It became a viral sensation long before social media, even catching the attention of then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair , who joked that he "nearly fell off his rowing machine" when it first came on.
Music fans and critics alike continue to debate the track's blend of mainstream appeal and its role in dance music history.
Released in September 2004, "Call on Me" was originally a raw club tool. It is based on a replayed sample of . Interestingly, the track was inspired by a similar, unreleased version played in DJ sets by the French duo Together (composed of Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter and DJ Falcon). When Together declined to officially release their version, Ministry of Sound reportedly approached a young Eric Prydz to create his own. A Literal Re-Recording
For two decades, Prydz distanced himself from the track, calling it "super lazy" and refusing to play it during his live sets. This refusal was so legendary that he once faced an angry crowd in Canada who threw bottles at his decks when he wouldn't play it.
Unlike many sample-heavy tracks that rely on old masters, "Call on Me" features a unique collaboration. Steve Winwood liked Prydz’s take so much that he specifically for the track to ensure the highest quality for the higher-tempo house rhythm. The Notorious Video