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Everyone and their tone deaf dad is a DJ these days. It’s such a bore. A lolcat with amusia could spin better tunes then half the “disc jockeys” out there who are in it to become some sort of celeb. And I mean, why wouldn’t they want to - DJs actually have a pretty sweet deal going for them: they get paid to listen to music and party. As a result, however, it’s increasingly rare to hear a remix that doesn’t entirely butcher the song.

My solution? Providing you with 10 remixes and mash-ups that are even better than the originals. All of these songs are amazing in their own right, but if you bust out these versions the next time you’re making an itunes playlist for a party, you’ll be insta-popular, I promise. In fact, you’ll probably be putting party DJs out of work. The only thing they’ll be scratching is their backs.

1. Kanye West - Get ‘Em High (Ratatat Remix) [listen]

Yo, Kanye, I’m really happy for you, I’ll let you finish your version, but Ratatat has one of the best remixes of all time.

2. N.A.S.A. - Gifted ft. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li (Steve Aoki Remix) [listen]

As if this song could possibly get any better, Kid Millionaire had to go and blow my mind. Aoki is a bit of a God Among Men in the DJ-ing world and this is evidence.

3. Rye Rye - Wassup Wassup (Crookers Remix) [listen]

Someone grab my dancing shoes right now. I love Rye Rye and all, but this version is significantly better than the original “Wassup Wassup”.

4. Don Diablo VS. Phoenix VS. Jay-Z - 99 Fences [listen]

99 Problems is likely to be the most remixed song in history, but when combined with Phoenix, this remix actually leaves a lasting impression. It’s just as good as Jaydiohead except more dance-able.

5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion (Diplo Remix) [listen]

Karen O got a trip-hop makeover, and I liked it. Before, this was just an slow indie jam but now it’s fit for the dance floor.

6. MSTRKRFT - Bounce (The Bloody Beetroots Remix) [listen]

Whoever said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? obviously has not heard this remix. All the Bloody Beetroots do is party, ha, ha, ha, ha. (Sorry - I had to.)

7. M.I.A. VS. Super Mario Brothers - Super Galang Galang

In one of my music courses, M.I.A. vs the Super Mario Brothers theme was the sample song in the lecture notes about the definition of a mash up. If it’s good enough to be a “textbook” example, it’s good enough for me!

8. Fox ‘N Wolf - Youth Alcoholic (Etienne de Créxy Remix) [listen]

I’m pretty sure this remix is more widely known than the original, but that is because it is quite simply a masterpiece.

9. Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Treasure Fingers Remix) [listen]

Empire of the Sun are already pretty electro-synth-pop and this remix flows so well that if you didn’t know any better you could easily think this was an original song. And in this case, that’s a good thing.

10. R. Kelly VS. Broken Social Scene - I’m A Flirt 7/4 Shoreline [listen]

Okay, forget for a second about that whole child pornography debacle and just appreciate how good this is.

Honorable Mentions: Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (The Twelves Remix), Justin Timberlake - LoveStoned (Justice Remix), Friendly Fires - Paris (Aeroplane Remix), Boys Noize - Oh! (A-Trak Remix).

Tags: correspondents, good tunes, music, remixes

Posted on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 4:08 pm by Arianne - Correspondent and is filed under Music & Videos.

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