Levels (Avicii song)

"Levels" (stylised as "LE7ELS") is a song by Swedish DJ Avicii. An early instrumental version of the song was first played by Avicii during an appearance on BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix in December 2010, while the final version with Etta James's vocals was first performed at the Ultra Music Festival in March 2011, although the final instrumental version was played several times before the festival at clubs and events, even in December 2010. "Levels" was officially released on 28 October 2011 and peaked at number one in Sweden and on the Dance music charts in the United States and became a top ten hit in Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.[2]

"Levels"
Single by Avicii
Released28 October 2011
Format
Recorded2010–11
GenreProgressive house[1]
Length
  • 5:37 (original version)
  • 3:20 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Avicii
Avicii singles chronology
"Collide"
(2011)		 "Levels"
(2011)		 "Silhouettes"
(2012)

"Levels" contains a vocal sample from the 1962 gospel-inspired song "Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Etta James, as written by Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods and James. It is the same sample previously used in Pretty Lights' 2006 song "Finally Moving" from his debut album, Taking Up Your Precious Time. Flo Rida's single "Good Feeling", which became a worldwide hit in late 2011, was primarily influenced by "Levels" and its Etta James sample.[3][4] Several critics consider "Levels" to be Avicii's greatest song and one of the greatest EDM songs of all time, mostly due to its chart success and the recognizable synth riff.[5] Following his death in 2018, a limited-edition vinyl of "Levels" sold for $563.[6]

Composition

"Levels" is a progressive house[1] song produced in the key of C♯ minor, with a simple chord progression of C♯m–E–B–A.[7] It samples lyrics from Etta James's 1962 single, "Something's Got a Hold on Me", only consisting of "Oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah. Get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before, no, no. I get a good feeling, yeah".

Critical reception

In 2019, Pitchfork ranked the song as the 200th best song of the 2010s.[8]

Remixes

The song has been remixed by several artists, including Cazzette and Skrillex. It has been used in a mashup with "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra titled "Levels That I Used to Know" and another mashup with "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida titled "Good Levels" which has been played on some club radio stations. George Monev made a popular edit to this song which reverses the track.[9] The song was re-worked to feature vocals from South Korean K-pop singer Seulong of 2AM. The single was released in South Korea on 5 May 2013 via digital music outlets.[10] Another version was made in collaboration with Indian singer Sonu Nigam, titled "Indian Levels".[11] It was released in 2012.[12]

"Levels" was featured in the pilot of American action-adventure TV series Arrow.[13][14] It is also in the repertoire of the University of Southern California Spirit of Troy marching band, including being used at USC Trojans football games whenever an opponent is penalised.[15] "Levels" was used as the theme in the 2012 Miss Universe swimsuit competition.[16]

The song was used at full time after the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool F.C. and Real Madrid CF in Kiev.

Track listing
Digital download[17]
No.TitleLength
1."Levels"3:19
Digital download – EP[18]
No.TitleLength
1."Levels" (Radio Edit)3:19
2."Levels" (Original Version)5:38
3."Levels" (Instrumental Radio Edit)3:19
4."Levels" (Instrumental Version)5:38
Total length:17:54
Digital download – Remixes EP[19]
No.TitleLength
1."Levels"5:38
2."Levels" (Skrillex Remix)4:41
3."Levels" (Cazzette's NYC Mode Mix)5:54
4."Levels" (Instrumental)5:38
Total length:21:51
CD
No.TitleLength
1."Levels" (Original Version)5:37

Charts and certifications

Release history
Country Date Format Label
Australia[99] 28 October 2011 Digital download Universal Music
Denmark[100]
Ireland[101]
Netherlands[102]
Sweden[103]
Germany 31 October 2011[104]
15 November 2011[105] CD single
United States[106] 31 October 2011 Digital download Geffen, Interscope
United Kingdom[107] 20 November 2011 Universal Music

See also

References
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  2. Chart history of "Levels" at acharts.us
  3. "ACE Title Search - GOOD FEELIN'". ASCAP. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  4. Good Feeling (liner notes). David Guetta. Atlantic Records, Poe Boy Entertainment, Warner Music. 2011. 075678824685.CS1 maint: others (link)
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  10. [싱글] Levels With 슬옹 From 2AM | Daum 뮤직 :: 언제 어디서나 Music on Daum
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  103. Levels - EP by Avicii iTunes
  104. Levels: Avicii: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads
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  107. Levels - EP by Avicii iTunes
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