Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” Makes History as Highest Certified Dance Song

Avicii is making music history. 

Five years after his death, the EDM DJ’s hit song, “Wake Me Up” has been certified diamond by the RIAA for sales of more than 10 million copies. The news comes on the song’s 10-year anniversary, as it was released on June 17, 2013. With more than 11 million copies sold, it’s currently the highest certified dance/electronic song by the RIAA, according to Billboard.

“Wake Me Up” was released as the lead single off Avicii’s 2013 debut album, True. He co-wrote and co-produced the song that features lead vocals by singer and rapper Aloe Blacc, who also wrote the lyrics. Describing it as a “folk-inspired dance song,” Blacc says the inspiration for the song came to him when he was flying home from Geneva and was thinking about the success of his hit, “I Need a Dollar.”

“I was reflecting on how much my life has changed since the success of ‘I Need a Dollar’ and how it feels like a dream that I never want to end,” he explained to Next Shark in 2013. “I wrote the lyrics to ‘Wake Me Up’ in my phone and thought that they could come in handy because the words felt rather strong. It wasn’t long before I received the call from Avicii to work on his album.”

“Wake Me Up” was a massive success, catapulting to the top of charts around the world, including No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Adult Top 40 and Dance Club Songs charts. It also reached No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.

A native of Sweden, Avicii passed away on April 20, 2018. Among his other hits were “Hey Brother,” “Without You,” “SOS,” and “Waiting for Love.” Other songs that have been certified diamond in 2023 include “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga, “Fireflies” by Owl City and “Take Me to Church” by Hozier.

Photo by Mike Pont/WireImage