Wake Me Up! is a 2013 single by Swedish DJ and producer Avicii, issued as the lead single from his debut studio album True. The track was co-written and recorded with guitarist-songwriter Mike Einziger and features the vocals of American soul singer Aloe Blacc. Its combination of electronic beats and acoustic instrumentation helped the song reach a global audience and become a mainstream crossover hit.

Composition and recording

The song pairs a driving electronic rhythm and polished production with a dominant acoustic-guitar riff and a clear verse–chorus structure. This blend of EDM energy and singer-songwriter sensibility has been described as folktronica or an electronic–folk hybrid. In the studio, producers integrated live guitar parts and organic-sounding vocals with synthesized bass lines and rhythmic programming to create a widely accessible sound.

Release, reception and impact

After its release in 2013 the single achieved broad international exposure, appearing on radio playlists, streaming services, and festival sets. Critics generally praised the memorable hook and the willingness to mix genres, though some observers debated the implications of electronic music's increasing pop orientation. Commercially, the song was one of the defining mainstream EDM-pop tracks of the early 2010s and helped encourage other producers to experiment with acoustic elements.

Vocally, Aloe Blacc supplied the lead melody and is credited as a songwriter; guitarist and writer Mike Einziger contributed to the chord progression and guitar arrangement. Industry practices around artist credits sometimes varied between releases and performances, which is common for collaborations involving DJs, session musicians, and featured singers.

Formats, versions and legacy

  • Multiple formats circulated, including radio edits, extended mixes, and remixes tailored for clubs and pop radio.
  • The song has been covered in acoustic and band settings and remains a frequent choice for live reinterpretation.
  • Its cross-genre success is often cited when discussing the broader acceptance of EDM in mainstream pop and the trend of incorporating live instrumentation into electronic tracks.

For context on the record and collaborators, see pages about Avicii, the album True, performer and songwriter Aloe Blacc, and co-writer Mike Einziger. The song's release as a lead single marked a notable point in early 2010s popular music, illustrating how electronic production techniques could be combined with folk and soul influences to reach wide audiences.