Bebe Rexha ‘Shocked But Grateful’ for Global Success of ‘I’m Good (Blue),’ Hints at Mystery Album

There are so many out-of-left field hits this year (Kate Bush anyone? David Guetta , and Bebe Rexha ”s “I’m Good(Blue)” stand out as the most unpredictable.

Guetta and Rexha’s throwback dance-floor filler interpolates Eiffel 65’s 1999 novelty hit “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” (itself an unexpected success story), and as Rexha tells Katie & Keith on the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast (listen to the new episode below), the collab was actually made years ago and then unearthed by savvy fans.

Rexha recalls that David had performed it at a festival after having cut it. Then somebody took a YouTube clip of it and posted it,” Rexha said. “Then someone found it and made a remix, and posted it on TikTok. It was then posted by TikTok by a big gamer, and it went viral.

She adds, “It’s crazy because you just never know the people want.” “Everybody was going crazy, saying, “We want this song!” Why can’t it be found?’ I was contacting David [saying], “David, people really want the record!” It’s time to just make it public! Let’s give people what they want. Let’s not make assumptions about it and just release it. It’s a great, entertaining record .”

Now that great, fun record is on quite the ride up our charts, climbing 18-16 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100, holding at No. 2 on both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S ., spending a fourth week at the top of Hot Dance/Electronic Songs . charts. Rexha is astonished at the song’s worldwide success and trying to figure out the secret to its popularity.

She says, “Never in a million years did I think it would be so large.” “I guess people want to feel that 2000s nostalgia, especially after the three years of a pandemic and being cooped in their houses. It brings back that nostalgic feeling and makes you feel warm. I will admit that I understand this one, but I am also confused and shocked .”

.

Although Rexha just released her sophomore album Better Mistakes last year, she hinted to fans on Twitter last week that her next project might be out sooner than they think – but she wants to give her hit with Guetta a little space before putting out the “very focused” new project.

She tells Pop Shop Podcast that “I’m not going to lie: ‘Im Good’ has thrown some wrench into the whole thing.” “I’m trying not to let ‘I-m Good’ get its moment. My project does include dance elements. That’s the best thing about it. It includes both rock and dance elements. It was inspired by one my favorite female artists. “

Let the guessing begin!

Here are some more details about the album: “I spent a lot time studying this period and what this artist was expressing and how she said it. Then how she said it when she was alone and with her band. I want to make sure it’s an artist project. It was a natural progression. I love rock music and dance music. I was like, “How can I naturally evolve?” because I’m no longer a child. This felt like a great natural growth for me .”

Next up: Rexha will hit the Jingle Ball Los Angeles stage on Dec. 2 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Doja Cat gets her sixth top 10 hit on the Hot 100 with “Vegas” while Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit” holds atop the list for a third straight week. Glass Animals’ former No. 1 “Heat Waves” marks another milestone in its storied chart career, becoming the song with the most week ever on the Hot 100 — collecting its 91st week on the chart. And, on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Stray Kids notch their second No. 1 album (and the second of this year! ), while new albums from Quavo & Takeoff, G. Herbo and Charlie Puth all debut in the top 10.

Keith and Katie also talk about the Grammy controversies that erupted after preliminary ballots were sent out to voters last week. These were the most talked about headlines from the ballots, ranging from Silk Sonic and Nicki Minaj to Drake and The Weeknd.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can count on lively discussions about the latest pop news, charts stats, stories, and new music. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard‘s senior director of charts Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com. )