There is an absurdly cozy pleasure in hearing a familiar tune get translated into the "language" of a digital dollhouse. Simlish isn’t really a language at all, as there are no direct translations, only vowels and consonants strung together to match the rhythm and emotional tone of a song.
When real‑world artists get invited to re‑record their hits for The Sims, the goal is to preserve the melody and feeling while the lyrics become jubilant gibberish. It’s a bizarre process, but when it works, the result slots seamlessly into the franchise's blend of everyday drama and whimsical chaos.
Over the years, several songs have unexpectedly become part of this tradition. Here are five that somehow fit into The Sims perfectly.
5 joyfully absurd Simlish covers
My Chemical Romance - "Na Na Na" (The Sims 3: Late Night)
The Sims 3: Late Night added an Indie radio station, and nothing says youthful rebellion like My Chemical Romance chanting "na" 43 times. The song's relentless tempo and punk‑pop guitar riffs make it perfect for the game’s urban nightlife vibe.
MCR's collaboration with the game has since become infamous, as at the same time, the band turned down a spot on the soundtrack for Twilight and dissed the franchise's commercialization in the song "Vampire Money" from the same album. Instead, Gerard Way gifted the world a beautifully gibbered "Na Na Na".
Black Eyed Peas - "Shut Up" (The Urbz: Sims in the City)
Before The Sims went full suburban, EA experimented with a gritty spin‑off called The Urbz: Sims in the City, and they brought in the Black Eyed Peas as in‑game characters with their own radio station. Subsequently, the group rerecorded their hit "Shut Up" as "Shut Uprah."
The new version turns the argument‑filled verses into bubbly Simlish that’s both catchy and comically unintelligible. The band's hip‑hop hooks fit right into the urban setting, and hearing will.i.am argue with Fergie over digital drums adds a layer of meta‑commentary to an already theatrical song.
Tally Hall - "Good Day" (The Sims 2: Apartment Life)
In The Sims 2: Apartment Life, the college‑rock station features an unlikely gem: Tally Hall's upbeat anthem "Good Day." The band’s quirky blend of sunshine pop and barbershop harmonies translates surprisingly well into Simlish, making the already whimsical original become even more nonsensical.
It’s little wonder the Simlish version ended up as a hidden track on Needlejuice re-issues of the band’s debut album, because the translation makes "good day" feel like a universal greeting.
Depeche Mode - "Suffer Well" (The Sims 2: Open for Business)
Few would expect the brooding synth‑rock of Depeche Mode to find a home in a life simulation game, yet EA convinced the band to record a Simlish version of "Suffer Well" for The Sims 2: Open for Business.
Lead singer Dave Gahan admitted the concept sounded bizarre but couldn’t resist the chance to perform in gibberish. In‑game, the moody track underscores scenes of Sims tinkering with craft benches or hustling in tiny boutiques, lending a hint of gothic glamour to their entrepreneurial grind.
Katy Perry - "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" (The Sims 3: Showtime)
Perhaps no artist embraced Simlish as wholeheartedly as Katy Perry. The Sims 3: Showtime included a special Katy Perry Collector’s Edition featuring a Simlish version of "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," which she recorded for the expansion.
Perry’s candy‑coated aesthetic blended seamlessly with The Sims' love of bright colors and tongue‑in‑cheek humor, and the crossover later paved the way for an entire pack themed around her sugary style.
The magic of these Simlish renditions lies in how they preserve a song's emotional core while freeing players from lyrical expectations, as translating lyrics into gibberish requires artists to focus on melody and feeling.
From Tally Hall’s sunny harmonies to the Black Eyed Peas’ playful bickering, each track adapts to the absurd yet cozy universe of The Sims. As long as the franchise continues inviting musicians to speak Simlish, there will be new, weirdly perfect songs to soundtrack our digital lives.