Wake Me Up When It’s All Over

My greatest wish in life is that I could sing. I can’t. I have accepted that. It doesn’t stop me, however, when I hear a song I love. “Wake Me Up“ is one of those songs. The first version I heard was recorded by Avicii (Tim Bergling, a Swedish DJ, remixer, and record producer known professionally as Avicii). It was a major hit in 2013, hitting No. 1 in 103 countries. By March 2014, it was the most streamed song ever.

Avicii works with various musicians and singers. Aloe Blacc, the lead vocal in the Avicii’s “Wake Me Up“ track, later recorded an acoustic version. Blacc is an American musician, songwriter and singer; he wrote the lyrics as well as performing the song.  I like the Aloe Blacc acoustic version best.  How about you?

In 2013, Blacc released the music video for the acoustic track. Blacc collaborated with the immigrant rights group National Day Laborer Organizing Network and the ABC* Foundation’s Healing Power of Music Initiative. The cast included several real life immigrant activists.  Check out this 2014 interview with Blacc. Strangely enough, I first saw Aloe Blacc on the Graham Norton Show, a British talk show (and one of the best things on TV).

Avicii also recorded an instrumental version with classical crossover string trio Simply Three—no words but the music is pure and sweet. I prefer by music with words but sometimes the strings sing.

Join Hugh’s 51 Weeks:51 Hits From The Past – Week 37