Prepare to be surprised! Join us as we reveal the hidden songwriting genius of Charli XCX behind some of your favorite hits!
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00:00♪ I love it, I don't care ♪
00:03Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:05And today we're counting down our picks
00:07for the songs you didn't know were brat
00:09long before Charli XCX even made that a thing.
00:13♪ I love it when you call me senorita ♪
00:18Number 20, Out Out.
00:21Joel Corey and Jax Jones
00:23featuring Charli XCX and Saweetie.
00:26Charli XCX was part of an amazing group of artists
00:29who brought us this banging dance anthem in 2021.
00:33♪ So tell me when you're out out for the night ♪
00:36♪ We can get it started, let's go, oh ♪
00:41With such a strong team in front of and behind the track,
00:45each artist adds their unique sound,
00:48creating an unforgettable addition to our party playlists.
00:51♪ If we're going out out for the night ♪
00:54The song saw success worldwide,
00:56charting in multiple countries
00:58hitting number one on the UK dance charts. It also appeared on several year-end charts across
01:04Europe and the US, while earning certifications globally, including double platinum in Canada.
01:10It's the kind of track that has us pumped up to go out out and dance the night away.
01:22Number 19. You For Me. Sagala and Rita Ora.
01:26Brad Summer wasn't the first time this singer dominated the airwaves over the sunny season.
01:36Charlotte Emma Aitchison, better known to us as Charli XCX, is one of several collaborators
01:42behind this earworm that easily found its place in our soundtrack for the summer of 2021.
01:47It's such a joyous, uplifting bop, which, let's be honest, we all needed around that time.
01:56The dance pop track was Sagala's 10th to enter the top 10 in his and Ora's native UK,
02:06and was one of his most successful tracks to break into US pop radio too. It's one
02:12of those songs that can instantly lift your mood and get you on your feet.
02:16Number 18. Hard To Love. Gwen Stefani. If you're thinking, wait, I haven't heard this song before,
02:30you're not alone. Unlike most of our list, this track was never officially released.
02:40Unless, of course, you were one of the fans who caught it during its summer 2017
02:44leak. Charli XCX was among the songwriters who worked on this piece for Gwen Stefani's
02:49third album, This Is What The Truth Feels Like. Interestingly, Stefani and Charli never actually
03:02met while creating the song. Both collaborated separately with Benny Blanco. Even so, Stefani
03:08praised Charli's songwriting, saying, quote, Out of all the writers out there,
03:13I really like her style the most. That's some high praise from a pop icon.
03:26Number 17. Gravity. Blondie. In 2017, rock band Blondie released their 11th studio album,
03:34Pollinator. The name reportedly came from their decision to collaborate with other artists,
03:44which was relatively unusual for them. Charli XCX was among those artists,
03:49contributing as a songwriter on two tunes, the bonus track Tonight and the synth rock song Gravity.
03:56Blondie's lead singer, Debbie Harry, spoke highly of Charli, calling her, quote,
04:07an extraordinary talent, operating from a position of strength and determination in her songs. We
04:13reckon that if Charli had been around when Blondie first formed, they would have gotten along like a
04:18house on fire, and they would have racked up all the hits to prove it. Number 16. One Night.
04:30Muramasa featuring Charli XCX. The singer-songwriter pulled double duty on this track,
04:35both as a featured artist and songwriter.
04:39Muramasa shared that he was keen to pitch her on something poppier than his usual sound,
04:50which also fell outside of her usual style. Indeed, this pop song, which we are not ashamed
04:55to say we played on repeat in 2017, features a blend of genres from pop to calypso to trap.
05:09The record producer clearly saw the versatility in her voice and helped bring her underrated
05:14talents to the forefront. Together, we saw two musical geniuses whose success was likely to
05:20last them far longer than just one night. Number 15. 911 Remix. Lady Gaga featuring Charli XCX
05:35and AG Cook. Lady Gaga has always shaken up her style and sound, and Chromatica is a prime
05:42example. Critics hailed 911 as one of the album's standout tracks, but Gaga wasn't done with it yet.
05:48She released several remixed versions of the song, including this one featuring Charli XCX.
05:54After some crossed wires between their teams caused delays, the collaboration
06:06finally happened. Charli co-wrote new lyrics and added her vocals,
06:10bringing a fresh twist to the track.
06:12What made her contribution stand out was how deeply she connected with Gaga's vision,
06:24amplifying the album's message while adding her own flair.
06:28The remix hit number 14 on the Billboard Hot Dance Slash Electronic Songs chart.
06:33Number 14. Bang Bang. DJ Fresh and Diplo featuring R-City, Selah Sue, and Craig David.
06:46Known for its infectious and high-energy beat, this song deserved to be a dance floor staple.
06:52Honestly, it feels way too underappreciated. It didn't make waves on many charts outside of
07:05Belgium, where it peaked at number 35 on the Ultra Pop 50 and was certified gold.
07:11The track features a ton of talented artists, including, of course, Charli XCX.
07:16Seriously, world, why did we ever sleep on this bop?
07:22The collaboration had all the right ingredients to push it into the mainstream,
07:30with its perfect blend of genres and broad appeal.
07:34It's the kind of track that should have reached a wider audience and been a much bigger hit.
07:38Number 13. Fancy. Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX.
07:57Charli XCX was one of a handful of people responsible for penning this catchy hip-hop
08:01track back in 2014. The song's incredible success helped transform both her and Iggy Azalea
08:08into mainstream artists. And by incredible, we mean it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and
08:17was even nominated for a couple of Grammys. It didn't take long for another Iggy-Charli
08:22co-write to hit the charts either. Beg For It, which features Danish singer Mø,
08:32may not have equaled the success of Fancy, but still managed to peak at number 27 on the US
08:37music charts. Number 12. Drum. Mø. Drum is a brilliant mixture of electro-pop and tropical
08:48house music. When listening to it, two things become abundantly clear. The rhythm is totally
08:58unique and the lyrics are simplistic yet dreamy. To craft Drum's unique sound, Mø enlisted the
09:04help of British singer-songwriter Charli XCX. The two worked on the song back in 2016 and saw
09:13it enjoy chart success in Denmark, New Zealand and Scotland. Hopefully we hear more from this
09:19duo in the future. Number 11. Boys & Girls. Will.i.am featuring Pia Mia. If you don't get
09:33hyped up while listening to this track, there might be something wrong with your senses.
09:37Boys & Girls is nothing but fun from start to finish.
09:43Charli XCX helped the former Black Eyed Peas frontman pen the track, and despite achieving
09:48considerable success in a number of European countries, the song somehow did not find an
09:53audience in North America, failing to crack music charts in the US or Canada.
10:05Not that it really matters. One listen will have you playing Boys & Girls on repeat for days.
10:10Number 10. Octah8. Wren Weaver. Featuring the unique vocal stylings of California native
10:25Wren Weaver, Octah8 served as the singer's debut single and was included in both her
10:29debut EP Promises and her debut LP The Fool. It received rave reviews upon release,
10:39and made it all the way up to number 3 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart.
10:51But you probably knew all that. What you may not have known is that Weaver and Charli XCX
10:56co-wrote the song's lyrics. You just never know where Charli will pop up.
11:00Number 9. Just Desserts. Marina and the Diamonds. Featuring Charli XCX.
11:15Anyone who's acquainted with these two badass pop babes will know just how close they are.
11:20Charli XCX joined Marina and the Diamonds for a portion of the North American leg
11:24of her 2013 The Lonely Hearts Club tour, shortly after their collaboration on Just Desserts.
11:30Marina calls the song a quote,
11:37sweet romantic duet. And we couldn't agree more.
11:44Charli not only features on the track, but also helped write the lyrics. Honestly,
11:48we would love nothing more than to see these two collaborate on a full length album together.
12:00Number 8. Dirty Sexy Money. David Guetta and Afrojack. Featuring Charli XCX and French Montana.
12:13Not content with simply being listed as one of the song's six songwriters,
12:18Charli XCX also lent her signature voice to Dirty Sexy Money.
12:21The track more than lives up to the hype bestowed upon it by one Billboard critic,
12:26who described it as quote, naughty pop music with a punch. And a quote, freaky bedroom anthem.
12:35The song charted all across the world and Guetta, Charli XCX and French Montana
12:40later performed it at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards.
12:49Once you hear it, this song is hard to get out of your head.
12:53Number 7. When I Find Love Again. James Blunt.
13:05With an infectious rhythm and some seriously hopeful lyrics, it's easy to see why this
13:09James Blunt track connected with people when it was released in 2014.
13:17When I Find Love Again served as the lead single off of the British singer-songwriter's fourth
13:22album, and he enlisted the help of fellow Brit Charli XCX to make it happen.
13:33Admittedly, the two seem unlikely to cross paths, but When I Find Love Again will sweep
13:38all of your preconceived notions about both artists under the rug in record time.
13:42I've made mistakes, next time I swear I'll change.
13:49If James Blunt is singing, we're already listening. Charli XCX is just a bonus.
14:00Number 6. Oh My God. Camila Cabello featuring Quavo.
14:04Baby, what you say?
14:07Known primarily for her work in pop and R&B, Camila Cabello turned heads when she dropped
14:12this track in the summer of 2017.
14:20Oh My God features some truly beautiful, not to mention dreamy lyrics from Cabello.
14:25That one layered atop the song's subtle trap beat creates a sound that is both wholly unique
14:29and totally catchy.
14:31She's so fine, I call my best man. Ain't no rings on her left hand.
14:37The collaboration between Cabello and Charli XCX proved to be a fruitful one for both artists,
14:42with one critic claiming, quote,
14:44The British singer's bold energy can definitely be heard in Camila's commanding delivery.
14:49It's hard to disagree with that assessment.
14:51Oh my God, you look good today. You look good today, yeah. Oh my God.
14:59And this wouldn't be their only collaboration either.
15:02Number 5. Girls Like Us, Twice.
15:05Twice's seventh EP, Fancy You, was an exciting step forward for the group.
15:11It introduced a fresh sound, blending electro, pop dance, and hip-hop influences.
15:16Members Momo, Jihyo, Sana, and Chaeyoung got more involved in the songwriting,
15:22adding a personal, vibrant touch.
15:30They also brought in outside talent like Charli XCX,
15:36who helped with the musical arrangement for Girls Like Us.
15:47One critic even noted the, quote,
15:49stylistic quantum leap with its, quote,
15:52heavier, darker undercurrents.
15:54The album was a huge hit, charting worldwide,
15:57going double platinum in South Korea,
15:59and breaking the record at the time for the highest first week sales by a Korean girl group.
16:04Talk about creating a moment.
16:15Number 4. Hurts Like Hell, Madison Beer featuring Offset.
16:20With its gritty pop sound and trap beat,
16:23it's easy to see why Madison Beer wanted this track in her discography.
16:30She said it felt like a shift from her usual rhythms,
16:38and described her collaboration with her co-writer as, quote,
16:41inspiring.
16:42The melody hits hard and really sticks with you in the best way.
16:46Beer's rich, deep vocals bring out all the emotion,
16:49especially with the synth effect adding a cool edge.
16:59Lyrically, she's calling out a cheating ex while flexing her success.
17:03Offset's verse adds the perfect finishing touch to this already banging track.
17:08This was definitely one of those songs you just knew would blow up.
17:21Number 3. I Love It, Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX.
17:25I got this feeling on a summer day when you were gone.
17:28Undoubtedly one of Charli XCX's most recognizable tracks.
17:32There are probably a lot of people out there who don't know that in addition to providing
17:36guest vocals, she also had a hand in crafting I Love It's lyrics.
17:41The song was described as both, quote, inescapably catchy and a, quote,
17:45feminist pop anthem, which is some pretty high praise in our books.
17:48I Love It topped music charts around the world and went on to sell millions of copies en route
18:00to quadruple platinum certifications in Australia, Canada and the United States.
18:09Number 2. Señorita, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello.
18:13Señorita started with a riff that came to producer Andrew Watt while collaborating
18:18with Charli XCX on her album. He then brought it to the rest of the team,
18:30which included Charli, who added melodies that helped shape the song into what we know today.
18:36Charli didn't think the Latin vibe was right for her, but the team had another idea,
18:41Shawn Mendes. When pitched as a duet, Mendes responded, quote,
18:45The final result is a smooth, sizzling track that blends pop with Latin influences.
19:02The song went multi-platinum, topped the global charts, and won several awards,
19:07including Song of 2019 at the E! People's Choice Awards.
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19:36Number 1. Same Old Love, Selena Gomez.
19:39Same Old Love served as the second single off Selena Gomez's wildly successful sophomore album,
19:47Revival. And yes, Charli XCX had a hand in writing it. She even provided background vocals.
19:58Gomez, who is a self-professed fan of Charli XCX's work,
20:02claims to have felt a personal connection with the lyrics to Same Old Love the moment she read them.
20:09Gomez infused all of that emotion into her fierce vocal performance,
20:15which garnered high praise from critics.
20:19Now, if these two could just find a way to collaborate again, that would be great. Thanks.
20:25Did you guess any of these songs had Charli XCX's magic songwriting touch?
20:40Let us know in the comments.
20:48Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo,
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