If you’ve ever lost yourself in the electric pulse of UK dance-pop, you already know that Example — born Elliot John Gleave — occupies a lane entirely his own. Sitting somewhere between electro-pop euphoria, hip-hop swagger, and stadium-sized anthems, his discography is a genuine journey through a decade of sonic evolution. Whether you discovered him via the blistering energy of “Changed The Way You Kiss Me” or stumbled onto the brooding depth of “Say Nothing,” there’s no denying the man has a gift for making songs that lodge themselves permanently in your chest. This list celebrates the best songs of Example, spanning his greatest hits and deeper cuts that deserve far more credit than they typically receive. For those who love immersing themselves in music like this with proper audio quality, it’s worth checking out some top-rated headphones for music lovers — because Example’s production, handled largely by the brilliant Dirty South and later his own imprint, genuinely rewards high-fidelity listening.
Changed The Way You Kiss Me
If there’s one track that catapulted Example into mainstream consciousness, it’s this one. Released in May 2011 from the album Playing in the Shadows, “Changed The Way You Kiss Me” hit number one on the UK Singles Chart and remained there for three weeks — a commercial peak that few artists ever experience. The production is a masterclass in tension and release: Shy FX’s signature drum patterns underpin a relentlessly ascending synth hook that feels like sunrise compressed into four minutes. Lyrically, Gleave taps into that specific brand of infatuation where a person fundamentally rewires your emotional circuitry — not just love, but transformation. On a good pair of headphones, the layered reverb on the vocal tail is genuinely spine-tingling.
Kickstarts
Before the pop breakthrough, there was “Kickstarts” — and for many long-time fans, this 2010 single remains the definitive Example track. Built around a deceptively simple but devastatingly effective vocal chop loop, the production (credited to Dirty South) pairs UK grime sensibility with Ibiza-ready euphoria. What makes “Kickstarts” special is its energy economy: it never overstays its welcome, never buries the hook under unnecessary production clutter. The lyrical content — about escapism, recklessness, and living for the night — resonated with an entire generation of late teens who were discovering club culture for the first time. Live, this song is absolutely unstoppable; the crowd participation during the drop is one of those communal music moments you simply don’t forget.
Won’t Go Quietly
Released in 2010 from Won’t Go Quietly, this title track is arguably Example’s most defiant statement. The production layers a punishing 4-on-the-floor kick drum beneath melodic synth stabs that feel simultaneously aggressive and euphoric — a difficult balance that the track pulls off with remarkable confidence. Lyrically, it’s a declaration of artistic independence, a refusal to be boxed in or written off, which gave it an anthemic quality that appealed far beyond dance music circles. The bridge breakdown, where the instrumentation strips back before exploding back into the chorus, is pure adrenaline. If you need a track to blast at maximum volume on a long drive, this is the one.
Stay Awake
From Playing in the Shadows (2011), “Stay Awake” captures something beautifully bittersweet — the desperation to prolong a perfect moment before it dissolves. The production favors cascading synth arpeggios over a steady mid-tempo groove, giving it a more reflective, emotionally layered texture than Example’s club-ready material. The vocal performance here is among Gleave’s best: he lets certain phrases hang in the air with genuine vulnerability, resisting the temptation to oversell the emotion. There’s a cinematic quality to the arrangement that works just as beautifully at 2 AM through headphones as it does on a festival stage. A track that genuinely improves with every listen.
Watch The Sun Come Up
Co-produced with Dirty South, “Watch The Sun Come Up” is a love letter to the hours after midnight — that suspended, golden window when the night hasn’t quite ended and the morning hasn’t entirely arrived. The production warmth here is exceptional; the synth pads carry a gentle, almost nostalgic quality that contrasts beautifully with the driving beat. Lyrically, Example paints specific, sensory details rather than generic romanticism, which gives the song a lived-in authenticity. The chorus is an absolute earworm, the kind that resurfaces unexpectedly at odd moments days later. This one rewards attentive listening through quality earbuds or in-ears where the subtle mid-range details become fully audible.
Say Nothing
One of Example’s most emotionally intelligent songs, “Say Nothing” navigates the specific ache of a relationship that both people know is ending but neither wants to formally acknowledge. The production takes a step back from the big-room EDM sound, favoring a more intimate arrangement where piano chords and understated electronic percussion give the vocals space to breathe. Gleave’s melodic instincts on the chorus are impeccable — the interval jumps feel both surprising and inevitable, which is the hallmark of genuinely great melodic writing. Released from Playing in the Shadows, it demonstrated that Example’s artistic range extended well beyond the dancefloor. A slow-burn masterpiece that doesn’t announce itself but lingers indefinitely.
Midnight Run
“Midnight Run” carries the frantic, breathless energy of its title. The production leans into driving electro-house with rapid hi-hat patterns and a synth bassline that genuinely propels forward momentum. What distinguishes this from generic EDM fare is Example’s vocal control — his delivery shifts registers smoothly, carrying conversational verses into soaring chorus moments without the transition feeling forced. The song captures a very specific nocturnal feeling: streets lit by headlights, decisions made without overthinking, the city as a backdrop for private emotional drama. It’s a track built for movement, whether that means the dancefloor or just pacing your apartment at 1 AM.
All The Wrong Places
This one feels like the honest self-assessment that comes after a string of bad decisions. “All The Wrong Places” deals with seeking connection in spaces and situations fundamentally ill-suited to finding it — clubs, fleeting encounters, surface-level distractions. The production carries a more melancholic undertone than much of Example’s work, with minor-key synth progressions threading through the arrangement even during the chorus. Lyrically, it’s among his most personal writing, and the specificity of the observations gives it genuine emotional weight. The production balance between introspection and danceability is a delicate achievement that the track handles beautifully.
Close Enemies
Built on a grittier, more hip-hop-influenced sonic palette, “Close Enemies” showcases the side of Example’s artistry that his pop success sometimes overshadowed. The lyrical content here is direct, confrontational, and sharp — a track about betrayal and the particular sting of being wronged by someone who was supposed to be in your corner. The beat features a hard-edged, minimal production aesthetic where each element — snare, bass, vocal — occupies its own distinct sonic space. Example’s flow on the verses is notably tighter here than on his more melodic material, demonstrating the hip-hop craft at the foundation of his musical identity. Underrated in discussions of his catalog.
Kids Again
“Kids Again” is perhaps Example’s most straightforwardly nostalgic work — a genuine ode to the freedom, recklessness, and uncomplicated joy of being young before responsibility colonized every corner of your life. The production features bright, almost euphoric synth work that mirrors the emotional content perfectly, and the chorus lands with the kind of communal warmth that made this track such a fan favorite at live shows. Gleave’s vocal delivery here is loose and natural, carrying real affection rather than manufactured sentiment. There’s something universally resonant in the core lyrical idea — the wish to temporarily shed the weight of adulthood and remember what pure, unguarded enthusiasm felt like.
Natural Disaster (feat. Laidback Luke)
The collaboration with Dutch DJ and producer Laidback Luke is one of the most sonically precise entries in Example’s catalog. Luke’s production influence is immediately audible — the arrangement is tighter, the drops more surgical, the frequency management more intentional. The track builds with a controlled intensity before releasing into a chorus that feels genuinely enormous. Example’s vocal sits perfectly in the mix, never fighting with the production but rather working with it as a complementary instrument. As a collaboration, it demonstrates how Example’s voice and lyrical style can adapt to different production environments without losing its essential character. Big-room energy with genuine craft underneath.
Under The Influence
Another track that leans into the intoxicating, slightly out-of-control energy of attraction. “Under The Influence” uses the metaphor of being under someone’s spell the way a substance takes hold — loss of control framed as both dangerous and irresistible. The production features a prominent, rhythmically complex synth riff that runs through the track like a recurring thought, punctuated by satisfying bass drops that give the track physical impact. The lyrical writing here is more playful and less earnest than some of Example’s emotional ballads, and the tonal contrast adds welcome variety to the broader catalog. A dance-pop gem that deserves revisiting.
One More Day (Stay With Me)
One of Example’s most explicitly romantic songs, “One More Day (Stay With Me)” distills the specific emotion of dreading a goodbye into four minutes of aching pop songwriting. The production is warmer and more organic-feeling than his club material — acoustic guitar textures sit alongside electronic elements to create a hybrid sound that feels both intimate and polished. The hook is deceptively simple but remarkably sticky, the kind of melody you catch yourself humming hours after the song has ended. If you want to share Example’s work with someone who primarily listens to singer-songwriter or pop material rather than dance music, this is probably the ideal entry point.
10 Million People
An ambitious track both conceptually and sonically, “10 Million People” grapples with the paradox of modern connectivity — surrounded by billions of people and still feeling profoundly alone. The production uses big, sweeping synth pads and a slow-building arrangement to mirror the emotional scale of the idea, and the chorus expands into something genuinely stadium-sized in its sonic ambition. Lyrically, it’s one of Example’s more literary efforts, reaching for something beyond personal experience toward a broader social commentary. The track rewards the kind of focused, attentive listening that you can explore through our recommendations for the best songs of the decade.
Me + Mandy
A departure in tone, “Me + Mandy” is looser, more fun, and leans playfully into storytelling. Named after his now-wife, model Erin McNaught (whom he affectionately calls Mandy in the track), the song has a biographical warmth that gives it an entirely different emotional texture from his more abstract romantic writing. The production is mid-tempo and breezy, with a melodic lightness that matches the content. It’s the kind of track that reveals another dimension of an artist — the capacity for joy and lightness amid a catalog that often gravitates toward intensity and yearning. A fan favorite for its personal, unguarded quality.
Whisky Story
“Whisky Story” carries the particular weight of regret examined through the specific lens of a night that didn’t go as it should have. The production is more stripped back and atmospheric, with a dark, cinematic quality that suits the confessional lyrical content. Example’s vocal performance here is among his most emotionally unguarded — there’s a rawness in the phrasing that suggests real personal excavation rather than performed emotion. The arrangement unfolds slowly, refusing to rush toward resolution, which feels appropriate for a song about the kind of events that take years to fully process. A deeper cut that reveals significant emotional depth.
Last Ones Standing
Built for arena audiences and festival closing sets, “Last Ones Standing” channels a triumphant, collective energy that feels genuinely celebratory. The production is maximalist in the best sense — layered, propulsive, with a chorus that arrives like a wave breaking over everything. Lyrically, it’s about persistence and survival, about still being on the dancefloor when others have gone home, about refusing to let the night end before you’re ready. The anthem quality here is unmistakable; this is a track that creates genuine emotional solidarity among listeners. One of the best examples of Example’s ability to write music that functions simultaneously as personal statement and communal experience.
The Answer
“The Answer” is a more meditative, searching entry in the catalog — a track that asks questions rather than asserting certainties. The production reflects this ambiguity, with an open, reverb-heavy arrangement that creates space for reflection rather than driving urgency. Lyrically, Gleave explores the tension between what we want and what we do, between intention and action, between the person we present and the one we actually are. The restraint in the production is notable — knowing when not to add another element is a genuine skill, and this track demonstrates it clearly. A thoughtful, underappreciated piece of work.
Monster
“Monster” digs into darker emotional territory — the recognition of destructive tendencies in oneself, the simultaneous desire to be seen honestly and fear of what honest seeing would reveal. The production carries a harder, more angular edge than much of Example’s work, with distorted synth elements that mirror the psychological tension of the lyrical content. The chorus hits with real impact, and Gleave’s vocal delivery is suitably intense without tipping into melodrama. It’s a track that demonstrates genuine artistic courage — the willingness to write honestly about unflattering self-knowledge rather than retreating to safer emotional ground.
Playing In The Shadows
The title track of his breakthrough 2011 album, “Playing in the Shadows” functions almost as an artistic manifesto — a declaration of intent from an artist who had spent years working toward his moment. The production is characteristically sharp and purposeful, and lyrically, the track is about existing in the spaces between obscurity and recognition, doing your work with conviction regardless of whether the spotlight finds you. There’s something quietly moving about listening to it now, with the knowledge of the commercial success that followed — the song reads differently when you know the shadow eventually gave way. A fitting centerpiece for a career-defining album and the perfect closing track for this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Example’s real name?
Example’s real name is Elliot John Gleave. He was born on June 20, 1983, in Fulham, London, and adopted the stage name “Example” early in his career as a representation of his approach to music — setting an example for how dance music and hip-hop could coexist.
What is Example’s most successful song?
“Changed The Way You Kiss Me” is widely considered Example’s most commercially successful song. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart in May 2011 and stayed at the top position for three weeks, cementing his status as one of the UK’s leading dance-pop artists of that era.
What album is “Kickstarts” from?
“Kickstarts” was released as a single in 2010 and later included on the album Won’t Go Quietly, released that same year. It was one of the tracks that first brought Example significant mainstream attention in the UK.
Is Example still making music?
Example has remained active as a recording and touring artist. While his commercial peak was in the early-to-mid 2010s, he has continued to release music, tour internationally, and maintain a dedicated fanbase particularly in the UK and Australia, where he has always had a particularly strong following.
Who produced most of Example’s music?
Much of Example’s signature sound was shaped through his collaboration with Australian producer Dirty South (Dragan Roganovic), particularly on his breakthrough albums Won’t Go Quietly and Playing in the Shadows. He has also worked with producers including Laidback Luke and various UK-based production teams throughout his career.
What genre is Example’s music?
Example’s music sits at the intersection of several genres: electro-pop, dance-pop, UK garage, and hip-hop. He came up through the UK MC and grime scenes, which gave his music a lyrical directness and rhythmic sophistication that distinguishes it from more straightforwardly melodic pop. His later work leans increasingly toward electronic dance music with strong pop songwriting structures.