantage due to her past experience (she became known when JoJo and her mom were on two seasons of Dance Moms). To these people I say: when is anything on reality television fair? 

I, personally, am rooting for JoJo and Jenna because while she may have a leg up in terms of her dance background, she is also under a lot of pressure and attention since she is making DWTS history. 

If you’re looking for another incredible spooky DWTS routine, my other favorite was Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach’s contemporary routine inspired by Us to the remix of “I Got 5 on It” from the film.

Has Lorde Dropped a New Album?

As we all know, Miss Ella has removed herself from social media which fits into this Solar Power era. Case in point, the line from the titular track: “And I throw my cellular device in the water / Can you reach me? No, you can't.” But the way that you can reach Lorde is through her newsletter (you should really subscribe if you haven’t already!). 

This week Lorde treated subscribed cuties to some deep thoughts about 2021 and how she feels stepping back from social media.

She wrote: 

“Looking out at the country I’m in and feeling estranged from so much of what I see, and knowing it feels as estranged from me. Questioning what I’m doing and why, all the time, on an unprecedented level. Dealing with rough patches in close relationships, and feeling sensitive and emotional and reactive as a result. And missing you! The decision to step back from social media has been something I’ve really questioned through this time. I was so sure skipping the negatives (compulsive time-wasting, IV drip of dread, satisfying but hollow validation loop) would outweigh missing out on the positives (feeling like part of a community, hearing your sweet words, hitting you back).”

Not a celebrity but this is very relatable to me (Hannah) as someone who hasn’t posted on Instagram in nearly a year but also has a screen time that makes me shudder. This weekend I’m doing my best to disconnect and follow Ella’s example… but I also might make my first Instagram post and caption it with that line I mentioned from “Solar Power.” We are always a work in progress!

ICYMI: Megan thee Stallion’s latest mixtape, Something for thee Hotties, is out now.

Too Many Tabs

ABBA spoke to Elisabeth Vincentelli about their decision to reunite for the New York Times.

For Vulture, writer Jamie Loftus examines Mountain View Cemetery, its rent-a-grave for productions, and the role of the funeral scene.

Vice’s Matthew Gault and Emanuel Maiberg investigate Timothée Chalamet’s alleged Xbox controller modding YouTube channel.

Plus… new House of Gucci trailer, Brian Cox dishes about other celebs, Call Me By Your Name in an alternate universe, Jennifer Coolidge x Google??, a Weeknd with Angie, Will and Jada fightin’ for their lives yet again, B.J. Novak stock image, and Zayn and Gigi reportedly break up after allegations he “struck” her mother.