"Eric Prydz shares the reason for his sudden decision to perform the popular hit: No prior planning was involved in the change."
Eric Prydz, the Swedish DJ known for his electronic music, has recently started performing his 2004 hit "Call On Me" more frequently, marking a notable return of this iconic track to his live sets.
The song, which reached Number One in the UK in September 2004, is famous for its central sample derived from "Valerie" by Steve Winwood, an original '80s song. Interestingly, Steve Winwood himself re-recorded the sample for "Call On Me".
The return of "Call On Me" to Prydz's sets was unexpected, as he had not played the track for over 20 years. The first performance after this long hiatus was at a set in Austin, Texas, where he played it without any planning. The moment was unplanned, a surprise not only to Prydz but to everyone present.
The notorious 'sexy' aerobics video of "Call On Me" was memorable for its controversial content, and even then-Prime Minister Tony Blair commented about it. However, Prydz's decision to play the song again was met with enthusiasm, as evidenced by the video of the punters' reaction at the Brighton gig, which is available to view.
Prydz's performance of "Call On Me" at the Brighton gig felt "weird" to him, but he has now softened his stance towards playing the hit. He revealed in a new interview with Billboard that he played the song at a show in Austin this March, and two weeks later, he performed it at a gig in Brighton.
Despite the success of "Call On Me", Prydz has succeeded in becoming known for things beyond his breakthrough hit. He has continued to produce and perform music, establishing himself as a respected figure in the electronic music scene.
However, the decision to play "Call On Me" was not without controversy. Refusing to play the track at a gig in Quebec City, Canada in 2008 led to punters bottling his decks. But it seems that the positive response to his recent performances of the song has outweighed any negativity.
[1] Billboard interview with Eric Prydz [2] On The Beach 2025 setlist [3] Brighton gig video of "Call On Me" [4] Austin show setlist [5] Steve Winwood's re-recording of "Valerie"
The unexpected return of "Call On Me" to Eric Prydz's live sets has reignited interest in this iconic track, offering fans a fresh dose of entertainment through the memorable fusion of electronic music and the sample from Steve Winwood's "Valerie."
Through his continuation of music production and performances, Prydz seeks to provide more than just a taste of his breakthrough hit, diversifying his offerings within the realm of entertainment.
