Markus Schulz’s remix of the song “Say My Name” by electronic duo Odesza features the singing of Zyra aka Alex Cheatle. Schulz’s remix immediately improves this chillstep track picking up the tempo with an infectious beat at 128 BPM making it danceable. The driving hi hat, kick drum beat gallops alongside a pulsing bass line that Schulz purposely never quite lines them up together, this creates a musical tension which later becomes released by a beautiful keyboard melody he layers on top of it, a few strategic hooky notes that form a melodic bridge to push the vocal melodies into the stratosphere.
The main singing hook is not even singing but her vocals at a variety of different keys that sounds like she is holding a note at different ranges. Zyra’s vocals are quite melodic, her singing is high and beautiful, chopped up like a beat that sprinkle into your ears like rain pattering on a roof top.
Lyrically the song appears to be talking about a girl waiting for someone to ask her to dance, “I wanna dance with you, so take a chance.” Unfortunately no one is asking her to dance and so she sits alone feeling like she has a scarlet letter on her like an outcast, “Cause nobody knows it better than the girl in the corner with the scarlet letter and while you’re watching you may think that she doesn’t matter but no one knows you better.” We’ve all been there and we can all relate which is what makes this song an instant classic.
“Say My Name (feat. Zyra)” remixed by Markus Schulz is from the full-length album ‘In Return’, out now on Counter Records (an imprint of Ninja Tune).
Available now on Beatport Odesza feat. Zyra – Say My Name (Markus Schulz Remix)
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Lyrics:
I wanna go
So what’d you say
When you gonna let me know
If you give a damn about me
‘Cause you got my hands tied
In my defense
I always fall for confidence
And your compliments look good on me
Cause nobody knows it better
than the girl in the corner with the scarlet letter
And while you’re watching you may think that she doesn’t matter
But no one knows you better
I wanna dance
I wanna dance
I wanna dance with you
So take a chance
take a chance
Oh yeah
I need a sign or a signal
I’ve overthought everything I can think of
Into symbol
I need the coat and your jacket
And the remnants of your cigarette packet
I wanna go
So what’d you say
When you gonna let me know
If you give a damn about me
‘Cause you got my hands tied
In my defense
I always fall for confidence
And your compliments look good on me
Cause nobody knows it better
than the girl in the corner with the scarlet letter
and while you’re watching you think that she doesn’t matter
but no one knows you better
I wanna dance
I wanna dance
I wanna dance with you
So take a chance
take a chance
Oh yeah