The shelf life of music in 2017 is relatively small, especially in the spectrum of electronic music. I like to think that making a contagious smash-hit is something that most producers strive to achieve. A number of stars have had massive success due to a song becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
Six years ago to the day, Avicii released the smash-hit that would help make him a star: “Levels.” Despite its age, every EDM fan on the planet can likely hum the recognizable tune from memory.
The song contains a vocal sample from the 1962 gospel-inspired song “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” by Etta James. It is the same sample previously used in Pretty Lights‘s 2006 song “Finally Moving” from his debut album Taking Up Your Precious Time.
Avicii went on to drop his debut album in 2012 and has sense released countless hits such as: “I Could Be the One” with Nicky Romero, “Wake Me Up”, “You Make Me”, “X You”, “Hey Brother”, “Addicted to You”, “The Days”, “The Nights”, and “Waiting for Love”.
Skrillex would eventually go on to remix the track, giving it a legendary status amongst EDM fans. With hundreds of millions of plays, the song is forever entrenched in music lore.
So sit back, reminisce, and listen to some old-school nostalgia. Maybe it will bring you back to the glory days of EDM.