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In remembrance of Avicii, here are the EDM artist’s top 5 hits

Music icon Avicii died Friday, which came as a shock to many. Avicii, whose real name is Tim Bergling, passed away while vacationing in Oman. The 28-year-old music producer retired from performing in 2016 after dealing with health issues, but continued to create music.

Here are Avicii’s top five hits:

5. “Lonely Together” (feat. Rita Ora) – 2017

“Lonely Together” is one of the Swedish DJ’s more recent songs. It was released in August of 2017 as the second single from his EP. Featuring Rita Ora, it was No. 4 in the United Kingdom and earned a platinum certification from the BPI.

The track is catchy, yet emotional. With lines such as, “eyes wide shut and it feels like the first time” and “let’s be lonely together,” it captures this feeling of desire and sadness.

On the day he died, Rita Ora shared this tweet:

4. “Hey Brother” – 2013

“Hey Brother” is a dance song from Avicii’s 2013 debut studio album “True.” The track features vocals by Dan Tyminski, with lyrics that cover themes about the uncertainties of life and the importance of being there for people.

The hit song features lyrics such as “Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you, there is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do,” that everyone belts when the track comes on. The song starts off very calm and low with only a few instruments, and as it goes on, the tempo rises and instruments are added. This song will never not hype anyone up.

3. “Wake Me Up” – 2013

Another great track, “Wake Me Up” was also released in 2013 and was the lead single on “True.” It features soul-style vocals from Aloe Blacc, who’s known for his track “The Man” that came out the same year.

“Wake Me Up” became an absolute summer anthem, as it features a mixture of folktronica and EDM. The song discusses life as a dream, and not waking up to the realities of being an adult, in lyrics such as: “They say I’m caught up in a dream, well life will pass me by if I don’t open up my eyes, well that’s fine by me.”

2. “Levels” – 2011

“Levels” is Avicii’s best known track. It was officially released in 2011 and has been consistently played around the world since. People consider this to be Avicii’s greatest hit of all time, and even one of the greatest EDM tracks of all time.

It features a sample from the song “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” by Etta James. These are the lines that say, “Oh sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah, I get a feeling that I never, never had before,” that everyone screams when it comes on.

1. “I Could Be The One” – 2012

“I Could Be The One” is a song by Avicii and Dutch DJ Nicky Romero, featuring vocals from Swedish singer Noonie Bao. This song is a personal favorite of mine — the lyrics, vocals and catchy beat that rises and falls throughout all have passion. With lines such as “I could be the one to make you feel that way, I could be the one to set you free,” it’s part of a bigger love story.

Rest in peace to a musical icon. You will never be forgotten.

Phoebe Smith is a senior public relations major. Her column appears biweekly in Pulp. You can email her at phsmith@syr.edu or follow her on Twitter @phoebesmithh5.

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