2024 marks the 20th anniversary of Eric Prydz's iconic track, "Call on Me," which has left an indelible mark on the dance music landscape. Released in 2004, the track draws inspiration from Steve Winwood's 1982 classic "Valerie," forming the backbone of its infectious melody. The song is characterized by catchy beats and memorable visuals that defined an era of dance music.
The accompanying music video, directed by Huse Monfaradi, features a vibrant aerobics class with dancers dressed in 1980s-inspired outfits, led by Deanne Berry. The suggestive choreography, combined with its colorful aesthetics, not only garnered significant attention but also became a hallmark of the early 2000s dance scene. Filmed at the Laban Dance Centre in London, the video has been compared to scenes from the 1985 film "Perfect," starring John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Despite its massive success, the video received mixed critical reviews. NME rated it among the 50 Worst Music Videos Ever, while Vice Media declared it the "Sexiest Music Video of All Time." Commercially, "Call on Me" performed exceptionally well, topping the UK Singles Chart during a time of diminished CD single sales, setting a record for the lowest number of singles sold to reach a number one position. In total, the track sold over 335,000 copies in the UK, making it the fourth biggest-selling single of 2004.
Internationally, the song achieved number-one rankings in Germany and Ireland, and it reached number two in Australia. Following the success of the video, Ministry of Sound released a feature-length DVD titled "Pump It Up: The Ultimate Dance Workout," highlighting the aerobics routines showcased in the video. Additionally, the music video became the highest-downloaded music video in Australia at the time, further solidifying its place in dance music history.
Eric Prydz's "Call on Me" is a defining anthem of its era, exemplifying the innovative spirit that characterized the early days of dance music and illustrating the lasting impact of its strong visual and musical elements.