Anyone who is on the app TikTok, or its predecessor Musical.ly, may recognize the lyrics of the following song: “Monday left me broken, Tuesday I was through with hoping, Wednesday my empty arms are open, Thursday waiting for love, waiting for love.”
What they might not know is that this song, “Waiting for Love” is one of 14 songs on an incredible album by Avicii titled “Stories.”
Tim Bergling, who is known by his stage name Avicii, said to the press before the release of the album that it was going to be “a lot more song-oriented.” Bergling collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry, like Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band, for this album.
The album was officially released on Oct. 2, 2015 with four singles pre-released. “Stories” was the fourth-most listened to album of 2015 on Spotify.
The album starts with the lead single “Waiting for Love.” Arguably the most popular track of this album, and one of Avicii’s most popular songs for that matter, combines Simon Aldred’s soulful voice with the synthesized tuning Avicii is best known for. With over 1.5 billion streams, it’s safe to say this song will continue to be a go-to song for any occasion for years to come.
The second single to be promotionally released was “For a Better Day.” This single holds a stark contrast to “Waiting for Love,” as it is more of a relaxing Pop Electronic Dance Music (EDM) track than the latter. However, it is worth mentioning Avicii’s piano riffs throughout the song easily get stuck in the listener’s head.
“Pure Grinding,” the third single from the album, is the perfect song to motivate the listener in every aspect, whether it is running, lifting or even academic work. Personally, this is one of my go-to songs when I’m struggling in a workout. The fast paced and empowering lyrics combined with Earl St. Clair’s raspy and harsh voice creates the perfect song to get work done.
The fourth and final single from the album is “Broken Arrows.” This song has the iconic voice of Zac Brown, known for his work such as “Chicken Fried” and “Same Boat” as a part of the Zac Brown Band. However, the star of this song is once again Avicii’s immense talent behind the booth, creating a background tune that shines just as bright as the lead singer.
Another notable song from “Stories” includes “Trouble.” This is one of the most inspiring songs I have listened to as a music junkie. The song discusses themes of perseverance and finding happiness. Bergling’s lyric “I’m a million miles ahead of where I’m from, but there’s still another million miles to come,” showcases fighting for the best in life.
While Bergling sadly passed away in 2018, his raw talent and capability to capture listeners with his EDM beats and song themes makes this album one that will stand the test of time. Anyone who has not heard of Bergling’s discography is missing out on his catchiness and aptitude to create some of the most popular songs of the 2010s.
