The Anthem That Defined a Generation
"Levels" is arguably the most recognizable EDM track of the 2010s. Produced by Tim Bergling (Avicii), the song's vocal hook is sampled from Etta James' 1962 gospel-inspired hit Something's Got a Hold on Me. While the lyrics are sparse, singing this track is about capturing the raw soul and power of the original sample while locking into the precise electronic timing.
Unlike a pop ballad, you don't have a long narrative arc to develop. You have one phrase that repeats, which means you have to nail the tone and energy perfectly every single time. It requires a strong mix belt and impeccable rhythm.
AI Coach Tip: Placement is Key
Many singers sound too "nasal" when trying to mimic the high pitch of the sample. Keep the sound in your chest and forward in the mouth ("mask resonance") rather than the nose to get that authentic soulful power.
Phase 1: The Soulful Pickup
The phrase begins with "Oh, sometimes..." leading into the beat. This pickup needs to be heavy and grounded. In the original Etta James recording, this is pure chest voice.
The Trap: Rushing the beat. Because this is a dance track at 126 BPM, singers often anticipate the drop and sing ahead of the beat. Use the Singing Coach AI visualizer to ensure you are locking exactly onto the grid.
Phase 2: The Belt ("Good Feeling")
The line "I get a good feeling" climbs into the upper register. This sits right in the passaggio (bridge) for many male singers and is a strong belt for female singers. You need to support this from your diaphragm, not your throat.
- Vowel Modification: Open the "ee" sound in "feeling" slightly towards an "ih" sound to prevent tension in the jaw.
- Dynamics: The volume needs to be consistent. This is a compressed, "loud" production style, so whispering won't work here.
Phase 3: The Sustain ("Yeah")
The phrase often resolves with a sustained "Yeah" that carries vibrato before the synth melody takes over. This note needs to be held steady without wavering in pitch. It serves as the transition from the organic vocal to the electronic drop.
Focus on a clean release of the note. Don't let the pitch drop off at the end; cut it cleanly to match the sharp production of the track.
Frequently Asked Questions
The vocals are not sung by Avicii himself; they are sampled from Etta James' song "Something's Got a Hold on Me."
The melody is repetitive, making it easy to memorize, but the vocal technique required to match the power and grit of Etta James is challenging. It requires a developed chest belt.
Avicii pitch-shifted the sample in various parts of the song. We recommend singing in the key that feels most natural to your voice, or using the app to transpose the backing track to your range.
