For over a decade, Zedd has been one of the most influential figures in electronic dance music, crafting chart-topping hits that blend progressive house, electro house, and pop sensibilities. The Russian-German DJ and producer, born Anton Zaslavski, has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music while maintaining his signature sound characterized by pristine production, infectious melodies, and emotional depth. His ability to create anthemic songs that resonate both on festival main stages and radio airwaves has solidified his position as a dance music icon.
From his breakthrough single that introduced the world to his distinctive style to his recent collaborative efforts with emerging artists, Zedd’s discography showcases remarkable consistency and evolution. His tracks have accumulated billions of streams, earned him Grammy recognition, and established him as a crossover artist who bridges the gap between electronic music purists and mainstream pop audiences. Whether you’re exploring different songs across genres or specifically diving into Zedd’s catalog, this comprehensive list celebrates his greatest musical achievements.
This ranking considers commercial success, cultural impact, production innovation, and lasting influence within the electronic music landscape. Each selection represents a significant moment in Zedd’s career, demonstrating his versatility as a producer and his talent for creating timeless dance music that transcends fleeting trends.
Clarity (feat. Foxes)
“Clarity” stands as Zedd’s defining masterpiece and the song that catapulted him into international stardom in 2012. The track features British singer Foxes delivering hauntingly beautiful vocals over Zedd’s meticulously crafted production that builds from delicate piano melodies to euphoric drops. This Grammy-winning record perfectly encapsulates the emotional depth that separates Zedd from many of his contemporaries, with lyrics exploring the paradox of a toxic relationship that somehow provides clarity.
Stay the Night (feat. Hayley Williams)
Featuring Paramore’s Hayley Williams, “Stay the Night” became one of Zedd’s most successful singles in 2013, showcasing his ability to collaborate with rock vocalists. The track blends Williams’ powerful vocal delivery with Zedd’s signature electro-house production, creating an anthemic sound that dominated both radio and festivals. The song’s dynamic structure moves seamlessly between intimate verses and explosive choruses, demonstrating Zedd’s sophisticated understanding of pop song architecture.
The Middle (with Maren Morris & Grey)
Released in 2018, “The Middle” became one of Zedd’s biggest commercial successes, dominating global charts and earning multiple platinum certifications. The collaboration with country star Maren Morris and production duo Grey created a crossover hit that appealed to diverse audiences with its infectious hook and relatable lyrics about relationship insecurity. The song’s stripped-back production approach, focusing on Morris’s vocals and a simple but effective melodic foundation, showed Zedd’s willingness to evolve his sound.
Beautiful Now (feat. Jon Bellion)
“Beautiful Now” emerged as a standout track from Zedd’s 2015 album “True Colors,” featuring Jon Bellion’s emotive vocals over an uplifting progressive house backdrop. The song’s message about living in the present moment resonated deeply with listeners, while its soaring melodies and expertly crafted build-ups exemplified Zedd’s peak production prowess. This track became a festival anthem, with its sing-along chorus creating unforgettable moments at venues worldwide.
I Want You to Know (feat. Selena Gomez)
Zedd’s collaboration with Selena Gomez in 2015 produced “I Want You to Know,” a massive pop-EDM crossover that showcased both artists at their commercial peak. The track features Gomez’s breathy vocals complementing Zedd’s dynamic production, which incorporates both delicate melodic elements and powerful drops. This single marked an important moment in mainstream EDM, demonstrating how electronic producers could successfully collaborate with pop superstars while maintaining artistic integrity.
Spectrum (feat. Matthew Koma)
“Spectrum” served as an early breakthrough hit for Zedd in 2012, featuring Matthew Koma’s distinctive vocals that would become synonymous with some of dance music’s biggest hits. The track’s progressive house foundation and euphoric melodies established many of the sonic signatures that would define Zedd’s subsequent work. Its success on both dance charts and mainstream radio helped pave the way for the EDM boom of the early 2010s.
Break Free (feat. Ariana Grande)
The 2014 collaboration between Zedd and Ariana Grande resulted in “Break Free,” an empowerment anthem that dominated pop radio and demonstrated Zedd’s ability to craft radio-friendly hits. Grande’s powerhouse vocals soar over Zedd’s punchy production, which incorporates elements of electro house and synth-pop into a cohesive, energetic package. The futuristic music video and the song’s liberating message made it one of the summer’s defining tracks.
Daisy (feat. Julia Michaels)
Released in 2019, “Daisy” features singer-songwriter Julia Michaels delivering intimate, conversational lyrics over Zedd’s refined production. The track showcases a more mature, understated approach compared to his earlier festival bangers, with intricate melodic details and a focus on emotional storytelling. This collaboration highlighted Zedd’s growth as a producer capable of crafting subtle, sophisticated pop records that reward repeated listening.
Bumble Bee (feat. Lady Gaga)
“Bumble Bee” appeared on the 2018 “A Star Is Born” soundtrack, featuring Lady Gaga’s vocals over Zedd’s shimmering electronic production. The collaboration brought Zedd into the film music sphere while maintaining his characteristic sound design and melodic sensibilities. Though not released as a single, the track gained significant attention due to the film’s success and demonstrated Zedd’s versatility in contributing to larger multimedia projects.
Candyman
“Candyman” from Zedd’s 2015 album “True Colors” stands out as an energetic, guitar-driven track that incorporates rock elements into his electronic foundation. The song features live instrumentation alongside Zedd’s signature synth work, creating a hybrid sound that feels both organic and electronic. Its festival-ready energy and anthemic qualities made it a fan favorite despite not receiving a major single push.
Papercut (feat. Troye Sivan)
The 2017 collaboration with Australian pop star Troye Sivan resulted in “Papercut,” a sophisticated production that showcases both artists’ artistic evolution. Sivan’s delicate vocals float over Zedd’s restrained yet intricate production, which prioritizes atmosphere and emotion over aggressive drops. The track’s metaphor of love as a papercut—small but persistently painful—resonated with listeners who appreciated its nuanced approach to relationship dynamics.
Addicted to a Memory (feat. Bahari)
Featured on “True Colors,” this collaboration with trio Bahari creates a nostalgic, emotionally charged atmosphere exploring themes of longing and memory. Zedd’s production weaves together shimmering synths, pulsing basslines, and the group’s harmonized vocals into a cohesive sonic journey. The track exemplifies Zedd’s ability to balance commercial appeal with artistic depth, creating music that works both in clubs and during introspective listening sessions.
Done with Love
“Done with Love” from Zedd’s debut album “Clarity” showcases his pure progressive house roots with minimal vocal processing and maximum melodic emphasis. The track builds methodically through various sections, demonstrating Zedd’s classical music training in its structured approach to tension and release. This instrumental-focused work reminds listeners of Zedd’s production prowess beyond his vocal collaborations.
Transmission (feat. Logic & X Ambassadors)
This 2017 collaboration brought together rapper Logic and rock band X Ambassadors for an unexpected genre fusion over Zedd’s production. The track combines hip-hop verses, rock-influenced vocals, and electronic production into an ambitious crossover attempt. While experimental compared to Zedd’s typical output, “Transmission” demonstrated his willingness to push boundaries and collaborate across musical genres.
Starving (with Hailee Steinfeld & Grey)
Co-produced with Grey and featuring Hailee Steinfeld, “Starving” became a massive hit in 2016 with its infectious melody and relatable lyrics about new love. The track’s production strikes a perfect balance between electronic elements and pop accessibility, with Steinfeld’s vocals conveying genuine emotion and excitement. Its success further cemented Zedd’s reputation as a hitmaker capable of identifying and developing crossover potential in collaborations.
Happy Now (with Elley Duhé)
Released in 2018, “Happy Now” features emerging artist Elley Duhé delivering emotionally raw vocals about post-breakup reflection over Zedd’s polished production. The song’s melancholic yet danceable quality showcases Zedd’s ability to create music that acknowledges emotional complexity while remaining club-friendly. Its stripped-back verses building to euphoric choruses demonstrate sophisticated dynamic control.
Get Low (with Liam Payne)
Zedd’s 2017 collaboration with former One Direction member Liam Payne produced “Get Low,” a sultry, tropical-influenced track perfect for summer playlists. The song incorporates elements of moombahton and tropical house into Zedd’s signature sound, showing his awareness of contemporary trends while maintaining his identity. Payne’s smooth vocal delivery complements the laid-back yet infectious production.
Alive (with Empire of the Sun)
Featured on Zedd’s 2021 “Out of the Blue” EP, “Alive” represents his more recent work, collaborating with Australian electronic rock band Empire of the Sun. The track combines Zedd’s crisp production with the band’s psychedelic pop sensibilities, creating an uplifting anthem about resilience and renewal. This collaboration showcases how Zedd continues evolving his sound while respecting his collaborators’ artistic identities.
Inside Out (feat. Griff)
“Inside Out,” released in 2021, features British singer-songwriter Griff delivering introspective lyrics over Zedd’s characteristically pristine production. The track explores themes of emotional vulnerability and authenticity in relationships through its thoughtful songwriting. Zedd’s production provides the perfect sonic landscape for Griff’s expressive vocals, balancing electronic elements with organic instrumentation to create depth.
1685 (feat. Muse)
This ambitious 2024 collaboration with legendary rock band Muse represents one of Zedd’s most recent and experimental releases, blending the band’s alternative rock intensity with electronic production. The track’s title references the year Bach and Handel were born, nodding to both Zedd’s and Muse’s classical music influences. This fusion creates a powerful, genre-defying experience that pushes boundaries while honoring musical history, demonstrating Zedd’s continued relevance and willingness to take creative risks in the current music landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zedd’s most successful song?
“The Middle” featuring Maren Morris and Grey stands as Zedd’s most commercially successful song, achieving multi-platinum certifications in numerous countries and spending extended periods on the Billboard Hot 100. The track dominated global charts throughout 2018 and became one of the year’s biggest crossover hits, appealing to country, pop, and electronic music audiences simultaneously. Its streaming numbers continue growing, with billions of plays across platforms making it Zedd’s defining commercial achievement.
What genre of music does Zedd produce?
Zedd primarily produces progressive house and electro house music, though his work incorporates elements from various genres including pop, classical, and rock. His classical piano training influences his melodic approach, resulting in more complex harmonic structures than typical dance music. Throughout his career, Zedd has demonstrated versatility by adapting his production style to complement different vocalists and musical contexts while maintaining his signature polished, melodic sound.
Has Zedd won any Grammy Awards?
Yes, Zedd won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2014 for his breakthrough single “Clarity” featuring Foxes. This recognition from the Recording Academy validated his artistic approach and helped legitimize electronic dance music within mainstream music industry circles. The Grammy win occurred during EDM’s peak commercial period and established Zedd as one of the genre’s most critically acclaimed producers.
What equipment does Zedd use to produce music?
Zedd primarily works with FL Studio as his digital audio workstation, along with various synthesizers and plugins including Native Instruments’ Massive and Sylenth1. His production setup emphasizes software instruments and digital processing, though he incorporates live instruments when appropriate for specific tracks. For those interested in optimizing their listening experience of Zedd’s intricate productions, exploring quality audio equipment through resources like compare headphones can reveal the detailed production layers in his music.
Who are Zedd’s most frequent collaborators?
Zedd has worked extensively with vocalists including Foxes, Matthew Koma, and Hayley Williams, while also collaborating with production duo Grey on multiple occasions. His collaborations span diverse musical backgrounds, from pop stars like Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande to country artists like Maren Morris. This collaborative approach has been central to Zedd’s success, allowing him to reach different audiences while maintaining his sonic identity.
What makes Zedd’s production style unique?
Zedd’s production style distinguishes itself through pristine sound quality, complex melodic structures influenced by classical music, and emotional depth uncommon in mainstream dance music. His tracks typically feature carefully arranged build-ups, dynamic contrast between sections, and attention to harmonic progression beyond simple chord loops. The clarity and separation of elements in his mixes, combined with his ability to balance radio-friendly accessibility with production sophistication, creates his signature sound.
What is Zedd’s latest music release?
Zedd continues releasing new music regularly, with recent collaborations exploring various sounds while maintaining his core artistic identity. His latest work shows maturation in production approach, incorporating contemporary trends while respecting his established style. For the most current information about Zedd’s newest releases and touring schedule, checking official music platforms and his social media channels provides up-to-date details.
How did Zedd get into music production?
Zedd began his musical journey with classical piano training at age four, later transitioning to electronic music production during his teenage years. His classical background significantly influences his melodic sensibilities and understanding of musical structure, setting him apart from producers without formal training. This combination of classical foundation and electronic innovation became the cornerstone of his distinctive production approach and commercial success.