Darling Nikki - Cover Versions and Sampling

Cover Versions and Sampling

• In 1995, Whale released a cover on their "Pay for Me" single.
• In 1996, the band Chum released a cover version on their Century Media release Dead To The World.
• In 1998, as part of the compilation Do Me Baby: Austin Does Prince, the Asylum Street Spankers released an acoustic version of this song.
• Chicago punk-band Apocalypse Hoboken recorded a cover of the song, which appeared on their 2000 album Microstars.
• In 2003, the alternative rock band Foo Fighters recorded a cover of the song, which they included as a B-side on their single "Have It All". Though their version of "Darling Nikki" was never officially released as a single, it found success at American modern rock radio, peaking at number 15 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. This version was performed on the MTV Video Music Awards with Cee Lo Green guesting on vocals. This version was later released on the vinyl-only compilation album Medium Rare.
• Tech N9ne's song "Freaky", on his 2005 album Vintage Tech, interpolates "Darling Nikki".
• Model/actress Rebecca Romijn recorded a cover of "Darling Nikki" for the 2006 compilation album, Electro Goth Tribute to Prince.
• A cover by electro music group Chairlift was included on the 2009 tribute compilation Purplish Rain. A free download of the song was offered by Spin magazine.
• In the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode "Did the Earth Move for You?", Will Smith does his own version of the song with his lyrics saying "I'm stuck in a basement, sittin' on a tricycle, girl gettin' on my nerves/Goin' outta my mind, I thought she was fine, don't know if her body is hers."
• West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur used a sample of "Darling Nikki" for the song "Heartz of Men" on his 1996 album All Eyez on Me.
• The song "Blow Ya Mind", appearing on the album Pink Friday by Queens-based rapper Nicki Minaj, contains an interpolation of "Darling Nikki".
• Hard Rock band Talisman recorded a version for their 1998 album Truth.
• Rihanna covered the song on her 2011 Loud Tour.
• Actress and comedian Maya Rudolph performed a cover of the song with friend Gretchen Lieberum and musical group The Roots on the September 19, 2012 episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in honor of Fallon's 38th birthday.