Smalltown Boy - Borrowed Riff

Borrowed Riff

The memorable riff from "Smalltown Boy" can be heard in a number of other songs, with the inclusion of:

• In 1993, the Real McCoy included the riff in their song "Automatic Lover (Call for Love)".
• In 1995, German DJ and producer Marc Trauner (under his Wonderboy alias) sampled the tune in "Wave Of Rave".
• In 1997, Eurodance artist Koko included the riff as a key element in the Movers and Shakers remix of the song "Open Your Eyes."
• In 2009, The Presets remixed Cagedbaby's "Hello There". The remix included the riff from "Smalltown Boy".
• The German TV show Disco Deluxe remixed Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" with the riff of "Smalltown Boy" so it was playing while Destiny's Child was singing.
• A very similar riff to Bronski Beat's "Smalltown Boy" can be heard in the Groove Armada track "History", with lead vocals from Will Young.
• In 2005, Swedish synthpop artist September used the riff in her song Cry for You.
• In 2006, Axwell and Steve Angello, under the Supermode alias, remixed the song, producing "Tell Me Why".
• In 2007, Daft Punk included the riff in the track "Too Long/Steam Machine", which appeared on their Alive 2007 live album.
• In 2009, Editors included the riff in the album track "The Boxer" from their album In This Light and On This Evening.
• In 2012, producer Harry Fraud sampled "Smalltown Boy" for the song "WOH" on rapper Currensy mixtape Cigarette Boats.