After scoring a Platinum hit with “Rolex” earlier this year, Michigan dance duo Ayo & Teo are back with their new single “Better Off Alone.” The track tells a story of young love gone bad, and features production from Ayo & Teo’s frequent collaborators Backpack and BL$$D. The melody on the verses is borrowed from the classic nursery rhyme “Frère Jacques.”
You can hear this melody on the second verse, where Ayo sings about his lost love:
I’m not gon' complain (what? what?)
You and me was dope, man (dope)
You had me so open (skrrt, skrrt)
Stabbed me in the back
Now my feelings on the floor, man
“Frère Jacques” was first published in 1811 by “Société du Caveau,” a French composer group. Recent research credits it to Jean-Philippe Rameau, but the song’s exact origins aren’t completely known. The internationally known nursery rhyme is about waking up in the morning. “Frère Jacques” was originally written in French before being translated into other languages.
Many artists have sampled or interpolated “Frère Jacques” over the years. Sly and the Family Stone interpolate it on 1967’s “Underdog,” as did Sheila E.’s bassist on 1985’s “A Love Bizarre” featuring Prince. More recently, Trey Songz dropped the Soulja Boy and Gucci Mane-assisted “LOL :)” in 2009, which borrows the same melody. The chorus of Jacob Sartorius‘ recent track “Bingo” is also built around “Frère Jacques”.
The beat to “Better Off Alone” also bears some resemblance to Lil Uzi Vert’s smash hit “XO Tour Llif3,” with a similar synth-heavy intro and drum pattern:
Listen to the songs above and read all the lyrics to Ayo & Teo’s “Better Off Alone” on Genius now.
