In the minutes after Basim won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, plenty of Eurovision fans rolled their eyes and dismissed him as a bad Bruno Mars cover act. Others moaned that “Cliché Love Song” lived up to its title. Hand on heart: I was one of them. But after listening to this song on loop for the past hour, I can now say that I have seen the light. Denmark is headed for the Top 10.
It’s true the number takes inspiration from Mr Mars. It’s a toe-tapping ditty that mixes reggae, soul and R&B. But it does so with flair and style and without any pop pretence. Basim, who appeared on stage looking like a slightly disheveled cherub, is too adorable to be despised and too normal to cast as a superstar. He’s a Joe Schmo who happens to be able to sing. It’s all rather endearing.
Lyrically the cliché comes off as witty and fresh. He puts a mirror in front of all the gooey sentiment of love songs, has a giggle, but ultimately accepts there is a lot of truth beneath the sugar.
I’m in love. What about you?
Cliché Love Song lyrics — Basim
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
I love you
Yeah
Come on
I met this lady
She was lookin’ so damn fine
But she was crazy
It was all about party time
And lately
I felt like something’s wrong
So flaky
And shaky
When the sun went down
Yeah
Boom, boom, boom when she walked the room
Even girls they whistle
I know it’s hard to get her
She’s a special girl
Oooo
It feels like..
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
I love you
Another cliché baby
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Baby I would do whatever you like
I love you
Another cliché baby
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Another cliché baby
Like Katy Perry (so sexy)
She could kiss a lovely girl
Taste likes cherry
Yes she could rock her world
On cloud seven
I never felt like this before
She took me closer to heaven
Oh my god let’s go
Boom, boom, boom when she walked the room
Even girls they whistle
I know from the pizza guy
That you’re a special girl
It feels like
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
I love you
Another cliché baby
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Baby I’ma do whatever you like
I love you
Another cliché baby
Tell me what I gotta do
Just give me that little clue
Another cliché baby
Oh
Now I’m feeling blue
I gotta break through
To you
You
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Cliché baby
Yeah
It feels like
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
I love you
Another cliché baby
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Baby Ima do whatever you like
Another cliché baby
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
I love you
Another cliché baby
Scooba-dooba-dap-dap-di-di-die
Baby Ima do whatever you like
I love you
Another cliché love song
Related Links
WATCH: Basim to DR: “Now I have to do a Eurovision show!” (DR)
VISIT: Basim’s official Facebook page
Willy Lee Adams contributed this report from London. You can keep up-to-date on the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.
Photo: BT
As long as denmark doesn’t copy tune or lyrics they cannot be sued for theft and it is not copying! If we are gonna go there, trreasure, which every is saying denmark is copying, was highly criticised for being very similar to michael jackson tunes. Its inspiration! given, it is pushing it a bit close but would you expect anything else from a eurovision entry.
Sued that little shit, a thief
Actually, its been tested by science. The Technical University in Denmark analysed the song: http://www.refrain.dk/#Match/c69cf17a-faa0-4736-b3b4-52f73a3fe1d8/
This song is soo gay : /
I am not a contestant so I say what I want ha ha.AZERBAIJAN has better chances.We gonna win ; ) Not some gay European countries.
Well, it’s pretty much “Treasure” 2.0 so yes. People will like it though due to its familiarity. The same goes for Armenia who kind of ripped off the chorus of Imagine Dragons’ hit “Radioactive”. Anywho, go Hungary!
I think that this is a great song that does not sound like a typical eurovision song.
I also find it funny that alot of the countries used a flute or whistle this year, after it has been said that the flute was one of biggest reasons why the danish song won last year.
I agree with you that any song that wins Eurovision should stand out for its originality. Too many fan favorites take blatant inspiration from something else. For this song, though, I just don’t see where anyone could be getting “Treasure” from. The chords are entirely different, the tempo is different, the style of the song is entirely different (disco in Treasure versus just plain pop in this one)… about the only thing the two songs have in common is that the first note in the chorus is G and the melody commonly returns to a G note. Which musically means… Read more »
Yes, Basim is the Danish Bruno Mars, but he sings better than Bruno does. On top of that, this song is really clever. Yet another clever song in Eurovision this year – a few countries are being craftier than usual this time around, and they’re doing it with lyrics. When I was watching it live at the end of the final, I had no idea what was going on, but listening to it the whole way through and knowing the lyrics, I appreciate it a lot more. I think Denmark will probably finish top 10 this year again, this time… Read more »
this song is my guilty pleasure this year. i love the song, but i can’t help but think how unoriginal it is. *spits on ground*
YES, it’s a bad remake of “Bruno Mars – Treasure” – for shame, Denmark!
A rip off? of what song? you can’t just be a rip off of Bruno Mars in general surely
@AlvaRito_Spain: Todas las demás suenan igual a otras canciones conocidas pero de hecho también esta nos suena a Bruno Mars … que te guste la canción no hay problema, pero negar la falta de originalidad aquí no hace sentido. Como las demás, esta no tiene nada de original …
I find this hilarious that when a non-favourite to win for each country actually gets chosen, immediately alleged accusations of a possible rip-off of another known song comes into place … Is this a strategy to show how upset some of us here are with the chosen entry? Come on … you gotta be better than that …. I’d like to see what is gonna happen if the over-the-top dramatic “Mother” from Belgium get picked? Paul Potts comparisons? Oh no .. because since that is the one everybody wants for Belgium it’s okey no one is going to make this… Read more »
Love this song!! My favorite this year. All the songs sounds like another song…
I enjoy it in the midst of listening, but can see it being forgotten about it afterwards, especially if he’s sandwiched between a strong line up.
I just absolutely can’t stand it but I see the appeal, I guess. This is the first time that Denmark is my least favorite since I don’t know when… the 1960s???
I’m in love, too. Ha, ha… I just love this song, it’s my favorite so far.
Russia might snatch that final announcement though, and all the hype that goes with it. There’s still no sign of any announcement, and if they’re smart, they’ll wait until the last moment. The Tomachevsky(sp?) twins are rumoured to be representing them.
the answer is yes but who cares?? It is a catchy good song, a good voice and a good performance, the Bruno Mars formula works but only if you are able to deal with it, Belarus tried to copy Robin Thicke but it didn’t work, So I hope Basim get a good position at the final because he is giving more than a simple rip-off performance, he is owning it
I love it because it has the feel-good factor and that what’s matter the most. Just like Malta 2013. Well, Denmark had a similar feel-good song when they were hosts and ended second on the table. I’m cheering for him. Maybe Denmark will win again, don’t know, but I would not mind. Next year, Herning? 🙂 Anyway: Israel, Greece, Estonia, Norway (if “Silent Storm”), Belgium (if “Mother”), Montenegro. That would be my list of personal favorites. Add there Sweden (definite left-sider of the table), Hungary (well, it’s updated song) & Macedonia and I’ll conclude my Top10. But, I’m seeing UK… Read more »
It’s a good song. It would be great if he had kept the f word instead of ‘another’ but we know the Eurovision rules so, yeah.
I respected him a bit more when I found that he was one of the composers of ‘Vi finder hjem’ my favorite song in DMGP last saturday.
It’s very Bruno Mars. It doesn’t remind me of any particular song he has done but the style is identical to his. I think this song will do very well. The Jury will like it because as music professionals they’ll know this song will sale. The voters will like it since it is catchy and easily remembered.
@Leon: what about Norway and Georgia?
I personaly tought by seeing Basim: “Wow. Bruno Mars. After 101 per cent.” But, then I listened the song. Once. I thought. “Denmark doesn´t want to win twice?” But, after listening to it three times… I liked it. It´s not a winning song, but perhaps a top 10 song! I like it anyway.
Armenia is going to be interesting. Aram Mp3 could bring an amazing song or something really bad. It’s either or. No middle!
I wouldn’t say it’s a rip-off…maybe a knock-off… I’m not too impressed.
I genuinely believe that we still have NOT heard the winning song. IMO either Armenia or Austria will deliver the winning song. As for this song, will probably score 7-14 range
Is not the most original song out there and yes, it does sound a lot like Bruno Mars. It’s also cliché but hey! that’s exactly what the song is about, it’s in the very title! That being said, I like it and I liked it since I heard the preview and became my favourite to win, it’s a cute song that makes me smile, I don’t care if it doesn’t have the most deep lyrics or the most original sound, if it makes me smile and wanna dance, for me is a good song, because that’s what music is about.
The question is whether it ‘rips off’ Bruno Mars. It does not. It builds on it and creates something even better. I LOVE THIS. Plus he is Moroccon, so Azeri and Turkish diaspora will vote for him 🙂
Well it’s pretty obvious that this is inspiried by Bruno Mars (performance, looks, lyrics and melody) but it works. It won’t win, but I do think that this boy will get a good result for Denmark.
@darin: There are a lot of sheep watching Eurovision. This is a strong contender.
“Basim …. is too adorable to be despised.” Oh please it’s generic trash that people will only vote for being they’re sheep
I think Denmark will be dark horse for victory with maybe Hungary for victory. I think fight for victory will be between Norway (it they choce Linnea, Elisabeth, Carl or MO) , Azerbaijan (I expect some ballad like 2012 from swedish composer) and Sweden. Denmark i think 100 % in TOP 10 and great chance to be in TOP 5 , do you remember Estonia 2001 and Israel 1999 .
It’s really cute 🙂