10 Avicii moments that changed dance music forever

Avicii left an enduring mark on dance music that stretches far beyond his tragically shortened career and life. The Swedish DJ/producer born Tim Bergling was a true revolutionary who reshaped the musical landscape, transcended genres, and shattered previous boundaries and assumptions about electronic dance music. From folk-inspired smash hits that merged EDM with organic instrumentation to groundbreaking concert productions that elevated the live show experience, Avicii’s innovative spirit and creative vision elevated the art form to new heights. His impact and influence are still being felt across the dance world and pop music at large even years after his passing. April 20, 2024 marks the sixth death anniversary of Tim Bergling. These are 10 of the pivotal moments, songs, achievements, and decisions that solidified Avicii as one of the most important forces in reshaping and pushing dance music forever into uncharted territory.

1. Avicii – Levels

The song that first brought Avicii into the limelight was 2011’s “Levels.” While making the track, Avicii made the inspired choice to sample the iconic 1962 Etta James vocal “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” blending it seamlessly with his huge progressive house drop. Though he didn’t expect it to become such a phenomenon, “Levels” rapidly caught fire after premiering at festivals like Ultra Music Festival that year. As crowds could not get enough of that singalong hook paired with those sublime synths, the track generated millions of views from leaked YouTube rips before even being officially released. When it did hit streaming services and iTunes in October 2011, “Levels” skyrocketed up the charts globally, announcing Avicii’s arrival as EDM’s new innovator making waves beyond the club scene. His ability to merge different styles into an irresistible crossover smash set the blueprint for his future success.

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2. Avicii – Wake Me Up

Avicii’s 2013 single “Wake Me Up” was a massive hit that accelerated dance music’s pop culture crossover. Featuring the soulful vocals of Aloe Blacc, the folk-inspired EDM anthem opened at #1 in over 20 countries and moved an astounding 267,000 downloads in its first week out in the UK alone. “Wake Me Up” became one of the best-selling singles of all time there and the third-highest seller of 2013 overall. Its success stemmed from Avicii’s ingenious melding of genres – he initially crafted the melody with guitarist Mike Einziger of Incubus, then had Blacc write and record the autobiographical lyrics atop it in one session. Wake Me Up still stands as Aviici’s greatest hit ever amassing more than 2.3 billion views on YouTube and 2.2 Billion streams on Spotify. Wake Me Up is the 3rd most streamed electronic music song ever on Spotify falling behind Chainsmokers’ Closer & Something Just Like This.

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3. Avicii x Coldplay – Sky Full of Stars

One of Avicii’s most high-profile collaborations came in 2014 when he co-produced and played piano on Coldplay’s electronic dance-pop single “A Sky Full of Stars.” Working together at the band’s London studios, Avicii put his stamp on the track’s slick, progressive house-influenced sound and euphoric drops. Though rooted in Chris Martin’s emotive melodies, “A Sky Full of Stars” marked Coldplay’s first full foray into EDM territory made possible by Avicii’s studio input. The Swedish DJ/producer helped transform the song into a globally massive hit emblematic of dance music’s saturating presence in the pop mainstream by that point. Despite Chris Martin’s tongue-in-cheek admission that he “cheated” on the band by giving piano duties to Avicii, their unexpected collaborative fusion resonated as a creative highlight for both artists riding EDM’s peaking popularity worldwide. Avicii also worked with the band for “Hymn for the Weekend”

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4. Ultra Music Festival 2013 Performance

Avicii surprised everyone at the 2013 Ultra Music Festival when he unveiled a radically different live show highlighting his forthcoming album’s ambitious new direction. Instead of just performing behind the decks, he brought out a full live band to premiere genre-blending tracks like the country/folk-inspired “Wake Me Up.” Many people who loved Avicii’s music were surprised and didn’t like his new style with some even criticizing him for the shift. However, once his “Wake Me Up” became that summer’s cross-platform global smash, Avicii’s boundary-pushing creative vision was ultimately free from blame. His Ultra set represented EDM’s mainstream crossover reaching a new peak, with one of the scene’s biggest stars incorporating live instrumentation and organic influences from outside the spectrum of electronic music.

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5. Avicii’s last performance

Avicii played his final live show in August 2016 at the age of just 26 years old. The performance at his long-running Ibiza residency at Ushuaia marked his early retirement from the grinding lifestyle of constant touring. In an emotional letter, Avicii explained to fans that the relentless schedule and pressures of being a superstar DJ had severely impacted his mental and physical health. Despite walking away from the stage at such a young age, he assured fans his creativity would live on through future music releases. Avicii’s retirement shined a light on the dark side of the DJ lifestyle and the tolls of nonstop touring – even for one of the biggest stars on the planet, the grind had simply become unsustainable. His brave decision prioritized his well-being first.

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6. Before Avicii

Before breaking through as Avicii, the young Tim Bergling was tinkering with electronic music under the moniker “Timberman.” In 2006, he posted one of his very first tracks called “Brain” to an online Swedish forum seeking feedback. Casual fans likely haven’t heard many of these early Timberman demos and unreleased cuts like “Lazy Lace” that later leaked onto the internet over the years. It wasn’t until 2008 that he made his official debut as Avicii with the release of “Sound of Now.” However, his first official single released through DJ Pete Tong’s label was “manman” in 2007, which he had originally produced before adopting his now iconic stage name.

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7. True Stories Documentary

Avicii’s life and struggles were unveiled in the documentary “Avicii: True Stories” by filmmaker Levan Tsikurishvili. Premiered worldwide on October 26, 2016, the film delves into the journey of Tim Bergling, known as Avicii, from his rise as a successful artist to his unexpected decision to step away from live performances. Through interviews and behind-the-scenes footage spanning over four years, the documentary sheds light on Bergling’s challenges with fame, health, and the pressures of his career. With appearances by fellow musicians like Chris Martin and David Guetta, the film offers a candid portrayal of the highs and lows of being a global superstar. Tsikurishvili emphasizes the importance of showing Bergling’s personal struggles, aiming to reveal the person behind the Avicii persona. From winning a production competition in 2008 to his retirement announcement in 2016, Avicii’s story is one of triumphs and trials, demonstrating the realities of fame and its toll on mental and physical well-being.

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8. Avicii’s Tragic Death

Avicii’s brilliant but turbulent life came to a devastating end on April 20, 2018 when the superstar DJ/producer died by suicide while on vacation in Oman at just 28 years old. Initial reports indicated no suspicion of foul play. In the days after, disturbing details emerged that Avicii had been struggling immensely with his mental health, leading a friend to voice concerns to his father shortly before his death. Avicii’s family later released a heartbreaking statement confirming he took his own life, calling him a “fragile artistic soul” who’d been overwhelmed by the relentless pressures of global fame despite quitting touring. They hoped sharing his story could remove stigmas around mental illness. The world mourned an innovator gone far too soon. Avicii was laid to rest in a private funeral in his native Stockholm in June 2018.

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9. Avicii’s last album Tim

Though Avicii had been working towards his third studio album before his tragic passing in April 2018, the album ‘Tim’ was completed and released posthumously in June 2019. It compiled the musical visions he was exploring at the time across genres like psychedelia, Arabian music, and Caribbean sounds. A team of collaborators was brought in to help pick and produce the final 16 tracks from Avicii’s collection of unfinished demos and ideas. Serving as his sole full-length album released after his death, ‘Tim’ allowed the musical world to experience the artistic boundaries Avicii was still pushing. All profits from the album went towards the Tim Bergling Foundation created to raise mental health awareness in his memory. The album provided some long-awaited closure for fans while celebrating Avicii’s enduring creative spirit.

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10. Avicii official biography

Avicii’s life had many big moments that changed dance music forever. A book called “Tim: The Official Biography Of Avicii” was released on November 16, 2021. Authored by Swedish journalist Måns Mosesson, goes through intricate details about Tim’s life. From the revelation of watching his 2012 Super Bowl Commercial while hospitalized in New York to the prolonged battle with prescription painkillers. Despite collaborations eluding him with icons like Mick Jagger and Slash, Avicii’s impact soared, reshaping the landscape of EDM. The book also laid down his struggle against addiction to drinking and substance abuse. Before he passed away unexpectedly, Avicii seemed to be getting healthier both physically and spiritually. His death left a lasting impact on everyone

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Avicii’s impact on the dance music industry continues to resonate long after his passing, leaving an enduring mark on the genre and its enthusiasts worldwide. His pioneering sound, characterized by catchy melodies and euphoric beats, revolutionized the electronic music landscape, transcending boundaries and inspiring a new generation of artists. Even in his absence, Avicii’s influence prevails, with his timeless tracks serving as anthems that evoke nostalgia and unity on dance floors across the globe.

Avicii’s memory is kept alive through tributes, remixes, and heartfelt dedications from fellow musicians and fans alike. His timeless classics, from “Levels” to “Wake Me Up,” continue to captivate audiences worldwide.