Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo

Every New Zealand #1 single…

Historically, the top of the US charts has been rarefied air for NZ artists. Crowded House reached #2 with ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ in 1987, while OMC’s ‘How Bizarre’ might have topped the Billboard chart in 1996 if it had been released as a single. The record company opted not to release it individually, so consumers would buy the full album.

But in the 21st century, it’s been more commonplace. Lorde topped the charts with ‘Royals’, while Kimbra guested on Gotye’s ‘Someone I Used To Know’. Producer Te Whiti Warbrick (aka SickDrumz) co-wrote Rihanna’s ‘Needed Me’.

Jawsh 685 wasn’t expecting a number-one hit when he created ‘Laxed – Siren Beat’ after school. Siren beats originated from Pasifika communities in Auckland. Young people blast music from loudspeakers on their cars or bicycles. In four hours, Josh Nanai created the original track for a siren jam and released it on YouTube.

A dance for the track went viral on TikTok. It was noticed by American singer Jason Derulo, who sang over the top of it, creating ‘Savage Love’. ‘Savage Love’ topped the charts in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. A remix featuring South Korean boyband BTS later topped the US charts.

The video charmingly shows the colliding worlds, with glamorous shots of Derulo sharing screentime with a New Zealand siren battle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvcv8trEuao

I find the backstory more interesting than the song itself. The chorus is a nagging earworm that sticks in your head but gets grating after multiple plays.

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• NZ #1 hits