Levels

Harmonically, 'Levels' is a masterclass in doing more with less. The entire track rests on a single four-chord loop — i, VI, III, VII in A natural minor — that never modulates or develops. What distinguishes it is not harmonic sophistication but the ruthless efficiency of that loop: it is emotionally open-ended (the VII subtonic avoids the tension of a leading-tone dominant), perfectly suited to indefinite repetition, and calibrated to amplify the ecstatic quality of the Etta James sample dropped on top of it. The song's impact on mainstream EDM in the early 2010s came precisely from this simplicity: a loop accessible enough for massive radio crossover yet rhythmically and texturally engineered to work on a festival stage.

Tim Bergling (Avicii) created 'Levels' alongside his manager and collaborator Arash Pournouri. The track was built around a vocal sample from Etta James' 1962 classic 'Something's Got a Hold on Me,' with the writing credits reflecting the original songwriters Pearl Woods, Leroy Kirkland, and Etta James. Avicii crafted the track's signature synth melody and progressive house arrangement using FL Studio, the same DAW he had taught himself as a teenager.

Released in 2011, 'Levels' became the track that defined a generation of electronic dance music and catapulted Swedish producer Avicii to international stardom. Built around a soaring synth melody and a vocal sample from Etta James' 'Something's Got a Hold on Me,' the song fused feel-good energy with masterful production, becoming a festival anthem and one of the most recognizable EDM tracks ever created.