Avicii’s anthem ‘Levels’ marks 15th anniversary

The electronic dance music track ‘Levels’ by Tim Bergling, known professionally as Avicii, celebrates its 15th anniversary following its official release on October 28, 2011. The song served as a breakout hit for Bergling and became a defining record for the rise of EDM during the 2010s.

The track is built around a sample of Etta James’s 1962 recording ‘Something’s Got a Hold on Me’. Before its formal release, Bergling road-tested various versions of the song at festivals and during a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix in late 2010.

Upon release, ‘Levels’ achieved significant commercial success, reaching number one in Sweden and Norway, and appearing in the top ten across several European countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria. In Sweden, the track held the top position for seven weeks and has received eight platinum certifications. The song earned accolades such as Best Song at the 2012 Grammis and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording in 2013. As of 2024, the track has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.