Few dance tracks from the 2000s are as instantly recognisable as “Call on Me” by Eric Prydz. Released in September 2004, the song became a worldwide club anthem, reaching number one in the UK and gaining enormous attention thanks to its unforgettable aerobics-themed music video.

But what many listeners don’t realise is that “Call on Me” was inspired by a much older song.

The famous vocal hook comes from “Valerie”, a 1982 track by British musician Steve Winwood. Its transformation into a dancefloor hit is one of the most interesting examples of sampling and musical reinvention in electronic music.

Here’s everything you need to know about Eric Prydz’s “Call on Me”, including the original song, its history, music video, lyrics and lasting influence.

Who Sang the Original Call on Me Song?

The hit version of “Call on Me” was recorded and produced by Swedish DJ Eric Prydz and released on September 13, 2004.

However, the vocal melody and hook originated from Steve Winwood’s 1982 song “Valerie”.

Winwood originally released “Valerie” on his album Talking Back to the Night. Although the song initially achieved modest chart success, it later became an important influence on dance music.

More than two decades after its original release, Prydz transformed a short section of the recording into the foundation of “Call on Me”.

The result was a high-energy house track that combined a catchy 1980s vocal melody with a repetitive electronic beat.

Interestingly, Winwood reportedly re-recorded his vocal parts specifically for the Eric Prydz version, rather than the producer simply relying on the original recording.

This makes “Call on Me” an especially interesting example of how older songs can find entirely new audiences through modern production.

What Song Does Eric Prydz’s Call on Me Sample?

“Call on Me” is based on “Valerie” by Steve Winwood, originally released in 1982.

The song was written by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings and featured on Winwood’s third solo studio album, Talking Back to the Night.

The original recording is a melodic pop-rock track featuring Winwood’s distinctive vocals and synthesiser arrangements.

Eric Prydz took the most recognisable element of its chorus and built an electronic dance track around it.

Rather than featuring multiple verses or a complicated arrangement, “Call on Me” repeats a short vocal hook over a driving house beat.

This relatively simple approach helped make the track instantly memorable.

The original “Valerie” also gained renewed attention following the success of “Call on Me”, introducing Steve Winwood’s music to a younger generation.

Was Call on Me Originally a Daft Punk Song?

One of the lesser-known stories surrounding “Call on Me” involves Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter and French producer DJ Falcon.

Before Eric Prydz released his version, Bangalter and Falcon had experimented with a similar idea using Steve Winwood’s “Valerie”.

The two producers performed together under the name Together and had developed their own unreleased interpretation of the track.

Their version circulated through DJ sets but never received an official commercial release.

Eric Prydz subsequently developed his own production using the same musical inspiration.

This history has led to occasional confusion over whether “Call on Me” was originally a Daft Punk track.

The commercially released hit, however, was produced by Eric Prydz.

When Was Call on Me Released?

Eric Prydz released “Call on Me” on September 13, 2004.

The track quickly gained attention throughout Europe, becoming one of the biggest dance singles of the year.

In the UK, it was released through Data Records, part of the Ministry of Sound label group.

“Call on Me” entered the UK Singles Chart at number one and spent five non-consecutive weeks at the top.

It also reached number one in several other European countries, including Germany and Ireland.

Its commercial success helped establish Eric Prydz as one of the most recognisable names in electronic dance music.

More than two decades after its release, the song remains closely associated with the sound of early-2000s club music.

Who Is the Woman in the Call on Me Music Video?

The lead dancer in the famous “Call on Me” music video is Australian dancer and choreographer Deanne Berry.

The video features a group of dancers participating in an energetic aerobics class, with Berry leading the routine.

Argentine actor and dancer Juan Pablo Di Pace appears as the only man in the class.

The video was directed by Huse Monfaradi and features brightly coloured workout clothing, exaggerated dance movements and an unmistakable 1980s fitness aesthetic.

Inspired partly by the 1985 film Perfect, starring John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis, the video became one of the most talked-about music videos of the 2000s.

Its combination of dance choreography, fitness imagery and provocative presentation helped it attract substantial television coverage.

The video was regularly shown on music television channels and became a defining part of the song’s popularity.

For many listeners, the music video is just as memorable as the track itself.

Where Was the Call on Me Music Video Filmed?

The “Call on Me” music video was filmed at the Laban dance centre in Deptford, London.

The location provided the studio environment for the video’s now-famous aerobics class.

Although the setting appears to be a conventional fitness studio, the choreography and colourful costumes were carefully designed to recreate the style of 1980s exercise videos.

The result became one of the most recognisable dance music videos of its era.

What Are the Lyrics to Call on Me?

“Call on Me” is unusual because it uses very few lyrics.

Rather than telling a story through multiple verses, Eric Prydz builds the song around a short, repeating vocal phrase adapted from Steve Winwood’s “Valerie”.

The repetition is central to the track’s identity.

By looping a memorable vocal hook over an energetic dance beat, Prydz created a song that was easy to recognise on the radio or in a nightclub.

The minimal lyrics also helped the track appeal to international audiences, with the melody and production carrying much of its impact.

Although the words themselves are simple, their repeated use creates a distinctive musical hook that has remained memorable for more than 20 years.

What Genre Is Call on Me by Eric Prydz?

“Call on Me” is generally classified as house music, particularly electro house.

The track features several characteristics associated with electronic dance music from the early 2000s, including:

• A steady four-on-the-floor dance beat.
• Repetitive vocal sampling.
• Prominent synthesiser melodies.
• A strong bassline.
• A structure designed for clubs and DJ sets.

It also incorporates elements of French house, a genre associated with artists such as Daft Punk, Stardust and Cassius.

French house became particularly popular during the late 1990s and early 2000s, often combining disco or funk samples with electronic production.

“Call on Me” builds on a similar approach, taking an older recording and transforming it into a contemporary club hit.

How Successful Was Call on Me?

“Call on Me” became one of the defining dance singles of 2004.

Its biggest commercial achievement came in the UK, where it reached number one and remained there for five weeks.

The track also achieved major success across Europe and charted internationally.

Its popularity was driven by several factors.

First, the instantly recognisable vocal sample made the song extremely accessible.

Second, its energetic production made it particularly effective in nightclubs and dance music venues.

Finally, the music video helped introduce the song to audiences who might not ordinarily have listened to house music.

The combination of radio exposure, club support and music television created an international hit.

The song also demonstrated the commercial potential of turning older recordings into modern dance tracks.

Why Did Eric Prydz Stop Playing Call on Me?

Despite the enormous popularity of “Call on Me”, Eric Prydz became reluctant to perform the song during his DJ sets.

As his career developed, Prydz increasingly focused on progressive house, techno and more elaborate electronic productions.

Through projects such as Pryda and Cirez D, he developed a musical identity that was considerably different from the commercial sound of his 2004 hit.

Prydz has previously expressed mixed feelings about “Call on Me”, describing its production as relatively simple compared with his later work.

For many years, he largely avoided playing the track live.

However, in 2025, Prydz reportedly brought “Call on Me” back into one of his performances, around two decades after its original release.

Despite the artist’s complicated relationship with the track, it remains one of his most widely recognised releases.

Why Is Call on Me Still Popular?

More than 20 years after its release, “Call on Me” continues to be remembered as a classic example of 2000s dance music.

Part of its appeal comes from nostalgia.

For listeners who experienced the original release, the track brings back memories of early-2000s nightclubs, music television and dance compilations.

Younger listeners can also discover the track through streaming services, social media and retro dance playlists.

Its instantly recognisable hook makes it particularly suitable for short-form content, fitness videos and party playlists.

The music video has also helped preserve its cultural relevance.

Even people who cannot remember the artist’s name often recognise the song from the aerobics routine.

How Sampling Helped Turn Valerie Into a Dance Anthem

The story of “Call on Me” is a useful example of how sampling and reinterpretation can give existing music an entirely new life.

Steve Winwood’s original “Valerie” and Eric Prydz’s “Call on Me” are very different recordings, but they share an essential musical idea.

By isolating a memorable vocal hook and placing it into a new arrangement, Prydz introduced that melody to a different audience.

Sampling has played an important role in many genres, particularly hip-hop, house and electronic dance music.

However, artists looking to incorporate samples into their own recordings should understand the importance of copyright clearance.

Using part of an existing sound recording generally requires permission from the owner of the master recording, while using the underlying melody or composition may require permission from the music publisher or other composition rights holders.

Re-recording a sample does not automatically remove the need to clear the composition.

For independent producers, understanding the difference between recording rights and publishing rights is an essential part of releasing music legally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Call on Me

Who sings Call on Me?

“Call on Me” is performed and produced by Swedish DJ Eric Prydz. Its famous vocal hook originates from Steve Winwood’s song “Valerie”.

What is the original song sampled in Call on Me?

The original song is “Valerie” by Steve Winwood, released in 1982 on the album Talking Back to the Night.

What year did Call on Me come out?

Eric Prydz released “Call on Me” on September 13, 2004.

Who is the blonde dancer in the Call on Me video?

The lead dancer is Deanne Berry, an Australian dancer and choreographer.

Who is the man in the Call on Me video?

The male dancer is Argentine actor and performer Juan Pablo Di Pace.

Was Call on Me made by Daft Punk?

No. The commercially released song was produced by Eric Prydz. However, Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk and DJ Falcon had previously created a similar unreleased track using Steve Winwood’s “Valerie”.

Did Call on Me reach number one?

Yes. “Call on Me” reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 2004 and spent five weeks at the top.

What kind of music is Call on Me?

“Call on Me” is an electronic dance track generally associated with electro house and French house influences.

The Legacy of Eric Prydz’s Call on Me

“Call on Me” remains one of the most recognisable dance records of the 2000s.

From its origins in Steve Winwood’s 1982 recording of “Valerie” to its chart-topping success and famous music video, the track demonstrates how a simple musical idea can become a worldwide hit.

It also highlights the lasting value of music catalogues, where older compositions can find new commercial and cultural relevance decades after their original release.

For independent musicians and producers, the story provides a reminder that creativity does not always require starting from scratch. Sometimes, transforming an existing musical idea into something new can introduce it to an entirely different generation.