25th May - Top 10: Songs

We continue with the 'Top 10' countdowns of the week, and today marks one of the most exciting, as I take a look at my 10 favourite tracks of all time. Music is so powerfully connected to memories that usually you'll find the songs you love the most are linked with euphoric moments in your life. I'm certainly no different, so many of the below are linked to memories. But many are actually just superbly crafted productions from artists who certainly verge into the 'genius' category. Let's take a look at the list:

10. Sebastian Ingrosso & Tommy Trash - Reload

A track which represents the peak of the 'golden era' of EDM, you can still throw this one on at any festival mainstage, and Summer crowds will have hands in the air, losing their shit to this. My own particular memory of this one centres around a trip to Ibiza in 2016 when we were loudly jumping around and singing this one on the balcony late at night, before a steroid-suckling Spanish security guard burst in and ordered our eviction, waving his truncheon in the air whilst yelling 'VAMOS'. Ahh, good times.

9. Delerium - Silence (Tiesto's In Search of Sunrise Mix)

The ultimate trance classic, there's something so cathartic at hearing this one played live in a huge crowd, and as you look around, all are stood with their eyes closed just soaking in the sheer melancholic emotion of the track. Fingers outstretched to the sky, appreciating the goosebumps shivering over your skin. In fact, 'the goosebump test' itself... That's when you know music is seriously good! 

8. Swedish House Mafia - Greyhound

The amount of bangers these guys have produced over the years is absolutely ridiculous, but in terms of pure energy, nothing can come close to this frenzied dance classic. The breakdown is something that's never since been matched in the 10 years since it was released, and the drop is completely elite. If you don't move when this one is played, you really might be best seeking medical advice. 

7. Eric Prydz - Opus

A pure masterpiece, but also a practice of patience. Few tracks are 9 minutes in length, but if you're willing to sit through the elongated build - which in itself, builds the tension in a tantalising foreplay-esque manner - the climax is more than worth the wait. This one has since been reimagined by the world's finest orchestras and it's easy to see why. 

6. deadmau5 - Strobe

Electronic music in the most supreme form. Canadian mogul deadmau5 is a real artist of his craft, taking elongated perfectionism and care over this work, and this one still represents the highlight of his career to date. Yet another example of 'good things come to those who wait', you'll have to wait until the second-half of this 10-minute eargasm to fully enjoy the fruit of the single's labour. But boy, is it worth it! 

5. Alesso - If I Lose Myself 

A track which leaves no eye in the house dry, if you're ever in need of tapping into your emotional side, then this is the one to do it. Originally made by One Republic, this Alesso remix was so sensational that the band allowed him to re-release it in 2013, with the Swede's reimagining since going on to cement a reputation as one of the all-time greatest festival set-closers. 

4. Tim Berg - Seek Bromance

This was the track which changed everything for me. It not only kickstarted my love of dance music, but it ignited my deep and burning passion for Tim Bergling, aka Avicii. No track ever spoke to me in the way this one did when it was released. I even remember where I was when I first heard the Kiss FM bootleg, on that fateful night in August 2010, flicking through radio stations on my little freeview TV. Pure bliss.

3. Tiesto - Adagio For Strings

If you're looking for a track to crackle into life on the drop, you'll never see a better example than this anthem which cemented Tiesto's status as the 'greatest DJ of all time' by esteemed dance music publication, MixMag. I've heard this one live 20+ times over the years, but by far my favourite rendition was this beautiful choir-led performance in Amsterdam when I attended 'Sensation 2015'. Take a look below! 

2. Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack

Growing up, my Mum would buy cassette tapes from the local town centre, bring them home, and then blast them on repeat on our Hi-Fi system for 2/3 weeks at a time, often several times per day. She would then get bored of them and move onto a new cassette, but when she bought this one, I was hooked! Still to this day, I can't help but move when it comes on. This is both a classic, and a guaranteed floor-filler!

1. Avicii - Levels

Undoubtedly the greatest track of all time, and it's not even a debate. This song changed the game for Avicii, it changed the game for EDM as a whole, it changed the game for the entire music industry at the time. There wasn't a single person in the country who didn't dance around with a beaming smile on their face when this one was dropped by a DJ in a club or festival setting. It transforms my memories back to early 2011, discovering this one on a podcast a full 9 months before it was released. It transports me back to Ibiza with the lads later that year. It teleports me to memories of my first-born Son grooving around in his baby bouncer to this. Don't just take my word for it though, look it the impact it had (below):