DIMITRI VEGAS & LIKE MIKE – ‘THANK YOU (NOT SO BAD)’

BY JANIN AYALA FELIX | DECEMBER 1, 2023 | ELECTRONIC | TRACKS

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Tiësto, W&W, and Dido’s collaborative track “Thank You (Not So Bad)” is an audacious reimagining of a classic that fuses nostalgia with a thumping festival-ready sound. Released on December 1, 2023, the song takes Dido’s serene and heartfelt 2000 hit Thank You and gives it an electronic music overhaul, transforming the mellow ballad into a high-octane dance anthem that maintains the original’s introspective soul while injecting it with the adrenaline of today’s EDM scene.

From the start, there’s an undeniable sense of familiarity. The song opens with Dido’s unmistakable vocals singing the now-iconic first verse of Thank You: “My tea’s gone cold, I’m wondering why I got out of bed at all.” It’s a line that, for many, evokes early-2000s nostalgia, thanks to its prominent feature in Eminem’s Stan and, of course, Dido’s own massive single. But just as the listener settles into the comfort of Dido’s ethereal delivery, the track flips into full gear, with pounding beats and soaring synths crashing in like a wave.

The production team of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Tiësto, and W&W pull no punches here. They’ve taken the vulnerability of Dido’s original and juxtaposed it with the intense euphoria of festival anthems, turning this track into something that feels both heartfelt and stadium-shaking. The beat drops are designed for massive crowds, with basslines that rumble and synths that rise and fall with a hypnotic pulse. Yet, amid all the electronic flourishes, Dido’s voice remains the emotional core of the song, her vocals cutting through the chaos like a beacon of calm amid a sonic storm.

What’s particularly impressive is how well Dido’s melancholic, reflective lyrics translate into this new context. Her voice has always carried a weight of vulnerability, and even when paired with high-energy EDM beats, that vulnerability is never lost. Instead, it adds a layer of emotional depth that’s rare in club tracks. The contrast between the song’s contemplative lyrics and its frenetic production is striking, giving the track a duality that makes it both introspective and exhilarating at once.

Dido’s decision to re-record her vocals for this version adds an extra touch of authenticity, a nod to the song’s enduring impact over the years. While remixes and EDM reworks of classic songs often run the risk of feeling gimmicky, Thank You (Not So Bad) manages to avoid this trap. There’s a clear reverence for the source material, and Dido’s involvement lends the track a legitimacy that elevates it beyond a mere club banger.

But make no mistake, this is still very much a festival anthem. The production choices from Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Tiësto, and W&W are designed to hit hard in massive venues. The drops are perfectly timed, the build-ups are tense, and the energy is relentless. It’s easy to imagine this song blasting through speakers at Tomorrowland or Ultra, with thousands of fans throwing their hands in the air as the beat crashes down. The remix has all the hallmarks of a mainstage anthem, but with Dido’s haunting vocals adding a depth that gives it staying power.

For fans of Dido’s original, Thank You (Not So Bad) may initially feel like a jarring shift, but it’s a testament to the song’s strength that it works so well in this new context. The remix breathes new life into a beloved track while respecting its emotional core, and in doing so, bridges the gap between two very different musical worlds—early-2000s pop and modern-day EDM.

In a landscape where remixes often feel disposable, Thank You (Not So Bad) stands out as a bold and thoughtful reworking of a classic. It’s a track that celebrates nostalgia while firmly planting itself in the present, offering both longtime fans and newcomers a reason to hit the dance floor—or just sit back and appreciate the song’s unique emotional resonance. For anyone who ever found solace in Dido’s Thank You, this remix offers a fresh way to experience that comfort, this time with a beat that demands you move.

NEWEST TRACKS