Electronic dance music is built on reinvention, taking snippets of sound and transforming them into global anthems. Some of the most iconic vocal hooks in EDM history have origins that might surprise you—borrowed from decades-old records, obscure movie dialogue, or even live performances. While some hits like Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” are well-known for their sampling, there are many hidden vocal gems with stories waiting to be uncovered.
Here’s a curated list of iconic and unexpected vocal samples in EDM and where they came from:
1. Eric Prydz – “Call on Me”
Sample Source: Steve Winwood – “Valerie” (1982)
Eric Prydz’s timeless dance hit takes its unforgettable hook directly from Steve Winwood’s soulful track “Valerie.” What makes this sample iconic is Winwood himself re-recording the vocals to give Prydz permission to use it. This collaboration gave the track an extra punch and cemented its place as an all-time classic.
2. Fatboy Slim – “Right Here, Right Now”
Sample Source: Angela Bassett – Strange Days MOVIE (1995)
This epic track opens with Angela Bassett’s line, “Right here, right now,” from the sci-fi thriller Strange Days. It’s a small but powerful vocal moment that defines the urgency and energy of Fatboy Slim’s masterpiece.
3. Daft Punk – “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”
Sample Source: Edwin Birdsong – “Cola Bottle Baby” (1979)
Daft Punk transformed a funky vocal snippet from Edwin Birdsong’s “Cola Bottle Baby” into one of their most famous tracks. The repetition and robotic processing turned this 70s funk tune into a futuristic anthem.
4. The Chemical Brothers feat. Q-Tip – Go
Sample Source: “By the Way You Dance (I Knew It Was You)” by Bunny Sigler (1978)
In their 2015 track “Go!” from Born in the Echoes, The Chemical Brothers sample Bunny Sigler’s soulful hit “By the Way You Dance (I Knew It Was You)” from 1978. Sigler’s smooth, upbeat vocal line is reinterpreted by The Chemical Brothers, contributing to the track’s infectious groove and energy. This sample provides an unmistakable funk feel that blends beautifully with the electronic elements the duo is known for.
5. Avicii – “Levels”
Sample Source: Etta James – “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” (1962)
The soaring vocal riff in “Levels” comes straight from the blues queen Etta James. The unmistakable, gospel-inspired “Ohhhh sometimes” refrain gave the track its spine, elevating it into a global sensation.
6. Disclosure – “When a Fire Starts to Burn”
Sample Source: Eric Thomas – Motivational Speech
The intense and rhythmic vocal in this track comes from motivational speaker Eric Thomas. The duo chopped his energetic dialogue into a hypnotic mantra that perfectly complements their deep house groove.
7. The Prodigy – “Smack My B*h Up”**
Sample Source: Kool Keith – “Give the Drummer Some” (1988)
The controversial hook from The Prodigy’s iconic track is a vocal snippet from Kool Keith. His line, “Change my pitch up, smack my b***h up,” was transformed into one of the most memorable phrases in dance music history.
8. Nero – “Reaching Out”
Sample Source: “Out of Touch” by Daryl Hall & John Oates (1984)
Nero’s 2011 track “Reaching Out,” from their album Welcome Reality, samples the iconic 1984 hit “Out of Touch” by Daryl Hall & John Oates. The sample appears around the 0:10 mark of “Reaching Out,” adding a touch of classic 80s synth-driven funk to the modern dubstep production. The combination of Daryl Hall’s soaring vocals and the gritty bass of Nero creates a unique hybrid sound that resonates across both old-school and contemporary dance music scenes.
9. Justice – “D.A.N.C.E.”
Sample Source: “Me Against the Music” by Britney Spears (2003)
Justice’s D.A.N.C.E. is often thought of as an interpolation of Britney Spears’ Me Against the Music—specifically the vocals and lyrics in the chorus. While the two tracks are distinct, the influence of the catchy vocal hook in Me Against the Music can be heard clearly in D.A.N.C.E., particularly in the chorus.
10. Armand Van Helden – “You Don’t Know Me”
Sample Source: Carrie Lucas – “Dance with You” (1979)
The unforgettable riff in this track comes from Carrie Lucas’s disco hit. Armand Van Helden artfully blended the sample with his signature house production, making it an all-time dancefloor favorite.
11. Flume – “Holdin’ On”
Sample Source: “I Can’t Turn You Loose” by Anthony White (1977)
Flume’s track Holdin On features a memorable vocal sample from Anthony White’s I Can’t Turn You Loose. This sample, particularly noticeable around the 1:05 mark, helps create a soulful, groovy vibe that fits perfectly with Flume’s unique blend of future bass and electronic influences. The powerful, emotive vocal lines from White’s track are reinterpreted in Holdin On, adding depth and character to Flume’s production.
12. Moby – “Natural Blues”
Sample Source: Vera Hall – “Trouble So Hard” (1937)
Moby’s haunting vocal refrain is a direct lift from Vera Hall’s traditional folk song. The bluesy wail contrasts beautifully with the electronic production, creating a timeless soundscape.
13. CamelPhat – “Compute”
Sample Source: “It’s More Fun to Compute” by Kraftwerk (1981)
CamelPhat’s Compute, featuring Ali Love, utilizes a direct sample of It’s More Fun to Compute by Kraftwerk, but it is not a vocal sample. Instead, CamelPhat has sampled various instrumental and electronic elements from Kraftwerk’s 1981 track, It’s More Fun to Compute, which is part of their Computer World album.
The iconic mechanical beats, synthetic melodies, and digital soundscapes from the original track are reinterpreted and restructured throughout Compute in different sections, such as at 0:00, 0:08, and 0:55. These elements were some of the first to explore the connection between computers, technology, and music, and CamelPhat’s incorporation of them highlights their respect for Kraftwerk’s groundbreaking influence on the electronic genre.
14, Tiësto and Allure – “The Loves We Lost”
Sample Source: “She Can’t Feel Anything Anymore” by Paula Cole (1994)
Tiësto and Allure’s The Loves We Lost from the In Search of Sunrise 4: Latin America compilation includes a subtle but impactful sample from Paula Cole’s track She Can’t Feel Anything Anymore off her 1994 album Harbinger. The sample appears at key points throughout The Loves We Lost — specifically at 2:05, 3:01, 3:59, and 5:10 — and serves as a signature emotional element of the track.
The sample from Paula Cole’s original song, particularly the melodic hook and emotional vocal phrasing, is carefully integrated into the trance anthem, accentuating its melancholic and reflective themes. The use of this sample blends the heartfelt atmosphere of Cole’s 1994 release with the uplifting yet emotional nature of Tiësto’s trance production, creating a rich juxtaposition.
15. Burial – “Archangel”
Sample Source: “One Wish” by Ray J (2005)
Burial’s Archangel from his 2007 album Untrue uses a direct vocal sample from Ray J’s 2005 hit One Wish, found on his Raydiation album. The sample appears multiple times throughout Archangel—specifically at 0:13, 0:15, 0:50, 1:22, 2:48, and 2:49—and provides an emotionally haunting and atmospheric layer to the track’s dark, UK garage-inspired beats.
The sample is subtly altered, with Ray J’s vulnerable and yearning vocal lines woven into Burial’s ghostly production, creating a contrast between R&B’s emotive quality and the cold, dystopian atmosphere of Archangel. The juxtaposition of these elements transforms One Wish into something entirely new, fitting perfectly within Burial’s signature sound while adding a soulful, human element to the haunting, electronic track.
16. Massive Attack – “Unfinished Sympathy”
Sample Source: “Planetary Citizen” by Mahavishnu Orchestra (1976)
Massive Attack’s iconic track Unfinished Sympathy from their groundbreaking 1991 album Blue Lines incorporates a direct sample from Mahavishnu Orchestra’s Planetary Citizen, which was featured on their 1976 album Inner Worlds. The sample appears at key points in Unfinished Sympathy, notably at 0:32, 2:19, and 2:30, and adds a unique layer of texture to the song’s mix of electronic, soul, and jazz influences.
The sampled section from Mahavishnu Orchestra’s track includes an ethereal, sweeping instrumental, which seamlessly blends into Massive Attack’s deep, atmospheric production. This collaboration between the worlds of jazz fusion and electronic music gives Unfinished Sympathy a complex, layered soundscape, underscoring the track’s themes of love, loss, and emotional depth. The fusion of these two genres—spanning over two decades—creates a timeless piece that still resonates within the electronic music scene today.
17. Aphex Twin – “Xtal”
Sample Source: “Evil at Play” by Steve Jefferies, Mary Carewe, and Donald Greig (1986)
Aphex Twin’s iconic track Xtal from his 1992 album Selected Ambient Works 85-92 uses a direct sample from Evil at Play, a track by Steve Jefferies, Mary Carewe, and Donald Greig. The sample, which appears at 0:17 and 0:15 in Evil at Play, is subtly incorporated throughout Xtal, giving the song a lush, atmospheric feel that became a hallmark of Aphex Twin’s ambient style.
The sampled elements from Evil at Play bring a dreamy, almost haunting vocal atmosphere to the track. While Xtal is primarily an instrumental piece, the inclusion of the sample enhances its textural depth, making it a defining moment in the evolution of early electronic and ambient music. The fusion of these vocals and Aphex Twin’s intricate, ethereal production creates a sound that has since influenced countless artists in the ambient and IDM genres.
How to Make Your Own Mark in EDM
Inspired by the genius sampling in these tracks? Crafting your own hit with a standout vocal hook takes skill, creativity, and the right collaborators. At REWWWIND, our team specializes in music composition and production, helping you bring your vision to life. Whether you need an original vocal recording or expert advice on licensing samples, we’ve got you covered.
Sampling has always been an essential part of EDM, breathing new life into forgotten or overlooked recordings. Whether producers repurpose iconic moments or create fresh ones inspired by older styles, vocal samples continue to bridge generations and shape the future of dance music.
What’s your favorite sampled vocal moment in EDM? Let us know in the comments!