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In celebration of her latest album, Loveland, indie rock artist Suki Waterhouse recently opened up to Teen Vogue about the songs that have deeply influenced her throughout her life. With her signature shag haircut and vintage-inspired style, one might expect her musical inspirations to lean toward classic anthems like Leslie Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me.” However, Waterhouse surprised many by citing early 2000s party hits from Sisqó and Lil Jon among her favorites.
Reflecting on her school dance experiences in England, Waterhouse reminisced about tracks like Sisqó’s “Thong Song,” Chingy’s “Right Thurr,” Lil Jon’s “Get Low,” and Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me.” She noted that “Get Low” in particular helped her “come out of [her] shell” during those formative years.
When asked about her ultimate “main character” anthem, Waterhouse didn’t hesitate to choose Leslie Gore’s feminist classic “You Don’t Own Me,” highlighting its empowering message. She also pointed to No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” as a pivotal influence, mentioning that Gwen Stefani’s style even inspired her own songwriting. Her track “Notting Hill” includes a nod to the famous film line: “I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her.”
For moments of heartbreak, Waterhouse singled out a live performance of “I Want You” by Fiona Apple and Elvis Costello, describing it as “the most heart-wrenching performance” she has ever seen. She also praised songs like Gabrielle’s “Dreams” and Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You,” alongside artists such as Sharon Van Etten, Cat Power, Lucinda Williams, and Ani DiFranco for shaping her musical sensibilities.
And when it comes to an entrance song fit for a boxing match, Waterhouse joked that she’d choose Missy Elliott’s “I’m Really, Really Hot,” imagining it would definitely intimidate her opponent.
With Loveland now released and a tour on the horizon, fans of Waterhouse-and No Doubt alike-can look forward to seeing how these diverse musical influences might come to life on stage.