When Avicii released Stories on September 9, 2015, it marked a new chapter for the Swedish producer. The album brought together electronic production with pop, country, and soul influences, creating some of his most distinctive tracks. Now, ten years later, Stories is remembered not only for global singles like Waiting for Love and Broken Arrows but also for the way it expanded his approach beyond the festival stage.

The album Stories is closely linked to a handful of tracks that shaped its identity. Released between 2014 and 2015, songs like Waiting for Love, The Days, The Nights, For a Better Day, and Broken Arrows remain the most recognized from the project and continue to highlight what made this record stand out.

The Days

The Days was released in October 2014 as one of the first singles tied to Avicii’s Stories album. Written and performed by Robbie Williams, the track combined his pop vocals with Avicii’s electronic production and was later packaged as a double single with The Nights. A lyric video accompanied the release, helping to keep momentum in the lead-up to the 2015 album. Positioned almost a year ahead of the full record, The Days set the tone for the kind of collaborations that would shape Stories.

The Nights

Two months after The Days, Avicii released The Nights in December 2014 as the second single connected to the Stories album. The track featured Nicholas Furlong on vocals and is instantly recognizable for its acoustic guitar intro and lyrics about living with purpose. Its popularity grew even further when it was included on the FIFA 15 soundtrack, giving it a global reach well beyond the dance scene. The official video, focused on a young man documenting his adventurous lifestyle, reinforced its image as one of Avicii’s most widely remembered songs.

Waiting For Love

Waiting for Love was released in May 2015 as the lead single from Avicii’s Stories album. Co-produced with Martin Garrix and featuring vocals from Simon Aldred of Cherry Ghost, the track became one of the most streamed songs in his career. It was supported by two official videos: an animated lyric video by We Are Animations and a narrative clip about an elderly man traveling in search of his dog, both of which helped the single gain wide recognition online.

For a Better Day

For a Better Day was released in August 2015 as one of the main singles from Avicii’s Stories album. Featuring vocals from Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, the track stood apart for its heavier themes. Avicii co-directed the official video, which took the form of a short film addressing child exploitation and justice. Paired with Pure Grinding on release, it showed the contrasting directions he was exploring at the time and added a socially conscious edge to the album’s promotion.

Broken Arrows

Broken Arrows followed in November 2015 as another single from Avicii’s Stories album. The track featured Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band, bringing a strong country influence into Avicii’s electronic production. Its lyric video told the story of Olympic high jumper Dick Fosbury, whose unconventional technique redefined the sport, tying the song to themes of persistence and innovation. With its crossover style and distinct narrative, Broken Arrows became one of the most memorable releases from the album’s cycle.

Collaborations played a central role in shaping Avicii’s Stories album. Alongside the singles, the record included artists from outside the electronic music scene, which helped distinguish it from his 2013 debut True. Chris Martin of Coldplay appeared on True Believer, Wyclef Jean and Matisyahu were featured on Can’t Catch Me, and Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band performed on Broken Arrows. These contributions gave the album variety and reinforced Avicii’s interest in connecting EDM with pop, reggae, and country influences.

Avicii was also deeply involved in the writing process for Stories. Rather than adding vocals to finished tracks, he worked directly with the singers and co-wrote much of the material. This method shaped songs like Waiting for Love, The Nights, and For a Better Day into complete pop structures, making them suitable for both streaming and radio. The approach positioned Avicii as more than a DJ, emphasizing his role as a producer and songwriter collaborating across genres and aiming for songs with lasting reach.

Ten years after its release, Avicii’s Stories continues to stand as one of his most ambitious projects. With singles like The Days, The Nights, Waiting for Love, For a Better Day, and Broken Arrows, along with collaborations with Chris Martin, Wyclef Jean, Matisyahu, and Zac Brown, the album remains an important part of his career. Marking its anniversary in 2025 offers the perfect moment to revisit Stories and hear again the tracks that made it memorable.