I was combing through the internet today and found a sub on r/EDM discussing the best remixes all time. I looked through the comments and was instantly hit with a massive wave nostalgia. So many memorable tracks, all which helped shape dance music as we know it. I decided to curate my own list what I find to be the best remixes all time. I got a lot help from fellow ors and sprinkled in a few my own favorites. So do you think my list stands up? What did I miss, what shouldn't be in here? Let me know in the comments below my top 20 remixes all time. Shout out again to u/Kennett-Ny for this great discussion, check out the full thread here. I should note these are in no particular order, that would be impossible.
Rusko – Hold On (Sub Focus Remix)
This remix dropped just as the mainstream dance music culture America was getting acquainted with the dirty dubs the UK. Rusko along with Flux, and UKF helped start a true firestorm dubstep fandom in just a few months. This remix though blew the lid wide open though, I think every show I went to for 2 years straight featured this in a set at some point.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix
A-Trak is a legend by all accounts. Not only was he the youngest DMC mix champion all time (at the time his victory), but he then stepped over into production to showed his innate musical ability further. His remix the Yeah Yeah Yeah's classic anthem ‘Heads Will Roll' set the world on fire. His rework made the world EDM accessible to many who would have never been fans without hearing the timeless classic turned on its head.
Nadia Ali – Pressure (Alesso Remix)
This one will always go down in my heart as a song which truly helped me fall head over heels in love with the progressive big room sound. The way Alesso took this original production and brought in a truly goose-bump inducing level energy made it an instant classic. It was one the first time many fans first heard Alesso, but not the last, as the artist proved he was only getting started.
Disclosure – You & Me (Flume Remix
No list remixes can be complete without Flume's truly INDUSTRY changing edit Disclosure's ‘You & Me'. While Flume was already rising through the ranks quickly with the release his self-titled debut album, what happened upon the release this remix has never been replicated. Not only did Flume's popularity jump from dance music rising star to a household name, but with it, he also introduced the future bass sound to producers all over the world. We are still feeling the effects this remix today.
Benny Benassi – Cinema (Skrillex Remix)
I am sure many people reading this were patiently waiting for me to bring this remix up. You cannot talk about legendary remixes with mentioning Skrillex's edit ‘Cinema'. I remember being in high school and hearing this song literally everywhere. Just as Sub Focus and Rusko helped introduce many American dance fans to bass music with ‘Hold On', Skrillex introduced many American mainstream music fans to bass with his stellar remix Benny Benassi's lyrically driven ballad.
Flight Facilities – Crave You (Adventure Club Remix)
Adventure Club remixed Australian production duo Flight Facilities and blew up faster than a baking soda volcano in 3rd-grade science class. While many fans dance music were primed for the sounds this remix with some Zeds Dead earlier works (don't worry I am getting there), this track once again permeated the mainstream consciousness America and infected millions with silky smooth love step sounds.
deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon (Madeon Remix)
I will never forget hearing this remix BBC Radio 1. Pete Tong's legendary voice introing the track still gives me chills down my spine today. I loved deadmau5 arguably more than anyone when this remix was released, and upon listening, my world was rocked. I had never heard anything like the complex melodies and insane layering Madeon features in this remix. Then I learned he was only 14 at the time production. I basically fell into the sunken place from Get Out as I knew from that moment EDM would be forever changed.
Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing (Kygo Remix)
While this remix did not exactly resonate with me, the cultural impact has been as pround as many the others included on this list. While there were many iterations the still undiscovered tropical house sound floating around the likes Bakermat and Duke Dumont, Kygo was the first one to strike gold. The track propelled the nobody Norweigan producer to superstar in what seemed like a week. No matter where you went from Frat parties to the clubs Ibiza – Kygo's sexual healing remix could be heard. Just like Flume's remix as we mentioned earlier this remix Sexual Healing changed the way dance music was produced forever.
Blue Foundation – Eyes On Fire (Zeds Dead Remix)
Can you believe that this remix is almost 10-years-old? I definitely feel old as hell after typing that. This was one the first truly viral hits the UKF Youtube channel, which helped introduce a generation America to dubstep. The remix has now received over 100,000,000 views and is continued to be hailed as an absolute classic in the world bass music.
Tiesto – I Will Be Here (Wolfgang Gartner Remix)
Tiesto released his iconic Kaleidoscope album in 2009 and it would have ripples in the world dance music. It was the first step in his transition as an artist from a Trance master to a more mainstream sound. While the album is still hailed as a classic, many fans were a bit upset that Tiesto was moving away from his signature sound. Then Wolfgang Gartner stepped up and more or less saved the day. His remix Tiesto's collaboration with Sneaky Sound System incorporated some the stimulating riffs dance music had ever heard. He cleaning injected his signature style into the track while maintaining the emotional power the original's vocals.
Bastille – Pompeii (Audien Remix)
This was one the first songs to introduce me to the Proximity Youtube Channel (yeah, yeah I was a late bloomer I guess), but the impact it had on crossroads mainstream productions and dance music was immaculate. Audien took a full-on rock ballad and flipped it into one the most gorgeous progressive house tracks – dare I say? – all time. This was a crossroads Audien's career as well, where to started to explore more big room, progressive melodies rather than his traditional more trance oriented tunes.
Armin Van Buuren – Drowning (Avicii remix)
Armin Van Buuren's emotional ballad, ‘Drowning' was a true work art. The powerful lyrics and masterful production combined for a true power punch emotional. I thought it couldn't get any better – until Avicii got his hands on it. Avicii took the powerful lyrics the original and fused in his signature sound feel-good house making for one the happiest, most euphoric anthems dance music had ever seen.
Hayden James – Something About You (Odesza Remix)
A few years back Hayden James burst onto the scene Future Classic with a sultry, introspective vocal cut called ‘Something About You'. The tune was chilled out and pensive in nature until Odesza got their hands on it. The Seattle duo who was enjoying an explosion success due to their sophomore LP, ‘In Return', infused their signature sound live instrumentation into the mix and created one the most captivating feel good remixes I had ever heard. I will never forget ringing in 2017 in South Lake Tahoe at Snowglobe to this song, with thousands phone lights illuminating the crowd as snow fell. Now that is magic.
What So Not – High You Are (Branchez Remix)
What So Not was originally a supergroup made up Flume and Emoh Instead. When the Flume project took f, so did Harley. But some the most iconic What So Not tunes came from the beginning era. A truly iconic remix which set the world Trap on fire was that NY based producer Branchez. Original and catchy synth work helped turn this tune on its head to become one the most original productions anyone had heard at the time. It still lives on as a classic.
Calvin Harris – I'm Not Alone (Deadmau5 Remix)
Back in the day kids, Calvin Harris used to make some the best indie funk electronic music you could ever dream hearing. While his most recent production with Dua Lipa, returns to that sound, his early work is second to none. Just like his iconic track ‘I Am Not Alone'. Both Deadmau5 and Tiesto stepped up to ficially remix the track, and we got two incredible remixes. The deadmau5 edit ended up being the true timeless classic. The fusion deadmau5's fantastical instrumental house and Calvin's silky lyrics made for a chilled out and infectious remix that lives on as a classic.
Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)
The Magician started f as half the production duo Aeroplane. Soon his solo career took f and ever since he has been in the forefront feel-good house music. His remix Lykke Li's massive hit ‘I Follow Rivers' is still played in sets today as a true heart melter. The catchy hook and easy to sing along lyrics helped make this one a timeless classic immediately.
Swedish House Mafia – Save The World (Zedd Remix)
With Swedish House Maif reuniting at Ultra 20 this year, their music has found a resurgence in popularity. But looking back, one their best tunes might have actually been a remix by none other than Zedd. Back in the day Zedd lived and died by the buzzsaw synth, making some truly high energy BANGERS. His edit this classic made it festival ready in the time early 2010's electro popularity explosion. It has truly stood the test time as a remix.
Reflekt – Need To Feel Love (deadmau5 remix)
This is truly an under-appreciated work art. Deadmau5 took on Reflekt's ‘Need To Feel Love' and merged it with his own ‘The Reward Is Cheese' to create a truly one a kind masterpiece. The slowed down, driving beat that adds so depth to the track is something we rarely see in dance music today. While many the other remixes on this list have been high prile and recognizable – I ask you to check this one out above before questioning its spot on this list.
Tiesto – Flight 643 (Laidback Luke Remix)
One Tiesto's first major hits was his classic tune Flight 643. The song which was made during a transatlantic flight at the beginning the legend's career lives on as a timeless classic. Laidback Luke took on this remix and transformed it into a high-intensity club banger. It went from straight trance to a dark and mysterious electro cut. The minimal remix might not sound incredibly different, but it has made its way into more sets than the original has as it better mixes with tracks outside the trance genre.
Humate – Love Stimulation (Paul van Dyk's Love Club Mix)
I figured it was best to end this list with a true classic. In my humble opinion, this remix was the peak trance music. The emotional energy packed into the 8-minute track is truly sublime. Paul Van Dyk shows his legendary skill production and curation through his masterful rework a certifiable classic. This one will have you in your feels and ready to go hard all at the same time.
Honorable Mentions
La Roux – I'm Not Your Toy (Jack Beats Remix)
NERO – Promises (Skrillex Remix)
Pendulum – The Island (Madeon Remix)
Lorde – Tennis Courts (Flume Remix)
RUFUS – Innerbloom (What So Not Remix
So naturally I left f some…what remixes do you think should have found there way on this mix? Comment them below and maybe we will do a part 2…
Here is a Spotify playlist all the tracks in this article if you would like it. Deadmau5's remix Reflekt, Flume's remix Lorde, and Madeon's remix Pendulum are not included as they did not see an ficial release.