The Most Sampled Song of All Time

What is the most sampled song in history? According to WhoSampled.com, the most sampled piece of recorded music is a 60s track called “Amen, Brother” by The Winstons. Let’s look at the history of this song and some of the most popular examples of songs that include what has come to be known as the “Amen break” sample.

This post follows up our samples series, looking at the practice of sampling in music.

The Amen Break

The Amen Break is a 6-second drum solo from the song Amen, Brother by The Winstons, a B-side track released in 1969. Played by drummer Gregory Coleman, this short break has become one of the most sampled pieces of recorded music in history. Have a listen:

In the early 1980s, the Amen Break gained popularity as hip-hop producers began using it in their tracks. Its distinct rhythm and raw energy were ideal for looping. By the 1990s, the break had become a foundational element in electronic music genres like drum and bass and jungle, as well as influencing breakbeat and other forms of dance music.

Despite its immense influence, the creators of the original recording, including Coleman, received no royalties from its widespread use, as the track was sampled long before current copyright practices on sampling were in place. It wasn’t until 2015 that The Winstons’ Richard Spencer received a cheque for £24,000 thanks to crowdfunding by fans.

List of Songs That Sample Amen, Brother

At the time of writing, Amen, Brother has been sampled 6,548 times. Below, you’ll find a list of some of the most popular instances of this sample in recorded music:

• N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton
• The Prodigy – Firestarter
• Futurama (Christopher Tyng) – Futurama Theme Song
• Salt-N-Pepa – I Desire
• Oasis – D’you Know What I Mean?
• Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – Keep It Going Now
• Roni Size & Reprazent – Brown Paper Bag
• Lady Gaga and Elton John – Sine From Above
• Caroline Polachek – Pretty in Possible
• Linkin Park – Massive
• Whigfield – Saturday Night
• Tinie Tempah feat. Labrinth – Frisky
• The Prodigy – Evil Minds
• Rudimental feat. Alex Clare – Give You Up
• Baz Luhrmann – Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
• DJ Fresh feat. Ella Eyre – Gravity
• Dizzee Rascal – Ghost
• Norman Cook – Prince of the Beats
• Disclosure – Higher Than Ever Before
• Deee-Lite – Come on In, the Dreams Are Fine
• Galantis feat. Charli XCX – We Are Born to Play
• Tyler, the Creator – Pigs
• Slipknot – Pulse of the Maggots
• Homemade Weapons – Patrol
• Homemade Weapons – Networth
• Snow – Informer
• Mantronix – King of the Beats
• JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown – Jack Harlow Combo Meal
• The Collective (Drum and Bass) – Ease Yourself
• Denzel Curry feat. slowthai – Zatoichi
• Joey Valence & Brae – Hooligang
• UK Apachi and Shy FX – Original Nuttah
• Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos – Streets on Fire
• Toby “Radiation” Fox – Your Best Nightmare
• Skrillex – I Know Who You Are
• Hideki Naganuma – Bomber Barbara
• Mole the Dipper – Ecstatic House
• Joost, Ski Aggu, and Otto Waalkes – Friesenjung
• C418 – If You Don’t Know What to Do Just Steal the Amen Break
• 100 gecs – Gec 2 Ü
• Galantis – No Money
• Sewerslvt – Cyberia Lyr1
• Porter Robinson – Cheerleader
• Savage Garden – I Want You

Spotify Playlist

Here’s a playlist courtesy of Spotify user gbcubiowdffo71t4f2il4nxro:

This site is dedicated to playlist themes! Have we missed a song that should be included in this playlist? Comment below to share it!