Royel Otis Take On 'Murder On The Dancefloor' For Triple J's Like A Version

Rising indie rock stars Royel Otis are banking on the Saltburn and nostalgia love, covering the Sophie Ellis-Bextor classic Murder On The Dancefloor for triple j’s Like A Version.

Staying true to Ellis-Bextor’s iconic melody, Royel Otis throw wistful guitars, keys and drums in the mix, with some harmonies from Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell at just the right time. While fans of the original song likely miss the strings, this rendition from Royel Otis provides an indie-rock spin that’s difficult to resist.

In addition to their Murder On The Dancefloor cover, Royel Otis performed their track Fried Rice in the Like A Version studio. You can watch both performances below.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has been experiencing a resurgence since Murder On The Dancefloor had a needle drop during a viral scene of the popular film Saltburn.

Due to Saltburn’s success (and the memeability of star Barry Keoghan’s nude dance), Murder On The Dancefloor landed at #8 on the first UK Singles Chart of 2024, its first chart success since peaking at #2 in 2001. The song reclaimed its #2 spot last week.

Addressing her resurgence on the UK charts, Ellis-Bextor told BBC, “It actually feels really magical. And if I'm honest, I don't think I've completely processed it, really. It’s extraordinary… for new people to be discovering it, for it to be making new memories with people is kind of beautiful.”

Royel Otis’s cover of Murder On The Dancefloor has aired a month out from the Sydney indie rockers releasing their second album, Pratts & Pain, on Friday, 16 February, via Ourness.

The album was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer and musician Dan Carey (Wet Leg, Fontaines DC, Kylie Minogue). Pratts & Pain was named after the South London pub around the corner from Carey’s famed home studio – the duo frequently finished lyrics and decided on sonic directions over a pint on a Pratts & Payne bar stool.

Royel Otis are touring in support of Pratts & Pain through February and March. Check out the tour dates below and find tickets here.

ROYEL OTIS

​PRATTS & PAIN AUSTRALIAN TOUR - FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024

​Presented by Frontier Touring and triple j

Friday 16 February - Liberty Hall | Sydney (Gadigal Land), NSW (All Ages)

Saturday 17 February - Torquay Hotel | Torquay (Wadawurrung), VIC (18+)

Sunday 18 February - Corner Hotel | Melbourne (Naarm), VIC (18+) – SOLD OUT

Wednesday 21 February - Corner Hotel | Melbourne (Naarm), VIC (18+) – NEW SHOW

Friday 23 February - Kambri Cultural Centre @ ANU | Canberra (Ngunnawal & Ngambri Land), ACT (18+)

Saturday 24 February - UOW Unibar | Wollongong (Dharawal), NSW (18+)

Friday 1 March - Lion Arts Factory | Adelaide (Tarndaya), SA (All Ages)

Saturday 2 March - Freo.Social | Fremantle (Walyalup), WA (18+)

Thursday 7 March - The Hoey Moey | Coffs Harbour (Gumbaynggirr), NSW (18+)

Friday 8 March - The Tivoli | Brisbane (Meanjin), QLD (All Ages)

Saturday 9 March - Miami Marketta | Gold Coast (Yugambeh), QLD (18+)

Sunday 10 March - Solbar | Maroochydore (Gubbi Gubbi), QLD (18+)

Thursday 14 March - King Street Bandroom | Newcastle (Awabakal Land), NSW (All Ages)