How an experimental 'folktronica' fusion broke the electronic dance music mold
In short: When Avicii first debuted "Wake Me Up" live, it reportedly angered a section of the electronic dance community. They weren't ready for a track that blended country-flecked guitar strums with EDM. Yet, this polarizing experiment became one of the most successful dance tracks of the decade.
By combining country, soul, and EDM styles, this track establishes a distinct folktronica character. The piece operates at 124 BPM in B minor, using a specific sequence (Bm/G/D/A – Bm/G/D/F#) to underpin the singing by Aloe Blacc. While Avicii initially viewed the track as a 'fun experiment,' its structure allowed it to transcend typical dance music tropes of the era.
The creation process was highly collaborative and rapid. Avicii and Mike Einziger of Incubus developed the melody and chord progression but lacked lyrics. They tapped Aloe Blacc, who wrote the lyrics in just a couple of hours during a studio session at the top of 2013. The production moved quickly: an acoustic version was finished on the same night, while Avicii produced the final dance mix within days for its June 17, 2013 release.
The track's commercial impact was historic. With over 4 million U.S. units sold and 54 non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, it was the initial Dance/Electronic hit to endure for more than a year. It also reached number one in 22 countries. Its cultural reach is underscored by its status as the most searched track on Shazam in February 2018, with over 23 million searches.
Beyond its charts, the song sparked diverse interpretations. Aloe Blacc released a standalone acoustic version and collaborated with immigrant rights groups for a separate music video featuring real-life activists. Meanwhile, Canadian singer Tebey released a country-style cover in late 2013, proving the track's versatility across genres.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Wake Me Up (Avicii song)
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