PAWSA’s “TOO COOL TO BE CARELESS” became the song that defined my summer. You know the type – those tracks that feel inescapable during summer parties, BBQs, and holidays, but you don’t mind hearing them again and again. The kind of track that instantly lifts the mood and keeps the vibe alive.

The track clearly struck a chord with listeners, too. It entered the Official Singles Chart, peaking at #51 and staying on the chart for an impressive 16 weeks. It was a bona fide summer anthem, effortlessly bringing a retro flavour into today’s tech-house scene. Having already been aware of the viral video for the 80s classic sampled by PAWSA, I thought it was worth digging into the story behind this iconic track and its subsequent remix.

“Don’t Look Any Further” by Dennis Edwards, featuring Siedah Garrett, was released in 1984. The track was Edwards’ debut solo single after his tenure as lead singer of The Temptations. Co-written by Dennis Lambert, Franne Golde, and Duane Hitchings, it fuses soul with reggae-inspired grooves and stands out for its hypnotic melody and distinctive delivery.

The song’s original music video is infamous in its own right, often cited as a lesson in how not to shoot a music video. Edwards and Garrett perform in front of cheap green-screen effects, with various low-resolution backdrops and awkward staging. Edwards, in particular, looks visibly disengaged – with his jaw providing some ‘interesting’ movement – giving the video an air of surreal detachment. His lethargic lip-syncing and Garrett’s attempts to compensate create a strange, mismatched charm that led the video to resurface as an internet favourite years later.

This accidental oddity has only added to the track’s cult status. While “Don’t Look Any Further” was modestly successful upon release, peaking at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the R&B charts, its legacy grew exponentially thanks to this kitschy video. Add to that its bassline being sampled by numerous artists – including Eric B. & Rakim’s “Paid in Full” and 2Pac’s “Hit ’Em Up” – and you have a song whose influence far exceeds its original chart performance.

Enter PAWSA, the London-based tech-house producer whose real name is David Esekhile. Under his moniker, he has made a name for himself through sleek, groove-heavy productions and his knack for flipping iconic samples.

With “TOO COOL TO BE CARELESS,” he breathes new life into “Don’t Look Any Further”. While the original has a laid-back groove, PAWSA’s version transforms it into a high-energy, club-ready anthem. He’s stripped away the reggae-tinged soulfulness of the original, focusing instead on its hypnotic, looping qualities. The iconic bassline becomes a rolling foundation, anchoring the track while leaving space for percussive elements and vocal loops to drive the energy.

PAWSA keeps it minimal and measured, resisting the temptation to overcomplicate. This restraint is what makes it such a standout: the groove is tight, the drop is satisfying without being overblown, and the track has a versatility that lets it thrive in any setting, cementing itself as a summer playlist staple.

By embracing the quirks and history of “Don’t Look Any Further,” PAWSA taps into nostalgia and introduces the track to a new generation. It’s a reminder of how music evolves and how even a low-budget, meme-worthy music video can turn a forgotten hit into a timeless gem.