Calvin Harris Remix Roundup: Listen to 9 Best Right Now
To remix an artist like Calvin Harris is no easy task. The dude writes instant classics in his sleep. He eats, breathes and bleeds impeccable hooks. We’re not entirely sure he’s truly human.
Still, Harris is a DJ, and other DJs have to remix his work. It’s part of the EDM deal, especially when you’ve got a big hit on your hands. A lot of producers may be content to just rip a Harris vocal or recognizable synth melody and slap it on a trap drop or hard style beat, but those artists aren’t being very, well, artistic.
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A real remix is one that looks into the soul of a song and finds something other ears can’t hear. A real remix helps you hear a familiar tune in an exciting new way. It’s not just an excuse to work a hit into your set of a totally different genre it’s a complete reimagining of a theme.
Here, we explore nine instances where artists took Harris’ near-perfect production and turned it on its head in the best way possible.
“I’m Not Alone” – deadmau5
This rework of 2009’s “I’m Not Alone” sounds exactly like you’d imagine a deadmau5 remix of Calvin Harris to sound like. It’s like listening to a computer’s daydream, and it’s got those signature deadmau5 drums all over it.
“Blame” – R3hab
We’re pretty sure R3hab has remixed every Calvin Harris single ever released, but this is far and away the most interesting. Who knew the hard and fast Dutch house dude could make such beautiful trap music?
“Thinking About You” – Big Z
What if Calvin Harris made soulful future house? Wonder no more. Harris’ romantic lyrics sound even sweeter over this cotton-candy beat. It just sounds like it would melt in your mouth. Delicious.
“Pray to God” feat. Haim – Mike Pickering vs. Calvin Harris Hacienda Remix
Remove the dramatic strings and replace them with some heavy percussion. Throw some staccato piano on there, and bring out Haim’s beautiful harmonies. That’s how you turn a modern house crossover into a vintage-style banger.
“Outside” feat. Ellie Goulding – Savagez
We’re not sure how long Ellie Goulding would survive in the trap, but her angelic vocals hold strong among these funked-up, dabbed-out beats. Savagez didn’t make the edges so hard as to drown out Harris’ killer melodies, and for that, we thank them.
“I Need Your Love” – AutoErotique
Goulding and Harris together is a perfect match, and if AutoErotique ever wants to invite itself to the party, we wouldn’t guard the door. This tune is just incredibly fun and sexy. It’s like someone handed the song a chill pill and took it one deeper.
“Bounce” – DEVI
Most remixes can’t get past that legendary synth line, but DEVI turns the focus on Kelis and envelopes that earworm melody in darker shades. Just a hint of the original vibe remains, but we like where this is going.
“Ready for the Weekend” – High Contrast
Screw the weekend. Who’s ready for the drum’n’bass? It was great when Harris gave us disco perfection, but this track just got 110 percent more live. How it didn’t herald the return of d’n’b in 2009, no one can understand.
“This is What You Came For” – Dillon Francis
This is only a snippet, but it already sounds like maybe the best Calvin Harris remix of all. Ain’t nothin’ funny about this Francis effort, though we’re sure it pairs well with tacos.
