Cheerleader

The core meaning of "Cheerleader" revolves around the profound appreciation for a steadfast and supportive romantic partner. The song uses the metaphor of a 'cheerleader' not in the literal sense of a sports performer, but as a symbol of unwavering support, motivation, and loyalty. The narrator celebrates finding a woman who is his "queen" and his rock, someone who is always in his corner and provides strength when he needs it. The lyrics convey a message of fidelity and devotion. The singer acknowledges that temptations exist—"All these other girls are tempting"—but ultimately finds them hollow compared to the meaningful connection he shares with his partner. His rejection of others' advances highlights the depth of his commitment. While some have criticized the lyrics for portraying the woman's role as solely supportive of the man, OMI has stated that the song is dedicated to anyone who acts as a support system, not just a significant other. Ultimately, the song is a joyful celebration of finding a true partner who provides love, affection, and the kind of support that makes one feel secure enough to consider a lifelong commitment, as hinted at in the final verse with the line, "all that's left to do is just for me to pop the question."

The song's narrative is a heartfelt ode to a supportive and loving partner, whom the singer metaphorically refers to as his "cheerleader." The story begins with the singer acknowledging that whenever he lacks motivation, his one true solution is his "queen," who remains strong and is always there for him. He emphasizes her constant presence in his corner, ready to support him whenever he needs her. He admits that while other women might be tempting, he feels empty and incomplete when his partner is not around. This sentiment is reinforced when these other women directly proposition him, asking if he needs them or finds them pretty enough to consider cheating. His unwavering response is a simple and direct "No, not really."

The central theme is captured in the recurring, celebratory hook: "Oh, I think that I found myself a cheerleader. She is always right there when I need her." This phrase acts as the core of the song's message, a joyful realization of having found a reliable and steadfast companion.

The second verse delves into more specific praises of his partner. He describes her with admiration, saying she "walks like a model" and fulfills his desires like a "genie in a a bottle." This is followed by a playful and confident boast where he calls himself the "wizard of love" with a "magic wand," suggesting a satisfying and magical physical relationship. Despite this playful swagger and the admission of being tempted by others, the feeling of emptiness in her absence brings him back to his central devotion.

The narrative culminates in the final verse, where the singer looks towards a future of deeper commitment. He mentions that his partner provides him with "love and affection" and declares she is the only one for him. Crucially, he adds that she has even won the approval of his mother, who believes he has made the right choice. With everything seemingly perfect and all the pieces in place, the singer concludes that the only thing left to do is to propose marriage, signaling his desire to make this supportive partnership a lifelong commitment. The song, therefore, tells a story of appreciating a partner's loyalty, resisting external temptations, and ultimately recognizing that this unwavering support is the foundation for a lasting, committed love.

The journey of "Cheerleader" from conception to global hit is a long and multi-layered one. Jamaican artist OMI (Omar Samuel Pasley) first conceived the song's melody in 2008, waking up one morning humming what he described as a "Jamaican nursery rhyme." He wrote the lyrics in a taxi on the way to a studio, initially intending it as a short, two-verse a cappella interlude for a future album. However, his manager, the influential reggae producer Clifton "Specialist" Dillon, saw its potential as a full-fledged hit. Dillon encouraged OMI to write a third verse and put a beat to it. The original version, a much slower reggae track, was recorded in 2012 with legendary Jamaican session musicians Sly & Robbie on rhythm and Dean Fraser on saxophone. This version found moderate success in Jamaica, Hawaii, and Dubai.

In 2013, Patrick Moxey, president of the U.S. electronic label Ultra Music, discovered the song and signed OMI. To give it a broader international appeal, Ultra commissioned remixes from two producers in early 2014: Brooklyn's Ricky Blaze and a young, then-unknown German DJ named Felix Jaehn. Jaehn, who was only 20 at the time, transformed the track. He sped up OMI's vocals, increasing the tempo significantly from the original's 100 BPM to a more danceable 118 BPM, and replaced the traditional reggae instruments with a tropical house arrangement featuring a prominent trumpet sample, congas, and a simple, catchy piano melody. Ultra preferred Jaehn's version, releasing it in May 2014. The remix first gained traction on Spotify in Sweden and gradually spread across Europe, topping charts in numerous countries before eventually reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. in July 2015, three years after the original's release.

The lyrical structure of "Cheerleader" employs a simple and effective rhyme scheme, primarily using couplets (AABB) within its verses, which contributes to its memorable, nursery-rhyme quality. For instance, in the first verse, "motivation" is paired with "solution," and "corner" with "want her." This straightforward pattern makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to.

The rhythm of the Felix Jaehn remix is a defining characteristic. It is set in common time (4/4) at a tempo of approximately 118 beats per minute (BPM). This tempo is significantly faster than the original reggae version and places the remix firmly in the realm of dance music. The rhythmic foundation is a classic four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern, a staple of house music, which provides a steady, danceable pulse. Layered on top are syncopated conga rhythms and a percussive synth bass, which create the song's signature tropical, laid-back groove. The interplay between the steady kick and the more complex, syncopated percussion gives the song its infectious, body-moving feel. OMI's vocal delivery floats smoothly over this rhythmic bed, with a relaxed cadence that complements the sunny, carefree vibe of the track.

The Felix Jaehn remix of "Cheerleader" is a masterclass in musical reinvention, transforming a reggae song into a global pop hit through specific stylistic choices. Jaehn's primary technique was to completely change the genre to Tropical House, a subgenre of deep house popular in the mid-2010s. He increased the tempo significantly, making the song more dance-friendly.

Musically, the remix is defined by its instrumentation. Jaehn replaced the original's saxophone and reggae rhythm section with a catchy, looping trumpet melody (a sample), light piano chords, a steady four-on-the-floor kick drum, and prominent conga percussion that provides a distinctive tropical flavor. This created an airy, sunny, and relaxed atmosphere. The bassline was also changed from a traditional electric bass to a syncopated synth bass, characteristic of modern dance music.

OMI's original vocal track was sped up to match the new tempo, which also pitched his voice slightly higher, giving it a lighter, more youthful quality that fit the new production style. The structure follows a standard pop format (verse-pre-chorus-chorus), making it highly accessible and memorable. The repetition of the simple, melodic hook is a key factor in the song's catchiness. The overall production is clean and uncluttered, focusing on a few key melodic elements to create an infectious and feel-good track.

"Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)" was a massive global phenomenon that had a significant cultural impact in the mid-2010s. Its success was a prime example of the power of a remix to transform a song's fortunes. The track topped the charts in over 20 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, becoming one of the best-selling songs of 2015 worldwide. In the US, it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making OMI the first Jamaican artist to top the chart since Sean Paul in 2006. The song became the unofficial "Song of the Summer" in many regions in 2015.

The remix was instrumental in popularizing the "Tropical House" subgenre, bringing its characteristic sounds—like steel drums, trumpets, and relaxed tempos—to a mainstream audience. Its success paved the way for other artists in the genre, such as Kygo and Thomas Jack. The song's massive popularity led to OMI performing with Taylor Swift on her "1989 World Tour." With over a billion streams on Spotify, it is one of the most-streamed songs of all time and remains the only solo song by a Jamaican artist to achieve this milestone. Although OMI and Felix Jaehn are often considered one-hit wonders in the US market, the song's impact was undeniable, defining a specific era of pop and dance music and showcasing the global reach of streaming platforms.

The central metaphor of the song is the "cheerleader," which symbolizes a partner who offers unwavering emotional support and motivation. This isn't about literal cheerleading but about having someone who is consistently "in my corner" and "always right there when I need her." This figure represents stability and encouragement in the narrator's life.

Another key metaphor is the partner being a "genie in a bottle." This suggests that she fulfills his wishes and brings a sense of magic and wonder to his life. This line, combined with his self-proclamation as the "wizard of love" with the "magic wand," has been interpreted by some as a sexual double entendre, adding a layer of physical attraction and fulfillment to the otherwise emotional support theme.

The term "queen" is also used to describe his partner, elevating her status to one of royalty and deep respect. It signifies her importance and the high regard in which he holds her, positioning her as the sole ruler of his heart and his primary source of strength.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the chorus hook: "Oh, I think that I found myself a cheerleader / She is always right there when I need her." This line is the song's central thesis and is repeated multiple times, solidifying the song's core message and making it exceptionally catchy. Its repetition functions as a joyful affirmation of the narrator's discovery of a supportive partner.

Another recurring motif is the mention of "all these other girls are tempting." This phrase appears in the verses and is followed by the resolution that the narrator is "empty when you're gone," reinforcing the theme of fidelity and the unique value of his partner.

Musically, the remix is built on recurring motifs. The most prominent is the bright, looping trumpet riff that serves as the song's primary instrumental hook. It appears in the intro and between vocal sections, making the track instantly recognizable. The simple, sparse piano melody and the distinctive conga drum pattern are also constantly present, forming the backbone of the song's Tropical House sound.