Bebe Rexha Is ‘Shocked But Grateful’ For ‘I’m Good (Blue)’ Global Success, Hints At Mystery Album

In a year full of unexpected hit songs (Kate Bush, anyone? ), David Guetta and Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue)” stands out as one of the most unpredictable.

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

That great, fun record is now climbing the Billboard Hot 100, climbing 18-16 this week, holding at No. 2 on both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, and spending a fourth week atop Hot Dance/Electronic Songs. Rexha is awestruck by the song’s global success and is attempting to decipher the secret to its success.

“I never imagined it would be so big in a million years,” she says. “I guess people want to feel that 2000s nostalgia, especially after three years of being cooped up in their houses due to a pandemic.” It evokes a sense of nostalgia while also making you feel warm. I’ll put my hands up and say I get it, but I’m also confused and shocked, as well as grateful.”

“I’m not going to lie: ‘I’m Good’ has thrown a wrench in the whole plan,” she says on the Pop Shop Podcast. “I’m trying to give ‘I’m Good’ its due. But one thing I really like about my project is that it incorporates dance elements. It contains both rock and dance elements. It’s inspired by one of my all-time favourite female artists.”

Let the games of guessing begin!

Here are some more details about the album: “I spent a lot of time researching this era and what this artist was saying and how she said it.” And then how she said it with her band and alone, and I really want to make sure it’s a genuine artist project. I believe it was a result of natural evolution. I enjoy both rock and dance music. I was thinking, ‘How can I evolve naturally?’ because I’m no longer a child. I’m a mature woman, so this felt like a natural progression for me.”

Rexha will perform at the Jingle Ball Los Angeles stage on December 2 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Also on the show, Doja Cat gets her sixth top 10 hit on the Hot 100 with “Vegas,” while Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit” reigns supreme for the third week in a row. Meanwhile, Glass Animals’ former No. 1 “Heat Waves” reaches another milestone in its illustrious chart career, becoming the song with the most weeks ever on the Hot 100, having spent 91 weeks on the chart. On the Billboard 200 albums chart, Stray Kids achieve their second No. 1 album (their second this year! ), while new albums from Quavo & Takeoff, G. Herbo, and Charlie Puth all debut in the top 10.

Katie and Keith also discuss the Grammy controversies that arose after preliminary ballots were distributed to voters last week. From Nicki Minaj and Silk Sonic to The Weeknd and Drake, these were the most popular votes.

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