Janelle Monae & Charli XCX (Separately) Cover Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistible”: Hear Both Versions

Carl Williott | March 3, 2014 7:12 am

Janelle Monae and Charli XCX each recorded covers of Robert Palmer‘s hallmark of cheesy ’80s swagger “Simply Irresistible.” While it would’ve been cool if this were just some cosmic coincidence, it was actually for E!’s Live From The Red Carpet Oscar coverage Sunday night (March 2). Still, the results are pretty cool! Monae’s version is faithful to the original, giving the synths a funk-era twist, and adding a bridge with sweeping strings.

Charli, however, turns the song into a hyper bit of electro-pop-punk, with her squiggly and scuzzy version more in line with her “Allergic To Love” release. And despite the faster tempo, somehow Charli’s is longer than Janelle’s.

Hear both interpretations below.

[via Pitchfork]

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