Calvin Harris has become a household name in the global music scene, renowned for his infectious beats and collaborations with some of the biggest artists in the world. From his early electro-house anthems to his more recent funk-infused tracks, Calvin Harris Songs have consistently dominated charts and playlists. This list explores some of his best work, showcasing the evolution of his sound and his undeniable impact on modern music.
20. Scissor Sisters – Only the Horses (2012)
While not strictly a Calvin Harris solo track, “Only the Horses” by Scissor Sisters features his distinctive production touch. From their album Magic Hour, this single sees Harris adding his signature knob-twiddling magic. The lyrics move away from the band’s usual camp style, exploring more melancholic themes, while Harris’s production builds the song to its chorus with an energetic snap, creating a memorable and unique sound.
19. Calvin Harris – Hard to Love ft Jessie Reyez (2017)
“Hard to Love” featuring Jessie Reyez is a standout track from Calvin Harris’s Funk Wav Bounces Vol 1, an album that marked a significant shift in his musical direction. Moving away from pure EDM, this song delves into downtempo territory, highlighting Harris’s versatility. Reyez’s raw and emotive vocals take center stage over a simple, scratchy guitar riff and subtle beats, creating an intimate and captivating listening experience. This track proves Calvin Harris can masterfully craft more than just high-energy dance anthems.
18. Love Regenerator – Lonely ft Riva Starr and Sananda Maitreya (2022)
Under his alias Love Regenerator, Calvin Harris explores his deeper passion for dance music, often releasing tracks with a less mainstream, more underground feel. “Lonely,” featuring Riva Starr and Sananda Maitreya, is a prime example. This slowly building track is a gem within his Love Regenerator project, showcasing a less pressured and more experimental side of Harris’s production. The collaboration with Riva Starr and the captivating vocals of Sananda Maitreya (formerly Terence Trent D’Arby) make this an exceptional and hypnotic tune.
17. Sophie Ellis Bextor – Off & On (2011)
“Off & On” performed by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, was originally intended for Róisín Murphy. This track, co-written by Cathy Dennis, found its perfect home with Ellis-Bextor. Calvin Harris’s production utilizes an oscillating synth riff that perfectly mirrors the lyrical themes of confusion and uncertainty in a relationship. The song’s structure cleverly reflects the dissolving relationship, with the music subtly disintegrating as the narrative unfolds, creating a sonically and thematically cohesive piece.
16. Calvin Harris – New Money ft 21 Savage (2022)
From Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2, “New Money” featuring 21 Savage, is a standout amidst a star-studded album. In an album packed with guest features, this track manages to shine with its catchy chorus and smooth funk vibes. Atlanta rapper 21 Savage delivers memorable lines over Harris’s slick bassline, making “New Money” a svelte and infectious slice of modern funk that exemplifies Harris’s ability to blend genres seamlessly.
15. Calvin Harris – Acceptable in the 80s (2007)
“Acceptable in the 80s” was Calvin Harris’s breakthrough single, instantly recognizable for its infectious synth riff, which has been widely used in various media. This track perfectly encapsulates the playful electronic sound of the 1980s, reminiscent of Daft Punk’s Around the World era. While channeling French electronic influences, Harris’s deadpan vocal delivery adds a unique and slightly ironic twist to this nostalgic and catchy tune, making it a defining track of his early career.
14. Dizzee Rascal – Dance Wiv Me (2008)
Dizzee Rascal enlisted Calvin Harris to produce tracks for his pop-oriented album Tongue n’ Cheek after being impressed by “Acceptable in the 80s.” “Dance Wiv Me” is the result of this collaboration, a track with a gloriously upbeat and slightly chaotic backing track. Harris not only crafted the song’s energetic production but also contributed key vocal lines, including the memorable “Tell your boyfriend hold your jar,” adding a playful and humorous element to this UK chart-topper.
13. Cheryl – Call My Name (2012)
“Call My Name” by Cheryl, while bearing similarities to Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” possesses its own simplistic charm and effectiveness. Produced by Calvin Harris, the song effectively blends various EDM elements, from the straightforward synth riff to the predictable yet satisfying drops. Despite its seemingly formulaic structure and somewhat generic ad-libs, “Call My Name” holds a certain undeniable magic, becoming a pop earworm that showcases Harris’s knack for creating commercially successful tracks.
12. Calvin Harris – Slide ft Frank Ocean and Migos (2017)
Frank Ocean performing at Panorama Festival 2017. Photograph: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS
“Slide” featuring Frank Ocean and Migos served as the lead single for Funk Wav Bounces Vol 1, signaling Calvin Harris’s deliberate move away from conventional EDM. This track successfully balances breezy, handclap-driven beats with warm organ sounds, creating a laid-back and groovy atmosphere. Frank Ocean’s relaxed vocal delivery of the chorus is perfectly complemented by Migos’ energetic verse, showcasing a brilliant contrast and solidifying “Slide” as a smooth and innovative hit.
11. Calvin Harris – Outside ft Ellie Goulding (2014)
“Outside,” another collaboration between Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding following “I Need Your Love,” features Goulding’s signature ethereal vocals floating over a bed of swirling strings. These strings eventually coalesce into the song’s piercing and memorable riff. While many tracks on the album Motion aimed squarely for dance-pop chart success, “Outside” stands out for its relative restraint and nuanced production, allowing Goulding’s voice and the song’s melody to truly shine.
10. Normani x Calvin Harris – Checklist ft Wizkid (2018)
Following Normani’s departure from Fifth Harmony, she teamed up with Calvin Harris for two singles, with “Checklist” featuring Wizkid being the stronger of the pair. This Afroswing-infused track is a club-ready banger that highlights Normani’s versatility as an artist. Her confident delivery, blending rapping and singing, perfectly complements the nocturnal, sweat-inducing beat, making “Checklist” a standout collaboration that pushed boundaries and showcased Normani’s star power.
9. Calvin Harris – This Is What You Came For ft Rihanna (2016)
“This Is What You Came For” featuring Rihanna was initially shrouded in secrecy, with co-writer Taylor Swift credited under a pseudonym. Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, this third collaboration between Harris and Rihanna is a powerful and sophisticated track. It’s a downbeat yet danceable anthem that builds and swirls like a sonic tornado, showcasing Harris’s production prowess and Rihanna’s compelling vocal performance. The song’s enduring popularity solidifies its place as one of their best collaborations.
8. Calvin Harris – I’m Not Alone (2009)
Calvin Harris described “I’m Not Alone” as a stadium dance anthem, drawing comparisons to Snow Patrol, Faithless, and Grandaddy. This track perfectly embodies that description, beginning with a melancholic and intimate guitar riff before exploding into a euphoric, hands-in-the-air climax. As part of the early US EDM boom, “I’m Not Alone” became hugely influential. Its impact was further cemented when Chris Brown sampled it for his hit “Yeah 3x,” demonstrating its broad appeal and lasting influence.
7. Rita Ora – I Will Never Let You Down (2014)
“I Will Never Let You Down” for Rita Ora, solely written and produced by Calvin Harris, is an ode to the overwhelming joy of 1980s Whitney Houston anthems. Built around a wriggling synth riff, the song progressively detonates into a sky-high chorus that is pure pop euphoria. Just when you think the song has peaked, Harris introduces a heavily filtered guitar riff, adding an extra layer of intensity and hysteria, making it a truly exhilarating and unforgettable track.
6. Kylie Minogue – In My Arms (2007)
Dua Lipa performing at the Sziget Festival in 2018. Photograph: Alejandro García/EPA
“In My Arms” marked Calvin Harris’s first major production for another artist, Kylie Minogue. This track encapsulates a beautiful and simple message about the power of a hug within a perfectly crafted electropop confection. Opening with a spoken-word intro that poses the timeless pop question, “How do you describe a feeling?”, the song quickly ascends into pop heaven thanks to Harris and co-producer Biff Stannard’s masterful use of synths, creating a vibrant and uplifting track for Minogue.
5. Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa – One Kiss (2018)
“One Kiss,” a Brit Award-winning collaboration with Dua Lipa, sees Calvin Harris moving away from his EDM roots towards a more sophisticated club sound. Drawing inspiration from UK garage and diva house, the track’s post-chorus evokes a nostalgic journey back to the 90s dancefloor. Dua Lipa’s cool and detached vocal performance adds an intriguing layer of melancholy to the lyrical come-on, making “One Kiss” a nuanced and incredibly catchy hit that showcases Harris’s evolving production style.
4. Calvin Harris – Bounce ft Kelis (2011)
After a series of singles featuring his own vocals, Calvin Harris enlisted Kelis’s distinctive and husky voice for “Bounce,” the lead single from his album 18 Months. Kelis nonchalantly sings about dancing without caring what others think over a playful, pinging synth riff that gradually builds into one of Harris’s signature hands-in-the-air anthems. “Bounce” perfectly captures the energy and infectiousness of early Calvin Harris tracks, highlighting his ability to create irresistible dance-pop hits.
3. Calvin Harris – Feels ft Pharrell, Katy Perry and Big Sean (2017)
“Feels” featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, and Big Sean, marked another significant sonic shift for Calvin Harris on Funk Wav Bounces Vol 1. After establishing EDM as a dominant global genre, Harris pivoted to lighter, disco-infused sounds. “Feels” perfectly embodies this transition, a sun-drenched UK No. 1 that radiates pure summer vibes. Pharrell’s audibly smiling vocals and Katy Perry’s restrained yet playful performance, all anchored by Harris’s airy production, create a relaxed and effortlessly cool track.
2. Calvin Harris and Sam Smith – Promises (2018)
“Promises” with Sam Smith features background vocals from Jessie Reyez, adding another layer to this heady and love-infused track. The song feels buoyed by the rush of new romance, with Harris expertly crafting a production that allows Sam Smith’s soaring vocals to take center stage. House-style piano stabs, a roaming bassline, and delicate funk guitar flourishes enrich the track, reminding listeners of Smith’s potential in the dance music realm and showcasing Harris’s versatility in blending pop and house elements seamlessly.
1. Rihanna ft Calvin Harris – We Found Love (2011)
“We Found Love” featuring Rihanna is arguably the quintessential Calvin Harris song and a defining track of the 2010s. Originally intended for Leona Lewis and offered to Nicole Scherzinger, it found its ultimate home with Rihanna. Solely written and produced by Harris, a rarity in contemporary pop, “We Found Love” is a dance anthem that paradoxically celebrates simplicity while exploring the complexities of love. Harris’s frantic production, built on two-finger synth riffs and pulsating EDM beats, provides the perfect backdrop for Rihanna’s repeated mantra, “we found love in a hopeless place,” transforming a simple pop lyric into a profound and universally relatable emotion. “We Found Love” cemented Rihanna’s superstar status and catapulted Calvin Harris into the highest echelons of music production, making it the undeniable number one Calvin Harris song.
