"Take Me Home"- Cash Cash feat. Bebe Rexha - Pop Song Review

Hot 100 rank: 57

Pop Radioplay: 14

Dance/Mixshow Radioplay: 6

Ever heard one of those songs that you were surprised that got popular? Cash Cash’s “Take Me Home” is one of those songs to me.  When I first heard this song I didn’t think it would ever become a moderate pop hit let alone get radio play during the spring. Let’s examine Cash Cash recent past to see how they got a radio hit on their hands.

The group was originally founded in 2002 in Roseland, New Jersey which is not too far away from New York City. The group was originally name "The Consequence” but do to legal issues associated with a previous name they change their name to Cash Cash. They name themselves Cash Cash due to the fact that “everyone is after their cash, but we don’t have any yet.” I guess Cent Cent was already taken or Gold Gold Chain.

Cash Cash was originally a rock group, but in 2008 they departed with drummer, Anthony Villacari, on creative differences. They change their sound to electronic dance music and released an EP called Love or Lust which contain the song, “I Like It Loud.”  They released a remix to Krewella’s “Alive” to major success. They successful gained a foot hole in the dance music community.

Cash Cash released remixes of such songs such as: “Vegas Girl, Safe & Sound, All Night, and Treasure.” They produced original dance songs and combined with the remixes the group top the dance music charts.  My personal favorite remix they did is  of “Treasure” by Bruno Mars.

They produce songs in video games too including the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.   One of the games, Sonic Generations, includes a good remix of "Super Sonic Racing.”

Cash Cash Overtime EP- Cover

They made an EP called “Overtime” which features the single “Take Me Home.” It is a good listen if you’re into electronic music and even if you’re not it gives a nice introduction to the electronic dance music phase of the band.  It features of multiple sub genres including dubstep, progressive house, and disco. My personal favorite song on the EP is called “Satellites” which I play in my DJ sets. I highly recommend that song which shows what Cash Cash can do musically.

This brings me to their major hit song off the Overtime EP, “Take Me Home.” “Take Me Home” is a progressive house pop song which features the vocals of Bebe  Rexha. I like the production on this song that Cash Cash did ,particularly the drop. It was refreshing to hear a drop in dance music that felt natural to the song instead being out of left field.  The song production was design nicely for a night out and if I hear it on the radio.  I’ll turn it up even if the title tells me to go home.

Bebe Rexha the vocalist on the song mainly got popular for writing the hook for “The Monster” by Eminem featuring Rihanna.  Bebe Rexha vocals on this are good on this song in some parts particularly the pre hook. She is an okay vocalist but auto tuned was used on some parts of the song to help her out. Her voice has a distortion effect on the 2nd verse that I didn’t care for.  It makes her bad vocals stand out.

On further listens of the song I think the chorus is a bit strong on her voice as it seems to strain it.  My fear was confirmed when I watch a video of an Acoustic Version of the song live.

What is “Take Me Home” about?  I’m going to guess it is about taking a girl home from the club.  Let’s look at the lyrics from the beginning.

“I’m falling to pieces

But I need this

Yeah I need this

You’re my fault my weakness.”

I’m hurt emotionally from our relationship, but I can’t get over you. Let’s date again.

“When did you turn so cold?

You cut me down to the bone
Now you're dancing
All over my soul
I'm falling to pieces
To pieces, to pieces”

Bebe Rexha just found out he is a jerk for the 2nd time. I’m breaking up with you again and I am emotionally in distress. 

“But I still stay cause you're the only thing I know
So won't you take, oh, won't you take me home
Take me home, home, home”

Instead of venturing out in the dating pool I am going to stay with you because she is with the only guy she knows. She asks him to take her home so they can continue their good sometimes bad relationship. 

From the impression I gather half way through this song this girl is full of biggest indecision moments throughout her life. This gives me a great idea.   I’m going to make this like a Buzzfeed article. Vote along and see if you prefer running around in circles or a different geometric pattern. First question: Which puppy is better looking?

 “Round in circles
Here we go
With the highest highs
And the lowest lows”

The relationship has its high points and low points. It is never ending cycle of I hate you, and I love you.   2nd question: Which pillow would you want?

“But no one shakes me like you do
My best mistake was you
You're my sweet affliction
Cause you hurt me right
But you do it nice”

No one understands Bebe Rexha better than this guy. The relationship will continue in circles like I continue to write the same thing over and over for each section of the verses. 

At some point this relationship will become toxic enough that it will end the vicious cycle of I hate you and I love you.  

One last question, Bebe.

Which rock boulder is more appealing?

If you selected mostly A’s.

You are running around circles like Bebe Rexha. I suggest a different geometric shape for running around purposes before you get sick. The Pentagon, Octagon, Trapezoid, curvilinear triangle, and the quartz foil all provide convenient stopping points. If you don’t stop running around in circles you’re an idiot.  I did warn you so don’t blame me if you get sick.

If you selected mostly B’s.

You are not running around in circles. You chose a better shape such as a square, or  a triangle. It was pretty clever thinking on your part. Unfortunately in your case the square and triangle provides enough stopping time to trigger a trap.  You are stuck building  the board game mouse trap. The horror is that it takes five hours to build the layout. 
In your case you only had thirty seconds of excitement from the mouse cage was drop.

Overall what I do think of this song.  The production is good for a dancepop song and night out feeling for it is good.  While the story in the song is different than what you would expect in a dance song it is welcome change from reading lyrics about a breakup gone bad, or falling in love for the first time.   This relationship is on the rocks but never seems to go to the next step of a breakup.  The girl (Bebe) can’t make up her mind on anything.  

Production: Good. It is a club banger song in the car and the drop feels natural to the song.

Lyrical: If you understood one set of lyrics you got message of the song. Not much to it. As far as we know they are still running in circles after the song ended.

Vocally: Some parts are good, and some parts are less than desirable like the 2^nd verse.  I would like to see Cash Cash use their own vocals to the song, but I can see why they chose a female vocalist for the song given the song subject matter. 

Final score: (3.5/5)

What is next for Bebe Rexha and Cash Cash? Bebe Rexha has a top 40 hit with “I can’t stop drinking about you” which upon first look has way too long of a title.

"I Can't Stop Drinking About You" - Single Cover

Cash Cash released a flop follow up single with the Goo Goo Dolls lead singer called “Lightning.” All hope is not lost for Cash Cash as they released a new single called “Surrender” which upon first listen I like it.  Let’s not make them one hit wonders, world.

Surrender soundcloud link